The Hexblade Perfected - Ultimate Warlock Build Guide for Baldur's Gate 3

Hex Blade - Introduction and Overview

In this section, the speaker introduces the Hex Blade build for Warlocks. The build focuses on transforming a ranged caster into a powerful melee character that still retains spellcasting abilities. The build relies heavily on the Charisma stat and offers plenty of role-playing opportunities.

Perfecting the Hex Blade

• The Hex Blade build turns a Warlock into an unstoppable melee powerhouse.

• The build allows the Warlock to use spells at range while relying on the Charisma stat.

• Offers plenty of role-playing options and access to unique abilities.

Multiclassing and Effective Combinations

• The speaker will discuss which classes are best to multiclass with Warlock for powerful combinations.

• Provides guidance on ability distribution, feats, races, and equipment selection.

Subclass Selection and Level 1 Choices

This section covers important choices at level 1, including subclass selection and initial choices for the Hex Blade build.

Choosing the Great Old One Subclass

• Selecting the Great Old One subclass grants Mortal Reminder ability.

• Mortal Reminder causes frightened condition to enemies when landing a critical hit.

Pact of the Blade and Extra Attack

• At Warlock level 5 with Pact of the Blade, an extra attack is gained.

• It is currently possible to stack this extra attack with another class's extra attack (e.g., Fighter or Paladin).

Build Variations and Race Selection

This section discusses different builds for the Hex Blade, including one that exploits a possible bug allowing stacking of extra attacks. It also suggests Half Orc as an optimal race choice but mentions that other races can work well too.

Build Variations

• Four different builds will be showcased, including one that exploits a possible bug with stacking extra attacks.

• All builds are powerful and offer different play styles.

Optimal Race: Half Orc

• Half Orc is recommended for the Hex Blade build due to its racial abilities.

• Savage Attacks grants additional damage on critical hits with melee weapons.

Ability Score Distribution

• Suggested ability score distribution prioritizes Charisma but allows adjustments for Constitution or Dexterity if needed.

• Volo's Eye or other sources can provide +1 to an ability score of choice.

Brutal Force Build

This section focuses on the "Brutal Force" build, which emphasizes non-stop aggression and high damage output.

Key Features of the Brutal Force Build

• Two extra attacks and Action Surge from multiclassing into Fighter.

• Great Weapon Master feat provides additional damage at the cost of attack roll penalty (-5).

• Spells include Eldritch Blast, Hex, Misty Step, Hold Person, Counterspell, and Darkness (if not a Tiefling).

Multiclassing into Fighter

This section covers multiclassing into Fighter for the Brutal Force build and suggests picking specific features and feats.

Multiclassing into Fighter

• At Warlock level 5, multiclass into Fighter at level 1.

• Choose Great Weapon Fighting as the fighting style for synergy with two-handed weapons.

• Gain Second Wind for self-healing and Action Surge for an additional action in the same turn.

Feat Selection

• Great Weapon Master is recommended for increased damage with two-handed weapons.

• Sentinel and Polearm Master are also viable options but may not be as effective in this particular build.

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the transcript, highlighting the key points and choices discussed in each section. The timestamps are used to link to specific parts of the video for easy reference.

Critical Hit and Great Weapon Master

This section discusses the synergy between critical hits, the Great Weapon Master feat, and playing as a half-orc. It also mentions the benefits of reaching level 4 for an ability score improvement or feat.

Critical Hit and Great Weapon Master

• Critical hit chance is reduced to 19 and 20.

• Synergizes well with Great Weapon Master feat.

• Playing as a half-orc at level 4 grants another ability score improvement or feat.

Extra Attack and Level 6

This section explains the benefits of reaching level 5 for an extra attack and level 6 for another feat. It suggests considering a dip into another class at level 7.

Extra Attack and Level 6

• At level 5, gain second extra attack.

• Pair with Pact of the Blade feature for warlocks.

• At level 6, gain another feat.

• Consider dipping into cleric or sorcerer at level 7 for additional spell slots.

Final Level - Champion Level 7

This section discusses the limited benefits of reaching champion level 7. It suggests using this opportunity to multiclass into another class like cleric or sorcerer.

Final Level - Champion Level 7

• Limited benefits at champion level 7.

• Better jump ability and proficiency bonus increase to certain checks.

• Recommended to dip into cleric or sorcerer at this point.

Equipment Recommendations

This section provides equipment recommendations for the Hexblade Warlock build. It mentions specific items that can enhance spellcasting abilities and increase critical hit chances.

Equipment Recommendations

• Killer Sweetheart Ring guarantees a critical hit after defeating an enemy.

• Darkness spell with Devil's Sight allows advantage on attacks.

• Equipment like the Dark Justiciar's Helmet and Illicit Power Lock of the Four Realms can further enhance critical hit chances.

The Dark Knight Clyde in Obsidian Armor

This section introduces a second build, combining warlock with paladin. It explains the benefits of multiclassing and suggests choosing Oath of the Ancients for sustainability.

The Dark Knight Clyde in Obsidian Armor

• Mix warlock with paladin for this build.

• Choose Oath of the Ancients for sustainability.

• Multiclassing into fighter provides additional benefits.

Tankier Build with Divine Smite

This section explains how this build offers more tankiness and utilizes Divine Smite for high damage output. It suggests equipment recommendations similar to the previous build.

Tankier Build with Divine Smite

• Gain tankiness compared to previous build.

• Utilize Divine Smite for high damage output.

• Similar equipment recommendations as previous build.

The transcript is already in English, so there is no need to respond in a different language.

The Fiend Warlock/Paladin Build

In this section, the speaker discusses a character build that combines three levels of Warlock with the Fiend subclass and eight levels of Paladin. This build focuses on gaining temporary hit points and powerful defensive abilities.

Building the Character

• The character takes three levels of Warlock, choosing the Fiend subclass to gain temporary hit points equal to their charisma modifier.

• They also take eight levels of Paladin, specifically the Oath of the Ancients subclass.

• With these extra Paladin levels, they gain abilities such as Aura of Protection (providing a bonus to saving throws) and Aura of Warding (reducing spell damage for themselves and nearby allies).

Benefits of the Build

• The character doesn't need to save a warlock spell slot for counterspell because they only take half damage from spells throughout combat.

• They can choose between two feats: Polearm Master or Sentinel. Both provide benefits to weapon attacks and opportunity attacks.

• Choosing Polearm Master allows them to make a bonus action attack with certain weapons, while Sentinel grants advantage on opportunity attacks and prevents enemies from moving after being hit.

• At higher levels, they can consider taking another level in Warlock for an ability score improvement or staying in Paladin for additional spell slots and spells like Protection from Energy and Plant Growth.

• Alternatively, they can dip into another class like Life Domain Cleric or Storm Sorcery for additional benefits such as improved healing spells or flying ability.

The Wandering Knight Build

In this section, the speaker introduces another character build that combines three levels of Warlock with six levels of Paladin. This build focuses on storytelling and role-playing aspects while still being effective in combat.

Building the Character

• The character takes three levels of Warlock, again choosing the Fiend subclass.

• They also take six levels of Paladin and select the Dueling fighting style for increased damage with a one-handed melee weapon.

• Additionally, they multiclass into Bard to enhance their abilities further.

Benefits of the Build

• This build allows for a combination of storytelling, combat prowess, and mysterious powers.

• The character can inspire others with tales of valor while wielding a rapier as their packed weapon.

• Multiclassing into Bard provides additional versatility and power to the character's abilities.

These are just two character builds discussed in the transcript. There may be more content beyond this point that is not covered in these notes.

Bard Multiclass Options at Level 3

This section discusses the multiclass options for a Bard character at level 3.

College of Swords and Fighting Style

• At level 3, Bard characters can choose the College of Swords subclass.

• The College of Swords allows you to pick a different fighting style to add to your character.

• The two options offered by the College of Swords are Dueling and Two-Weapon Fighting.

• If you have already selected a different fighting style as a Paladin, you will need to respec your character.

Blade Flourish and Versatility

• With the College of Swords, Bards gain access to Blade Flourish abilities.

• Blade Flourish allows Bards to spend their Bardic Inspiration charges to perform various actions during attacks.

• Blade Flourish provides more mobility and versatility compared to Divine Smites for Paladins.

• Going into Bard as a multiclass option adds more spell slots, increasing the number of uses for Divine Smite.

Feat Options

• For this specific character build, focusing on ability score improvements is often preferred over selecting feats.

• Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master cannot be taken advantage of due to the character's weapon choices.

• Defensive Duelist is an option that increases armor class when attacked, causing the attack to potentially miss.

• Alert or Mobile feats can also be considered for increased versatility and high AC.

Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the discussed multiclass options for a Hexblade Warlock/Bard/Paladin character.

Best Multiclass Options

• The best dialogue options in terms of role-playing come from being a Warlock, Barbarian, or Bard.

• This specific build combines two out of these three classes (Warlock and Bard), making the game more enjoyable.

• The Hexblade Warlock offers versatility and power, while the Bard adds role-playing options and spell slots.

Please let me know if you have any further questions or need additional information.