Fighter-Hexblade Multiclass (Non-Carry)

General Info and Suggestions

• This is the Non-Carry version of the Fighter / The Hexblade multiclass. Use this version when your limited permanent story power is going onto another character, or when you want a second Fighter / The Hexblade frontliner without taking priority buffs away from the main carry.
• Alternatively recommended companions for this version are Lae’zel or Karlach. Both fit the martial early game cleanly and can transition into the final setup without awkward roleplay or origin-specific assumptions.
  As a custom character I recommend creating an Half-Orc for the effects of Savage Attacks, Relentless Endurance and Darkvision with the Soldier background.
• The combat package stays very close to the Carry version: bind Shadow Blade with Bind Hexed Weapon, scale attacks through Charisma, use Booming Blade as the main cantrip attack, and lean on Arcane Synergy, Hexblade’s Curse, Hex, and defensive gear to perform as a durable front-line damage dealer.
• Whether your goal is a build with a shield or a weapon in your offhand, you want to either choose Duelling or Defence as your Fighting Style. Note that there are offhand weapons that might be worth choosing over the 2 extra damage through Duelling (through effects), but consider the reduced AC compared to wearing a shield.
  Make a decision depending on what offhand weapons you have to spare considering your other companions.
• Disclaimer: The Extra Attack of the Fighter and the Extra Attack of the Warlock (Deepened Pact) does not stack in Honour Mode. It stacks in all other modes.
• Do not route one-time permanent carry buffs into this character by default. The point of this page is to keep this character strong through class features, item routing, and support setup while the true party carry receives the permanent power.
• As your last Feat on Level 12 you want to either:
  1. Choose for a more defensive build with Dual Wielder or Defensive Duellist (depending on if you wear a weapon like Knife of the Undermountain King or a Shield in your offhand) or
  2. Choose a more offensive build with Ability Improvement (+2 CHA)
• If you want the version that receives the permanent carry investment, use the Fighter-Hexblade Multiclass Carry Build.
• This build synergizes especially well with the Oath of the Crown Paladin Support and Life Domain Cleric Support. The Paladin support brings aura value, saves, and front-line stability; the Cleric support keeps healing, buffing, and defensive utility online, including reliable triggers for Broodmother’s Revenge.

Core Mechanical Notes

• For the first five levels, play as a Fighter with a practical Strength and Constitution focus. This is smoother than forcing the final Charisma-based package before Shadow Blade Ring and the supporting gear are available.
• Eldritch Knight is the cleanest early Fighter subclass if you want early access to Booming Blade. Battle Master is also fine if you prefer stronger generic weapon control before the respecialization. In either case, reach Extra Attack at Fighter level 5 before changing into the final multiclass structure.
• After the important early and midgame item breakpoints, respecialize with Withers at the Campsite. From that point onward, summon or equip Shadow Blade, bind it with Bind Hexed Weapon, and attack with Booming Blade whenever the cantrip value matters.
• Bind Hexed Weapon applies Hexed Weapon: the bound weapon becomes magical, the character becomes Proficient with it, and weapon damage uses the Warlock‘s Charisma modifier. That is why the final version moves away from early Strength scaling.
• Ideally, another party member casts Elemental Weapon: Thunder on the equipped Shadow Blade. Elemental Weapon adds +1 to Attack Rolls and 1d4 Thunder damage, which matters for Gloves of Belligerent Skies, Boots of Elemental Momentum, and Ring of Elemental Infusion.
• At Warlock level 5, consider Devil’s Sight instead of Beguiling Influence if the party can create magical Darkness. Devil’s Sight lets this character fight normally inside magical Darkness, while Shadow Blade gains Advantage against Lightly Obscured or Heavily Obscured targets.
• Booming Blade becomes much more important after character level 5 and character level 11. At level 5 it adds direct Thunder damage to the initial weapon hit, not only movement punishment; at level 11 both the direct hit and movement damage scale again.
• Booming Blade qualifies for Extra Attack, but it is still limited to one cast per Action. Use it as the first attack of the action when you want Thunder damage, Arcane Synergy, Ring of Arcane Synergy, or item-trigger value, then spend the remaining attack normally.

Act One Walkthrough — Character-Relevant Route

• Nautiloid: if you want a strong early weapon, take the Everburn Blade from Commander Zhalk. It is not a final weapon, but it is excellent while this character is still a Strength-based Fighter.
• Ravaged Beach / Overgrown Ruins: unlock Withers early. This build expects at least one respecialization once The Hexblade, Shadow Blade, and the relevant item package are ready.
• Early leveling: stay Fighter until level 5. Use Eldritch Knight for early Booming Blade access, or Battle Master if you want stronger generic weapon control until the respec.
• Emerald Grove: keep Dammon alive. He matters later for important Act Two and Act Three gear. If you want Broodmother’s Revenge, resolve Investigate Kagha; the amulet is tied to Kagha and her quest outcome.
• Shattered Sanctum: buy Bow of Awareness from Roah Moonglow. It is a simple early ranged stat stick for +1 Initiative.
• Defiled Temple: pick up Amulet of Misty Step if you want early mobility before better amulets come online.
• Underdark: get Phalar Aluve. It is a Finesse Longsword with strong party utility through Phalar Aluve: Sing and Phalar Aluve: Shriek. It is not the final weapon once Shadow Blade is active, but it is one of the best bridge weapons.
• Ebonlake Grotto: buy Caustic Band from Derryth Bonecloak. The flat +2 Acid damage on weapon attacks is reliable and useful before the final ring package is fixed.
• Grymforge / Adamantine Forge: craft Adamantine Splint Armour. It is the best early defensive armour for this character because it gives high Armour Class, damage reduction, Reeling, and protection against Critical Hits. If nobody else needs the second Mithral Ore, Adamantine Shield is also a strong defensive offhand.
• Grymforge: defeat or otherwise resolve Nere to obtain Disintegrating Night Walkers. They remain useful for a long time because Misty Step and protection against slipping, Enwebbed, Entangled, and Ensnared effects are always valuable on a melee character.
• Mountain Pass / Creche Y’llek: this is the most important late-Act One item cluster. Get Diadem of Arcane Synergy, Ring of Arcane Synergy, Ring of Elemental Infusion, Gloves of Belligerent Skies, Gloves of Dexterity, and Knife of the Undermountain King. These items define many of the midgame options.

Act Two Walkthrough — Character-Relevant Route

• Last Light Inn: keep Isobel, Jaheira, and Dammon alive. Buy Cloak of Protection from Quartermaster Talli and Darkfire Shortbow from Dammon. Darkfire Shortbow is an excellent ranged stat stick because it grants resistance to Fire and Cold damage plus a once-per-Long Rest cast of Haste.
• Shadow-Cursed Lands: speak with Arabella and start Find Arabella’s Parents. This quest is mandatory for the cleanest version of the build because it rewards Shadow Blade Ring.
• House of Healing: resolve Malus Thorm and obtain Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet. It gives a powerful once-per-Long Rest paralysis trigger on a Critical Hit against a humanoid target.
• Campsite: after completing Find Arabella’s Parents, receive Shadow Blade Ring from Arabella. This is the main respecialization breakpoint. From here, summon Shadow Blade, bind it with Bind Hexed Weapon, and play around Charisma, Booming Blade, Arcane Synergy, and Shadow Blade‘s Advantage in darkness or dim light.
• Moonrise Towers: buy Sentinel Shield from Lann Tarv. It is one of the best defensive offhands because +3 Initiative is huge and Advantage on Perception checks is useful throughout the game.
• Moonrise Towers: buy Risky Ring from Araj Oblodra. Permanent Advantage on Attack Rolls is excellent damage value, but Disadvantage on Saving Throws is a real defensive cost. Use it only when your support setup can cover the weakness.
• Moonrise Towers: Potion of Everlasting Vigour should normally be reserved for the party’s actual carry or a dedicated Strength-based character. Do not spend it on this Non-Carry version unless your party has no better recipient.
• Reithwin Tollhouse: collect Gloves of Battlemage’s Power. They are a situational Arcane Acuity option. Booming Blade can trigger Battlemage’s Power, but the older post-Patch 8 Shadow Blade main-hand interaction was removed in a later hotfix.
• Grand Mausoleum: collect Vivacious Cloak. It is a solid defensive cloak when casting Booming Blade while Threatened.
• Gauntlet of Shar: collect Dark Justiciar Helmet, Killer’s Sweetheart, and Justiciar’s Greatshield. Dark Justiciar Helmet is strong when fighting while obscured, Killer’s Sweetheart gives a controlled guaranteed Critical Hit, and Justiciar’s Greatshield gives a self-contained Darkness Cloak option.
• Mind Flayer Colony: after the second fight against Ketheric Thorm, consider Ketheric’s Shield. It is a strong Shield if you value Advantage on Dexterity Saving Throws plus spellcasting-related bonuses.

Act Three Walkthrough — Character-Relevant Route

• Rivington: buy Hellrider Longbow from Ferg Drogher if available. It is a strong ranged stat stick because it gives +3 Initiative, Advantage on Perception, and a chance to apply Faerie Fire on weapon hits.
• Wyrm’s Crossing: buy Horns of the Berserker from Entharl Danthelon at Danthelon’s Dancing Axe. It is a strong aggressive helmet when you do not need Diadem of Arcane Synergy for the current fight.
• Wyrm’s Rock Fortress: Helldusk Boots are a high-end mobility and defense option. Be careful with timing around Gortash, because entering restricted areas can change the fortress state.
• Lower City: visit Dammon at the Forge of the Nine. Buy Armour of Persistence, Boots of Persistence, and Legacy of the Masters depending on your current gear. Armour of Persistence is one of the best non-Helldusk Armour defensive armours in the game.
• Stormshore Tabernacle: buy Mantle of the Holy Warrior from Vicar Humbletoes. This is usually better on a support character, because the support can cast Crusader’s Mantle while this build keeps attacking.
• Devil’s Fee: get Mask of Soul Perception from Helsik‘s upstairs room. This is one of the best pure accuracy helmets if you do not need Diadem of Arcane Synergy.
• House of Hope: collect Amulet of Greater Health, Helldusk Gloves, and Helldusk Armour. Amulet of Greater Health is a major defensive upgrade because it sets Constitution to 23 and gives Advantage on Constitution Saving Throws.
• Murder Tribunal: obtain Sarevok’s Horned Helmet from Sarevok Anchev. It is one of the best late-game offensive helmets because it lowers the required roll for a Critical Hit and prevents fear effects.
• Cloister of Sombre Embrace: obtain Viconia’s Walking Fortress from Viconia DeVir. It is the strongest late-game defensive Shield option if you want maximum protection against spell-heavy encounters.

Other Good Item Synergies

Helmet

• Diadem of Arcane Synergy — best default helmet. Booming Blade inflicts a condition and can trigger Arcane Synergy, adding the spellcasting modifier to weapon damage.
• Sarevok’s Horned Helmet — late-game offensive option for Critical Hit setups.
• Mask of Soul Perception — excellent if you need raw accuracy, Initiative, and Perception more than Arcane Synergy.
• Dark Justiciar Helmet — good if you often fight from Lightly Obscured or Heavily Obscured positions.
• Horns of the Berserker — strong aggressive helmet against already-damaged targets.

Cloak

• The Deathstalker Mantle — excellent for Dark Urge routes, especially when this character often secures kills.
• Vivacious Cloak — defensive value when casting Booming Blade while Threatened.
• Cloak of Protection — simple, reliable +1 Armour Class and +1 Saving Throws.
• Mantle of the Holy Warrior — best used on a supporting party member so this character benefits from Crusader’s Mantle without spending its own action economy.

Armour

• Adamantine Splint Armour — best early defensive armour for this build.
• Armour of Persistence — excellent late-game defensive armour with permanent durability value.
• Helldusk Armour — best-in-slot defensive armour if no other party member needs it more.

Gloves

• Gloves of Belligerent Skies — strong with Booming Blade, Elemental Weapon: Thunder, and Reverberation.
• Gloves of Battlemage’s Power — situational Arcane Acuity option. Booming Blade can trigger them; do not expect the removed generic Shadow Blade main-hand interaction.
• Helldusk Gloves — strong late-game damage gloves with extra Fire damage on weapon attacks.
• Legacy of the Masters — excellent general-purpose weapon gloves for accuracy and damage.
• Gloves of Dexterity — useful if the respecialized ability spread dumps Dexterity but still wants Initiative, Armour Class, and +1 Attack Rolls.

Boots

• Disintegrating Night Walkers — best all-around midgame boots because of Misty Step and terrain immunity.
• Boots of Elemental Momentum — useful when your Booming Blade setup reliably deals elemental damage; see the Honour Mode bug note below.
• Helldusk Boots — strong late-game mobility and defensive reaction boots.
• Boots of Persistence — reliable defensive boots if you prefer permanent Freedom of Movement and Longstrider.

Amulet

• Broodmother’s Revenge — strong if your support setup can trigger healing often, adding 1d6 Poison damage to weapon attacks.
• Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet — strong control option when combined with Critical Hits.
• Amulet of Greater Health — excellent late-game defensive choice.
• Amulet of Misty Step — useful early mobility before better amulets are available.

Rings

• Shadow Blade Ring — core item for the build.
• Ring of Arcane Synergy — strong because Booming Blade is a damage-dealing Cantrip.
• Ring of Elemental Infusion — strong with Booming Blade, especially when Elemental Weapon: Thunder makes the weapon itself deal elemental damage.
• Caustic Band — excellent early and midgame damage ring.
• Risky Ring — high-damage option if you can tolerate the defensive downside.
• Killer’s Sweetheart — excellent for planned burst turns and guaranteed Critical Hits.

Weapon — Melee

• Shadow Blade — final core weapon.
• Everburn Blade — strong early Strength-based bridge weapon.
• Phalar Aluve — excellent Act One bridge weapon and party utility tool.
• Knife of the Undermountain King — strong crit-support weapon or backup option before the final Shadow Blade setup is stable. You can also use it as alternative offhand weapon for its effects.

Weapon — Ranged

• Bow of Awareness — early +1 Initiative stat stick.
• Darkfire Shortbow — excellent midgame ranged stat stick for Fire and Cold resistance, plus Haste.
• Hellrider Longbow — excellent late-game Initiative and Perception stat stick.

Offhand

• Adamantine Shield — strong early defensive Shield if you can spare the Mithral Ore.
• Sentinel Shield — one of the best general offhands because +3 Initiative is extremely valuable.
• Justiciar’s Greatshield — useful if you want a self-contained Darkness Cloak option.
• Ketheric’s Shield — useful if you value Dexterity Saving Throws and spellcasting-related bonuses.
• Viconia’s Walking Fortress — strongest late-game defensive Shield.

Known Bugs and Patch 8 Notes — May 2026

Booming Blade

• Booming Blade is not correctly classified as a Thunder spell. Because of this, Necklace of Elemental Augmentation and Ring of Absolute Force do not trigger from it reliably, even though Booming Blade deals Thunder damage at higher character levels.
• Gloves of Belligerent Skies, Boots of Elemental Momentum, and Ring of Elemental Infusion are implemented differently. They can work with the Thunder damage on Booming Blade, but in Honour Mode they may fail unless the weapon itself deals elemental damage. This is the practical reason to use Elemental Weapon: Thunder on Shadow Blade.
• Booming Blade can work with Extra Attack, but it remains limited to one cast per Action. Do not expect to cast Booming Blade for every attack in the same action.

Shadow Blade Ring

• As of Patch 8, Shadow Blade Ring no longer makes Shadow Blade require Concentration, and the conjured blade lasts until Long Rest.
• Shadow Blade Ring can be unequipped after summoning Shadow Blade. However, unequipping the ring can still break the character’s current Concentration spell while the blade is summoned, so do not do this on a character maintaining an important Concentration effect.
• Shadow Blade Ring has inventory-related bugs that can allow transferred or persistent blades. Treat those as bugs, not as assumptions for the build, because they may change in future hotfixes.

Gloves of Battlemage’s Power

• Gloves of Battlemage’s Power were redesigned in Patch 8. Booming Blade can trigger Battlemage’s Power, but the old interaction where general damage while wielding Shadow Blade in the main hand triggered the gloves was removed in a hotfix after Patch 8.
• Use Gloves of Battlemage’s Power as a Booming Blade-based Arcane Acuity option. Do not treat them as a generic Shadow Blade engine.