Can a Hexblade Warlock Wield a Staff? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, a Hexblade Warlock can absolutely wield a staff! The synergy between the Hexblade subclass and a quarterstaff (or other staffs) is surprisingly potent and offers some unique roleplaying and combat possibilities. This article will explore the mechanics behind this combination and answer frequently asked questions to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Why a Staff Works for a Hexblade

The Hexblade’s core ability, Hex Warrior, allows you to choose one weapon when you finish a long rest and use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls instead of Strength. Crucially, the Hex Warrior feature specifies that the weapon must not have the two-handed property unless you take the Pact of the Blade at 3rd level.

A quarterstaff is a simple melee weapon with the versatile property. This means it can be wielded one-handed, doing 1d6 bludgeoning damage, or two-handed, dealing 1d8 bludgeoning damage. Because you can wield it one-handed, it qualifies for the Hex Warrior feature.

Even better, many players use the staff as their arcane focus. The Dungeon Master’s Guide explicitly states that a staff can serve as both a weapon and a spellcasting focus. This eliminates the need to juggle multiple items, freeing up a hand for spells or other actions. This combo will allow you to hit hard with your staff, buff your damage with spells, and move in and out of combat as needed.

Pact of the Blade and Staff Weapons

At 3rd level, if you choose the Pact of the Blade, the weapon restrictions on Hex Warrior largely disappear. You can then choose a two-handed weapon to be your pact weapon and use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls with it.

This opens up exciting possibilities for using magical staves that might otherwise be unavailable to a Hexblade focused on maximizing Charisma. Keep in mind the standard rule of the Pact of the Blade: any magic item must be specifically crafted and designated as such by your DM.

FAQs: Staffs and Hexblades

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further illuminate the Hexblade and staff relationship:

1. Can my staff be both my arcane focus and my Hex Weapon?

Absolutely! The DMG specifically allows a staff to function as both a weapon and a spellcasting focus. This is incredibly efficient for a Hexblade, freeing up a hand and reducing the number of items you need to manage. Talk to your DM and see if the staff has any inherent magical properties that might add flavor to your character.

2. Can I use the Shillelagh spell on my quarterstaff as a Hexblade?

Yes, but it’s generally not optimal. Shillelagh requires you to use Wisdom as your attack and damage modifier with the staff. The Hex Warrior feature already lets you use Charisma. Casting Shillelagh would just waste a spell slot and potentially override the Charisma benefits provided by your Hexblade subclass. A Hexblade can use their Charisma to attack, which makes casting a spell like Shillelagh pointless.

3. Can I use a magic staff (like a Staff of Power) as my Hex Weapon?

RAW says no. Magic staffs aren’t considered weapons until you use Pact of the Blade to make them one. Once you do, you can then also use Hex Warrior for Charisma-based attacks with it.

4. If I make a staff my Pact Weapon, does it still count as an arcane focus?

Yes, absolutely! A Pact Weapon remains whatever it was before it became your Pact Weapon. If it was a staff that you used as a focus, it is still a staff you use as a focus when you use it as your Pact Weapon. It does not change its inherent properties. This is a very useful tool, especially when facing powerful opponents!

5. Can I use the Polearm Master feat with a quarterstaff as a Hexblade?

Yes! Polearm Master specifically calls out the quarterstaff, allowing you to make a bonus action attack with the opposite end of the weapon. This can add significant damage output, especially when combined with Hexblade’s Curse and other damage-boosting abilities.

6. Does the versatile property of the quarterstaff interact with Hex Warrior?

Yes, but only if you’re wielding it one-handed. Hex Warrior applies to a weapon you are proficient with when you finish a long rest, as long as it doesn’t have the two-handed property. Since a quarterstaff can be wielded one-handed, it qualifies. If you choose to wield it two-handed, you’ll get the increased damage die (d8), but still benefit from using Charisma for your attack and damage rolls.

7. Can I throw my staff as a Hexblade?

While technically possible, it’s generally not a good idea. A quarterstaff doesn’t have the thrown property, so you’d be making an improvised attack with disadvantage unless you have a specific feat or ability that negates this. It’s better to rely on spells like Eldritch Blast for ranged attacks or use a dedicated ranged weapon if that’s your playstyle.

8. Does a staff grant any special defensive bonuses as a Hexblade?

Not inherently. However, a DM might allow creative uses of a staff for defensive purposes (e.g., parrying an attack) within the normal rules for actions in combat. Some magic staffs may offer defensive bonuses, too, but that depends on the specific item.

9. What are the best invocations to take if I’m focusing on a staff as a Hexblade?

Several invocations synergize well with a staff-wielding Hexblade:

• Improved Pact Weapon: Grants a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with your Pact Weapon.
• Thirsting Blade: Allows you to attack twice, rather than once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
• Lifedrinker: When you hit a creature with your Pact Weapon, the creature takes extra necrotic damage equal to your Charisma modifier.
• Eldritch Smite: Allows you to knock a creature prone when you hit it with your pact weapon.

10. How does Hexblade’s Curse interact with staff attacks?

Hexblade’s Curse is fantastic. You add your proficiency bonus to damage rolls against the cursed target. The combination of this flat damage increase and Lifedrinker, especially with the Thirsting Blade invocation allowing multiple attacks per round, makes for a devastating combination.

11. Can I use a staff and a shield as a Hexblade?

Absolutely! Since you can wield a quarterstaff one-handed, you can definitely use a shield in your other hand. This significantly increases your survivability, making you a more effective front-line fighter. This will give you an edge over your competition.

12. Are there any drawbacks to using a staff as a Hexblade weapon?

The main drawback is the relatively low damage die compared to some other martial weapons. A longsword, for instance, deals 1d8 slashing damage one-handed, compared to the quarterstaff’s 1d6 bludgeoning. However, the versatility of a staff as an arcane focus and the ease of combining it with a shield often outweigh this drawback.

13. Can a Hexblade multiclass into Monk and benefit from the Monk’s martial arts abilities with a staff?

Yes, you can multiclass into Monk, and there is some synergy. The Monk’s Martial Arts feature allows you to use Dexterity instead of Strength for attack and damage rolls with monk weapons, which includes the quarterstaff. The Hexblade already lets you use Charisma, so this doesn’t add much. However, the Monk’s unarmored defense can be useful for increasing your AC, especially if you’re not wearing armor. Be aware that this can get complicated, however, as some of your spells won’t translate well between the two classes.

14. How does the War Caster feat interact with a staff-wielding Hexblade?

The War Caster feat grants advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration on a spell when you take damage, allows you to perform somatic components of spells even when you have weapons or a shield in one or both hands, and allows you to cast a spell as an opportunity attack. It’s a valuable feat for any spellcaster but particularly useful for a Hexblade who intends to be in melee combat.

15. Can a Hexblade use a spear?

Yes, a Hexblade can use a spear. The spear is a simple weapon without the two-handed property, making it eligible for the Hex Warrior feature. It also has the thrown property, offering a ranged attack option.

Conclusion

The Hexblade Warlock can definitely use a staff effectively, especially when combined with the versatility of serving as an arcane focus. While not necessarily the highest damage option, it provides a unique combination of offensive and defensive capabilities, particularly when paired with a shield. The strategic advantage of using a quarterstaff as a Hexblade can greatly improve the longevity of this class. Remember to choose your invocations and feats wisely to maximize your effectiveness on the battlefield. For more information on game-based learning and the educational aspects of Dungeons & Dragons, visit Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Have fun exploring the possibilities!