Dungeons and Dragons most recent playtest takes a second stab at redesigning the Hexblade subclass, with clunky yet promising results. Hexblade 2.0 looks more interesting and thematic than its previous version, and it could be great fun to play with a few creases ironed out. However, D&D fans who lamented the old Hexblade's reliance on a concentration spell will be disappointed to see that its design identity hasn't strayed too far from playtest one.
The first Hexblade playtest went all in on the 'Hex' part of the subclass - quite literally. Most of its features made it easier and more valuable to cast the spell Hex, with added benefits that included everything from healing, reducing incoming damage, to increasing your damage output.
Unfortunately, as we've seen with previous DnD classes like the DnD Ranger, 5e fans aren't impressed when a class' identity hinges on a single concentration-requiring spell. The new design also largely ignored the Hexblade's previous role as a gish who was just as adept with a weapon as they were with an Eldritch Blast.
Hexblade's Curse
In response to the first round of feedback, Wizards has brought back Hexblade's Curse, the core feature of the 2014 Hexblade. At least, it has done so in name. The new version of the level-three feature functions entirely differently.
Hexblade's Curse is now a bonus action that curses a target for one minute. When a cursed target drops to zero HP, you gain 1d8 + your Charisma modifier in hit points. Plus, while you're within 10 feet of a cursed target, you have a +2 AC bonus as long as you aren't equipped with armor or a shield.
Those are some nice but extremely situational benefits, particularly when you realize you can only use Hexblade's Curse a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier before you need a long rest. However, Hexblade's Curse has one more trick up its sleeve - and it still relies on the Hex spell to function.
There's an intentional loophole built into these rules where, if you cast a spell that curses a target using a spell slot, you can use Hexblade's Curse as part of that spell, with the target of the spell also being targeted by Hexblade's Curse. If the spell you cast has a longer duration than one minute, Hexblade's Curse lasts for the same amount of time as the spell.
There are several DnD spells that can curse, but this feature is clearly designed with Hex in mind. Hex can last up to an hour or more, and it can bounce from target to target when they drop to zero HP.
Unyielding Will
Wizards of the Coast has baked one other Hex incentive into the subclass, too. Also at level three, you'll gain Unyielding Will. This feature means that, once per turn, when you pass a concentration saving throw, you deal 2d6 necrotic damage to each creature of your choice within 10 feet. If you fail a concentration save, you instead gain 1d10 + your Warlock level in temporary HP (though only once per rest).
These two features turn the Hexblade into a thorny time bomb that wants to stay in melee and cause problems for the opposition. It's a risky move for a spellcaster wearing no armor (particularly as that +2 AC is easy to lose), but it's a fun concept for a Warlock subclass.
Malign Brutality
The higher-level subclass features are designed to reward you for leaning into this strategy. Malign Brutality gives a target of your Hexblade's Curse disadvantage on its next saving throw after you successfully hit it. Plus, when that target ends its turn 30+ feet away from you, you can immediately charge at it up to your speed.
Lastly, Malign Brutality lets you make a weapon attack as a bonus action after casting a level-one-or-above spell. This feels more like the Hexblade of old, but without any abilities that let you use Charisma for weapon attack rolls, you'll need to rely heavily on your Dexterity stat or Pact of the Blade for this to be useful. It doesn't hurt for spellcasters to have high Dexterity anyway, but this requirement makes the Hexblade significantly more multiple-ability-score-dependent than it used to be.
Armor of Hexes
At level 10, Armor of Hexes reduces the damage you take from your cursed target, equal to your Warlock 5e level. Then, at level 14, your attack rolls against said target crit on a 19 as well as a 20 (something the 2014 Hexblade gets at level one - just saying).
Additionally, once per long rest, when you damage a cursed target, you can deal 3d6 necrotic, psychic, or radiant damage to that target and each creature of your choice within 30 feet of it. Oh, and their speed is reduced by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. As an added benefit, the level-14 feature also lets you regain one use of Hexblade's Curse on a short rest or when you use Magical Cunning.
This Hexblade is an exciting concept, but it still has a few teething problems to work out. None of its early-level features scale well, so it feels less impressive after a few DnD level ups, and it becomes more and more appealing to cast something other than Hex with your limited spell slots.
Those higher-level features aren't too inspiring, either. Each makes the level-three features marginally better, and 'marginally' isn't a word we like to use when it comes to subclass capstones. Right now, it doesn't feel like the Hexblade gets better over time, however strong its core gameplay style is. This playtest version is better than the previous one, but it isn't quite there yet.
Have you tested the new Hexblade yet? Let us know what you think in the Wargamer Discord. If you're yet to take a look at the revised subclass, here's the full playtest document. Plus, here's our top advice on DnD races and DnD 2024 backgrounds to help with your test build.