New Base Class - Hexblade

[EO]

In preparation for the upcoming hak update, here are the details on the new base class, the Hexblade (taken from Complete Warrior, with bonus feats from Dragon Magazine 339):

Combining the dynamic powers of martial prowess and arcane might augmented by their special power to curse their enemies, hexblades present a deadly challenge to opponents unused to such foes. They adventure for personal gain, whether that is power, prestige, wealth, or all the above. A hexblade casts arcane spells without any advance preparation, much like a sorcerer, and can cast in limited armor. A hexblade can also curse his enemies to weaken them in combat. A hexblade can eventually call a familiar, a magical creature, small or large, that serves her.

WARNING: To cast a spell, a hexblade must have a Charisma score of 10 + the spell's level. For example, to cast a 4th-level spell, a hexblade must have a Charisma of 14.

- Alignment Restrictions: Any non-good.
- Base Attack Bonus: +1 / Level.
- Hit Die: d10.
- Primary Saving Throw: Fortitude.
- Proficiencies: All simple and martial weapons, light and medium armor. Hexblades are proficient with shields.
- Skill Points (*4 at 1st level): 2 + Int Modifier.
- Spellcasting: Arcane (Charisma-based, no spell preparation, spell failure from heavy armor, and large and tower shields is a factor).
- Ex-Hexblades: A hexblade that becomes good-aligned loses all hexblade spells and abilities and cannot gain levels in this class until their alignment is neutral or evil again.

Class Skills: Antagonize, Concentration, Discipline, Heal, Influence, Lore, Parry, Spellcraft.
Unavailable Skills: Animal Empathy, Use Magic Device.

ABILITIES:

Level
1: Hexblade's Curse (1x/day + Cha) - Target takes a -2 penalty on attacks, saves, armor class, skills, and damage rolls.
2: Arcane Resistance - Add Charisma modifier to saving throws versus spells and spell-like effects.
3: Mettle - No partial effects when successfully saving against Fortitude and Will saving throws.
4: Summon Familiar - Summon a magical creature as an ally.
5: Hexblade's Curse (2x/day + Cha)
7: Greater Hexblade's Curse - Penalty from hexblade's curse increases to -4.
9: Hexblade's Curse (3x/day + Cha)
12: Aura of Unluck (1x/day) - 20% miss chance to melee or ranged attack against the hexblade.
13: Hexblade's Curse (4x/day + Cha)
16: Aura of Unluck (2x/day)
17: Hexblade's Curse (5x/day + Cha)
19: Dire Hexblade's Curse - Penalty from hexblade's curse increases to -6.
20: Aura of Unluck (3x/day)

Hexblades receive bonus feats at level 5, 10, 15 and 20.

[EO]

Class Feats

Hexblade's Curse

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Hexblade level 1.
Specifics: The hexblade can unleash a curse upon a foe as a free action. The target must be visible to the hexblade and within 60 feet. The target of a hexblade's curse takes a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, armor class, skill checks, and damage rolls for a duration of 2 rounds per level. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.

The ability may be used once per day at level 1, twice per day at level 5, three times per day at level 9, four times per day at level 13, and five times per day at level 17, plus the character's Charisma modifier (not counting any enhancements to Charisma given by spells, abilities, or items). The penalties increase to -4 at level 7, and to -6 at level 19.
Use: Selected.

Arcane Resistance

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Hexblade level 2.
Specifics: Hexblades add their charisma bonus to all saving throws versus spells and spell-like effects.
Use: Automatic.

Mettle

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Hexblade level 3.
Specifics: The hexblade can resist magical and unusual attacks with great willpower or fortitude. If he makes a successful Will or Fortitude save against a spell or spell-like ability that normally would have a lesser effect on a successful save (such as any spell with a saving throw entry of Will half or Fortitude partial), he instead completely negates the effect. An unconscious hexblade does not gain the benefit of mettle.
Use: Automatic.

Aura of Unluck

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Class
Prerequisite: Hexblade level 12.
Specifics: Once per day, the hexblade can create a baleful aura of misfortune. Any melee or ranged attack made against him while this aura is active has a 20% miss chance (similar to the effect of concealment). Activating the aura is a free action, and it lasts a number of turns equal to 3 + the hexblade's Charisma bonus (if any).

This ability may be used once per day at level 12, twice per day at level 16, and three times per day at level 20.
Use: Selected.

Bonus Feats

Curse of Distraction

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to distract his victim, making spellcasting difficult for them. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim must make Concentration checks in order to cast spells. The Concentration DC equals 15 + the spell's level. The DC increases to 20 + the spell's level as a greater curse, and to 25 + the spell's level as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected.

Curse of Failure

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to reduce his victim's ability to succeed with their saves. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim receives a -4 penalty on the saves of the chosen saving throws. The penalty increases to -6 as a greater curse, and to -8 as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected. This feat may be selected multiple times, but applies to a new saving throw each time.

Curse of Ignorance

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to reduce his victim's ability to use their skills. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim receives a -5 penalty on all skill checks of the chosen skills. The penalty increases to -10 as a greater curse, and to -15 as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected. This feat may be selected multiple times, but applies to a new skill each time.

Curse of Paranoia

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to cause his victim to become paranoid, forcing them to watch their back for enemies that don't exist. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim receives a -1 dodge penalty on his armor class. The penalty increases to -2 as a greater curse, and to -4 as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected.

Curse of Sloth

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to slow his victim. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim's movement speed is reduced by 25% (rounded down). The penalty increases to 50% as a greater curse, and to 75% as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected.

Curse of the Stricken

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to hamper his enemy's armor. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the armor bonus of the victim's armor decreases by -2 (minimum +0). The penalty increases to -4 as a greater curse, and to -6 as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected.

Curse of the Softened Blade

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to hamper his enemy's weapons. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim's weapons deal -2 points of damage (minimum of 1). The penalty increases to -4 as a greater curse, and to -6 as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected.

Curse of Dissolution

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade may spend one of his hexblade's curse uses to lower his enemy's ability scores. For a duration of 2 rounds per level, the victim receives a -2 penalty to the chosen ability scores. The penalty increases to -4 as a greater curse, and to -6 as a dire curse. A successful Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 hexblade's class level + Charisma modifier) negates the effect.
Use: Selected. This feat may be selected multiple times, but applies to a new ability each time.

Empower Curse

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade's curses are more potent. The hexblade's curses bestow penalties 1 point greater than normal. Thus, the hexblade's curses impose -3 penalties instead of -2, the greater hexblade's curses impose -5 penalties, and the dire hexblade's curses impose -7 penalties.
Use: Automatic. This applies to the hexblade's curse and all hex feats.

Extend Curse

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade's curse lasts significantly longer. The effects of the hexblade's curses will last an additional ten rounds.
Use: Automatic. This applies to the hexblade's curse and all hex feats.

Extra Curse

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The character may use his hexblade's curses two extra times per day.
Use: Automatic.

Curse Focus

Spoiler: show

Type of Feat: Hex
Prerequisite: Hexblade's curse ability.
Specifics: The hexblade's curses are more potent, granting a +2 bonus to the save DC for his hexblade's curses.
Use: Automatic. This applies to the hexblade's curse and all hex feats.

[slash]

This is pretty cool! What is the spell progression for a hexblade? As a sorcerer, or is it more similar to other full BAB classes with access to magic (ie Paladins, Rangers)?

[EO]

Level 1 (Hexblade Level 4)

Alarm
Bloodletting
Charm Person
Disguise Self
Entropic Shield
Expeditious Retreat
Identify
Light
Magic Weapon
Protection from Alignment
Scare
Sleep
Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
Treacherous Weapon

Level 2 (Hexblade Level 8 )

Bestow Curse
Blindness/Deafness
Blood Frenzy
Bull’s Strength
Curse of Impending Blades
Darkness
Eagle’s Splendor
False Life
Invisibility
Magical Backlash
Resist Elements
See Invisibility
Touch of Idiocy

Level 3 (Hexblade Level 12)

Charm Monster
Confusion
Deep Slumber
Dispel Magic
Greater Magic Weapon
Hound Of Doom
Invisibility Sphere
Poison
Protection from Elements
Slow
Stinking Cloud
Trance of the Verdant Domain
Vampiric Touch

Level 4 (Hexblade Level 16)

Assay Resistance
Baleful Polymorph
Dominate Person
Enervation
Fear
Feeblemind
Improved Invisibility
Mass Curse of Impending Blades
Phantasmal Killer
Polymorph
Shadow Form

[EO]

This is pretty cool! What is the spell progression for a hexblade? As a sorcerer, or is it more similar to other full BAB classes with access to magic (ie Paladins, Rangers)?

It's the same as rangers/paladins (see above post).

[Profezzor_Darke]

Ah I see. It's also a bit beefed up from it's original write up, right? Because it didn't have Curses x-times a day plus charisma modifier etc.

It suffered a lot from the fear that an armored caster would be imbalanced, originally. Which is a bit silly, since Rangers and Paladins do the same and a wizard can easily get good AC with mage armor and the like.

It's also a sweet *fluff* heavy class to add.

I like it.

[Glass Cannon]

Looks like a class that will redefine PvP meta.

[Kamfrenchie]

This seem very powerful.  10hp, full BAB, and somenice spells to go along... especially compared to things like monster hunter ?

[Favee]

Can it be assumed that the different curses from the feats will stack with the base curse?

I.E.  Hexblade's curse decreases AC by 2.  Will stack with Curse of Paranoia's dodge AC reduction?

This class seems to do less than bard in almost every way.  Both manipulate saves / AC / damage / etc.  Curse song is just better as it doesn't require a save and is an AoE effect.  That being said, I'm still very excited!

Looks like a class that will redefine PvP meta.

I doubt the PvP meta would change much, it'll still be ganking someone in one round.  Though the new spell 'Magical Backlash.' will definitely make always being fully warded a risk.

[EO]

Can it be assumed that the different curses from the feats will stack with the base curse?

Yes.

[Kaospyri]

Spoiler: show

Can it be assumed that the different curses from the feats will stack with the base curse?

I.E.  Hexblade's curse decreases AC by 2.  Will stack with Curse of Paranoia's dodge AC reduction?

This class seems to do less than bard in almost every way.  Both manipulate saves / AC / damage / etc.  Curse song is just better as it doesn't require a save and is an AoE effect.  That being said, I'm still very excited!

The bard comparison was my thoughts exactly, it's spell list is also rather weak with some stand out exceptions. However even with it being Dirge of Woe but worse it's Dirge of Woe but worse on a full AB and HP class so it's probably good for duels (so long as you're not fighting a class with good will saves) just not PvE.

[Revenant]

...This class seems to do less than bard in almost every way.  Both manipulate saves / AC / damage / etc.  Curse song is just better as it doesn't require a save and is an AoE effect.  That being said, I'm still very excited!...

The DC presumably stacks with Voice of Wrath, in addition to their unique feat for +2, and will also stack with Charisma and CL. It will not be unreasonable to see a later Hexblade rocking a 30+ DC on their curses. The effects become more potent than Curse Song, quickly, and they have full BAB with d10 HP, which can be quite relevant.

I'm just grateful that the curse abilities must be applied separately, since all of them layering on would be equivalent to saying that once per round the Heckblade can say "Save or become a commoner." Speaking of, what sort of action is the Curse?

Consider a world where they stacked on the base ability, where your Greater curse strips -5 AC base (maybe 6, considering the skill penalty), another 2 for Parry from Ignorance, another 1-4 (depending on Armor) from Stricken, 2 from Paranoia. 7-13 AC on one button. It would also destroy the target's Discipline with Stricken, allowing easy KD with their shredded AC and your full BAB.

That's just with Greater curse, which the Hexblade unlocks at level 7. Even assuming they've only got Empower and Ignorance, they're still beating a level 20 Bard's Curse Song on two failed saves, and nearly matching on one. Dirge of Woe can even things up for the level 20, but we're back to a save ability that can't be given +6 via feats, can't touch evil characters, and has a halved save for neutrals.

Those numbers are assuming I understand the workings correctly, of course, and that only the basic curse is altered by Empower Curse. They're also only regarding the debuffing qualities both classes share: obviously, a Bard is a much better party support.

This is all to say that they're different than bards, not strictly worse, and the two complement each other well in a party.

[EO]

I'm just grateful that the curse abilities must be applied separately, since all of them layering on would be equivalent to saying that once per round the Heckblade can say "Save or become a commoner." Speaking of, what sort of action is the Curse?

They're all free actions but can only be used once per round so you can't spam them. Also won't work if prone, unconscious, etc.

Those numbers are assuming I understand the workings correctly, of course, and that only the basic curse is altered by Empower Curse. They're also only regarding the debuffing qualities both classes share: obviously, a Bard is a much better party support.

All Hex curses (including Hexblade's Curse) are altered by Empower Curse, Extend Curse and Curse Focus, except Curse of Sloth that's not affected by Empower Curse.

[Fungal Artillery]

This is all to say that they're different than bards, not strictly worse, and the two complement each other well in a party.

This. Absolutely this.

I have no doubt Hexblade will thrive on PoTM and new strategies will be invented to overcome pve content with them as a partymember. A bard and a hexblade working together can make some of potm's brutal dungeon bosses super vulnerable to whatever the party is going to dish out.

[Khornite]

Finally, the Hexblade gets some love. There's so much flavor in this class.

[BwpsychoName]

Looks like an interesting class!

All I would say (until testing it for myself some) is that the curse should be a standard action, gated to free behind a feat such as subsonics. Having it base as free seems a bit much with the full bab, medium armor prof, AND some spellcasting. Make it more feat starved.

[zDark Shadowz]

Looks like a fun alternative (and maybe a gateway drug) to blackguard.

[Cavecrawler]

Looks like an interesting class!

All I would say (until testing it for myself some) is that the curse should be a standard action, gated to free behind a feat such as subsonics. Having it base as free seems a bit much with the full bab, medium armor prof, AND some spellcasting. Make it more feat starved.

I think hexblade's curse being a free action by default is a great idea to balance it against curse song, considering the latter is an AoE deserving of the feat tax to be made a free action.

[Relapse]

Looks fun, full of character, simple and unique, can't ask much more then that. Nice to have another full ab class.

Regarding the other changes:

- Treacherous weapon though it seems at home on a hexblade in the hands of wizards/sorcs seems very powerful for a level 1 spell.
- With consideration being given to armour and spellcaster failure will chain shirt be moved into the "Light Armour" category or also be exempt from light armour spell failure?

[BraveSirRobin]

10 + 1/2 Hexblade level + Cha modifier isn't as hot as it sounds vs. a Will save, if I have to be honest. If you're using this class, you're going to have to split between your Charisma and your melee stat; Whether that's Dex or STR, that's up to you. Dirge of Woes is only really good against Good characters due to the high DC being, around max level, 30+. The DC for Hexblade at level 20, will be on average between 23-25 for your primary class ability, or 25-27 if you've taken the feat to empower it. Rogues, Barbarians, and Fighters can all achieve about 25 Will with universal save items and enchanting by late game, which means this ability has limited use, applies unreliably, and can only be fired off once per round. Unlike Paladins, however, Hexblades do not get spells that compensate for their stat-splitting that boosts the values, like Aura of Glory, for instance. If you invest heavily in Charisma to try to increase the odds of this ability being useful, you're making yourself ineffectual in combat, even though the payoff could be high.

I'm not saying it's utter trash, but it's not going to become part of the PvP meta of the server that way. We're looking at what is, essentially, a Fighter with fewer feats and some mediocre spell variety, with an unreliable class ability in a PvP environment with the 2 + INT Skillpoints. Compare this to Bard, which has a 3/4 AB progression, but can use Bardsong and Cursesong in the same round, without a save, up to 25 times at max level throughout a combat, or can use a number of songs simultaneously in quick succession if they've invested in Dirge of Woes/etc as well utilizing Subsonics. Hexblades with an Empowered Curse can achieve -7 to the enemy's AB, a Bard can achieve +4 AC and -3 to the enemy's AB achieving similar effects, but the bard's AB is lower from the outset by about 4 points. Admittedly, the Hexblade debuff is stronger overall because Hexblades have a higher AB to begin with (so the -7 to their AC will REALLY hurt) but it's not reliable in a PvP setting. PvE, perhaps, however.

I wouldn't compare this to Bard. It's Bard-like, maybe, but I wouldn't pretend that Hexblade is going to redefine the PvP meta in any significant fashion unless it ganks someone who isn't wearing their enchanted equipment at the time; But that's game over for just about anyone, getting ganked. It be a gank eat gank world out there.

[Revenant]

Unfortunately, if you tune DCs so they readily chew up people with epic level saves thanks to pouring levels and months into enchanted gear, it will become oppressive to the vast swathe of players who don't have that investment. That would particularly hurt players piloting characters that aren't grey in the tooth and still very much need to consider saves.

I would absolutely rather Bard be looked at as a class of exceptional power rather than a standard other classes need to meet. Bard's casting is great, their melee is great, their support is great, their debuffing is great. They can freely roll their hands across the F row to turn themselves into gods of rock combat, let alone their party. What nerfs they've suffered on the server have more than been compensated for by Subsonics and Song of the Heart.

Off my ranting about starving artists, Voice of Wrath most likely works with the Curse, as well: that's another +4 to the Curse. Curse Domain too, if you're getting cheeky, though that would mostly serve to make up for missing Heckblade levels. Aura of Glory scrolls (or swords, for those without Rogue levels) are not harder to source than enchanted gear, either, nor is Solomon's Powder if you desperately need to solo kill the Mist Camp Dragon. 25-27 is not where the DC caps.

[Crowl]

10 + 1/2 Hexblade level + Cha modifier isn't as hot as it sounds vs. a Will save, if I have to be honest. If you're using this class, you're going to have to split between your Charisma and your melee stat; Whether that's Dex or STR, that's up to you. Dirge of Woes is only really good against Good characters due to the high DC being, around max level, 30+. The DC for Hexblade at level 20, will be on average between 23-25 for your primary class ability, or 25-27 if you've taken the feat to empower it. Rogues, Barbarians, and Fighters can all achieve about 25 Will with universal save items and enchanting by late game, which means this ability has limited use, applies unreliably, and can only be fired off once per round. Unlike Paladins, however, Hexblades do not get spells that compensate for their stat-splitting that boosts the values, like Aura of Glory, for instance. If you invest heavily in Charisma to try to increase the odds of this ability being useful, you're making yourself ineffectual in combat, even though the payoff could be high.

I'm not saying it's utter trash, but it's not going to become part of the PvP meta of the server that way. We're looking at what is, essentially, a Fighter with fewer feats and some mediocre spell variety, with an unreliable class ability in a PvP environment with the 2 + INT Skillpoints. Compare this to Bard, which has a 3/4 AB progression, but can use Bardsong and Cursesong in the same round, without a save, up to 25 times at max level throughout a combat, or can use a number of songs simultaneously in quick succession if they've invested in Dirge of Woes/etc as well utilizing Subsonics. Hexblades with an Empowered Curse can achieve -7 to the enemy's AB, a Bard can achieve +4 AC and -3 to the enemy's AB achieving similar effects, but the bard's AB is lower from the outset by about 4 points. Admittedly, the Hexblade debuff is stronger overall because Hexblades have a higher AB to begin with (so the -7 to their AC will REALLY hurt) but it's not reliable in a PvP setting. PvE, perhaps, however.

I wouldn't compare this to Bard. It's Bard-like, maybe, but I wouldn't pretend that Hexblade is going to redefine the PvP meta in any significant fashion unless it ganks someone who isn't wearing their enchanted equipment at the time; But that's game over for just about anyone, getting ganked. It be a gank eat gank world out there.

This does put some things into perspective that I hadn't thought about before. When we talk about maxed out DC's, we would also be thinking about it being used against maxed out saves, too.

[SardineTheAncestor]

Those uniques are to die for, and for everyone who's wanted to play a spellsword without playing bard or taking other caster levels, this seems like a dream come true.

[Revenant]

Absolute endgame is a scenario that should be considered (and in the 30s range like it can reach, the curse remains relevant), but also keep in mind that maximizing the DC is significantly more easily and more expediently done than maximizing saves.

A Hexblade can cap their DC as soon as they hit 20; a character caps their saves only upon hitting 20 after sacrificing levels on the altar, the later ones each taking a not insignificant amount of time. I may not necessarily agree with the level of saves that can be reached, but it is a design decision that enchanting renders you almost immune to any but the most potent (even broken) DCs, not an oversight. Hexblade remains within that paradigm, rather than forming an exception, and we should probably be glad for it.

[mccarthy00]

Would this class be a prerequisite for dragon disciple as it seems to be arcane? I am hoping the answer is no.