Baldur's Gate 3: Best Hexblade Warlock Build

Baldur's Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock Guide: Master of the Frontline

Hexblade Warlocks in Baldur's Gate 3, while always possessing melee capabilities via Pact of the Blade, lacked a truly supportive subclass until the arrival of the Hexblade. This subclass transforms them into formidable frontline combatants, excelling in both damage and survivability. This guide covers optimal Hexblade builds, comparing them to other Warlock options, and providing strategies for melee combat. Whether you're revamping Wyll or creating a new character, this guide has you covered.

Hexblade Warlock Overview

Hexblade Warlocks are defined by their frontline presence, functioning primarily as damage dealers. While they offer some survival tools, such as life drain and spells like Shield, their strength lies in their diverse Smite options. Despite limited spell slots, their effectiveness extends beyond Smite. Basic attacks deal significant damage, and subclass abilities like Hexblade's Curse significantly enhance their threat level compared to other Warlock subclasses.

Optimal Character Creation: Stats, Race, and Spells

This section focuses on custom character creation, though Wyll serves as a viable starting point (requiring a class change with Withers to select the Hexblade Patron at level one).

Race: Race choice has minimal impact on stats, so prioritize enjoyment. While many races offer weapon proficiencies, they aren't strictly necessary. Half-Orcs are a solid choice due to their Savage Attack and Relentless Endurance features.

Cantrips and Spells: Eldritch Blast is essential for any Warlock build, rendering most ranged weapons obsolete. Booming Blade is highly effective for a Hexblade, though it requires the target to move after being hit.

Background: Consider both skill utility and playstyle. Guild Artisan and Noble are recommended for Persuasion proficiency, while Folk Hero (Wyll's starting background) provides ample Inspiration for a heroic playthrough.

Stats and Skills: The game's suggested stats (Intelligence and Dexterity at 13) are suboptimal. Shift a point from Intelligence to Dexterity, crucial for Armor Class.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
8	14	14	12	10	17

Skill selection depends on whether your character is the party's face. If so, prioritize social skills like Persuasion and Intimidation. Stealth is always valuable.

Effective Hexblade Warlock Gameplay

Remember that Warlock spell slots, though limited, recharge on short rests. Don't hesitate to utilize all resources in combat, knowing you can replenish them twice before a long rest.

At level six, the Accursed Spectre reaction allows you to create a Spectre companion from a cursed enemy's corpse. While less impactful in Act Two (limited cursed undead), it becomes incredibly powerful in Act Three, creating a ghostly army.

Optimal Spell Selection

As a Hexblade, prioritize spell slots for Smites or battlefield control in melee. The balance between offense and strategy depends on your playstyle.

Spell Level	Spells
Cantrip	Eldritch Blast, Booming Blade, Mage Hand
1	Shield, Wrathful Smite, Armour of Agathys
2	Blur, Branding Smite, Misty Step, Cloud of Daggers
3	Counterspell, Blink, Elemental Weapon
4	Staggering Smite, Banishment
5	Banishing Smite, Cone of Cold
6	Circle of Death, Create Undead

Essential Equipment

Weapons: Hexblade proficiency makes almost any weapon viable. However, Unseen Menace (sold by A'jak'nir Jeera) stands out. Its critical hit range (19 and 20) combined with Hexblade's Curse (18, 19, and 20) results in frequent critical hits, further enhanced by its attack advantage.

Armor and Accessories: Seek items that synergize melee and spellcasting. The Strange Conduit Ring boosts damage during concentration, while Spidersilk Armor (worn by Minthara) provides advantage on Constitution saving throws.

Level-by-Level Progression

Experiment with spells; Withers allows respeccing. The recommendations below prioritize commonly considered optimal choices, but your playstyle may dictate different selections.

Level	Unlock	Choice
1	Cantrips, Spells, Subclass	Eldritch Blast, Booming Blade; Shield, Wrathful Smite.
2	Eldritch Invocations, Spells	Agonizing Blast; Repelling Blast (recommended); Armour of Agathys.
3	Pact Boon, Spells	Pact of the Blade; Branding Smite.
4	Feat, Cantrip	Actor feat; Mage Hand or Minor Illusion.
5	Eldritch Invocation, Spell	Slow; Counterspell.
6	Spell	Elemental Weapon.
7	Eldritch Invocation, Spell	Dreadful Word; Staggering Smite.
8	Feat, Spell	Increase Charisma to 20; Banishment.
9	Eldritch Invocation, Spell	Minions of Chaos; Banishing Smite.
10	Spell	Cone of Cold.
11	Spell, Mystic Arcanum	Hold Monster; Create Undead.
12	Feat, Eldritch Invocation	Any feat; Lifedrinker.

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