Hexblade Warlock 5e
Warlocks bound to sentient weapons from the Shadowfell who fight in melee using Charisma. Hexblades are powerful gish builds combining Eldritch Blast spam with weapon attacks.
At a Glance
Hit Die
d8
Primary Ability
Charisma
Saving Throws
Wisdom, Charisma
Armor
Light armor, medium armor, shields (via subclass)
Weapons
Simple weapons, martial weapons (via subclass)
Spellcasting
Pact caster (Charisma)
Key Features
| Feature | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hexblade's Curse | 1st | Bonus action to curse target, gaining +proficiency bonus to damage, crit on 19-20, and heal when target dies. Once per short rest. |
| Hex Warrior | 1st | Use CHA for attack/damage with one weapon (or pact weapon). Gain medium armor, shields, and martial weapons. |
| Accursed Specter | 6th | Raise slain humanoid as specter under your command once per long rest. |
| Armor of Hexes | 10th | Cursed target misses you 50% of the time (roll d6, 4+ misses). |
| Master of Hexes | 14th | Transfer Hexblade's Curse to new target when cursed creature dies. |
Subclasses
| Subclass | Source | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Hexblade | Xanathar's Guide to Everything | This is the subclass itself - warlock otherworldly patron focused on weapon combat |
Common Mistakes
Common Mistake
Forgetting Hexblade's Curse bonus applies to all damage rolls, including Eldritch Blast
Common Mistake
Common Mistake
Missing that you're still a warlock - maintain Eldritch Blast for ranged option
Common Mistake
Overlooking Pact of the Blade synergy for summoning any weapon and using CHA
DM Tips
DM Tip
Hexblade is widely considered the strongest warlock patron, especially for multiclassing
DM Tip
They have limited spell slots but regain on short rest - encourage short rests
DM Tip
Hexblade's Curse + Hex spell stacks for massive single-target damage
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & Further Reading
- Warlock (Hexblade) — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD class text
- Warlock (Hexblade) — D&D Beyond — Official class reference
- Warlock (Hexblade) Guide — RPGBOT — Class optimization guide