Patch 8 of Baldur's Gate 3 introduces 12 new subclasses, including the Hexblade Warlock, a martial variation of the pact-bound spellcaster class that combines blade and magic into powerful builds. Hexblades bind themselves to a sentient weapon, who have an entity of the Shadowfell trapped within them. Through their bond, Hexblades can curse their enemies and call upon dark powers to slay their foes.

Alongside crossplay in Baldur's Gate 3, new subclasses like the Hexblade are the biggest new features from Patch 8, which has been in testing for some time. While other classes have to level up several times to choose their new subclass, you can create a Warlock character with the Hexblade archetype from Level 1. This makes it easy to start building a Hexblade immediately as you begin a new playthrough.

Hexblade Warlock In BG3 Explained

Bind Yourself To A Cursed Weapon

The Hexblade is one of the most iconic subclasses in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition, making it feel like a natural inclusion for Baldur's Gate 3. Hexblades are Warlocks who thrive in close-range combat, using melee strikes in addition to the already powerful spells Warlocks have access to. Hexblades use their natural Charisma instead of Strength or Dexterity to land attacks with weapons they are proficient with.

Picking the Hexblade as your Warlock subclass does affect what tools you are proficient with, but it does not impact your Saving Throw proficiencies, Hit Points, Pact Magic, or Skills, which you either pick or gain naturally.

Like any subclass of the Warlock, Hexblades gain unique spells that reflect their strengths as your character levels up. For example, Hexblades gain Shield and Wrathful Smite at Level 1, encouraging a more up-close and personal playstyle for the class. The Hexblade focuses on magic that deals high damage or buffs their effectiveness as someone who fights on the front lines of their party.

As they get stronger, Hexblades also gain strong abilities tied to cursing enemies they fight. Hexblades can curse targets to deal more damage and summon spectres when a cursed target dies, giving themselves powerful undead in Baldur's Gate 3 as allies under the right conditions. These cursing features also serve to heal a Hexblade in a battle, giving them more survivability than you may expect from a spellcasting class.

Best Build For Hexblade Warlock In Baldur's Gate 3

Combine Natural Features For The Best Synergy

To start making a strong Hexblade build, you have to take into multiple factors, including your character's Race, Ability Scores, and features from the Warlock subclass. Putting all these features together will help you decide on which gear to equip or which spells in Baldur's Gate 3 to choose.

The following two tables go over some of the best options available for a Hexblade's creation, including their Ability Scores and Race options:

Having 16 Dexterity will give your Hexblade a better Armor Class (AC) and allow them to roll a higher Initiative in battle. Charisma is your most important stat, as it is tied to your attacking ability as a Hexblade alongside your Spell Save DC. Almost any race can be used as a Hexblade Warlock due to the subclass's versatility, but the options above have arguably the best features for the subclass.

Some of the best multiclass options in Baldur's Gate 3 for the Hexblade Warlock are Paladin or Sorcerer classes, since they also use Charisma as a primary stat to their powerful abilities.

The next table goes over an example of a strong Hexblade Warlock build, including what features you gain and what spells you should add:

The spells in this pure Hexblade build are designed to either debuff enemies or add to the subclass's already high damage. Certain Feats and Eldritch Invocations in this build are meant to add to the Hexblade's existing strengths, but you can choose other abilities that best suit your playstyle. No matter what build you make, you'll want your Hexblade to focus on dealing damage and restricting enemy movements while in combat.

Pact of the Blade is a great feature for Hexblade Warlocks, as it allows them to make an additional attack with their Pact weapon for even more damage.

As you level up, here is some powerful gear you can find that will likely strengthen your Hexblade build even further:

• Phalar Aluve (Weapon - Sword) - gives you the ability Shriek to buff the attacks of allies
• Haste Helm - buffs movement speed at the start of combat
• Caustic Band - adds poison damage to your melee and spell attacks
• Gloves of the Growling Underdog - grants advantage to your melee attacks
• Adamantine Shield - +2 AC

Multiclass Hexblade builds may require more specific gear or spells more suited for the new features that come with another class' abilities. No matter what route you take, the Hexblade Warlock can be, without a doubt, one of the strongest archetypes in Baldur's Gate 3 after Patch 8 if you put together the best builds for it.