Hexblade Strikes Back: D&D’s Fan-Favorite Warlock Gets a Major Melee Makeover

Big news for Dungeons & Dragons fans! Wizards of the Coast is once again tweaking the popular Warlock subclass Hexblade after getting a flood of player feedback. If you love playing Warlocks or just like to keep up with the latest D&D changes, you’ll want to see what’s new with the blade-wielding Hexblade. Let’s break down what’s changing and why it matters for your next campaign.

• Wizards of the Coast reworks Hexblade after player feedback
• Unearthed Arcana playtests reveal big changes for Warlocks
• Focus on melee combat and Charisma-based attacks
• Mixed reactions to new mechanics and flavor
• What’s improved, what’s missing, and what’s next for Hexblade

Hexblade gets a second chance

For years, Warlocks in D&D 5th Edition were known for staying in the back and blasting away with spells. That all changed with the arrival of the Hexblade in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, letting players summon a magical weapon and jump into melee, all while using their Charisma for attacks. It was a game-changer for Warlocks and quickly became a favorite pick, especially after showing up in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Not all changes are popular

But when Wizards of the Coast left Hexblade out of the new 2024 Player’s Handbook and instead boosted the melee power of Pact of the Blade for all Warlocks, fans were divided. The new Pact lets you conjure a weapon as a bonus action, choose your damage type, and, most importantly, use Charisma to attack—making melee Warlocks more viable than ever. But this also made the Hexblade subclass itself feel a bit… pointless. The first attempt at reworking Hexblade in the May Unearthed Arcana (see the full details here: Horror Subclasses Unearthed Arcana) didn’t help much. The flavor was cooler—making a pact with a sentient weapon—but the mechanics took away the blade as a real melee option, which disappointed a lot of fans.

June brings a sharper Hexblade

Now, there’s a new version in the June playtest (Arcane Subclasses Unearthed Arcana) and it’s all about putting the “blade” back in Hexblade. The subclass now features Hungering Hex for healing when your cursed target drops, Unyielding Will for saving your concentration once per day, and a new mechanic where you can deal damage in melee when you succeed on a concentration check. The standout at level 6, Harrowing Hex, lets you make a bonus weapon attack on the same turn you cast a non-cantrip spell. This is a big boost for Warlocks who want to mix spellcasting and swordplay.

What’s still missing?

Despite the new features, some old favorites are gone. Notably, Hexblade no longer grants medium armor proficiency, a staple for melee builds. The replacement, Accursed Shield, tries to help with defense but requires you to skip armor and stay close to your hexed target—not ideal for most Warlocks. It’s clearly designed for those using Mage Armor via the Armor of Shadows invocation, but many players would rather stick to light armor and save their invocations for Pact of the Blade and Eldritch Mind.

What does it all mean for Warlocks?

The old Hexblade was arguably overpowered and a bit awkward in its flavor. Now, Wizards of the Coast is aiming for a version that’s fun, balanced, and still lets you be the charismatic sword-wielder you love. The feedback loop is working, and it’s clear the designers are listening. We’ll have to wait and see what the final printed Hexblade looks like, but for now, there’s a lot for Warlock fans to be excited—and opinionated—about!