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Blades of Cursed Midnight: A Hexblade's Guide (by Lord_Ventor)
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<blockquote data-quote="LightWarden" data-source="post: 6744734" data-attributes="member: 6803540"><p><strong>Originally posted by Lord_Ventnor:</strong></p><p></p><p>Artifacts of a Lost Era: Items</p><p></p><p>Hexblades are inextricably tied to magical items: they create their weapons out of thin air, after all. You definitely want a nice implement, some sturdy armor, and a shiney amulet to start. But what else is there? Read on to find out...</p><p></p><p>A quick note: I'm listing items according to their lowest possible enhancement bonus. So if you see something listed as 1+ for example, assume that I'm also including the Level 6, 11, 16, 21, and 26 versions of the item in my rating.</p><p></p><p>The Rod is the default implement of most Hexblades, owing to its solid expertise feat. While most rods are tied to the Warlock's Curse mechanic of the Cursing Warlock, there are still some nice enchantments for the discerning Hexblade.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rods</strong></p><p>[sblock]<strong>Magic Rod (1+, Common):</strong> It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Rod of Smiting (2+, Common):</strong></span> It's a weapliment and a rod, so if that is what you need, that's what this is.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Ironscar Rod (3+, Uncommon):</strong></span> Similar to the Rod of Smiting, but with a daily power added on top that deals extra damage and debuffs a foe's attack. Might be worth a little extra gold.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rod of Absorption (4+, Rare):</strong> It's main feature is that it deactivates enemy auras. Some of those can be quite nasty, making this a solid pick.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>Rod of the Dragonborn (4+, Uncommon):</strong></span> This Rod transforms a Dragonborn Hexblade's spell damage into their Dragon Breath's damage type. This makes it an excellent way for a Dragonborn Hexblade to take advantage of Frostcheese, even with the Infernal Pact. Obviously, <span style="color: #ff0000">non-Dragonborn should stay away</span>.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Rod of Resurgent Valor (8+, Uncommon):</strong></span> Since you'll be in melee quite a lot, expect to be targeted. This rod will help you hit back against foes that attack you.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rod of the Feywild (8+, Uncommon):</strong> For Feyblades only. Your pact boon teleports you farther, and you can also teleport as an encounter power. If you think you need the mobility, this helps you get it.</p><p></p><p><strong>Rod of the Infernal (8+, Uncommon):</strong> For Hellblades. Get more Temporary HP from your Pact Boon, and get Temporary HP as a daily power.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Rod of the Bloodthorn (17+, Uncommon):</strong></span> You gain an attack bonus if you're bloodied or the targets bloodied, and if both conditions are true, you're even more accurate. Also, you can suck out a healing surge from a foe, which is helpful to the Warlock pacts that don't have Constitution as a secondary.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>Rod of the Star Spawn (22+, Uncommon):</strong></span> This Rod allows you to score critical hits on a 19 or 20, and spend a healing surge when you make a critical hit. Obviously, this is a pretty sweet pickup for the pacts that can't get Warlock Implement Expertise.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Wands are percieved as a somewhat weaker implement, due to their enchantments. Still, if you've got your heart set on wands, you can make it work.</p><p></p><p><strong>Wands</strong></p><p>[sblock]<strong>Magic Wand (1+, Common):</strong> It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Some Hexblades favor using Daggers in their off-hands. Here are some reasons why.</p><p></p><p><strong>Daggers</strong></p><p>[sblock]<strong>Magic Dagger (1+, Common):</strong> It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.</p><p></p><p><strong>Goblin Totem (2+, Uncommon):</strong> This weapon provides an item bonus to damage against foes larger than you. Of course, that means that <span style="color: #0000ff">Halflings</span>, <span style="color: #0000ff">Gnomes</span>, and especially <span style="color: #00ccff">Pixies</span> will love this dagger forever.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Frost Dagger (3+, Uncommon):</strong></span> Only Elemental Hexblades, whose melee basic power lacks a damage type, can really use this dagger to its fullest effect. Of course, they're the only ones who really want to use it anyway.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #800080"><strong>Pact Blade (3+, Uncommon):</strong></span> Kind of an unremarkable enchantment compared to other magic daggers, but you don't need a feat to use this as an implement. So basically, if you're feat-strapped, use this. Still, hopefully you should be able to get Arcane Implement Proficiency soon...</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #00ccff"><strong>Incisive Dagger (9+, Uncommon):</strong></span> This dagger makes all of your teleports (including At-Will Ethereal Sidestep) bigger. The distance it adds scales up with its enhancement bonus, making it a pretty sweet weapont to have on hand when you need to get behind enemy lines.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>While the Ki Focus is usually the realm of the Assassin, some Hexblades can use them quite well...</p><p></p><p><strong>Ki Foci</strong></p><p>[sblock]<strong>Magic Ki Focus (1+, Common):</strong> It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.</p><p></p><p><strong>Blazing Arc Ki Focus (3+, Uncommon):</strong> This Ki Focus allows you to make your melee attacks deal Fire Damage on demand, something that's hard to do any other way in the Heroic Tier.</p><p></p><p><span style="color: #0000ff"><strong>Iron Body Ki Focus (5+, Uncommon):</strong></span> The attacks of the enemy you hit with this Ki Focus hurt less. Definitely handy.</p><p></p><p><strong>Steadfast Stone Ki Focus (9+, Common):</strong> Some Hexblades have powers that deal damage that's easily resisted (Necrotic, mainly). This Ki Focus helps punch through resistances with every attack, making it easier to use those powers.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Yeah, you don't want to get hit. Armor helps with that.</p><p></p><p><strong>Armor</strong></p><p>[sblock]<strong>Magic Armor (1+, Common, All Armor Types):</strong> It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Stylish capes, brooches, and other such accessories can help to ward off enemy assults on your mind and body.</p><p></p><p><strong>Amulets, Capes, and Other Neck Things</strong></p><p>[sblock]<strong>Amulet of Protection (1+, Common):</strong> It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Sometimes, a good pair of gloves can mean the difference between life and death.</p><p></p><p><strong>Gloves</strong></p><p>[sblock]Coming Soon![/sblock]</p><p></p><p>There are several different kinds of bracers, but when talking optimization, there's one that really rules them all.</p><p></p><p><strong>Bracers</strong></p><p>[sblock]<span style="color: #ffcc00"><strong>Iron Armbands of Power (6/16/26, Uncommon):</strong></span> A plain, simple boost to damage. Yeah, it only works on your melee attacks, but those tend to be your most potent attacks anyway. Obviously, if you have another way to get an item bonus to damage,<span style="color: #ff0000"> these become worthless</span>.[/sblock]</p><p></p><p>It keeps your pants up, and just might save your life.</p><p></p><p><strong>Belts</strong></p><p>[sblock]Coming Soon![/sblock]</p><p></p><p>Even halflings know that good shoes can be helpful.</p><p></p><p><strong>Boots</strong></p><p>[sblock]Coming Soon![/sblock]</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LightWarden, post: 6744734, member: 6803540"] [b]Originally posted by Lord_Ventnor:[/b] Artifacts of a Lost Era: Items Hexblades are inextricably tied to magical items: they create their weapons out of thin air, after all. You definitely want a nice implement, some sturdy armor, and a shiney amulet to start. But what else is there? Read on to find out... A quick note: I'm listing items according to their lowest possible enhancement bonus. So if you see something listed as 1+ for example, assume that I'm also including the Level 6, 11, 16, 21, and 26 versions of the item in my rating. The Rod is the default implement of most Hexblades, owing to its solid expertise feat. While most rods are tied to the Warlock's Curse mechanic of the Cursing Warlock, there are still some nice enchantments for the discerning Hexblade. [b]Rods[/b] [sblock][b]Magic Rod (1+, Common):[/b] It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now. [COLOR=#800080][b]Rod of Smiting (2+, Common):[/b][/COLOR] It's a weapliment and a rod, so if that is what you need, that's what this is. [COLOR=#800080][b]Ironscar Rod (3+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] Similar to the Rod of Smiting, but with a daily power added on top that deals extra damage and debuffs a foe's attack. Might be worth a little extra gold. [b]Rod of Absorption (4+, Rare):[/b] It's main feature is that it deactivates enemy auras. Some of those can be quite nasty, making this a solid pick. [COLOR=#00ccff][b]Rod of the Dragonborn (4+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] This Rod transforms a Dragonborn Hexblade's spell damage into their Dragon Breath's damage type. This makes it an excellent way for a Dragonborn Hexblade to take advantage of Frostcheese, even with the Infernal Pact. Obviously, [COLOR=#ff0000]non-Dragonborn should stay away[/COLOR]. [COLOR=#0000ff][b]Rod of Resurgent Valor (8+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] Since you'll be in melee quite a lot, expect to be targeted. This rod will help you hit back against foes that attack you. [b]Rod of the Feywild (8+, Uncommon):[/b] For Feyblades only. Your pact boon teleports you farther, and you can also teleport as an encounter power. If you think you need the mobility, this helps you get it. [b]Rod of the Infernal (8+, Uncommon):[/b] For Hellblades. Get more Temporary HP from your Pact Boon, and get Temporary HP as a daily power. [COLOR=#0000ff][b]Rod of the Bloodthorn (17+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] You gain an attack bonus if you're bloodied or the targets bloodied, and if both conditions are true, you're even more accurate. Also, you can suck out a healing surge from a foe, which is helpful to the Warlock pacts that don't have Constitution as a secondary. [COLOR=#00ccff][b]Rod of the Star Spawn (22+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] This Rod allows you to score critical hits on a 19 or 20, and spend a healing surge when you make a critical hit. Obviously, this is a pretty sweet pickup for the pacts that can't get Warlock Implement Expertise.[/sblock] Wands are percieved as a somewhat weaker implement, due to their enchantments. Still, if you've got your heart set on wands, you can make it work. [b]Wands[/b] [sblock][b]Magic Wand (1+, Common):[/b] It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.[/sblock] Some Hexblades favor using Daggers in their off-hands. Here are some reasons why. [b]Daggers[/b] [sblock][b]Magic Dagger (1+, Common):[/b] It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now. [b]Goblin Totem (2+, Uncommon):[/b] This weapon provides an item bonus to damage against foes larger than you. Of course, that means that [COLOR=#0000ff]Halflings[/COLOR], [COLOR=#0000ff]Gnomes[/COLOR], and especially [COLOR=#00ccff]Pixies[/COLOR] will love this dagger forever. [COLOR=#800080][b]Frost Dagger (3+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] Only Elemental Hexblades, whose melee basic power lacks a damage type, can really use this dagger to its fullest effect. Of course, they're the only ones who really want to use it anyway. [COLOR=#800080][b]Pact Blade (3+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] Kind of an unremarkable enchantment compared to other magic daggers, but you don't need a feat to use this as an implement. So basically, if you're feat-strapped, use this. Still, hopefully you should be able to get Arcane Implement Proficiency soon... [COLOR=#00ccff][b]Incisive Dagger (9+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] This dagger makes all of your teleports (including At-Will Ethereal Sidestep) bigger. The distance it adds scales up with its enhancement bonus, making it a pretty sweet weapont to have on hand when you need to get behind enemy lines.[/sblock] While the Ki Focus is usually the realm of the Assassin, some Hexblades can use them quite well... [b]Ki Foci[/b] [sblock][b]Magic Ki Focus (1+, Common):[/b] It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now. [b]Blazing Arc Ki Focus (3+, Uncommon):[/b] This Ki Focus allows you to make your melee attacks deal Fire Damage on demand, something that's hard to do any other way in the Heroic Tier. [COLOR=#0000ff][b]Iron Body Ki Focus (5+, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] The attacks of the enemy you hit with this Ki Focus hurt less. Definitely handy. [b]Steadfast Stone Ki Focus (9+, Common):[/b] Some Hexblades have powers that deal damage that's easily resisted (Necrotic, mainly). This Ki Focus helps punch through resistances with every attack, making it easier to use those powers.[/sblock] Yeah, you don't want to get hit. Armor helps with that. [b]Armor[/b] [sblock][b]Magic Armor (1+, Common, All Armor Types):[/b] It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.[/sblock] Stylish capes, brooches, and other such accessories can help to ward off enemy assults on your mind and body. [b]Amulets, Capes, and Other Neck Things[/b] [sblock][b]Amulet of Protection (1+, Common):[/b] It's cheap and otherwise unremarkable, but sometimes you need that extra enhancement bonus right now.[/sblock] Sometimes, a good pair of gloves can mean the difference between life and death. [b]Gloves[/b] [sblock]Coming Soon![/sblock] There are several different kinds of bracers, but when talking optimization, there's one that really rules them all. [b]Bracers[/b] [sblock][COLOR=#ffcc00][b]Iron Armbands of Power (6/16/26, Uncommon):[/b][/COLOR] A plain, simple boost to damage. Yeah, it only works on your melee attacks, but those tend to be your most potent attacks anyway. Obviously, if you have another way to get an item bonus to damage,[COLOR=#ff0000] these become worthless[/COLOR].[/sblock] It keeps your pants up, and just might save your life. [b]Belts[/b] [sblock]Coming Soon![/sblock] Even halflings know that good shoes can be helpful. [b]Boots[/b] [sblock]Coming Soon![/sblock] [/QUOTE]
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