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Dual Wielding Hexblade Warlocks: A Deep Dive into Combat Prowess

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Dual wielding as a Hexblade Warlock? The short answer is yes, but with significant caveats. While the Hexblade subclass grants martial weapon proficiency and the ability to use Charisma for weapon attacks, dual wielding requires specific feats and considerations to be truly effective. It’s not as simple as grabbing two swords and going to town. Let’s delve into the specifics.

Understanding the Hexblade’s Core Features

The Hexblade Warlock is a popular subclass known for its blending of martial prowess and eldritch magic. Its key features revolve around empowering a chosen weapon and cursing enemies, making it a potent force on the battlefield.

Hex Warrior

This feature is arguably the cornerstone of the Hexblade. At 1st level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons and can choose one weapon to be your Hex Weapon. You can use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls with that weapon instead of Strength or Dexterity. This eliminates the need for high Strength, allowing you to focus on Charisma for both spells and weapon attacks. This feature allows you to use a two-handed weapon, which many players use to take advantage of feats like Great Weapon Master.

Pact of the Blade

At 3rd level, if you choose the Pact of the Blade boon, you can create a pact weapon. This weapon can be any melee weapon you choose, and it becomes a conduit for your magical power. It allows the Hex Warrior ability to extend to the pact weapon as well, if it wouldn’t already.

Hexblade’s Curse

This feature enhances your combat effectiveness by allowing you to curse one creature. The curse provides bonuses to attack rolls, damage rolls, and critical hit range. It’s a fantastic way to increase your damage output against a single, dangerous foe.

The Dual Wielding Conundrum

While Hexblade provides the tools for martial combat, dual wielding is a separate matter governed by the rules of the game.

The Dual Wielder Feat

To effectively dual wield, you ideally need the Dual Wielder feat. This feat offers several benefits:

You gain a +1 bonus to AC while wielding a separate weapon in each hand.
You can use two-weapon fighting even when the one-handed melee weapons you are wielding aren’t light.
You can draw or stow two one-handed weapons when you would normally be able to draw or stow only one.

Without this feat, you are limited to wielding light weapons, which significantly reduces your damage potential.

Action Economy Considerations

Dual wielding without the Dual Wielder fighting style (granted by some classes like Fighter or Ranger) or the Dual Wielder feat comes with significant action economy constraints.

You use your action to attack with one weapon.
You use your bonus action to attack with the second weapon.

This limits your ability to use spells or other bonus action abilities.

Hexblade and Dual Wielding Synergy (or Lack Thereof)

While Hexblade grants martial weapon proficiency and the ability to use Charisma for weapon attacks, it doesn’t inherently enhance dual wielding. The Hexblade class, even with the Pact of the Blade, does not include any subclass features that specifically enhance the use of two weapons. This can lead to a less optimized build compared to other martial classes designed for dual wielding.

Building a Dual Wielding Hexblade Warlock

If you are determined to play a dual-wielding Hexblade, here are some things to keep in mind:

Prioritize Charisma: This is crucial for both spellcasting and weapon attacks.
Consider the Dual Wielder Feat: It is almost essential for making dual wielding viable with non-light weapons.
Choose Appropriate Invocations: Select invocations that enhance your combat abilities, such as Thirsting Blade for extra attack. The GamesLearningSociety.org has valuable information on this topic.
Plan Your Spell Selection: Choose spells that don’t rely heavily on bonus actions, as you’ll likely be using your bonus action to attack with your off-hand weapon.
Consider Multiclassing: Dipping into Fighter (for the Two-Weapon Fighting fighting style) or Paladin could provide additional benefits.

Conclusion

While a Hexblade Warlock can dual wield, it requires careful planning and investment to be truly effective. The subclass’s core strengths lie in single-weapon combat and magical augmentation. Dual wielding can work, but it’s important to understand the trade-offs and optimize your build accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding Hexblade Warlocks and dual wielding to further clarify the nuances of this character build:

Can a Hexblade use a two-handed weapon?

Yes. The Hex Warrior feature allows you to designate one weapon and use Charisma for attack and damage rolls with it. This weapon can be a two-handed weapon.
Can a Hexblade have more than one Hex Weapon?

The Hex Warrior feature only applies to one weapon at a time initially.
Can a Warlock have more than one pact weapon?

No. The Pact of the Blade boon specifically applies to one weapon at a time. The pact applies to the weapon, not an overall effect on the character.
Can I dual wield pact weapons?

You can wield two weapons, but only one can be your pact weapon at a time. Also, remember the dual wielding action economy rules.
How many pact weapons can a Hexblade Warlock have?

You can only have one pact weapon at a time. Summoning a pact weapon takes an action.
Can my pact weapon be my Hex Weapon?

Yes, absolutely! This is a common and efficient strategy. You only need to have the weapon you’re attacking with be considered the Hex Weapon to gain the Charisma benefits.
Is Hexblade the best Warlock subclass?

That’s subjective, but many consider Hexblade to be the most versatile due to its strong blend of martial and magical abilities. Hexblade is certainly popular. The Games Learning Society might have insights into optimal class strategies.
Can a Hexblade use a longsword?

Yes. As a Hexblade, you have proficiency with martial weapons, and the longsword is a martial weapon.
Can a Hexblade use a hand crossbow?

Yes, you can use a hand crossbow, making it your Hex Weapon and using Charisma for attacks. The Improved Pact Weapon invocation can also make it a +1 weapon and your spellcasting focus.
Can a Hexblade cast with a shield?

Yes. You can use a holy symbol on the shield as your spellcasting focus, freeing your other hand for weapon attacks. You can also perform somatic components with the hand holding the shield.
Can a Hexblade use a whip?

Yes, the Hexblade grants proficiency with martial weapons, including whips.
What is a good multiclass for Hexblade warlock?

Popular multiclass options include Paladin (for Divine Smite) and Sorcerer (for metamagic). The best multiclass will depend on the build and style of the Warlock.
Can a Hexblade have a ranged pact weapon?

Yes. By using the Improved Pact Weapon eldritch invocation, your pact weapon may be a longbow, shortbow, heavy crossbow, or light crossbow.
Can a Hexblade combine Great Weapon Master with a two handed Pact weapon?

Yes! Many players enjoy using Great Weapon Master combined with a two handed weapon.
Can a Hexblade combine Polearm Master with a Pact weapon?

Yes, provided you meet the requirements to use Polearm Master (such as having a halberd, quarterstaff, or spear).