Unleash Your Inner Warrior: A Comprehensive Guide to Hexblade Weapons
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The Hexblade Warlock, a potent subclass in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, offers a unique blend of martial prowess and arcane power. The core question many players have is: What weapons can a Hexblade use? The short answer is: Almost any weapon, with certain caveats and strategic considerations. A Hexblade can effectively wield a wide array of armaments, leveraging their Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls. This opens up fantastic build options, but understanding the specifics is key to optimizing your Hexblade.
Understanding the Hexblade Arsenal
The Hexblade’s weapon proficiencies include martial weapons, giving them access to a broad range of options. However, the true power lies in the Hex Warrior and Pact of the Blade features. Let’s break down how these features impact weapon choice:
- Hex Warrior: At 1st level, the Hex Warrior feature allows you to choose one weapon that you are proficient with that lacks the two-handed property. For that weapon, you can use your Charisma modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity for attack and damage rolls. If the weapon has the finesse or thrown property, you can still use Dexterity.
- Pact of the Blade: At 3rd level, if you choose the Pact of the Blade, you gain the ability to create a pact weapon. You can use an action to summon a weapon to your hand. This weapon can be any melee weapon that you choose, and you are proficient with it while you wield it. This pact weapon can be dismissed and summoned again later, appearing in your hand. You can also perform a ritual over a magical weapon, binding it to you as your pact weapon.
These two features working together create a potent combination. The Hex Warrior feature lets you use your Charisma with a non-two-handed weapon from level 1, while Pact of the Blade broadens your options significantly. The Pact of the Blade benefit extends to every pact weapon you conjure with that feature, no matter the weapon’s type, which can include two-handed weapons.
Strategic Weapon Choices for Hexblades
Given the above, let’s consider some optimal weapon choices and why they work well for a Hexblade:
- Hand Crossbow: A popular choice, especially with the Crossbow Expert feat. It allows you to make ranged attacks using Charisma and still attack in melee.
- Longsword: Versatile and reliable. It can be wielded one-handed with a shield for added defense.
- Greatsword: Excellent damage output thanks to the ability to use Charisma with Pact of the Blade.
- Glaive/Halberd: Paired with the Polearm Master feat, it offers excellent reach and opportunity attacks.
- Whip: Less common but strategically useful. It has reach and can be used to control the battlefield.
- Longbow: A ranged option that can be used at later levels with specific invocations to work effectively.
Choosing the right weapon depends on your playstyle and party composition. Melee-focused Hexblades might prefer a greatsword or glaive, while those who prefer ranged combat might opt for a hand crossbow or longbow. Consider which feats you plan to take, as they can significantly impact your weapon effectiveness.
Overcoming Limitations and Maximizing Potential
While Hexblades have access to a wide range of weapons, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. The Hex Warrior feature initially restricts you to weapons without the two-handed property, but this is addressed by the Pact of the Blade. Also, remember that while you can use almost any weapon, you only add your Charisma modifier to the attack and damage rolls of one weapon selected with Hex Warrior or any pact weapon you conjure.
Invocations also play a crucial role. Invocations like Improved Pact Weapon can enhance your weapon, turning a mundane weapon into a +1 weapon and allowing you to use ranged weapons like longbows and heavy crossbows with your pact weapon. Eldritch Smite also benefits both Melee and Ranged Attacks.
Ultimately, a successful Hexblade build involves careful planning, strategic weapon selection, and a deep understanding of the class features and invocations. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for your character concept. Consider how aspects of game-based learning through role-playing games and community interactions help in discovering novel strategies and techniques to improve the gaming experience for all players. For more resources on the intersection of learning and games, consider visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Hexblade summon any weapon?
No, a Hexblade cannot summon any weapon. Through the Pact of the Blade feature, they can summon any melee weapon with which they are proficient. They can also perform a ritual to turn a magical weapon into their pact weapon, which can be any weapon.
2. Can a Hexblade have two weapons?
Yes, a Hexblade can effectively wield two weapons. They can use the Hex Warrior feature to designate one weapon and use their Charisma modifier for attacks and damage rolls. They can then summon their pact weapon, which can be a different weapon. However, it is important to note that you only get the benefit of using charisma to attack and damage rolls for one weapon selected with Hex Warrior or any pact weapon you conjure.
3. Can a Hexblade use martial weapons?
Yes, the Hexblade subclass grants proficiency with martial weapons, opening up a wide array of weapon options.
4. Can I use a greatsword as a Hexblade Warlock?
Yes, you can use a greatsword as a Hexblade warlock by making it your pact weapon with the Pact of the Blade feature. This allows you to use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls.
5. Can your Hexblade be a bow user?
Yes, your Hexblade can focus on using a bow. With the Improved Pact Weapon invocation, you can make a longbow or heavy crossbow your pact weapon, allowing you to use Charisma for attack and damage rolls. Furthermore Eldritch Smite also benefits both Melee and Ranged Attacks, so the damage output can be quite substantial if you take sharpshooter or crossbow expert with a hand crossbow.
6. Can a Hexblade use Shadow Blade?
While a Hexblade can cast Shadow Blade, it’s generally not an optimal choice. The spell states it deals 2d8 psychic damage, but there is no provision to add your ability modifier to it, as the spell only states it does 2d8 psychic damage.
7. Can a Hexblade use a whip effectively?
Yes, a Hexblade can use a whip effectively. The Hexblade’s martial weapon proficiency includes whips, and the Improved Pact Weapon invocation can make a whip a viable option with a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls. The reach is valuable for controlling the battlefield.
8. Can Hexblades use longswords effectively?
Yes, you can use a longsword as a Hexblade. By making it your hex weapon or pact weapon, you can use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls.
9. Can Hexblades use crossbows effectively?
Yes, Hexblades can effectively use crossbows. A hand crossbow, especially with the Crossbow Expert feat, is a popular choice for ranged combat. Invocations like Improved Pact Weapon can also make heavy crossbows viable.
10. Can a Hexblade cast spells while using a shield?
Yes, a Hexblade can cast spells while using a shield. They can use a holy symbol or other focus as their spellcasting focus, allowing them to hold the shield in one hand and still cast spells with somatic components.
11. What is the ideal role for a Hexblade?
A Hexblade is a versatile class, capable of filling multiple roles in a party. They can function as melee damage dealers, ranged attackers, and even face characters due to their high Charisma. They excel at single-target damage and can be effective in both combat and social encounters.
12. Can a Hexblade use Eldritch Blast effectively?
Yes, a Hexblade can still use Eldritch Blast effectively. While they are proficient with martial weapons, they are still a Warlock and have access to all Warlock spells, including Eldritch Blast. It provides a reliable ranged damage option, even if they are primarily melee-focused.
13. Does a Hexblade Warlock have to be evil?
No, a Hexblade Warlock does not have to be evil. The Hexblade’s power comes from a mysterious entity or force, often associated with the Shadowfell, but their alignment is ultimately determined by their choices and actions.
14. Can a Hexblade use a longbow effectively?
Yes, a Hexblade can use a longbow effectively, particularly with the Improved Pact Weapon invocation. This makes the longbow your pact weapon, allowing you to use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls, turning you into a potent ranged combatant.
15. Can you dual wield as a Hexblade Warlock?
Yes, you can dual wield as a Hexblade Warlock. This can be achieved by conjuring a Pact weapon and also transforming a physical magic weapon into a Pact weapon. However, only one of the weapon’s attack and damage rolls benefit from Charisma modifier.