D&D 5E Warlock Hex Question

[Werebat]

The warlock in my campaign just discovered the Hex spell. I'm not sure why he hasn't been using it all along -- it's very useful.

He has been casting it and assuming it is "up" for a very long time (hours?) as given in the PHB. He also noted that it can be moved from target to target.

His assumption has been that he can "move" the hex minutes or even hours after the last target was killed. Thus, the Hex spell is "up" and useful for several encounters.

Is this true, or does the Hex spell end when the last combatant is slain, because there is no one around then and there to move it to?

 

[Sebastrd]

If it didn't work the way your player is using it, I don't see why they would give it a duration of 8 or 24 hours. The way I play and DM it, it's "up" as long as the PC wants to maintain concentration within the duration.

 

[cbwjm]

My friend had a similar question about Hunter's Mark. At first I thought that it dropped if it couldn't be placed on another target in the next round, however, we came to the conclusion that it remains active and can be reapplied as long as the player maintains concentration once we read that increased duration for higher level spell slots.

 

[Caliban]

What sucks for the warlock is when you Hex a target, but are unable to bring them to zero HP. (i.e. the target successfully escapes.) At that point, you can't move that Hex to a new target - you have to stop concentration and recast Hex from scratch.

 

[Werebat]

OK, just checking. I don't think it has been OP or anything -- but it seems that the vast majority of the time, a warlock will want to use one of his precious spell slots to keep Hex active.

 

[Caliban]

OK, just checking. I don't think it has been OP or anything -- but it seems that the vast majority of the time, a warlock will want to use one of his precious spell slots to keep Hex active.

True at low to mid levels, but remember that it is a Concentration spell. As long as Hex is being maintained, they can't use any other concentration spell (Darkness, Spider Climb, Black Tentacles, Wall of Fire, etc).

On my Fiend Patron warlocks, I often find that dropping a Wall of Fire and pushing enemies into it with Repelling Eldritch Blast is more effective, once it becomes available.

 

[Ancalagon]

OK, just checking. I don't think it has been OP or anything -- but it seems that the vast majority of the time, a warlock will want to use one of his precious spell slots to keep Hex active.

Well... there is a little "bonus" there.

See, if you take a short rest, you can regain the spent slot while maintaining Hex active. Considering that you have to maintain concentration and you still get very, very few slots, it doesn't feel unbalanced to me.

 

[Leatherhead]

Hex and Hunters Mark work better as class features than spells imo.

 

[Horwath]

Hex and Hunters Mark work better as class features than spells imo.

Maybe just drop the concentration and components from the spells and they work that way but still require resources.

 

[Leatherhead]

Maybe just drop the concentration and components from the spells and they work that way but still require resources.

Nope. Keep the concentration, just make it so they don't cost spell slots or spell picks. That way they don't stack, but it's obvious that the character is supposed to be using them for damage.