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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ashrym" data-source="post: 7840485" data-attributes="member: 6750235">Witchbolt is only terrible because of the range requirement to maintain it.The auto-hit on subsequent rounds makes it better damage than eldritch blast at 1st, 3rd, and 4th level even with agonizing blast as long as that range is maintained.  Even with hex agonizing blast is 5.5+3+3.5 for 12 damage 60-65% of the time while witch bolt is 13 damage 100% of the time on subsequent damage at 3rd level.  That's the same action and concentration costs  for slightly more damage and significantly less investment.Use your familiar for help to land witch bolt that first round, and do it when expecting the target not to leave in order to avoid the damage, or hope the target triggers opportunity attacks by moving.  Witch bolt isn't a good spell but it's better than one might realize.The problem with hex is that no matter how many times you mention taking it, it will continue to be problematic.  If you maintain hex, you don't cast flaming sphere, guidance, or use any of your rituals.  If you do any of those, you don't maintain hex.  The only way around that is to keep spending spell slots on casting hex, which is even harder on a warlock than it was on your bard build in our previous discussion.  On the build you have in mind, I would expect hex to be down the vast majority of the time and only cast for an important battle that might take some time.</blockquote>