D&D 5E Warlock Hex Question

[JackOfAllTirades]

Oh yes. In Adventure League, my Tiefling Warlock has used Hex to succeed at opposed skill challenges that defeated characters far more competent than her.

She actually successfully rode a Remorhaz bareback after giving it disadvantage on Strength checks. The DM kept getting one very low roll on two D20's.

Yeah, now THAT'S how you play a Warlock!

 

[neogod22]

It's kind of a trap spell. Because of the extra damage it provides, and long durations at higher levels, it makes players become unwilling to drop it for other spells, kind of like how agonizing blast kind of makes a warlock unwilling to use other cantrips. Hex has it's uses and a terrific spell don't get me wrong, but almost half of the warlock spell list are concentration spells.

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[JackOfAllTirades]

It's kind of a trap spell. Because of the extra damage it provides, and long durations at higher levels, it makes players become unwilling to drop it for other spells, kind of like how agonizing blast kind of makes a warlock unwilling to use other cantrips. Hex has it's uses and a terrific spell don't get me wrong, but almost half of the warlock spell list are concentration spells.

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Playing a Warlock requires some tough decisions, but for some players that's exactly the kind of challenge they're looking for at the gaming table.

 

[Mercule]

Playing a Warlock requires some tough decisions, but for some players that's exactly the kind of challenge they're looking for at the gaming table.

The other side of the coin is that the Warlock can make a great "no sweat" magic class for beginners. Sure, they use the same tricks over and over again, but they're getting a magicky feel and they always have the option of switching things up, even if they don't often use it.

 

[Corwin]

Sure, they use the same tricks over and over again, but they're getting a magicky feel and they always have the option of switching things up, even if they don't often use it.

Don't know why, but your insight immediately made me think of:

"I said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn't know how to use it." - Matthew Quigley

 

[Edwin Suijkerbuijk]

Rules as written it can be confusing, and based on posts by Mearles, I feel the intent is that the spell ends if there is no target to move the spell to when the last enemy drops to zero HP.

To me it seems clear as written that is doesen't have to move it your next turn

the spell sais :
If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature.

This language is only used here, spells that need you to do something on your next turn just say on your next turn

 

[cooperjer]

To me it seems clear as written that is doesen't have to move it your next turn

the spell sais :
If the target drops to 0 hit points before this spell ends, you can use a bonus action on a subsequent turn of yours to curse a new creature.

This language is only used here, spells that need you to do something on your next turn just say on your next turn

I agree that some spells have good specific language. The confusing text is the "subsequent turn." My original interpretation was that a subsequent turn can occur any time after the turn that just happened, which makes a lot of sense. However, is a character using turns after combat is complete? This question get a little bit into philosophy and a little bit into nit picking of the text in the rules regarding entering combat and the definition of a turn and a round. Mearls has clarified in Sage Advice what the intent of the rule is, http://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/10/19/spell-after-an-encounter/. However, Mearls is not the guy that clarifies the rules on the design team. Crawford is that guy. My understanding at this point is that the intent is for the spell to end at the end of combat if it is not transferred to a living creature because the character no longer has a turn in which to transfer it.

There is a strong argument against using this spell as a warlock because of the "short" duration of one combat per casting and only a few spells per short rest. In some games that short rest never comes.

 

[Yunru]

Mearls also clarified he was wrong on that point in the same tweet chain.

Besides which, as soon as you're in combat again, you're taking turns.