Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rone_leah 05-23-06, 03:48 AM	I just recently found the hexblade class and really want to play one so for the matter and being lazy I would kindly ask any reading the thread to tell me how they built their hexblade or would build theirs.
Xeraph 05-23-06, 04:34 AM	Take feats such as: Arcane Strike, Improved Familiar (winter wolf), power attack and leap attack
Eyeless Blond 05-23-06, 07:44 AM	And Practiced Spellcaster; don't forget Practiced Spellcaster, especially if you're taking Improved Familiar. Ability focus: hexblade curse isn't a bad idea either. Hexblades are really, really dependent on their character feat selections, possibly moreso than any other character. I suggest you look around the boards for good ideas.
Xeraph 05-23-06, 07:51 AM	And the posting guidelines. :rolleyes:
Elephant Jack 05-23-06, 12:17 PM	I usually don't say such things but... the Hexblade requires some work to, well, make it work :) Since the PHB II is out, the Duskblade (new core class) is quite the thing the Hexblade should have been and leaves more space for a unique character setup. I suggest you'll have a look at the Duskblade. If you're really into Hexblade though, here are some ideas: Try to get as much Charisma-synergy as possible: Your saves will be great, you'll have more spells and your curse will be more useful. The Hexblade is perfect if you want to keep your opponent's saves (AC, ability checks...) low; pair it with Paladin of Slaughter (variant Paladin from UA) or Thrall of Orcus (vile PrC from BoVD) or Blackguard, perhaps use the variant class feature from PHB II and you'll reduce your opponent's saves by -6 o -10, depending on your choice and th strength of your curse. Your party's wizard will be glad :D Hope this helps a bit EJ
nittanytbone 05-23-06, 12:21 PM	If you don't want to be a pure hexblade, a two level dip is outstanding for most melee types, especially those with decent charisma. +3 to your will save is great (most melee types have terrible will saves), as is the Arcane spell resistance stuff. The curse spewing is a side benefit, as is adding a bunch of very handy buff spells to your class spell list (use wands!).
Xeraph 05-23-06, 12:37 PM	If you don't want to be a pure hexblade, a two level dip is outstanding for most melee types, especially those with decent charisma. +3 to your will save is great (most melee types have terrible will saves), as is the Arcane spell resistance stuff. The curse spewing is a side benefit, as is adding a bunch of very handy buff spells to your class spell list (use wands!). And a 3rd level dip is even better. Mettle is the bestests! :D
nbhs275 05-24-06, 06:20 PM	hexblade or bust (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=624046) is the thread i had on this subject a while ago. With this build your a good melee combatant, have good saves and a fair selection of spells. Using your curse to lower their saves, your use hold person to immobilize them and coup de grac them with your scythe. If you are facing creatures this won't work on, you simply go at them with your scythe and familiar(who also should be large, as long as you keep him near after you cast your pump spells)
DarthDave 05-24-06, 07:26 PM	Dragonwrought, venerable kobold hexblade? Yeah, +3 to Charisma out of the gates isn't a bad thing. Will have to compensate for lower Strength (-4 racial) and Constitution (-2), but you should live a long time as the hourglass pours (since your maximum lifespan is dictated by your Charisma score).
nbhs275 05-24-06, 10:00 PM	except that you would suck, seeing as hexblade is a fighting class, and a -4 to strength and -2 to con isn't worth to a +3 charisma. Your charisma isn't as important at low levels(in combat) and a with a penelty like that strength, your going to spend so many points making up for it, it's not worth it(plus the whole advanced age start is kinda iffy) Don't go hexblade 20, but dip out only for either 4 or less, or take only 4 of hexblade. Good classes to mix in are marshal(auras for you and your familiar, curses for your enemy), favored soul for the charisma based casting, blackguard(nothing like twice your charisma to your saves),warlock(charisma based casting).
DarthDave 05-24-06, 10:13 PM	At most, at start, the character could have a 14 Strength (18-4). Not "optimal," but having a 21 Charisma IS. What is "iffy" about the old age to start? Re-read pg. 39 of Races of the Dragon to see that Dragonwrought Kobolds do not net aging penalties. Simply take the needed feat at 1st level and gain an extra 3 point for each mental statistic. Considering how weak the Kobold is at its beginning, it's like taking the venerable age progression with less of a hit (+2 Dex, only -4 or -2 instead of -6 each). Having a 13 or 14 Strength (i.e. Power Attack feat entry), and a 21 Charisma as a v-e-r-y old Kobold Hexblade with at least an 11 Intelligence and Wisdom, and difficult DC class abilities, seems like optimization. With point buys, this build looks realistic. Str...12 (32 pt buy - 10)...Figure 1st feat=Dragonwrought, 3rd level would be to augmnent ability, giving time for 4th level +1 stat bump to 13, for Power Attack at a later point in time, if at all (?) Dex...12 (32-2) Con...10 (32-4) Int...11 (32-0) Wis...11 (32-0) Cha...21(32-16)
Hariman 05-24-06, 10:45 PM	Dragonwrought, venerable kobold hexblade? Yeah, +3 to Charisma out of the gates isn't a bad thing. Will have to compensate for lower Strength (-4 racial) and Constitution (-2), but you should live a long time as the hourglass pours (since your maximum lifespan is dictated by your Charisma score). Combine this with a Weapon Finesse build or a ranged build, and you are set. Using a Reach Weapon (Lance or Glaive, etc.) is also a good option for melee. Going for Spring Attack or a Charger Build is also a good option.