Can Hex blade be good? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can Hex blade be good? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
control freak
08-05-07, 10:43 PM a friend of mine wants a hexblade build and wants me to optimise it, but frankly other then possibly trying to abuse DD/spell sword i dont know what to do, does any one have any ideas?
jstorrie
08-05-07, 10:50 PM Dragon Disciple, as you mentioned, works well. Other PrC options: Outcast Champion, Menacing Brute, Cavalier, Wildrunner, and anything else melee-oriented, really.

Don't knock Hexblade spellcasting–they do get bonus Spell Focus feats and they do get certain good spells at lower spell levels than a Wizard would, so you do have the option of dropping disabler spells on enemies who are Will-weak. I think that this additional option is what really makes straight Hexblades viable, moreso than the curse, but like Bards Hexblade characters depend heavily on being played well. Most PCs have one optimized hammer with which to bash on all situations; Hexblades have a toolbag of much-less-optimized options, so you have to know how to pick the right thing for each situation.
control freak
08-05-07, 11:06 PM if any one could list a build that gives 2nd level hex spells that is good would be nice, because he wants false life on it (he figures a decent HP will be a huge help and after that go few levels of FTR + Barb)

he definately wants human so he can multi class

probably 1-8 hex blade (unless false life is first level for them)9-10 ftr 11 Brb feats compleatly unknown (what do you even make them?) DD 12-15, change the order if u want i just think that after he gets the 8 levels of hexblade

i was consdering great fortitude and 6th imp toughness so he had some HP to chop down and didnt die to the first beholder/wizard that finger of deaths him
Mommy was an Orc
08-05-07, 11:13 PM a friend of mine wants a hexblade build and wants me to optimise it, but frankly other then possibly trying to abuse DD/spell sword i dont know what to do, does any one have any ideas?

Hexblade, even with Dark Companion, really isn't all that great of a class. There isn't a huge benefit to having a high charisma, so the curse is something of a trap for a pure Hexblade. Not to mention, past Hexblade 7 is kind of iffy.

What you want to do is give yourself reasons to have a high Charisma. i.e.
Barbarian 1 with Extra Rage and Intimidating Rage
Marshal 1-3
Outcast Champion 2-5
Rogue 1-3
Dragon Disciple 4 - doesn't help with the Charisma, but it does mean you can start with a high Charisma and level it, knowing your Strength will catch up.

So something like this:
Half-Elf
Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 8, Cha 15

1: Barbarian 1: Extra Rage
2: Hexblade 1
3: Hexblade 2: Intimidating Rage
4: Hexblade 3: Charisma 16
5: Hexblade 4
6: Outcast Champion 1: Power Attack
7: Outcast Champion 2
8: Dragon Disciple 1: Charisma 17
9: Hexblade 5: Spell Focus(Enchantment), Unsettling Enchantment(CM)
10: Dragon Disciple 2: Str 18
11: Dragon Disciple 3
12: Dragon Disciple 4: Str 20, Charisma 18: ?
13: Hexblade 6
14: Hexblade 7
15: Hexblade 8: ?
Hariman
08-06-07, 12:29 AM a friend of mine wants a hexblade build and wants me to optimise it, but frankly other then possibly trying to abuse DD/spell sword i dont know what to do, does any one have any ideas?

Well, there's no easy way to optimize a Hexblade. It's a challenge, so I'll recommend playing a High Dex Build.

Spiked Chainer (Human), Generic Archer (Still preferably human, and even rangers will outdo you here), or Dragon Disciple.

For a non Dragon Disciple Hexblade.

Choose one specialty and stick with it. If you go Spiked Chainer, stick with that as your primary focus. (And make sure you squeeze in Power Attack. Even if you have to dip into fighter for a level.) For an archer, take POint Blank, Precise Shot and Rapid Shot as soon as you can. Then branch out into other archery feats.

For a Dragon Disciple:

Taking:

Fighter1/Hexblade4/Dragon Disciple3/Barbarian1/Fighter3/Dragon Disciple1(DD4 at this point)/other classes 2

Will let you start off with Weapon Focus, Power Attack, and probably Cleave at level 1. (Human with STR16) The later Fighter levels bring Weapon Specialization and Weapon Mastery into the mix. Barbarian is taken at level nine and should be combined with either Extra Rage or Reckless Rage.

Although, I'm pretty sure that there is a better order for this build.

Another Dragon Disciple option is:

Barbarian1/Hexblade4/Dragon Disciple4/Exotic Weapon Master1/other class or classes5.

Just make sure to Squeeze in Power Attack, EWP: Bastard Sword, (Or dwarven Waraxe, if you don't mind coping with dwarf penalties.) for the Uncanny Blow Trick.

Also Worth Note:

Improved Familiar: (From Complete Warrior) can get a hexblade either a Blink Dog or a Hippogriff. Either is very good. Especially with the Hexblade's higher HP.

Ability Focus: Hexblade's Curse can up the curse save by 2, but is only worth it at level 9 or later. That is, once you get the +4 curse and multiple uses per day.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
control freak 08-05-07, 10:43 PM	a friend of mine wants a hexblade build and wants me to optimise it, but frankly other then possibly trying to abuse DD/spell sword i dont know what to do, does any one have any ideas?
jstorrie 08-05-07, 10:50 PM	Dragon Disciple, as you mentioned, works well. Other PrC options: Outcast Champion, Menacing Brute, Cavalier, Wildrunner, and anything else melee-oriented, really. Don't knock Hexblade spellcasting–they do get bonus Spell Focus feats and they do get certain good spells at lower spell levels than a Wizard would, so you do have the option of dropping disabler spells on enemies who are Will-weak. I think that this additional option is what really makes straight Hexblades viable, moreso than the curse, but like Bards Hexblade characters depend heavily on being played well. Most PCs have one optimized hammer with which to bash on all situations; Hexblades have a toolbag of much-less-optimized options, so you have to know how to pick the right thing for each situation.
control freak 08-05-07, 11:06 PM	if any one could list a build that gives 2nd level hex spells that is good would be nice, because he wants false life on it (he figures a decent HP will be a huge help and after that go few levels of FTR + Barb) he definately wants human so he can multi class probably 1-8 hex blade (unless false life is first level for them)9-10 ftr 11 Brb feats compleatly unknown (what do you even make them?) DD 12-15, change the order if u want i just think that after he gets the 8 levels of hexblade i was consdering great fortitude and 6th imp toughness so he had some HP to chop down and didnt die to the first beholder/wizard that finger of deaths him
Mommy was an Orc 08-05-07, 11:13 PM	a friend of mine wants a hexblade build and wants me to optimise it, but frankly other then possibly trying to abuse DD/spell sword i dont know what to do, does any one have any ideas? Hexblade, even with Dark Companion, really isn't all that great of a class. There isn't a huge benefit to having a high charisma, so the curse is something of a trap for a pure Hexblade. Not to mention, past Hexblade 7 is kind of iffy. What you want to do is give yourself reasons to have a high Charisma. i.e. Barbarian 1 with Extra Rage and Intimidating Rage Marshal 1-3 Outcast Champion 2-5 Rogue 1-3 Dragon Disciple 4 - doesn't help with the Charisma, but it does mean you can start with a high Charisma and level it, knowing your Strength will catch up. So something like this: Half-Elf Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 8, Cha 15 1: Barbarian 1: Extra Rage 2: Hexblade 1 3: Hexblade 2: Intimidating Rage 4: Hexblade 3: Charisma 16 5: Hexblade 4 6: Outcast Champion 1: Power Attack 7: Outcast Champion 2 8: Dragon Disciple 1: Charisma 17 9: Hexblade 5: Spell Focus(Enchantment), Unsettling Enchantment(CM) 10: Dragon Disciple 2: Str 18 11: Dragon Disciple 3 12: Dragon Disciple 4: Str 20, Charisma 18: ? 13: Hexblade 6 14: Hexblade 7 15: Hexblade 8: ?
Hariman 08-06-07, 12:29 AM	a friend of mine wants a hexblade build and wants me to optimise it, but frankly other then possibly trying to abuse DD/spell sword i dont know what to do, does any one have any ideas? Well, there's no easy way to optimize a Hexblade. It's a challenge, so I'll recommend playing a High Dex Build. Spiked Chainer (Human), Generic Archer (Still preferably human, and even rangers will outdo you here), or Dragon Disciple. For a non Dragon Disciple Hexblade. Choose one specialty and stick with it. If you go Spiked Chainer, stick with that as your primary focus. (And make sure you squeeze in Power Attack. Even if you have to dip into fighter for a level.) For an archer, take POint Blank, Precise Shot and Rapid Shot as soon as you can. Then branch out into other archery feats. For a Dragon Disciple: Taking: Fighter1/Hexblade4/Dragon Disciple3/Barbarian1/Fighter3/Dragon Disciple1(DD4 at this point)/other classes 2 Will let you start off with Weapon Focus, Power Attack, and probably Cleave at level 1. (Human with STR16) The later Fighter levels bring Weapon Specialization and Weapon Mastery into the mix. Barbarian is taken at level nine and should be combined with either Extra Rage or Reckless Rage. Although, I'm pretty sure that there is a better order for this build. Another Dragon Disciple option is: Barbarian1/Hexblade4/Dragon Disciple4/Exotic Weapon Master1/other class or classes5. Just make sure to Squeeze in Power Attack, EWP: Bastard Sword, (Or dwarven Waraxe, if you don't mind coping with dwarf penalties.) for the Uncanny Blow Trick. Also Worth Note: Improved Familiar: (From Complete Warrior) can get a hexblade either a Blink Dog or a Hippogriff. Either is very good. Especially with the Hexblade's higher HP. Ability Focus: Hexblade's Curse can up the curse save by 2, but is only worth it at level 9 or later. That is, once you get the +4 curse and multiple uses per day.