Exceptional defenses, including high AC and spell resistance
Low mobility due to heavy armor and reliance on close combat
Doom Harbinger
The Doom Harbinger is a melee focused build specializing in debuffing enemies with Hexblade’s Curse and Intimidate. This build is exceptionally resilient and can stand close to the front lines while weakening foes.
Strong debuffing capabilities combined with solid melee combat prowess, making it a formidable opponent on the battlefield.
Limited ranged combat abilities, making it vulnerable to distant enemies or flying foes.
Combine Imperious Command with Hexblade’s Curse for a double debuff that significantly hinders enemy performance.
The Highwayman is a jack of all trades capable of both melee and ranged combat, with a strong focus on debuffs and stealth. This build can quickly take down enemies with Ambush and has near unbeatable saves.
High versatility and ability to handle various combat scenarios with ease, from melee to ranged to stealth.
Dependent on getting the drop on enemies for maximum effectiveness, which can be difficult against prepared foes.
Use Imperious Command to intimidate and debuff enemies, then strike with Ambush for devastating surprise attacks.
The Blademage Mercenary[1] is a versatile buffer and debuffer, excelling in ranged combat and enhancing the entire party with powerful spells. This build also features a highly effective familiar that boosts the party’s capabilities significantly.
Exceptional buffing ability for the entire party through War Weaver’s Eldritch Tapestry and Quiescent Weaving features.
Lower physical combat abilities and limited melee combat effectiveness due to lower Strength.
Utilize the Dark Companion to lower enemies’ saves and AC, then follow up with powerful debuff spells for maximum effect.
The Ravenous Lord[4] is a tanky melee powerhouse with high saves, spell resistance, and strong debuffing abilities. This build is designed to withstand significant damage while weakening enemies in close combat.
Exceptional defenses, including high AC, spell resistance, and numerous save bonuses, making it nearly invulnerable to many attacks.
Low mobility due to heavy armor and a reliance on close combat, making it less effective against agile or ranged foes.
Utilize the combination of Aura of Despair and Dark Companion to heavily debuff nearby enemies, making them easier targets for your powerful melee attacks.
The Cult Leader is a master infiltrator and social manipulator, capable of possessing creatures and granting wishes. This build excels in manipulating both allies and enemies to achieve its goals, while also being a capable combatant.
Incredible social manipulation and infiltration abilities, allowing for control over both combat and non combat scenarios.
Relatively low hit points and physical defenses, making it vulnerable in prolonged direct combat.
Use Fiendish Grafts and the ability to possess creatures to turn enemies into unwilling allies and boost the party’s overall power.
FAQ
What is the primary role of a Hexblade in a D&D 3.5 game?
A Hexblade serves as a hybrid class combining martial combat and arcane spellcasting, primarily focusing on debuffing enemies with curses and supporting the party through their unique abilities.
The Blademage Mercenary[1] excels at buffing the entire party with powerful spells using the War Weaver’s Eldritch Tapestry and Quiescent Weaving features, while also debuffing enemies through the Hexblade’s Curse and Dark Companion.
What makes the HexbladeHighwayman[2] build versatile?
The Highwayman[2] is a jack of all trades, able to effectively engage in melee and ranged combat, use stealth, and debuff enemies, making it adaptable to various combat scenarios and challenges.
What is the key strength of the Doom Harbinger Hexblade build?
The Doom Harbinger’s key strength lies in its strong debuffing capabilities combined with solid melee prowess, allowing it to weaken enemies significantly while standing strong on the front lines.
The Cult Leader[3] uses high Charisma and a suite of abilities from the Fiend of Possession and Fiend of Corruption classes to excel in social manipulation, bluffing, intimidating, and even possessing other creatures to achieve its goals.
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“…And because of all that I’d like you to help us with the cult,” finished the Arcane Trickster, as the younger brother bandaged the speaker’s arrow wounds. Those bandits weren’t too tough, but they did put up a fight.
The man he was trying to convince was looking at him like he was crazy.
“Each time you come to me you’ve got crazier requests, you know that right?“
“Is that a yes?” The young man enthusiastically intoned.
“You know I like crazy, but I have a condition. No killing the cult leader.”
The older brother raised an eyebrow, “Why?“
“She’s my wife that’s why,” he replied as the two brothers stared at him with shock.
He continued, “What? She offered me whatever I wanted for a service once. Might as well try…“
You operate at ranged combat, and you can debuff with your Curse and your Dark Companion. But your main ability is being one of the best buffers in the darned game.
You can Weave buff spells to affect your entire party simultaneously, cast debuffs against enemies with high efficiency. Let’s not forget that your buffs are put on steroids for extra duration on yourself.
Your familiar is on absolute crack and is ridiculously strong.
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Hexblade
12
Iron Will, Point-Blank Shot, Able Learner, Precise Shot
As the two young noblemen made their way through the woods, they were discussing how best to approach the situation.
“I do have a friend there who could help us…” the older brother mused.
“Why do you have friends everywhere?“
“Well, I do a lot of charity work.”
“… Yeah, I bet you do…”
An arrow barely missed the younger brother’s head and hit a tree behind him with a thunk. As he unsheathed his rapier, they faced a dozen armed men, lead by an archer who was smiling at them with confidence.
“What will it be gentlemen, the purse or your lives?” He asked in an nearly noble manner.
“I thought the dwarf told us the road was safe?” Muttered the younger brother.
“Yeah, he did”, the older brother shrugged as he prepared a spell.
“I thought he owed you for that shadow dragon?“
“Yeah…” the older brother trailed off for a moment, “he also owed me for throwing him at said dragon first…“
Race
Human
Class
Hexblade(Dark Companion ACF) 7/Outlaw of the Crimson Road 10/Human Paragon 3
Mixing ranged combat, melee combat, debuffs, and stealth, you are a jack of all trades. With such a wide myriad of capabilities at your hand, you’re able to handle many situations without much effort.
If you manage to get a surprise round, you can down an enemy rapidly with your Ambush ability. Additionally, your saves are almost untouchable.
“What was that thing?” The man inquired desperately to the elder brother, as they departed the scene of battle.
“That was a fraction of the problem we are dealing with right now. Hence why we need to ask your … wife … questions.”
“You don’t think she’s affiliated with that do you?“
“No, but she definitely knows what’s up.”
Shortly afterwards, they entered the Inn. Whereinn a beautiful woman was serving customers.
“Honey, we need to talk,” the man intoned.
She raised her head towards her husband and noticed his friends. A wicked smile crossed her face.
“Of course, let’s go upstairs.“
Arriving in the private room, she locked the door behind them with a quick turn of the latch. With the same smirk on her face, she turned towards the group.
“So, what’s going on?“
Before her husband could talk, the elder brother replied.
“I would like to have this conversation face to face if you don’t mind. “
Hearing this, her smile grew yet more, “He’s clever, I like him.”
The woman’s body fell to the ground, unconscious. Next to her fallen form, a female Tiefling with dark red, leathery wings, and a vicious hooked tail stood tall. She smelled of the stench of the abyss, with a hint of sulfur emanating from her.
“You’re as beautiful as ever honey.“
-“You flatterer. Now speak mortal, I don’t have eternity here…“
Race
Tiefling+Ritual of Alignment
Class
Hexblade 2/Bard 1/Fiend of Possession 6/Fiend of Corruption 6/Fiend of Blasphemy 5 (1 LA Buyback)
Yep. You are playing, what’s essentially, a Succubus. There’s a bit of a need to shenanigan the Ritual of Alignment to get the Evil Subtype. If your GM allows it from the get go, however, its fine.
Otherwise a DC 20 Knowledge(Religion) check lets you know about Pazuzu appearing if you say his name three time in succession to grant you a wish. There ya go.
You are the perfect infiltrator and social character, capable of bluffing, intimidating and persuading your way in and out of most situations. All the while still remaining a more than capable combatant.
You can buff your allies with Fiendish Grafts and even grant them wishes. Furthermore you’re able to share your spell-like abilities, and possess other creatures to fight for you. A ridiculously strong build.
As they left the man’s house, they noticed the fire burning at the edge of town.
There was a tide of people fleeing in a complete panic. The group made their way towards the flames and it became clear there was more going on. Breaking through the crowd, they saw a dark elf in yet darker armor slaughtering the townguard.
“Already?” Said the elder brother as he prepared one of his most potent spells. With a swift motion, he launched it at the drow – the Finger of Death …only to have no effect whatsoever.
“What now?” Asked their friend, as the younger brother pulled his rapier.
“We fight, that’s what.“
Race
Dark Elf
Class
Lolth-Touched Hexblade(Dark Companion ACF) 6/Paladin of Slaughter 4/Blackguard 10 (3 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 20/Dex 12/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 14/Cha 20
Skills
Hide 5, Knowledge(Religion) 2
Equipment
Longsword, Shield and the best armor you can afford.
Flaws
Shaky, Inattentive
Goal
Your saves are so high you might as well be immune to magic. Add to that your Spell Resistance, your high HP, your lower stratosphere AC, and your ability to throw darkness around. Not to mention your ability to debuff enemies in melee with your Aura of Despair, Dark Companion and more.
Ultimately, not even the best melee builds really want to fight you head on, and casters can’t do much against you either.
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