I’ve taken a few builds for a spin in Patch 8, but this is the one I’m going to stick with for a full Honour mode run—it’s just too damn fun.
The crux of the build is Shadow Blade, a revamped spell in Patch 8 that summons a 2d8 psychic damage short sword you can use until long rest, no strings attached—and you can up-cast it for a 3d8 and max 4d8 version of the sword.
Hexblade’s Charisma-based melee attacking and increased critical threat range all lend itself to juicy damage with Shadow Blade, but I’ve also been really enjoying its flexibility: Pair with the Potent Robe, Devil Sight, Darkness, and Agonizing Blast for a still quite strong Eldritch Blaster against ranged foes or pesky psychic damage-immune enemies.
The Devil Sight/Darkness combo—you can see enemies, but they can’t see you in your little darkness cloud—is also plenty strong in melee as well.
The Potent Robe bonuses also synergize with Booming Blade, which we’ve got no reason not to just spam every round with our summoned Shadow Blade. Round out with maximized critical hit gear, a Champion dip for Action Surge and Improved Critical Hit, as well as the Resonance Stone to double our psychic damage from Shadow Blade, and we’ve got a master of all spellsword who’s deadly from any range.
Starting Stats:
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 16
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 10
- Charisma: 17
Leveling Order:
- Hexblade 1
- Hexblade 2 – Agonizing Blast
- Hexblade 3 – Pact of the Blade, Shadow Blade
- Hexblade 4 – Feat: Charisma +2
- Hexblade 5 – Pact Extra Attack, Devil Sight (pair with Darkness cast on self)
- Hexblade 6 – Accursed Specter
- Hexblade 7
- Hexblade 8 – Feat: Savage Attacker
- Hexblade 9 – (Level 5 spell slots for upcasted Shadow Blade unlocked)
- Fighter 1
- Fighter 2 – Action Surge
- Champion 3 – Improved Critical Hit