What is the Best Warlock Cantrip for a Hexblade?
For a Hexblade Warlock, the best cantrip is undoubtedly Eldritch Blast. While other cantrips have their niche applications, Eldritch Blast’s raw power, scalability, and synergy with Warlock features and invocations make it the most consistently effective and versatile choice. It forms the backbone of many successful Hexblade builds, offering both reliable ranged damage and the potential for significant customization. Although the Hexblade subclass is often associated with melee combat due to its Hex Warrior feature, Eldritch Blast provides a strong ranged option that ensures the Hexblade remains potent in any encounter.
Why Eldritch Blast Reigns Supreme
Raw Damage Output
Eldritch Blast stands out as the only cantrip that scales by adding additional beams, rather than just increasing damage dice. At 1st level, it fires a single beam, but at 5th level, it fires two, at 11th it fires three, and at 17th level, it fires four. Each beam requires its own attack roll, allowing for multiple chances to hit. Unlike other cantrips that may be reliant on a saving throw, Eldritch Blast benefits from a standard attack roll which, as a Hexblade using their Charisma modifier, tends to be quite accurate.
Synergy with Warlock Invocations
The true power of Eldritch Blast is unlocked by its potent synergy with Eldritch Invocations. Invocations like Agonizing Blast add your Charisma modifier to each beam’s damage, drastically increasing its potency. Repelling Blast allows you to push enemies away with each hit, providing valuable battlefield control. Grasp of Hadar lets you pull enemies closer, setting up melee attacks or disrupting enemy formations. These customizations make Eldritch Blast incredibly adaptable and powerful, turning it from a simple cantrip into a central pillar of the Hexblade’s combat strategy.
Versatility in Combat
While Hexblades can excel in melee, situations often arise where ranged attacks are preferable. Eldritch Blast provides this flexibility, ensuring that the Hexblade remains effective at any distance. The ability to target multiple enemies with each blast (once you gain additional beams) further enhances its effectiveness against groups. This adaptability makes Eldritch Blast an indispensable tool in any combat situation.
The Hexblade’s Focus on Charisma
The Hexblade’s core feature, Hex Warrior, allows you to use Charisma for weapon attacks, alongside your spellcasting. This focus on a single ability score makes Charisma the primary stat to max out as a Hexblade. This makes all spells and attacks that use Charisma, such as Eldritch Blast, incredibly powerful.
Other Cantrip Options for Hexblades
While Eldritch Blast is the top choice, other cantrips can still be useful in certain situations:
Blade Cantrips: Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade
Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade are excellent for melee-focused Hexblades. These cantrips add extra damage to weapon attacks, and at higher levels, they can deal significant secondary damage. However, they require you to be in melee range and are less versatile than Eldritch Blast. These cantrips might be valuable if you frequently find yourself in melee combat, however, it will make you less flexible.
Utility Cantrips: Minor Illusion, Message, and Mending
Cantrips like Minor Illusion, Message, and Mending offer great utility outside of combat. Minor Illusion can create distractions, Message allows for discreet communication, and Mending can repair damaged objects. While not directly contributing to combat damage, these utility cantrips can greatly enhance roleplaying and problem-solving.
Control Cantrips: Toll the Dead, Lightning Lure, and Mind Sliver
Cantrips like Toll the Dead, Lightning Lure, and Mind Sliver can provide battlefield control. Toll the Dead deals respectable damage, and Lightning Lure can pull enemies closer. Mind Sliver can weaken enemies before a big attack. These cantrips, while useful in specific situations, don’t offer the same consistent damage or customization that Eldritch Blast does.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can a Hexblade Warlock use Eldritch Blast?
Yes, absolutely! Any Warlock, regardless of their subclass, can use Eldritch Blast. It’s a fundamental cantrip for the class, not tied to any specific patron. The Hexblade subclass does not restrict its usage or push you into melee.
2. Does Eldritch Blast benefit from Hex?
Yes, Eldritch Blast is unique because it makes separate attack rolls as it scales. Therefore, it can benefit from the extra 1d6 necrotic damage from the Hex spell with each blast.
3. Does Hexblade’s Curse stack with Eldritch Blast?
Yes, Hexblade’s Curse adds proficiency bonus damage to each attack that hits the cursed target, including each beam of Eldritch Blast. It’s a very powerful combination to use with Hex for consistent damage output.
4. Can Eldritch Blast be twinned?
Yes, at lower levels, when Eldritch Blast only fires one beam, it can be twinned using Metamagic, such as by a Sorcerer with the necessary feature. Once it shoots multiple beams it cannot be twinned.
5. How many times can a Warlock use Eldritch Blast per turn?
A Warlock can use Eldritch Blast once per turn, as it requires an action. However, with features like Quickened Spell by a Sorcerer, or through a magical item, it can be cast twice.
6. Does Hexblade’s Curse require concentration?
No, Hexblade’s Curse does not require concentration. This allows a Hexblade to use other concentration spells, like Hex, at the same time.
7. Can Hexblade’s Curse be removed?
Yes, Hexblade’s Curse can be removed by a Remove Curse spell. Furthermore, multiple instances of the curse don’t stack with each other.
8. Is Hexblade the best Warlock Subclass?
The Hexblade is often considered one of the most powerful and versatile Warlock subclasses, particularly in single-class builds. While subclasses like the Genie might rival it, its ease of use and synergy make it a consistent performer.
9. Can a Hexblade use a shield?
Yes, a Hexblade can use a shield, especially if they take Pact of the Blade and the Improved Pact Weapon invocation. This allows them to use their pact weapon as a spellcasting focus, and still benefit from a shield.
10. Can you stack Hexblade’s Curse with Hex?
Yes, you can stack Hexblade’s Curse with the Hex spell. Both are crucial for a high-damage Hexblade build.
11. Does Hex affect saving throws?
No, Hex only affects ability checks, not saving throws or attack rolls.
12. What is the Hexblade patron?
The Hexblade patron is a mysterious entity from the Shadowfell that creates and empowers magical weapons, it is not a sentient sword you get for free.
13. Why is Eldritch Blast so good?
Eldritch Blast is excellent due to its multiple attack rolls, scalability, and synergy with Warlock invocations. This makes it incredibly customizable, reliable, and one of the most powerful cantrips in the game.
14. Can a Hexblade use a longsword?
Yes, a Hexblade can use a longsword, particularly if it’s their hex weapon (using Hex Warrior) or pact weapon (using Pact of the Blade).
15. Is the Hexblade Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3?
No, the Hexblade subclass is unfortunately not available in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Conclusion
While other cantrips have their uses, Eldritch Blast stands out as the best option for a Hexblade Warlock. Its consistent damage output, scalability, and synergy with invocations make it an indispensable tool. Whether you’re aiming for ranged damage or setting up melee attacks, Eldritch Blast remains the cornerstone of any effective Hexblade build. By focusing on Charisma and understanding how Eldritch Blast interacts with other Hexblade features, you can create a powerful and versatile character ready to take on any challenge.