So this is going to be my first campaign with a bunch of friends (about half have played and the other half are first time as well) and we are going to be playing through CoS. I have switched between a bunch of different classes that id like to play until i found the Hexblade Warlock. I really enjoy the fantasy of being a sort of dark melee caster that is attached to my weapon.
my question is i see a lot of people talking about multiclassing with things like paladin to get smite or sorc to get higher spell slots and was wondering how optimal it is? I realize we probably will only get to about level 10-11 so my main focus is on those levels. My idea is to maybe go something like 2pal/3sorc/5hexblade or 2pal/8hexblade. The fantasy i have for the character is the be a fairly beefy melee character with a 1h and shield being able to cast spells from the front lines (planning on taking war caster) while also dishing melee damage.
Any tips are greatly appreciated and sorry if any of this is just wrong, its my first time like i said.
The Hexblade is one of the more powerful classes, no multiclassing necessary. It'll just slow down your Hexblade progress, which probably isn't what you want. If you're only going to level 10, you'll want to get those level 9-10 Hexblade features: 5th level pact magic spells (or just maxed out Eldritch Smites) and Armor of Hexes. If you multi-class you probably won't be seeing those by 10th level.
The big downside for Warlocks up to level 10 is a shortage of spell slots. Two things you'll want to talk to your DM about:
Pacing: Will you get short rests between encounters? This really shouldn't be a problem, but for some reason, it sometimes is. If your group insists on a "15 minute workday" with one big fight between long rests, the Hexblade is a lot less playable.
Magic Items: See if you can get your character anything that gives you additional spell slots. The Ring of Spell Storing and Pearl of Power are good. The Rod of the Pact Keeper is excellent for Warlocks.
Agreed that multiclassing will slow your progress. If you want to be a melee-focused warlock, hexblade features, invocations, and feats all will get you there.
And if you stick with a one-handed melee weapon, you'll be able to use a shield and medium armor, which (if your dexterity is halfway decent) will give you a strong AC to balance out being slightly squishy in terms of hit points.
One other thing to consider: for Curse of Strahd, it would well worth looking at the Celestial Warlock patron. Radiant damage is your friend here.
If you're determined to stick with Hexblade, Branding Smite (2nd level) is a must. The only other Radiant damage spells available to you will be Sickening Radiance (4th level) and Wall of Light (5th level).
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So this is going to be my first campaign with a bunch of friends (about half have played and the other half are first time as well) and we are going to be playing through CoS. I have switched between a bunch of different classes that id like to play until i found the Hexblade Warlock. I really enjoy the fantasy of being a sort of dark melee caster that is attached to my weapon.
my question is i see a lot of people talking about multiclassing with things like paladin to get smite or sorc to get higher spell slots and was wondering how optimal it is? I realize we probably will only get to about level 10-11 so my main focus is on those levels. My idea is to maybe go something like 2pal/3sorc/5hexblade or 2pal/8hexblade. The fantasy i have for the character is the be a fairly beefy melee character with a 1h and shield being able to cast spells from the front lines (planning on taking war caster) while also dishing melee damage.
Any tips are greatly appreciated and sorry if any of this is just wrong, its my first time like i said.
starting as a paladin gives heavy armour which could be really good for you
The Hexblade is one of the more powerful classes, no multiclassing necessary. It'll just slow down your Hexblade progress, which probably isn't what you want. If you're only going to level 10, you'll want to get those level 9-10 Hexblade features: 5th level pact magic spells (or just maxed out Eldritch Smites) and Armor of Hexes. If you multi-class you probably won't be seeing those by 10th level.
The big downside for Warlocks up to level 10 is a shortage of spell slots. Two things you'll want to talk to your DM about:
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!
Agreed that multiclassing will slow your progress. If you want to be a melee-focused warlock, hexblade features, invocations, and feats all will get you there.
And if you stick with a one-handed melee weapon, you'll be able to use a shield and medium armor, which (if your dexterity is halfway decent) will give you a strong AC to balance out being slightly squishy in terms of hit points.
One other thing to consider: for Curse of Strahd, it would well worth looking at the Celestial Warlock patron. Radiant damage is your friend here.
If you're determined to stick with Hexblade, Branding Smite (2nd level) is a must. The only other Radiant damage spells available to you will be Sickening Radiance (4th level) and Wall of Light (5th level).
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!