CW: Wanna help build my Hexblade?

[Particle_Man]

The concept: A scary guy! I want to go for someone that can put the fear of X into someone just with a look, and that has an incredible self-control. Haven't figured out the look of him yet. 6'3", 205lbs. Bald? Black eyes? (or Ice Blue?)

Mechanics: 30 point buy. Core books, CW, BoED allowed.

Rough draft:

Str: 14, Dex: 14, Con: 14, Int: 10, Wis: 8, Chr: 16 (Improve Chr every 4 levels)

Human Male Neutral

Skills: Max out Ride, Concentration, Intimidate

Feats: 1st: Power Attack, Ability Focus (Curse) - MM 3.5. 3rd: Kiai Shout. 6th: Resounding Blow - BoED. 9th: Greater Kiai Shout. 12th: Lightning Reflexes. 15th: Iron Will. 18th: Great Fortitude.

Familiar: Rat

Spells Known
1st lvl
4th: Alarm, Protection from evil
6th: Entropic Shield
8th: Unseen Servant
12th: Swap out Entropic Shield for Expeditious Retreat
17th: Disguise Self

2nd lvl
8th: Mirror Image
8th: See Invisibility
10th Eagle's Splendor
12th: Bull's Strength
15th: Swap out Eagle's Splendor for Glitterdust
18th: Swap out Bull's Strength for Touch of Idiocy
18th: False Life

3rd lvl
11th: Hound of Doom (CW)
11th: Protection from Energy
12th: Windwall
14th: Phantom Steed
19th: Vampiric Touch

4th lvl
14th: Cursed Blade (CW)
14th: Greater Invisibility
15th: Enervation
17th: Solid Fog
20th: Sending

So what do you guys think? I pretty much stayed away from spells that require saving throws, since they are low level spells and I get them late in my career. Other than that, any mechanics improvements or roleplaying concepts?

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

There's a spell in CW that basically tricks an opponent into believing it's flanked. I forget what it's called, but it's worth looking into, especially if there's a rogue in the party.

 

[Particle_Man]

I was thinking of it, but a) it is the same level as Tasha's Hideous Laughter, which seems to be more effective, and b) more importantly, it gets a save, which likely means that the save would be successful, given that I don't get that level of spell until 4th level at best. (This is also why I tended to avoid "fear" spells on the list, including the ultra-cool but seldom effective phantasmal killer). Still, it was a close call, as it was on the Hexblade spell list, and few others (I think that bard can get it). I also decided against Improved Familiar spell (whatever it is called), as a slightly tougher rat would still be an at-risk rat, and then a dead rat.

Oh, but that reminds me:

Bonus Hexblade feats: 5th: Combat Casting, 10th: Spell Penetration, 15th: Greater Spell Penetration (Just in time for my enervation spell), 20th: Spell Focus: Illusion (Just for the Disguise spell, I guess -- not many great choices left to the Hexblade, alas).

 

[Particle_Man]

D'oh!

Er, scratch that 20th level bonus feat, as it is not on the list of those available to the Hexblade. I would have, at 20th level, the unappealing choice between spell focus: enchantment, spell focus: necromancy and spell focus: transmutation. I can't see that it would matter, unless I happened to have a wand that used a spell on my list (baleful polymorph, perhaps) and was one of those three schools.

 

[Particle_Man]

On reflection, I have decided to try out one spell that requires saves, since I am getting bonus feats to help out there anyhow. So I will give up Combat Casting, move up the 2 spell penetration feats to 5th and 10th level, get spell focus (and greater spell focus) necromany at 15th and 20th, and get the fear spell at 20th level instead of sending. Thus, if I run out of Greater Kiai shouts, I can still have something to get rid of the "rabble".

 

[Storminator]

Might want to consider Arcane Strike as a feat. Seems pretty tailor made for a Hexblade.


PS

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Might want to consider Arcane Strike as a feat. Seems pretty tailor made for a Hexblade.


PS

Bonuses to attacks are never something to sneeze at, but IMO Hexblades get too few spells too late for that feat to be effective. I can see a Bard taking it, but not necessarily a Hexblade:

+1 to attack, +1d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 4
+2 to attack, +2d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 8
+3 to attack, +3d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 11
+4 to attack, +4d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 14

Not bad, not great.

Alas, I have nothing better to suggest...

AR

 

[Storminator]

Bonuses to attacks are never something to sneeze at, but IMO Hexblades get too few spells too late for that feat to be effective. I can see a Bard taking it, but not necessarily a Hexblade:

+1 to attack, +1d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 4
+2 to attack, +2d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 8
+3 to attack, +3d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 11
+4 to attack, +4d4 to damage for 1 round @ level 14

Not bad, not great.

Alas, I have nothing better to suggest...

AR

But they do get the good BAB, so they can get a lot of attacks out of that one round.

The bard gets +4 to attack and +4d4 damage at 11th level, but only gets 2 attacks. The hexblade gets +3 and +3d4, but gets it for 3 attacks, and has a better chance of hitting too.

And if the HB can get Hasted first it can be a pretty good deal.

PS

 

[Scion]

can you use arcane strike through your familiar? After all, doesnt the hexblade have some massive familiar pumping power or am I thinking of the wrong guy?