Can Hexblade Warlock Dual Wield? A Comprehensive Guide

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The short answer is yes, a Hexblade Warlock can dual wield, but it’s essential to understand the nuances of how this works within the rules of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e). While the Hexblade subclass grants you powerful martial capabilities, dual wielding with optimal effectiveness requires careful consideration of your choices and build.

Unpacking the Hexblade’s Martial Prowess

The Hexblade Warlock gains significant martial prowess from the Hex Warrior feature. This allows you to choose one weapon, with which you are proficient, that lacks the two-handed property and use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls instead of Strength (or Dexterity for ranged weapons or finesse weapons).

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how this plays with dual wielding, Pact of the Blade, and other related features.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

• Hex Warrior Feature: This is your key to using Charisma with weapons. Remember, it’s limited to weapons without the two-handed property initially.
• Pact of the Blade: This pact boon allows you to conjure a pact weapon or transform a magic weapon into your pact weapon. Crucially, the Hex Warrior feature extends to any pact weapon you conjure with this pact.
• Dual Wielding Rules: The core rule for dual wielding (found in the Player’s Handbook) requires you to use a light weapon in each hand. When you take the Attack action and attack with a light weapon that you’re holding in one hand, you can use a bonus action to attack with a different light weapon that you’re holding in the other hand. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of the bonus action attack, unless that modifier is negative.
• The Dual Wielder Feat: This feat is essential for maximizing dual wielding potential. It allows you to use weapons that are not light, and grants +1 AC while wielding a weapon in each hand. It also allows you to draw or stow two one-handed weapons when you would normally only be able to draw or stow one.

Dual Wielding for Hexblades: A Practical Approach

1. The Light Weapon Route: The simplest approach. Select two light weapons, such as shortswords or daggers. Hex Warrior lets you use Charisma for both. The downside is the reduced damage compared to heavier weapons.

2. The Dual Wielder Feat: This is where things get interesting. With this feat, you can dual wield non-light one-handed weapons. You could dual wield longswords, for example. Hex Warrior applies to one of these weapons normally. If you have Pact of the Blade, you can make the other weapon your pact weapon, extending the Charisma benefit to both.

3. Pact of the Blade & Thirsting Blade: At 5th level, if you have Pact of the Blade, you can take the Thirsting Blade invocation, which grants you an extra attack when you take the Attack action. This is crucial for maximizing your damage output. Remember, the extra attack only applies when you use the Attack Action.

4. Optimizing Damage: While dual wielding offers more attacks, remember the limitations: one attack as an Action, and one attack as a Bonus Action. The Bonus Action attack won’t add your ability modifier to damage, unless that modifier is negative, unless you take the fighting style Fighting Initiate: Two Weapon Fighting.

5. Action Economy Considerations: Warlocks rely heavily on their spells. Using your bonus action for an extra weapon attack often conflicts with casting spells like Hex or Hunter’s Mark, which also require a bonus action. Weigh these competing demands carefully.

Feat Synergies and Build Options

• Fighting Initiate: Two-Weapon Fighting: If you choose this, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of your bonus action attack.
• War Caster: This feat is invaluable for maintaining concentration on your spells, especially when fighting in melee.
• Tough: More HP is never a bad thing, especially for a melee-oriented Warlock.

Why Consider Dual Wielding?

• More chances to hit: More attacks mean more opportunities to deal damage, especially against enemies with high AC.
• Damage Burst Potential: In certain situations, landing multiple attacks can be crucial for taking down a key target quickly.
• Flavor and Style: Let’s be honest, dual wielding is cool! If you want a character with a distinct fighting style, this can be a fun and flavorful choice.

FAQs: Dual Wielding and the Hexblade Warlock

1. Can a Hexblade Warlock use a two-handed weapon?

Yes, but not with the Hex Warrior feature initially. You cannot select a two-handed weapon to benefit from Charisma-based attacks until you reach level 3 and take the Pact of the Blade. Even then, the weapon needs to be a Pact Weapon.

2. Can you dual wield Pact of the Blade weapons?

Yes, but only effectively with the Dual Wielder feat. This feat is essential because it allows you to use non-light weapons for dual wielding. The Pact of the Blade then lets you use Charisma for attack and damage rolls with both weapons.

3. What weapons can Hexblade Warlocks use?

Hexblades are proficient with martial weapons. With Hex Warrior, they can use Charisma for attack and damage rolls with any weapon they’re proficient with, as long as it doesn’t have the two-handed property. With Pact of the Blade, this restriction is lifted for your pact weapon.

4. Can you have a hex weapon and a pact weapon?

Yes. The Hex Warrior feature allows you to select one weapon without the two-handed property. The Pact of the Blade lets you conjure a separate pact weapon.

5. Do Hexblades need Pact of the Blade?

No, but it is strongly recommended for a melee-focused Hexblade. Pact of the Blade provides access to invocations like Thirsting Blade (extra attack) and Improved Pact Weapon (+1 to attack and damage rolls).

6. Can a Warlock have a gun as a pact weapon?

Generally, no. Firearms aren’t standard in 5e. However, your DM might allow them with specific rules or settings. Check with them first.

7. Is Hexblade the best Warlock subclass?

It’s often considered one of the strongest, especially for melee combat. Its versatility and Charisma-based attacks make it highly effective. But different subclasses excel in different areas.

8. What is the best pact for a Hexblade Warlock?

Pact of the Blade is the most synergistic for a melee Hexblade. It unlocks essential invocations for weapon-based combat.

9. Can a Hexblade use a firearm with Hex Warrior?

Only if your DM allows firearms. If they do, and the firearm is not two-handed, you can use Hex Warrior with it. Pact of the Blade also lets you use Charisma with any pact weapon, regardless of its type (within your DM’s allowed firearm list, of course).

10. Is dual wielding ineffective in D&D 5e?

Not necessarily, but it requires specific investment. The Dual Wielder feat is crucial for maximizing its potential. Action economy and spellcasting considerations must also be weighed.

11. Can you dual wield your pact weapon?

Not normally. The Pact of the Blade applies to a single weapon. However, with the Dual Wielder feat, you can make one weapon your pact weapon and another your Hex Warrior weapon.

12. Can a Hexblade Warlock be good?

Yes! Hexblades can be incredibly effective in combat, especially when built with a specific strategy in mind. They can be powerful damage dealers and surprisingly durable.

13. Can you use a longsword as a Hexblade?

Yes. As a Hexblade, you have proficiency with martial weapons. You can make a longsword your Hex Warrior weapon, or your Pact Weapon when you unlock the Pact of the Blade at level 3, allowing you to use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls.

14. What is a good multiclass for Hexblade?

Popular choices include Paladin (for Divine Smite synergy) and Sorcerer (for metamagic and extra spell slots). A few levels in Fighter can also provide a Fighting Style.

15. Why is Pact of the Blade good for Hexblade?

It allows you to use your Charisma for attack and damage rolls with your pact weapon, access powerful invocations like Thirsting Blade for extra attack, and summon or bond with magic weapons.

Conclusion: Dual Wielding Hexblade – A Viable Option

While not the easiest build, a dual wielding Hexblade Warlock can be effective and, more importantly, incredibly fun to play. It requires careful planning, feat selection, and an understanding of the action economy, but the potential for a stylish and potent melee combatant is definitely there. Consider the trade-offs, experiment with different weapon choices, and create a Hexblade Warlock that truly embodies the spirit of magical martial prowess. And remember, a balanced party is a strong party, just like the efforts of those who help foster the Games Learning Society and make a difference in game-based learning. Be sure to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information!