hexblade 2 worth it?

[krupintupple]

I currently run a character that is a Hexblade 2 / Warblade 6 and was wondering if I should just ask the DM to retrain the first two levels into Warblade.

While the extra level of maneuvers would be nice, we used a fairly low-powered stat generation; ironically, i ended up with three 14's two 13's and a single 9, which isn't too bad all things considered.

my current thinking is that my 'initiator level' is 1/2 hexblade + 6 warblade = 7th, giving me 4th level maneuvers, but i also have the added benefit of a few free hexblade's curses (DM opted to make the class more attractive by implementing some of the suggested changes, as per the class designer, that he found on a board somewhere) per day, as a free action. it's not much, but throwing out a will-dependant curse at someone that'll really drop their melee ability has kept me alive, as has the arcane Arcane Resistance (Cha. to all saves if magical), so i'm hesistant to drop those just yet.

on the other hand, a higher realm of maneuvers would be mightly dandy as well...

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

You're only one level back in initiator level with Hexblade 2, I see no particular reason to drop them. In fact, unless your DM moved the level you gain your second stance at, those two Hexblade levels are what allowed you to pick up a level 3 stance at Warblade 4. Without them, you'd be stuck with a second level 1 stance. Hexblade levels also give you some access to wands of spells on your spell list and any eternal wand (as you are an arcane caster). Alternatively, it gives you access to Spellcraft as a class skill, making the Mage Slayer feat easier to obtain, if you're willing to lose your CL benefit (the -4 CL penalty from the feat more than wipes clean your two class levels).

It seems like those levels are helping you out, and at your current level, switching merely lets you have two level 4 maneuvers instead of one, so I don't think it would be worth it.

 

[Shin Okada]

If you take Hexblade class at all, why not take at least 3 levels of it? Mettle is a very strong ability.

 

[rgard]

If you take Hexblade class at all, why not take at least 3 levels of it? Mettle is a very strong ability.

I agree with Shin Okada. I'd get the next level of Hexblade.

 

[pawsplay]

With Hexblade, you usually want to go 3, 8, or all the way. Third gets you Mettle, as noted above. 8th is just a pretty good sweet spot before you prestige out or multiclass. For what you're doing, I'll echo the suggestion to take that third level.

 

[RefinedBean]

Hexblade 4, baby!

Go for the fourth level and pick up the Dark Companion alternate class feature from the PHB2. It is EPIC in its awesomeness, easily my favorite class feature of 3.5, ever.

Or not, but a floating -2 to AC and Saves is crazy good, even if it'll be dispelled now and then at higher levels.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Go for the fourth level and pick up the Dark Companion alternate class feature from the PHB2. It is EPIC in its awesomeness, easily my favorite class feature of 3.5, ever.

Or not, but a floating -2 to AC and Saves is crazy good, even if it'll be dispelled now and then at higher levels.

Well, get a 4th level in something. you only get 1/2 the other levels to IL anyway, so if you're going 3 may as well go 4. If not Hex 4, drop a level in Lion Totem Barbarian (pounce) or Fighter (feat). Not sure if it's worth bothering for Mettle. It's a really good ability, but so are high level maneuvers. You're the big beefy melee guy. Just as Rogues don't see too many reflex saves, you're unlikely to face many spells of fort partial/half. So, you'll basically only benefit on will saves. I don't know. Mettle's nice, but it's hardly a no-brainer in this case.