D&D 5E A hexblade pact of the tome?

[Warpiglet]

So...

I wondered if the mechanics would support this. Toyed with the idea of a duergar with a greataxe who, with pact of the tome uses booming blade/greenflame blade.

Two questions:

1. Does PHB+1 mean this is impossible? Or as I assume, this is only for adventure league

2. Could this character still smite? Or will smiting only be related to an invocation for pact of the blade?

I have some interesting roleplaying ideas, but want to be a reasonable combatant. (and as aside, I really do not like agonizing blast as primary weapon).

Thanks for any inside info!

 

[Warmaster Horus]

PHB+1 makes this impossible in games that use that method of regulation. The Warlock Smite requires Pact of the Blade, IIRC.

 

[cbwjm]

PHB+1 is only for adventure league so you never have to take that into consideration if playing in anything else.

No idea about the smite ability but I wouldn't be surprised if it is limited to pact of the blade. Also, I'm fairly certain those two cantrips are also available to warlocks. If they aren't then you may want to consider the magic initiate feat instead.

Boop!

 

[pdegan2814]

PHB+1 is only for adventure league so you never have to take that into consideration if playing in anything else.

No idea about the smite ability but I wouldn't be surprised if it is limited to pact of the blade. Also, I'm fairly certain those two cantrips are also available to warlocks. If they aren't then you may want to consider the magic initiate feat instead.

Boop!

GFB and BB are on the Warlock spell list, yes. Taking them as a Tome Warlock can be nice, you won't be wasting a second attack that the Blade Pact Warlock might. If the OP is referring to the Eldritch Smite invocation, the UA version had a Blade Pact prerequisite, and I imagine the official version will too.

 

[Satyrn]

1. Does PHB+1 mean this is impossible? Or as I assume, this is only for adventure league

My table's PHB+0 rule would certainly make it impossible. What is your table's rule?

 

[Mephista]

Well, you can't take the warlock smite ability, no, but that doesn't really matter, because there's no less than three of the paladin's smite spells on the warlock list. Sure, you'll be doing 1d8 less damage with branding smite, and no knock down, but still doable. Couple with the fact that, for the overwhelming majority of your games, you're going to have two spell slots to do smites with? And that's assuming you don't save anything for something like a Blink spell or Elemental Weapon. Or you don't use the spell Hex.

Honestly, the big implication here for going with tome instead of blade is that you will only ever get one attack with your weapon, and that won't stack as well with your Hexblade's Curse, Hex or Bestow Curse. Which may end up feeling like there's not much benefit compared to simply using eldritch blast, by your mileage may vary.

Also, great axes can't be used with Hexblade and get the CHA benefit - you can't use two handed weapons.

EDIT - also, be warned that there's debate over if GFB / BB will let you be a reasonable melee character. Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights (before level 11) get a direct boost in power from those cantrips. Everyone else seems to have issues from actual play. Good luck!

EDIT 2 - note that part of the problem with the original pact blade was also that warlocks lack the HP and AC to really thrive on the front line. You'll need to supplement using your spells, which will also impede your ability to smite, or just multiclass.

 

[Warpiglet]

My table's PHB+0 rule would certainly make it impossible. What is your table's rule?

Fair enough! Really we have only used PHB to date. However, we sort of have an honor system about not making goofy characters that run the table.

As a result, I doubt my table would care.

 

[Warpiglet]

Well, you can't take the warlock smite ability, no, but that doesn't really matter, because there's no less than three of the paladin's smite spells on the warlock list. Sure, you'll be doing 1d8 less damage with branding smite, and no knock down, but still doable. Couple with the fact that, for the overwhelming majority of your games, you're going to have two spell slots to do smites with? And that's assuming you don't save anything for something like a Blink spell or Elemental Weapon. Or you don't use the spell Hex.

Honestly, the big implication here for going with tome instead of blade is that you will only ever get one attack with your weapon, and that won't stack as well with your Hexblade's Curse, Hex or Bestow Curse. Which may end up feeling like there's not much benefit compared to simply using eldritch blast, by your mileage may vary.

Also, great axes can't be used with Hexblade and get the CHA benefit - you can't use two handed weapons.

EDIT - also, be warned that there's debate over if GFB / BB will let you be a reasonable melee character. Arcane Tricksters and Eldritch Knights (before level 11) get a direct boost in power from those cantrips. Everyone else seems to have issues from actual play. Good luck!

EDIT 2 - note that part of the problem with the original pact blade was also that warlocks lack the HP and AC to really thrive on the front line. You'll need to supplement using your spells, which will also impede your ability to smite, or just multiclass.

All good points! Historically I have taken blade pact...however I was thinking about taking something with a different flavor.

Yes, no double duty CHA. I would go with strength. IF and I say IF I was to take a greataxe, coupled with booming blade or greenflame blade, I would be OK with the drop in power.

As to smiting...I am less worried about routinely smiting but rather having fun at pivotal times. Your point is well taken. Using one of the spells would be OK.

I took pact of the blade with my last character at the last minute. I had alternatively toyed with pact of the tome. At first level I took moderately armored and at 4th would have (gasp!) taken weapon master for a greatsword. Not optimized...not a problem really.

In the current case was thinking about taking a rebellious duergar criminal who chanced upon a blade of power (my own interpretation of the pact I realize). So I would go for breastplate and a greataxe. Sneak when feasible. Throw a few eldritch blasts and then wade in with greenflame blade etc.

I thought pact of the tome would be fun flavor...i would take some sort of reskinned familiar perhaps sort of under-darky.

The last piece would be finding something redeeming about the character and how he could reasonably fit in an adventuring party.

But I would as you say lack two attacks. I would want a way to bolster melee if I did the flavor route with pact of the tome hence considering booming blade etc.