Post/Author/DateTime	Post
happosaai 05-23-07, 07:40 PM	Hi all, was thinking about making a Hexblade for my 1st LG character. Was looking at Hill Dwarf, LN S:16, D:10, C:14, I:10 , W:8 , Ch:14 after racial stat bumps. Any advice as to what else to take for the character would be appreciated (never played a Hexblade before) 1: Weapon Focus: (Dwarven Waraxe)
Timlagor 05-23-07, 08:29 PM	A different class? ;) Are you planning 15 levels of Hexblade? If not then where do you see yourself going? what atracts you to playign a Hexblade?
happosaai 05-23-07, 10:03 PM	Well, not entirely sure if going 15 levels is advisable... more like looking for some input on where or what to take him to. Most likely will take a couple years worth of gaming to get to 15 anyway so I have time to play around... but my main interest in playing a Hexblade is for the newness (to me). Definately seems like a good fighter/caster type character, kind of in tune with a dark knight, but not evil as many Blackguards are.
Haro 05-23-07, 10:37 PM	Hexblade is generally considered to be a weaker base class. I would look at maximising your curse ability, otherwise you will find the character to just be a poorer fighter or gish type. I think they'd be fun to play though, so for what it's worth, go Hexblade 15 and frolic in the flavour that the class offers! Joe
_metz_ 05-24-07, 03:12 AM	Hi all, was thinking about making a Hexblade for my 1st LG character. Was looking at Hill Dwarf, LN S:16, D:10, C:14, I:10 , W:8 , Ch:14 after racial stat bumps. Any advice as to what else to take for the character would be appreciated (never played a Hexblade before) 1: Weapon Focus: (Dwarven Waraxe) NO point being a dwarf if you don't have Con 16. You are losing 2 build points here, as CHA 14 costs 10 points instead of 6 for Human and there is no balancing as you haven't gone about 14 in Con. For the stats I would either go human or a different race, or go these stats for the Dwarf: S:15 D:10 C:16 I:10 W:8 Ch:14 Put stat boosts into Str most probably. This way you take into account all stat boosters and break even points wise. If you insist on Dwarf and take WF dwarven Waraxe a one level dip into Exotic weapon master for Uncanny blow is really a must.
jstorrie 05-24-07, 03:27 AM	Half-elves make decent Hexblades. Hexblade 4 / Fighter 2 / Dragon Disciple 4 / Outcast Champion 5 is fairly strong. 16 Str, 14 Dex/Con, 12 Cha, 10 Int and 8 Wis would suffice for that, and you'd get good saves from OC, Str+4 and natural armor from Dragon Disciple, the bite weapon, smites from OC, etc. Your Cha-based abilities from Outcast Champion come into play late, so you don't put many build points into Charisma and shore it up with a Cloak of Cha +4 once it's not a big cost to you. You won't be doing much spellcasting, but you could pick up some utility spells like Alarm and Unseen Servant. And since your Hexblade spells are essentially useless, don't be afraid to pick up heavy armor. For detail's sake: LN Half-elf 'Dragon Knight' Str 16 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 8 Cha 12 1 Hexblade: Improved Initiative 2 Fighter: Power Attack 3 Fighter: Improved Toughness, Improved Bull Rush 4 Hexblade Strength +1 5 Hexblade 6 Hexblade: Shock Trooper 7 (Silver or Bronze) Dragon Disciple 8 Dragon Disciple: Strength +1 9 Dragon Disciple: Leadership 10 Dragon Disciple 11 Outcast Champion 12 Outcast Champion: Charisma +1, Sociable Personality 13 Outcast Champion 14 Outcast Champion 15 Outcast Champion: Danger Sense You're sort of a heal-less Paladin–good saves, Smites, Diplomacy, heavy infantry–but without the code of conduct and a bit more geared to general offense. You're in fullplate with good Dex, Con, mettle, all d10/d12 hit dice and natural armor, so you should be frontlining. You have a fairly high starting Strength, smites, and +4 Strength from Dragon Disciple, so you can dish out damage enough to keep people focused on you. You have decent Charisma skills and the half-elf racials plus your additional skill points from Outcast Champion should allow you to operate as a good talker. Your breath weapon is not strong, but may come in handy for killing swarms or dealing with problem-solving situations here and there. You have claw/claw/bite if you get disarmed, imprisoned, or have to leave your weapons at the door, etc.
TWG_Prometheus 05-24-07, 03:49 PM	Hexblade is an interesting class to work with build-wise. It's major class feature, the Hexblade Curse, provides a fairly strong draw to remain in the class while the rest of the class provides little incentive to hang around after maybe 3-4 levels. To maximize the curse, you have to stick with the Hexblade base class. Unfortunately, Wizards has decided to not put any effort into even giving additional support via an Extra Curse feat, and there are no PrCs that allow the curse to continue increasing in strength or saving throw DC. Now that it's possible to obtain Ability Focus(Hexblade Curse), a full Hexblade is mildly more enticing due to the decent saving throw DC you can get up to. (DC 23 or so at 14th level without overinvesting in Charisma) If you're not trying to max out the curse ability, you really need a good reason to take the class at all. It does provide an interesting entrance path into Dragon Disciple, so that's one way to go. I personally prefer other methods of getting into DD, but it's a good one, especially if you're not planning on taking Dragon Disciple all the way to the end. We have a full Hexblade in the area, and while they maintain a fairly decent offensive capability due to having a full BAB and a Greatsword, they don't tend to kill things fast enough to avoid taking a load of damage in the process. If you do build a Hexblade, build carefully.
Mommy was an Orc 05-24-07, 04:48 PM	We have a full Hexblade in the area, and while they maintain a fairly decent offensive capability due to having a full BAB and a Greatsword, they don't tend to kill things fast enough to avoid taking a load of damage in the process. If you do build a Hexblade, build carefully. Our group has a Barbarian 1/Hexblade 7 with Power Attack and Extra Rage. He bought some Mithril Full Plate at one point. He does pretty well when Raging. He's not as effective as he'd like to be, but he's iconic - good damage, decent AC, hard to really hurt.
happosaai 05-24-07, 07:13 PM	Hmm all very good thoughts from everyone, thanks for the ideas! Unfortunately I don't have access to Dragon Disciple, as this will be my very first LG character... Here's a question, if I unlock access to a PrC with 1 character can that access be transferred to another character?
King Kashue 05-24-07, 07:28 PM	Hmm all very good thoughts from everyone, thanks for the ideas! Unfortunately I don't have access to Dragon Disciple, as this will be my very first LG character... Here's a question, if I unlock access to a PrC with 1 character can that access be transferred to another character? Dragon Disciple is an Open PrC. The only restrictions are if you're true neutral or chaotic neutral. As for "unlocking" PrCs, LG doesn't work like that (it sounds like you're talking about the campaign cards). A good deal of stuff is already open to PCs...If it isn't, and it isn't on the Closed list in the LGCS, you need campaign documentation for it. Campaign documentation is almost always specific to each PC.
DerekSTheRed 05-24-07, 08:55 PM	The major advantage of Hexblades is their +1 BAB every level combined with the class skills in concentration, knowledge (arcana) and spellcraft and good will saves. This is useful for some Gish Prestige Classes. You can go Swa 1/ Hexblade 5 / Suel Arcanamach 9 for instance . Outcast Champion and Occult Slayer are both good Prestige Classes for hexblade. There is also a lot of synergy with a LN Knight/Hexblade. Consider a Knight 2 / Hexblade 4 with improved familiar riding a hippogriff (with half of your hit points). Ok so maybe that's not very practical. Hexblades are good for at least the first 3-5 levels. After that you're better off going with another class. I actually have a pure blooded suel fighter/hexblade that's going into occult slayer. He's only second level but I have yet to have the curse actually work on someone. Derek
happosaai 05-25-07, 09:53 AM	King Kashue, I was under the impression that if a PrC was not on the open or the closed list of PrC's then you had to earn access to that PrC?
LachlarlanIII 05-25-07, 10:54 AM	Hexblade allows one to qualify for Arcane Archer without losing BAB, but you won't have a very good spell selection.
magebeast 05-25-07, 11:55 AM	King Kashue, I was under the impression that if a PrC was not on the open or the closed list of PrC's then you had to earn access to that PrC? If you'll read the access section a little more carefully, you'll see that all of the PrCs in the DMG are open access, barring those that are specifically restricted.
King Kashue 05-25-07, 04:18 PM	King Kashue, I was under the impression that if a PrC was not on the open or the closed list of PrC's then you had to earn access to that PrC? As mentioned, that doesn't apply to the DMG. For the PHB, DMG, and MM, everything is considered open unless it's specifically closed. For all other books, it needs campaign documentation to be opened for your PC.
happosaai 05-25-07, 04:43 PM	Ahhhh well heck, I just may need to look ingo that PrC, I keep hearing and seeing an awful lot of builds using that PrC. See I'm new so I don't know everything just yet... still unfortunately have not been able to get out of work early enough to make any of the LG games in my area :( So I'm getting by with theorycraft here *grin* Generated a crapton of characters, kind of just trying to figure out what I want to do once I finally get out early enough to join one of the local games...
Hariman 05-25-07, 09:48 PM	If you are going to go "pure hexblade15", choose one role for your character and stick to it! I have a hexblade who will be an archer, and the only other feats besides archery feats will be Improved Familiar (At level 6, but I'll take a Hippogriff at level 7) and possibly Ability Focus: Hexblade's Curse. I also recommend using a human and choosing a high dexterity build. Keeping your AC up will be very important. Arcane Strike probably isn't a good feat as Hexblades get very few spells per day. I recommend either a basic two handed power attacker. (High Con is a MUST!), a chain tripper/battlefield control build, (High Dex, Good Con) or a archer or crossbow build. (Human is recommended for point blank/precise shot at level one. The other alternative is an 11 cha Hexblade4/Fighter1/Dragon Disciple10. Using 10 levels of Dragon Disciple will give a character +8 to STR, for +17 total (+6 item, +3 from levels) for a total of 32 STR when all is said and done. (Power attacker, of course) Hariman PS: To use Improved Familiar to gain a Hippogriff, you must have +7 BAB AND 7 levels in an arcane spellcasting class. Practised Spellcaster does not increase "Caster Level" for prestige class and feat requirements. Look in the D&D FAQ under Prestige Classes for confirmation of this. BTW: Hippogriff = Happy Party. Access to a flying steed for all of the mod without a druid? Priceless!
jstorrie 05-25-07, 10:04 PM	Hexblades do have a passable offensive spell list–they actually get a few good spells under level, such as Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Suggestion, Dominate Person, Confusion, and Charm Monster. Given that you get Spell Focus/GSF as bonus feats, you aren't a completely useless caster as Hexblade 15. You could do Human Str 16 Dex 14 Con 14 Int 8 Wis 8 Cha 14 1 Hexblade: Fey Heritage, Fey Skin 2 Hexblade 3 Hexblade: Power Attack 4 Hexblade 5 Hexblade: Spell Focus (Enchantment) 6 Hexblade: Fey Power 7 Hexblade 8 Hexblade 9 Hexblade: Ability Focus: Hexblade's Curse 10 Hexblade: Greater Spell Focus (Enchantment) 11 Hexblade 12 Hexblade: Retributive Spell 13 Hexblade 14 Hexblade 15 Hexblade: Spell Penetration, Leadership You won't be iconic, but you'll manage.
Timlagor 05-26-07, 05:03 AM	PS: To use Improved Familiar to gain a Hippogriff, you must have +7 BAB AND 7 levels in an arcane spellcasting class. Practised Spellcaster does not increase "Caster Level" for prestige class and feat requirements. Look in the D&D FAQ under Prestige Classes for confirmation of this. Has that FAQ changed on that one? When they wrote that question in it was so badly worded that it didn't actually apply to anything in existence.
Mommy was an Orc 05-26-07, 08:53 AM	Has that FAQ changed on that one? When they wrote that question in it was so badly worded that it didn't actually apply to anything in existence. Even if the FAQ *did* apply to something(which unfortunately, I'm treating it as if it did), it applies to something specific, not general. i.e. if a PrC says "arcane caster level", then because they used 'arcane', they're referring to actual levels in a caster class. If they say just 'caster level', then they mean caster level. CustServ has actually told me that the rule would not apply to Acolyte of the Skin, because it says caster level 5th.