Patch 8 ofBaldur’s Gate 3introduces 12 new subclasses, including the Hexblade Warlock, a martial variation of the pact-bound spellcaster class that combines blade and magic into powerful builds. Hexblades bind themselves to a sentient weapon, who have an entity of the Shadowfell trapped within them. Through their bond, Hexblades can curse their enemies and call upon dark powers to slay their foes.
Alongsidecrossplay inBaldur’s Gate 3, new subclasses like the Hexblade are the biggest new features from Patch 8, which has been in testing for some time. While other classes have to level up several times to choose their new subclass,you can create a Warlock character with the Hexblade archetype from Level 1. This makes it easy to start building a Hexblade immediately as you begin a new playthrough.
Hexblade Warlock In BG3 Explained
Bind Yourself To A Cursed Weapon
The Hexblade is one of the most iconic subclasses inDungeons and Dragons5th Edition, making it feel like a natural inclusion forBaldur’s Gate 3.Hexblades are Warlocks who thrive in close-range combat, using melee strikes in addition to the already powerful spells Warlocks have access to. Hexblades use their natural Charisma instead of Strength or Dexterity to land attacks with weapons they are proficient with.
Picking the Hexblade as your Warlock subclass does affect what tools you are proficient with, but it does not impact your Saving Throw proficiencies, Hit Points, Pact Magic, or Skills, which you either pick or gain naturally.
Like any subclass of the Warlock,Hexblades gain unique spellsthat reflect their strengths as your character levels up. For example, Hexblades gain Shield and Wrathful Smite at Level 1, encouraging a more up-close and personal playstyle for the class. The Hexblade focuses on magic that deals high damage or buffs their effectiveness as someone who fights on the front lines of their party.
As they get stronger, Hexblades also gain strong abilities tied to cursing enemies they fight.Hexblades can curse targets to deal more damage and summon spectreswhen a cursed target dies, giving themselvespowerful undead inBaldur’s Gate 3as allies under the right conditions. These cursing features also serve to heal a Hexblade in a battle, giving them more survivability than you may expect from a spellcasting class.
Best Build For Hexblade Warlock In Baldur’s Gate 3
Combine Natural Features For The Best Synergy
To start making a strong Hexblade build, you have to take into account multiple factors, including your character’sRace, Ability Scores, and features from the Warlock subclass. Putting all these features together will help you decide on which gear to equip or whichspells inBaldur’s Gate 3to choose.
The following two tables go over some of the best options available for a Hexblade’s creation, including their Ability Scores and Race options:
8
14
12
Menacing, Relentless Endurance, Savage Attack, Darkvision
Having 16 Dexterity will give your Hexblade a better Armor Class (AC) and allow them to roll a higher Initiative in battle.Charisma is your most important stat, as it is tied to your attacking ability as a Hexblade alongside your Spell Save DC. Almost any race can be used as a Hexblade Warlock due to the subclass’s versatility, but the options above have arguably the best features for the subclass.
Some of the bestmulticlass options inBaldur’s Gate 3for the Hexblade Warlock are Paladin or Sorcerer classes, since they also use Charisma as a primary stat to support their powerful abilities.
The next table goes over an example of a strong Hexblade Warlock build, including what features you gain and what spells you should add:
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
The spells in this pure Hexblade build are designed to either debuff enemies or add to the subclass’s already high damage. Certain Feats and Eldritch Invocations in this build are meant to add to the Hexblade’s existing strengths, but you may choose other abilities that best suit your playstyle. No matter what build you make, you’ll want your Hexblade tofocus on dealing damage and restricting enemy movementswhile in combat.
Pact of the Bladeis a great feature for Hexblade Warlocks, as it allows them to make an additional attack with their Pact weapon for even more damage.
As you level up, here is some powerful gear you can find that will likely strengthen your Hexblade build even further:
Multiclass Hexblade builds may require more specific gear or spells more suited for the new features that come with another class' abilities. No matter what route you take, the Hexblade Warlock can be, without a doubt, one of the strongest archetypes inBaldur’s Gate 3after Patch 8 if you put together the best builds for it.
