Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock Build

This guide focuses on the essential aspects of a Hexblade Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) and how to use those powers to your advantage.

Creating a build in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a complex task with many variables, like ability score, level progression, companions, weapons, armor, and consumables. In this guide, we explain how to create a Warlock build with the new Patch 8 subclass, Hexblade. A powerful melee option for those who love a hybrid spellcaster!

This build page has been updated for the patch 8 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Warlock Class Guide in BG3

The Warlock is a unique spellcasting class in Baldur’s Gate 3 known for limited spell slots and more weapon and armor proficiencies. Unlike other spellcasters, the Warlock can play in melee range and serve as a hybrid spellcaster. Moreover, the Warlock is less complex than other spellcasting classes and refreshes their spell slots on short rest, saving you time and energy.

Why Should You Choose the Hexblade Subclass for the Warlock Class in BG3?

You should choose the Hexblade subclass if you want a melee-focused Warlock build that excels at burst damage. With the introduction of the Shadow Blade spell, the Warlock can play a fully strength or charisma-based melee build. Moreover, the Bind Hexed Weapon subclass features let you use charisma vs. strength or dexterity for weapon attacks. Therefore, you can stack charisma only and gain a massive advantage in spellcasting and melee combat.

Everything About the Hexblade Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3

What makes the Hexblade build unique is its ability to bind a weapon, gain extra proficencies like medium armor, and play entirely as a melee spellcaster. The class can benefit from extra attack and combo Hexblade Curse and additional psychic damage to rival other melee builds.

The pros of the hexblade are high damage, simplistic, and versatility being effective at both melee combat and spellcasting. However, the Warlock has limited spell slots and a spellbook in comparison to other spellcasters and focuses more on melee hybrid gameplay.

Hexblade Warlock Build Pros	Hexblade Warlock Build Pros
High Damage	Limited Spell Slots
Versatile	Gear Dependent
Simple	Melee Centric

Features and Mechanics of Hexblade Warlock

The following list presents all the essential Hexblade Warlock Build Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Class: Warlock and Paladin
• Subclass: Hexblade and Oath of Vengeance
• Background: Entertainer
• Skills: Athletics and Persuasion
• Ability Score
  • Strength: 8
  • Dexterity: 16
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 10
  • Charisma: 17
• Saving Throw: Charisma and Wisdom
• Armour Proficiency: Light Armour
• Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapons

Character Creation

Category	Selection
Character	Origin – Custom character
Race	Half-Orc
Racial Bonus	Relentless Endurance, Savage Attacks, Darkvision
Class	Warlock
Subclass	Hexblade
Cantrips	Eldritch Blast, Booming Blade
Spells	Hex, Command
Background	Entertainer
Ability Score	STR: 8 DEX: 16 CON: 14 INT: 8 WIS: 10 CHA: 17
Skill Proficiencies	Atheltics and Persuasion

Race Choice for Hexblade Warlock

Half-Orc is the best choice for a Hexblade Warlock Build because of the Savage Attack feature increasing your damage with melee. This build assumes you will use Shadow Blade and attack in melee, alongside the Savage Attacks feat, this combo provides devastating damage. A secondary choice is Zariel Tiefling because they have fire resistance and two smite spells. A third option is High Elf, because they gain an extra cantrip which can be helpful to expand your spell slots.

Here is the best race choice for a Hexblade Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Race	Features
Half-Orc	Menacing Darkvsion Relentless Endurance Savage Attack
Zariel Tiefling	Hellish Resistance Darkvision Thaumaturgy Cantrip Smite Spells
High Elf	Fey Ancestry Darkvision Elven Weapon Training Free Cantrip

Warlock Subclass – Hexblade

The Warlock class unlocks their subclass at level 1, and the Hexblade gives you four features automatically. The Hex Warrior features allows you to use medium armor and martial weapons immediately, while bind hexed weapon allows you to use charisma instead of strength or dexterity. This is helpful when starting because you can take Lae’zel’s medium armor in the prologue and start using two-handed or one hand and shield.

Below are the Hexblade Warlock subclass features that become available while leveling up in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Hex Warrior (Level 1): You gain proficiency with Medium armour, Shields, and  Martial weapons. You gain Bind Hexed Weapon, which lets you use your Charisma modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity when attacking with weapons that you are proficient with.
• Bind Hexed Weapon (Level 1): Bind to your main hand weapon. Its damage becomes magical, you cannot drop or throw it, and you become Proficient with it if you weren’t already. When you attack with this weapon, there is a chance that Hexblade’s Curse will be applied to the target.
• Hexblade’s Curse (Level 1): Curse a target. Your damage rolls against the target gain a bonus equal to their Proficiency bonus. The number you need to roll a Critical Hit while attacking the target is also reduced by 1.
• Expanded Spell List (Level 1): Shield and Wrathful Smite
• Expanded Spell List (Level 3): Blur and Branding Smite 
• Extra Attack (Level 5): You can make an additional free attack after making an unarmed or weapon attack.
• Expanded Spell List (Level 5): Blink and Elemental Weapon
• Accursed Spectre (Level 6): Raise an Accursed Spectre from the soul of a fallen.
• Expanded Spell List (Level 7): Phantasmal Killer, Staggering Smite, Dominate Beast, and Greater Invisibility
• Expanded Spell List (Level 9): Banishing Smite and Cone of Cold
• Armour of Hexes (Level 10): When a creature you cursed with Hexblade’s Curse attacks you, potentially nullify the attack as a reaction.

Recommended Background for Hexblade Warlock

Entertainer is the Best background for the Hexblade Warlock Build because you gain proficiency in a dexterity and charisma-based skill. You can also increase your athletics skill with high strength or select Charlatan, which similarly gives one dexterity and one charisma proficiency. Additional choices are:

1. Entertainer: Proficiency in Acrobatics (Dexterity) and Performance (Charisma). You live to sway and subvert your audience, engaging common crowds and high society alike. 
2. Charlatan: Proficiency in Deception (Charisma) and Sleight of Hand (Dexterity). You’re an expert in manipulation, prone to exaggeration, and more than happy to profit from it. A Charlatan companion is Astarion.
3. Urchin: Proficiency in Stealth (Dexterity) and Sleight of Hand (Dexterity). After surviving a childhood on the streets, you know how to make the most out of very little. Using your street smarts bolsters your spirit for the journey ahead.

Ability Score

The Best Ability Score for Hexblade Warlock Build is 17 Charisma, 16 Dexterity, and 14 Constitution.  Charisma will impact our melee and spell damage, so its your main ability score to stack. You can increase this to 18 in Act 1 with Auntie Ethel’s Hair. Then with one feat, mirror of the loss, and a headpiece can increase it to 24 in Act 3.

Dexterity influences your ranged damage and chance to land, giving you higher initiative rolls going earlier in combat. Lastly, the Constitution determines health and concentration saving throws. This build will forgo strength entirely since you don’t need it for melee attacks due to subclass feature.

Below is the best ability score for a Hexblade Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Ability	Recommended Score
Strength	8
Dexterity	16
Constitution	14
Intelligence	8
Wisdom	10
Charisma	17

You can increase your ability score via a quest in Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Make sure to check out our Permanent bonus guide on how you can boost your ability score through quests.

Recommended Skills for Hexblade Warlock

Athletics and Persuasion are the best skills for the Hexblade Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 because they aid in dialogue, exploration, and discovery. In Baldur’s Gate 3, skills represent the abilities and proficiencies of your character that allow them to perform various actions and interact with the game world. Skills are associated with specific attributes and are used to determine the success or effectiveness of certain actions or abilities. They can be edited during character creation or with companions, during respec or reroll screen.

Here are the best skills for the Hexblade Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. Persuasion is a Charisma Skill used entirely for dialogue Ability Checks.
2. Athletics is a Strength Skill used to shove and to resists shoves.

Illithid Powers For Hexblade Warlock

The best Illithid Powers for a Hexblade Warlock build are Luck of the Farm Realms, Black Hole, and Cull of the Weak. Luck of the Farm helps with critical hits and burst damage and, combined with Cull of the Weak, can trigger AOE damage passively. Black Hole requires you to take the Astral Tadpole in Act 2, but it sucks in 5 enemies, slows them, and can be recast for free. This is helpful in certain large-scale boss fights with many enemies. Below are the best Illithid Tadpole Powers for the Hexblade Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Illithid Powers	Description
Luck of the Far Realms	When you make a successful Attack Roll against a foe, you can change that hit into a Critical Hit.
Cull of the Weak	When you bring a creature down to fewer hit points than your number of evolved Illithid powers, it dies and all nearby creatures take 1-4 Psychic damage.
Psionic Backlash	When an enemy within 9m casts a spell, you can use your reaction to inflict ld4 Psychic damage to the caster per the spell’s level.
Blackhole	Area-based suck-in that slows targets.
Repulsor	Massive area knockback that can hit friendlies.
Charm	This is the priority power you want to obtain because you can force enemies to attack something else.

Best Companions for Hexblade Warlock

Shadowheart, Gale, and Astarion make the best companions for the Hexblade Warlock build because they give you a well-rounded party with a healer, thief, and spellcaster.

• Gale (Wizard) – Used for intelligence-based spells, AOE damage, and utility.
• Astarion (Rogue – Thief) – Stealth damage, and great for disarming traps, lockpicking, and stealing.
• Shadowheart (Cleric – Life) – Utilize Shadowheart to buff, heal, and stun enemies.

Best Hexblade Warlock Build – Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3

Level	Class	Selection
1	Warlock	Subclass: Hexblade, Eldritch Blast, Booming Blade, Hex, Command
2	Warlock	Hellish Rebuke, Eldritch Invocations: Devil’s Sight and One with Shadows
3	Warlock	Shadow Blade, Pact Boon: Pact of the Blade
4	Warlock	Mage Hand, Darkness, Feat: Ability Improvement Charisma +2
5	Warlock	Counterspell, Eldritch Invocations: Repelling Blast
6	Warlock	Misty Step
7	Paladin	Subclass: Oath of Vengeance Armor/Weapon Proficiencies
8	Paladin	Defence Fighting Style, Command, Thunderous Smite, Divine Favour, Searing Smite, Shield, Cure Wounds
9	Paladin	Protection from Good and Evil
10	Paladin	Compelled Duel, Feat: Savage Attacker
11	Paladin	Magic Weapon
12	Paladin	Protection from Poison

Level 1

At Level 1 with a Hexblade Warlock, you select your subclass and unlock multiple features, spells, and cantrips. Below are our recommendations:

Hexblade Subclass Features

• Hex Warrior: You gain proficiency with Medium armour, Shields, and  Martial weapons. You gain Bind Hexed Weapon, which lets you use your Charisma modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity when attacking with weapons that you are proficient with.
• Bind Hexed Weapon: Bind to your main hand weapon. Its damage becomes magical, you cannot drop or throw it, and you become Proficient with it if you weren’t already. When you attack with this weapon, there is a chance that Hexblade’s Curse will be applied to the target.
• Hexblade’s Curse: Curse a target. Your damage rolls against the target gain a bonus equal to their Proficiency bonus. The number you need to roll a Critical Hit while attacking the target is also reduced by 1. If the target dies, you regain HP Icon.png Warlock level + Charisma modifier hit points.
• Shield (subclass spell): When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class by 5.
• Wrathful Smite (subclass spell): Your weapon absorbs your wrath as you strike, possibly Frightening your target.

Cantrip Selection

• Eldritch Blast: Conjure a beam of crackling energy. Deals 1d10 Force damage to a target.
• Booming Blade: Strike with your weapon, afflicting your foe with a resonance that hurts them for 1d8Thunder when they move.

Spell Selection

• Hex: Make your attacks deal an additional 1d6 Necrotic damage to the target and give it Disadvantage on an Ability of your choosing.
• Command: Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground or drop its weapon.

Gameplay

At this level, you want to use Hex / Eldritch Blast combo for your range damage. Booming Blade cantrip is your go to melee attack. At level 3, you gain access to Shadow Blade and that will be your main weapon which is summoned to your hand. Save a spell slot in reserve if you can for Shield and short rest after every fight. Use Command to stun or drop weapons against melee dominate fighters early.

Level 2

At Level 2 with our Best Hexblade Warlock build you get another spell and spells and Eldritch Invocations, which enhances your Eldritch Blast cantrip. For the spell we recommend you take Hellish Rebuke, which allows you to React to your next attacker with flames that deal 2d10 Fire damage.

Eldritch Invocation Selection

• Devil’s Sight: You can see normally in darkness, both magical and non-magical, to a distance of 24 meters.
• One with Shadows: You learn how to cast One with Shadows. Vanish into the darkness and become Invisible, as long as you stand still.

The trick with Devil’s Sight is, you can cast the Darkness spell ontop of yourself and still see in the dark. This gives you a bubble where enemies will almost always miss you but you can attack while inside. Use a Wizard or select the spell to use this combo.

Level 3

At Level 3 with a Hexblade Warlock, you can pick one additional spell, choose your Pact Boon, and get two always-prepared spells. We recommend that you choose the Shadow Blade spell, which creates a shadowy shortsword in your hand that deals 2d8 Psychic damage. Shadow Blade will now be your main source of damage and don’t forget bind weapon.

Hexblade Subclass Features

• Pact Boon: Pact of the Blade: You can Summon a pact weapon, or Bind the one you are wielding, making it magical. Pact weapons use the wielder’s Spellcasting Ability Modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity.
  • Pact of the Blade (class action): Summon a weapon to your hand. It uses the wielder’s Charisma modifier, and its damage is magical.
  • Bind Pact Weapon (class action): Bind to your main hand weapon. Its damage becomes magical, you cannot drop or throw it, and you become Proficient with it if you weren’t already.
• Blur (subclass spell): Attackers have Disadvantage on Attack rolls against you.
• Branding Smite (subclass spell): Your weapon gleams with astral radiance as you strike and possibly mark your targets with light, preventing it from turning Invisible.

SUPER IMPORTANT: Act 2 has the resonance stone which doubles psychic damage (yes it literally doubles Shadow Blade). When you upcast Shadow Blade with a Warlock spell slot, you will hit extremely hard. Therefore, do NOT MISS THIS at the end of act 2.

Level 4

At Level 4 of the Hexblade Warlock, you will get to choose between a feat or ability improvement, as well as a cantrip and spell. Here are the choices that we recommend:

• Mage Hand (cantrip): Create a spectral hand that can manipulate and interact with objects.
• Darkness (spell): Create a cloud of magical darkness that Heavily Obscures and inflicts Blind to creatures within. Creatures cannot make ranged attacks into or out of it.
• Ability Improvement (feat): Charisma +2

At this stage, make sure to get another +1 charisma with Auntie Ethel Hair permanent bonus in southwest part of map. This will push your Charisma to 20.

Level 5

At Level 5 of our best Baldur’s Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock build you will get to choose another spell and Eldritch Invocation. Additionally, with your subclass you will also get Extra Attack and two always prepared spells. Here are the choices we recommend at Level 5 for a Hexblade Warlock:

• Repelling Blast (Eldritch Invocation): When you hit a creature with Eldritch Blast, you can push the creature up to 4.5 meters away from you.
• Counterspell: Can stop a spell from being cast.

Hexblade Subclass Features

• Extra Attack (passive): You can make an additional free attack after making an unarmed or weapon attack.
• Blink (subclass spell): At the end of your turn, roll a d20. On 11 or higher, you vanish into the Ethereal Plane. While there, you can’t be harmed or seen in this world.
• Elemental Weapon (subclass spell): Imbue a weapon with elemental power. It receives a +1 bonus to Attack rolls and deals an additional 1d4 damage of your choice.

Level 6

With our last level in Warlock, we will get a unique reaction for the Hexblade, along with another choice of spell. Here is a listing of the subclass feature and recommended spell choice for Level 6:

• Accursed Spectre (subclass feature): Raise an Accursed Spectre from the soul of a fallen cursed target to fight by your side. The size of the fallen creature will determine whether you raise a Feeble Spectre, Mundane Spectre, or Primordial Spectre.
• Misty Step (spell): Surrounded by silver mist, you teleport to an unoccupied space you can see.

Level 7

At Level 7 in our best Baldur’s Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock build we will start to multiclass to maximize your damage potential. We’ll be putting the rest of our levels in to the Paladin class, as well as choosing the Oath of Vengeance subclass. The reason for this is you can stack the damage of divine smite with Shadow Blade.

Here’s a breakdown of what you get as a level 1 Paladin:

• Channeled Oath Charges: Paladin-specific resource that allows the casting of spells and abilities.
• Lay on Hands: Use your blessed touch to heal a creature or cure it of all diseases and poisons.
  • Usage: Single target melee heal using action or cure disease. This consumes Oath Charges but is an effective heal.
• Divine Sense: Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against celestials, fiends, and undead.
  • Usage: This uses bonus action which can be used with an attack costing an action.
• Inquisitor’s Might: You or an ally’s weapon attacks deal an additional + Charisma Radiant damage and can  Daze enemies for 1 turn.
  • Usage: helpful for bonus action utility if you want to spend the spell slot.
• Oath of the Vengeance Tenets: Fight the Greater Evil. No Mercy for the Wicked.

Level 8

At level 8, take another level into Paladin. Two levels into Paladin unlocks Divine Smite which you should save your spell slots for and use on melee attacks. Below are our suggestions at character Level 8:

• Defence Fighting Style: You gain a +1 bonus to  Armour Class while wearing Armour.
• Searing Smite: Your Weapon deals an extra 1d6 Fire damage and marks the target with Searing Smite. A target with Searing Smite takes 1d6 Fire damage every turn until it succeeds on a Constitution saving throw. This is your hard-hitting single-target spell that also gives a damage-over-time fire effect. However, try to avoid its usage because it consumes a bonus action in addition to an action.
• Thunderous Smite: Your weapon rings with thunder as you strike, pushing your target 3m away and possibly knocking it Prone. This attack can act like Crowd Control when you need a stun. You want to use this when needing a stun on a hard-hitting enemy. The best usage is from stealth to initiate combat.
• Divine Favour: Your prayer empowers you with divine radiance. Your weapons deal an additional 1d4 Radiant damage.
• Shield: When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your armor class by 5.
• Cure Wounds: Heal a creature you can touch for 1-8 HP.
• Command: Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground or drop its weapon.

Level 9

With a third level into Paladin, you will get to choose another spell. Additionally, the Oath of Vengeance subclass will give you two subclass features and two always-prepared spells. You can use your bonus action for Hunter’s Mark at this point.

• Protection from Evil and Good (spell): Protect an ally against the attacks and powers of Aberrations, Celestials, Elementals, Fey, Fiends, and Undead.
• The targets can’t be  Charmed,  Frightened, or possessed by them, and when these creatures attack it, they have Disadvantage.
• Abjure Enemy (subclass feature): Frighten an enemy. They’ll have Disadvantage on ability checks and Attack rolls, and they cannot move.
• Vow of Enmity (subclass feature): Gain Advantage on Attack Rolls against an enemy.
• Bane (subclass spell): Up to 3 creatures receive a -1d4 penalty to Attack rolls and Saving throws.
• Hunter’s Mark (subclass spell): Mark a creature as your quarry to deal an additional 1d6 Weapon damage whenever you hit it with a weapon attack.

Level 10

At character Level 10, you’ll continue to advance as a Paladin. This time, you’ll get to choose a single spell and select a feat. Additionally, you’ll get another Lay on Hands charge. Here are our recommendations:

• Compelled Duel (spell): Force an enemy to attack only you, giving it Disadvantage against other targets.
• Savage Attacker (feat): When making melee weapon attacks, you roll your damage dice twice and use the highest result.

Savage Attacker will make your Shadow Blade hit extremely hard, especially if you critical strike. It’s better than any other feat at this point.

Level 11

With five levels into Paladin, you get to choose another spell, as well as two additional always prepared spells. Normally the Paladin gets Extra Attack at Level 5. However, we already received it from the Warlock class, and these do not stack.

• Magic Weapon (spell): Infuse a weapon with arcane energy. The weapon becomes magical, receiving a +1 bonus to Attack rolls and Damage Rolls.
• Misty Step (subclass spell): Surrounded by silver mist, you teleport to an unoccupied space you can see.
• Hold Person (subclass spell): Hold a humanoid enemy still. They can’t Move, Act, or React. Attacks from within 3 m / 10 ft are always Critical Hits.

Level 12

Congrats on reaching the maximum level of 12 with our best Baldur’s Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock build! We will stay with the Paladin class here, and you get a class action and choose another spell.

• Aura of Protection (class action): You and nearby allies gain a bonus to Saving throws equal to your Charisma modifier.
• Protection from Poison (spell): Grants Advantage on Saving throws against being Poisoned, and Resistance to Poison damage.

Make sure to activate Aura of Protection once its unlocked.

Best Gear for Hexblade Warlock Build

Beginner

Here’s the best beginner gear, items, and equipment for Hexblade Warlock Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Haste Helm	Extra Movement
Cape	Deathstalker Mantle (optional)	Invisibility on Kill
Chest	Adamantine Scale Mail	16 AC
Gloves	Gloves of the Growling Underdog	Advantage on Melee
Boots	Disintegrating Night Walkers	Free Misty Step
Necklace	Broodmother’s Revenge	1d6 when healed
Ring	Strange Conduit Ring	Concenreation + Damage
Ring	Caustic Band	Poison Damage
Weapon 1 Main Hand	Phalar Aluve	Special Attack
Off-Hand	Adamantine Shield	+2 AC
Weapon 2 Ranged	Bow of Awareness	+1 Initiative

List of best Hexblade Warlock Baldur’s Gate 3 Equipment in Act 1:

• Haste Helm: found in Blighted Village at coordinates X: 29 Y: 405 (Alternatives Cap of Wrath).
• Deathstalker Mantle: Automatically acquired as part of Dark Urge story. Optional don’t have to use.
• Adamantine Scale Mail: crafted in the Underdark, Grymforge.
• Gloves of the Growling Underdog: Chest behind Razglin’s throne room (Alternatives Gloves of Dexterity, or Gloves of Missile Snaring).
• Disintegrating Night Walkers: Obtained in Gyrmforge as part of Free True Soul Nere questline (Alternatives Boots of Striding, Boots of Genial Striding, or Boots of Speed).
• Broodmother’s Revenge: Looted from by Kagha’s body in the Emerald Grove.
• Strange Conduit Ring: Crèche Y’llek X: 1360 Y: -657.
• Caustic Band: Obtained from merchant Derryth Bonecloak in the Myconid Colony (Alternatives Fetish of Callarduran Smoothhands, or The Sparkswall).
• Phalar Aluve: found at Underdark coordinates X: 116 Y: -192.
• Adamantine Shield: Crafted in Adamantine Forge.
• Bow of Awareness: Sold by Vendor Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum (Alternatives Hunting Shortbow, Bow of Banshee, Titanstring Bow).

Advanced

The following table presents the best gear, items, and equipment for the Hexblade Warlock Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Birthright	Cannot be Stunned
Cape	Deathstalker Mantle	Invisibility on Kill
Chest	Armour of Agility	+Damage Obscured
Gloves	Craterflesh Gloves	Crits + Damage
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Mobility
Necklace	Amulet of Greater Health	23 Constitution
Ring	Killer’s Sweetheart	Auto Critical
Ring	Strange Conduit Ring	Self-healing
Weapon 1 Main Hand	Phalar Aluve	+ Movement
Off-Hand	Viconia’s Walking Fortress	+3 AC
Weapon 2 Ranged	Hellriders	+3 initiative
Misc	Resonance Stone	Double Psychic Damage

Below is the best Act 3 Armor, Weapons, and Equipment for Hexblade Warlock build in BG3:

• Birthright: purchased at Sorcerous Sundries (Alternatives Helm of Balduran, Sarevok’s Horned Helmet, Mask of Soul Perception).
• Deathstalker Mantle: Automatically acquired as part of Dark Urge story. (Alternatives Cloak of Protection, Fleshmelter).
• Armour of Agility: Sold by Gloomy Fentonson Gloomy Fentonson at Stormshore Armoury (Alternative Helldusk Armour).
• Craterflesh Gloves: murder tribunal vendor (Alternatives Gauntlets of Hill Giant Strength, Helldusk Gloves, Legacy of the Masters)
• Helldusk Boots: In a locked chest, Wyrm’s Rock Fortress (Alternative Disintegrating Night Walkers).
• Amulet of Greater Health: Obtained in Archive of the House of Hope (Alternative Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet).
• Killer’s Sweetheart: Obtained from the Gauntlet of Shar in Act 2 (Alternative Ring of Protection, Risky Ring).
• Strange Conduit Ring: Crèche Y’llek X: 1360 Y: -657 (Alternative Ring of Free Action, Shifting Corpus Ring).
• Phalar Aluve: Found in Underdark at coordinates X: 116 Y: -192.
• Viconia’s Walking Fortress: Complete Shadowheart’s Quest Daughter of Darkness.
• Hellriders: Rivington X: 43 Y: -101: Sold by Ferg (Alternative darkfire shortbow).
• Resonance Stone: End of act 2 in puzzle mind flayer colony.

How to Play Hexblade Warlock

To play the Hexblade, summon Shadow Blade with your bonus action and use your action for melee attacks. You want to increase your psychic damage with strange conduit ring and resonance stone, which will greatly impact your Shadow Blade attack damage. Moreover, make sure to Hexblade’s Curse targets after your Shadow Blade is summoned for extra damage. Boost your overall charisma so you can increase damage of spells and melee attacks.

Below are some general tips on how to play the best Hexblade Warlock build in BG3:

• Loot Everything: You will need a lot of gold to buy consumables, potions, and ammunition so loot and sell constantly.
• Crafting: Elixirs and potions are vital, and you need to purchase materials when trading for crafting.
• Reach Level 6: Spend the early part of the game completing every quest to reach level 6 where your power dramatically increases.
• Sell Often: Your carrying capacity will be limited so sell often, and store excessive items in your traveler’s chest.
• Stealth: Start combat in stealth if at all possible to trigger the Surprise status effect.
• Consider Illithid Powers: While it can come with an altered appearance, the powers are powerful and can help you.
• Oils + Elixiris: Combine both oils/coatings and Elixir during combat for a dual benefit.
• Persuasion: Try to avoid combat through dialogue if possible.

Best Tips and Tricks for Hexblade Warlock in BG3

The best tip for playing the Hexblade is taking the Devil’s Sight passive which allows you to see in the dark. You can combo this with the Darkness spell, giving you a protective bubble that will allow you to attack inside. Moreover, you want to pair the level 2 spell Shadow Blade with the Resonance Stone to double your melee damage.

Best Consumables, Potions, Ammunition, and Items

The following list is the best consumable items that will aid in our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock Build Guide:

• Elixir of Bloodlust: Once per turn when you kill a foe, you gain HP 5 temporary hit points and an additional action.
• Elixir of Hill Giant Strength: Increases Strength ability score to 21 until Long Rest.
• Potion of Speed: Gain extra action, +2 AC, Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws, and double movement speed.
• Drow Poison: Weapon poison that adds Constitution Saving Throw or becomes Poisoned and falls Asleep.
• Potion of Flying: Drink to gain a flying speed of 60ft for one hour.
• Elixir of Heroism: Gain 10 temp HP and become Blessed until a long rest.
• Potion of Greater Healing: 4d4 + 4 hit points restored.
• Oil of Accuracy: Coat Weapon. Bonus of +2 in Attack Rolls.
• Elixir of Vigilance: Drink to gain a +5 bonus to Initiative and you can’t be Surprised.

Permanent Bonuses

Throughout Baldur’s Gate 3, you will have the ability to gain permanent bonuses to your character. These can grant additional spells, ability scores, and other bonuses. Permanent Bonuses are not displayed throughout the campaign but are vital to increase overall combat performance. We have all permanent bonuses here in a guide, but the most important ones for you to collect are listed below.

Act 1	Act 2	Act 3
Auntie Ethel’s Hair: Gain +1 to an Ability Score.	Potion of Everlasting Vigour: Gain +2 Strength.	Mirror of Loss – +2 to an Ability Score of your choice.
Awakened: Use illithid powers as a Bonus Action.	Slayer Form: Ability to transform into the Slayer.	Partial Ceremorphosis: Access to tier 3 illithid Powers.
Scratch: Gain Find Familiar Scratch.	Summon Us: Allows you to summon Us.	Sweet Stone Features: Blessed permanent.
Cheeky Quasit: Gain Summon Quasit Shovel.		Statue of the Gods: +2 to Saving Throws
Loviatar’s Love: 30% Hit Points or less, you gain a +2 bonus to Attack Rolls and Wisdom saving throws.
Necromancy Of Thay: access to powerful spells in Act 3.
Volo’s Ersatz Eye: See Invisibility

Hexblade Warlock Changes in Patch 8 for BG3

Patch 8 releases 12 new subclasses, new spells, and cantrips. The main impact on the Warlock is the Hexblade sub-class, booming blade cantrip, and shadow blade spell. These all combine to form a powerful pure melee build that also have wide spell applications.

Build Summary – Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Hexblade Warlock

FAQs about the Hexblade Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3

What abilities should the Hexblade Warlock prioritize for my class?

Overall, the Hexblade should focus entirely on Charisma as it scales your melee and spell damage.

What are the best feats for Hexblade Warlock builds?

Savage Attacks is the best feat playing in melee with Shadow Blade Hexblade build.

What are the best multiclass combos?

The best multiclass combos for the Hexblade Warlock are Paladin and Sorcerer. With a Paladin multiclass, the Warlock gains the burst melee damage from divine smite. With a Sorcerer, the Warlock gains socrerery points and more spells.

Are there “must-have” items for Hexblade Warlock builds?

Strange Conduit Ring and the Resonance Stone are two must have items for the Hexblade because they boost your psychic damage and make Shadow Blade even more powerful.

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• BG3 Tier Lists and Rankings All BG3 Builds
• All BG3 Classes, Companions and Multiclassing
• All BG3 Comprehensive Guides
• All Permanent Bonuses You Should Get in BG3
• Act 1 Checklist for Baldur’s Gate 3
• Act 2 Checklist for Baldur’s Gate 3
• Act 3 Checklist for Baldur’s Gate 3