The Hexblade (Essentials Warlock) is up!

[The Little Raven]

No dual implement spellcaster unless they pick up arcane implement proficiency or swordmage multiclass to be able to use their heavy blade as an implement.

This only works if the weapliment counts as a magic implement. As it draws on the implement's enhancement bonus and properties, I would say it does not count, especially since it says that the weapon cannot be enchanted.

 

[thewok]

This only works if the weapliment counts as a magic implement. As it draws on the implement's enhancement bonus and properties, I would say it does not count, especially since it says that the weapon cannot be enchanted.

I would rule the same (and posted this reasoning on the CharOp forum in the thread there). I would even go so far as to say that the Pact Weapon is not an actual item, but a class feature and thus not eligible for DIS.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Although it appears many don't like it, I LOVE it. In terms of class association with classics of literature it has the clearest association with Elric that I've seen in any RPG outside the eponymous one, and is all the better for it.

I love the way they have characterised the class, giving more detail about the way in which someone becomes a warlock, and in a way which drips both RP potential and campaign building potential.

I love the way that they appear to have ditched fiddly curses (I've said before that marks/curses/quarrys etc was one of the complications to melee that I felt they had got really wrong, as it hampered and confused melee badly. Others love it, but it really helped drive me away from 4e).

I don't mind them largely losing encounter powers (perhaps just having some generic ones based on their pact?) and I like the existence of daily powers to keep with the essentials vibe that daily powers are magic spellcasting.

All in all it is one more reason to purchase the next book, dang it!

Cheers

 

[BobTheNob]

Who else has noted that this class is a mechanical failure? CHA+CON = No AC. Chainmail doesnt help this much.

Yes...but Con as a class stat is king.

If your DM doesnt allow an extended rest after every encounter (and I sure as hell dont!) then the number of healing surges you have is a vital consideration.

Ask our parties rogue. Shes great, hits like a canon...rips enemies off the battle field, and invariably runs out of healing surges cause she aint got squat, and is always in the thick of things

 

[Reigan]

A non-essentials version please.

 

[mkill]

A non-essentials version please.

You can easily make a "non-essential" version by allowing the player to switch out the Encounter powers tied to the pact blade for Warlock encounter powers of the same level.

 

[Klaus]

The infernal hexblade seems to be a *very* durable character! It uses Constitution for hit points, healing surges and extra damage. Using Heavy Blade Expertise to shore up a lower attack bonus, it might pay off for a infernal hexblade to put the highest stat on Constitution. A half-elf will rock this class!

It looks like the fey hexblade will have better AC and Reflex, but the infernal will be much sturdier.

 

[Klaus]

One thing that occurred to me.

What if the Hexblade were to pick up a Pact Blade, or take Arcane Implement Proficiency to use Swordmage implements, and generated his Pact Weapon on the other hand? Would he qualify for the Two-Weapon feats (since he's wielding two blades)?

 

[CasvalRemDeikun]

One thing that occurred to me.

What if the Hexblade were to pick up a Pact Blade, or take Arcane Implement Proficiency to use Swordmage implements, and generated his Pact Weapon on the other hand? Would he qualify for the Two-Weapon feats (since he's wielding two blades)?

Not only would he be able to do that, but he would also be able to do DIS.

 

[thewok]

I wouldn't allow Dual Implement Spellcasting. The pact weapon is a class feature that creates a non-enchantable weapon that shares the abilities of the implement that summoned it. It literally is nothing without the implement. I would say that, while you could take AIP (Heavy Blade), that it would not apply to the pact weapon, which does not exist outside your hand.

There's also the matter of treasure resources being spent for other classes that use DIS. That would not be the case here.

The hexblade is basically an arcane version of the slayer. But, while the slayer uses two-handed weapons, the hexblade uses one-handers due to the fact that the other hand must hold the implement.