Am I the only here that likes the Hexblade subclass for what it is without adding multiclassing or anything ?
I mean, I really dig the thematic of this subclass and I don't really see why some say it doesn't fit the Warlock class. I'd say this is more a question of preferences than anything else here.
Getting power from a sentient or shadowfell weapon/artifact sounds as good to me than getting from a random devil or far being.
However, I do agree that too many features of the subclass is front loaded on the 1st level and that having some merge within the pact of the blade may be a good thing...though I'd say it's more about getting the Hexblade paying for the sins of others classes (hey, paladins!) exploiting the feature to easily.
By itself I don't consider Hexblades to be that powerful. Good, yes, but not game breaking even though its other features form a nice package (medium armor, armor of hexes, the quite fitting spell list).
Not at all. That's the intended purpose of the subclasses: to provide options for character customizations that include aspects of other classes and/or variations of the base class. Theoretically, sufficiently enough *good* subclasses (and a more robust multiclass system cough cough) would completely invalidate the need for multiclassing at all.
A Warlock is defined by their acquisition of powers from a patron, usually involving some deal and/or more personal relationship between warlock & patron than that of Cleric & deity. Hexblade fits perfectly. However, it makes sense that Warlocks should either be able to make a pact with a sentient blade (hexblade) OR make a pact with an entity that gives the warlock supernatural prowess with the blade (Pact of the Blade) and importantly each class should be roughly equally powerful. At that point, why not just combine them into a single subclass/pact?
