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Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3: A Deep Dive Into the New Hexblade Warlock Subclass
The latest update to Baldur’s Gate 3, known as Patch 8, brings an exciting expansion with the addition of twelve new subclasses, including the Hexblade Warlock. This unique subclass offers a martial twist on the traditional Warlock class, blending the power of magic with skilled combat. Hexblades forgem their identities with a sentient weapon that contains an entity from the Shadowfell, enabling them to curse adversaries and harness dark forces to dominate their foes.
In addition to introducing fresh subclasses like the Hexblade, Patch 8 also features enticing crossplay capabilities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Unlike other subclasses that require multiple levels before selection, you can effortlessly create a Warlock character using the Hexblade archetype right from Level 1, facilitating immediate engagement in your gameplay journey.
Understanding the Hexblade Warlock
The Hexblade is regarded as one of the most captivating subclasses in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, making its incorporation into Baldur’s Gate 3 seamless. Hexblades excel in melee combat, wielding both weapons and spells with natural Charisma rather than Strength or Dexterity to strike effectively.
Choosing the Hexblade subclass does influence your proficiency with certain tools. However, it does not change your Saving Throw proficiencies, Hit Points, Pact Magic, or Skills—those are defined by your initial character creation choices.
Like other Warlock subclasses, Hexblades acquire distinctive spells as they level up, which align with their combat-centric strengths. For instance, they gain access to Shield and Wrathful Smite at Level 1, promoting a more hands-on combat style. The Hexblade is particularly adept at utilizing magic that inflicts considerable damage or enhances their capabilities, allowing them to take the frontline effectively.
Cursing Weapons and Building Your Hexblade
As Hexblades progress, they gain formidable abilities to curse their enemies. This cursing mechanic allows Hexblades to inflict extra damage and summon specters upon the demise of a cursed target, turning fallen foes into powerful undead allies in Baldur’s Gate 3 under optimal circumstances. Additionally, these curses can even restore health to the Hexblade during battles, adding an unexpected level of durability for a spellcasting class.
Best Build for a Hexblade Warlock
To develop a robust Hexblade build, several elements need to be considered, such as your character’s Race, Ability Scores, and subclass features. Combining these factors will guide your gear choices and spell selections in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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Starting Stats for Hexblade Warlocks: The ideal starting configuration for a Hexblade might look like this:
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 15 (+1 Bonus)
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 12
- Charisma: 14 (+2 Bonus)
- Recommended Races for Hexblade Warlocks: Certain races provide better synergies for a Hexblade Warlock. Primarily, consider these options:
- Tiefling – Zariel: Offers features like Hellish Resistance and additional spells.
- High-Elf: Grants enhanced weapon training and an extra cantrip.
- Half-Orc: Provides advantages like increased critical hit damage and an endurance ability.
Maximizing Your Hexblade’s Potential
Achieving a Dexterity score of 16 enhances your Hexblade’s Armor Class (AC) along with improving your initiative rolls during combat. While any race can work with the Hexblade subclass due to its versatility, the aforementioned races have some of the best traits suited for this build. Charisma remains the most crucial stat, affecting both your attack capability and Spell Save DC.
For players interested in multiclass options, Paladin or Sorcerer can significantly leverage the Hexblade’s Charisma-based proficiency, further enriching your character’s effectiveness.
Example of a Strong Hexblade Warlock Build
Here’s a wealth of features and spells to consider while progressing through levels as a Hexblade Warlock:
| Level | Features Gained | Spells Acquired | Best Cantrips/Invocations | Recommended Spells |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hex Warrior, Bind Hexed Weapon, Hexblade’s Curse | N/A | Booming Blade, Eldritch Blast | N/A |
| 2 | Eldritch Invocations | N/A | Thief of Five Fates, One with Shadows | N/A |
| 3 | Pact of the Blade | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 4 | Ability Score Improvement +2 Charisma | N/A | N/A | N/A |
As you advance in levels, ensure your chosen spells and abilities amplify your damage output and crowd control. Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for immense customization, so feel free to adjust your focus based on your playstyle preferences.
Powerful Gear for Your Hexblade
Leveling up your Hexblade may present opportunities to find gear specifically tailored to enhance your build. Multiclassing may require even more specialized equipment or spell selections to best utilize the unique features of another class.
Regardless of your chosen path, building an effective Hexblade Warlock can yield substantial power, particularly after the capabilities brought in Patch 8 of Baldur’s Gate 3. With the right mix of strategies and knowledge, this subclass can become one of the most formidable in the game.
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