The Hexblade Warlock brings a dark, martial twist to Baldur’s Gate 3, blending melee prowess with devastating spellcasting. While this subclass isn’t part of the vanilla game, the vibrant modding community has made it possible to wield a charisma-fueled blade and curse your foes with eerie precision. For many, the real magic happens when you mix Hexblade with Paladin, creating an unstoppable frontliner that smites with divine fury and hexes with otherworldly power. This guide answers the most burning questions about building and playing a Hexblade in BG3, from optimal multiclass splits to essential gear and party composition.
Whether you’ve just installed the mod or are looking to fine-tune your character, these insights will help you dominate every encounter. We’ll cover everything from extra attack confusion to the value of Bhaalist Armor, so you can stride through Faerûn with unshakable confidence.
Understanding the Hexblade Warlock in BG3
Before diving into multiclassing, it’s worth clarifying what the Hexblade mod brings to the table. At its core, the subclass grants proficiency with medium armor, shields, and martial weapons, all powered by your Charisma modifier instead of Strength or Dexterity for attack and damage rolls. The signature Hexblade’s Curse debuffs a single target, increasing your critical hit range, adding bonus damage, and healing you when the cursed creature dies. You also gain access to the Shield spell and later abilities like Accursed Specter.
Because you can attack with Charisma, every stat point you pour into that attribute simultaneously boosts your spellcasting, melee attacks, and even your Paladin aura if you multiclass. This synergy is the foundation of one of the most potent character builds in the game.
Best Paladin/Hexblade Level Splits
The classic Paladin/Hexblade multiclass (often called a “Hexadin”) is a marriage of short-rest smites, heavy armor, and full Charisma scaling. The exact split depends on which features you value most, but a few breakpoints stand out.
Paladin 2 / Hexblade 5+
If you want to get online quickly, start with Paladin 2 for Divine Smite, a fighting style, and heavy armor proficiency. Then rush Hexblade to level 5 for the Thirsting Blade invocation (extra attack) and third-level Warlock spell slots. These short-rest slots fuel your smites, giving you reliable burst damage every fight. After Hexblade 5, you can continue in Warlock for higher-level spells and invocations, or add a few Sorcerer levels for metamagic and Shield spell slots without burning your pact magic.
Paladin 6 / Hexblade 5
This split sacrifices some higher-level Warlock spellcasting for Aura of Protection at Paladin 6. Adding your Charisma modifier (+5 with 20 Charisma) to all saving throws for you and nearby allies is a massive defensive boon. With Hexblade 5, you get Thirsting Blade, so you need not worry about the Paladin’s Extra Attack at level 5. The final level can go wherever you like: Paladin 7 for an Oath feature (like Oathbreaker’s Aura of Hate), Hexblade 6 for Accursed Specter, or a Sorcerer dip.
Paladin 7 / Hexblade 5
For Oathbreaker Paladins, Aura of Hate at level 7 adds your Charisma modifier (again) to your weapon damage rolls. Since Hexblade already uses Charisma for attacks, this double-dips and skyrockets your damage. With a two-handed weapon and Great Weapon Master, you become a critical hit machine that can one-shot many enemies.
Regardless of split, always take Pact of the Blade at Warlock 3. This makes your weapon magical, uses Charisma, and cannot be disarmed. The Thirsting Blade invocation at Warlock 5 gives you a second attack, which is essential.
Why Your Extra Attack May Not Work
A frequent source of confusion is when a multiclassed character doesn’t get the expected number of attacks. In 5th edition rules (which BG3 follows), the Extra Attack feature from different classes does not stack. If you already have Extra Attack from Paladin 5 and then gain the Thirsting Blade invocation from Warlock 5, you still only get two attacks when you take the Attack action. They do not combine for three attacks.
The only way to achieve three attacks in BG3 without a spell like Haste is by using the Fighter’s Improved Extra Attack at level 11, which is exclusive to that class. For a Paladin/Hexblade, you will cap at two attacks per action. This is still excellent when combined with Divine Smite, Great Weapon Master, or Hexblade’s Curse.
If you find yourself unable to attack twice despite meeting the requirements, double-check that you have the Thirsting Blade invocation active (it must be selected at a Warlock level where invocations are available) and that you are using the Attack action with your Pact Weapon. Sometimes, weapon swapping or using a non-pact weapon can break the interaction, so always bind your weapon after every long rest.
Best Companions for a Hexblade Warlock
Your party composition should complement the Hexblade’s frontline role and capitalize on Cha-based synergy. Here are the best companions to bring along:
Shadowheart (Cleric): Bless and later Spirit Guardians are massive force multipliers. Bless directly buffs your attack rolls, which is crucial when using Great Weapon Master. Her healing keeps you swinging, and she can wear heavy armor to stand beside you.
Gale (Wizard): Haste is the ultimate enabler, granting an extra action for another attack and more mobility. He can also control the battlefield with Web or Hypnotic Pattern, letting you pick off isolated targets. Countering enemy spells also protects your concentration.
Astarion (Rogue): Monstrous Sneak Attack damage and reliable lockpicking/trap disarmament. Give him the Bhaalist Armor (more on that later) and watch him murder everything while you tank. His high Dexterity also helps with initiative, allowing you to set up combos.
Lae’zel (Fighter): If you need a dedicated tank or another heavy hitter, Lae’zel excels. She can trip, disarm, and dish out sustained damage, freeing you up to focus on priority targets.
Wyll (Warlock): He makes a great thematic partner and can provide ranged Eldritch Blasts, Darkness/Devil’s Sight combos, and face skills if you don’t have them. With the Hexblade mod, you can respec him as a Hexblade, too.
Generally, avoid bringing too many frontline characters, as the Hexblade is already durable. One dedicated support and two ranged damage dealers or controllers work best.
Installing the Hexblade Subclass Mod
The Hexblade Warlock is not a default option, so you’ll need to use mods. The most popular and stable mod is Hexblade Warlock Subclass by Kiderion (available on Nexus Mods). Follow these steps to get it working:
- Download and install the Baldur’s Gate 3 Mod Manager from its GitHub page.
- Download the Hexblade mod from Nexus Mods (file named something like “Hexblade Warlock Subclass – NEW” or similar).
- Ensure you have the ImprovedUI mod and the Mod Fixer (if required) installed first, as these are prerequisites for many subclass mods.
- Extract the mod’s .pak file into your BG3 Mods folder (usually
C:Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Larian Studios\Baldur’s Gate 3\Mods). - Open the Mod Manager, refresh, and drag the Hexblade mod into the active mods list. Save and launch the game.
- When creating a new character, the Hexblade should now appear under the Warlock subclass options. If respeccing an existing character, you may need to level them from scratch using Withers.
If you still can’t see the subclass, double-check that the mod and all dependencies are up to date, especially after game patches. Also, make sure you’ve enabled the mod in the in-game mod manager (if using Patch 9 or later, the game has its own mod menu).
Gear Spotlight: Is Bhaalist Armor Worth It?
Bhaalist Armor is a unique light armor found in Act 3, infamous for its aura that makes all enemies within 7 meters vulnerable to piercing damage. On the surface, this sounds like a dream for any melee character using a piercing weapon. For a Hexblade, the decision is less clear-cut.
The armor provides only 12 AC plus your Dexterity modifier. A typical Hexblade using medium armor and a shield can easily hit 19 AC (half plate with 14 Dex and shield) or higher with magical items. Bhaalist Armor’s low base AC means you need at least 18 Dexterity to match that, which is unlikely unless you’ve sacrificed Charisma or Constitution. Hexblades are often built with 14 Dexterity to maximize medium armor, leaving you with 16 AC in Bhaalist Armor — a noticeable drop in survivability.
The vulnerability aura is enormously powerful, doubling the damage of your piercing attacks. If your weapon of choice is a rapier, or if you use a weapon with piercing damage like a pike (with Polearm Master), the payoff can be huge. However, most Hexblades lean toward bludgeoning or slashing weapons like longswords, greatswords, or glaives. If you don’t deal piercing damage, the armor does nothing offensively.
There’s also the roleplaying angle: wearing Bhaalist Armor while resisting the urge makes for amazing storytelling. But from a pure optimization standpoint, the armor is best left to a dedicated piercing damage dealer like a Rogue or Ranger. Give it to Astarion or a dual-wielding companion and enjoy the synergy without sacrificing your own AC.
If you insist on wearing it, use a Piercing weapon, cast Shield liberally, and consider the Amulet of Greater Health or items that grant flat AC bonuses to shore up your defenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best level split for a Hexblade Warlock and Paladin in BG3?
The best split depends on your priorities. For maximum burst damage with reliable smites, go Paladin 2 / Hexblade 5+ and continue in Warlock or Sorcerer. If you want the incredible Aura of Protection to shield your party, take Paladin 6 / Hexblade 5. For Oathbreaker Paladins, Paladin 7 / Hexblade 5 adds Charisma to damage twice, making it a top-tier choice.
Why can’t I use Extra Attack as a Hexblade Warlock?
You must have the Thirsting Blade invocation at Warlock level 5 and you must be attacking with your Pact Weapon. If you also have Extra Attack from Paladin 5, they do not stack—you still only get two attacks per action. This is intended behavior. Additionally, ensure your weapon is properly bound after each long rest.
Which companions work best with a Hexblade Warlock?
Shadowheart provides vital Bless and healing. Gale offers Haste and battlefield control. Astarion brings Sneak Attack damage and utility. Lae’zel can off-tank, and Wyll can add ranged warlock firepower. Aim for one support caster, one ranged damage dealer, and one controller alongside your Hexblade.
Why can’t I find the Hexblade subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3?
The Hexblade is not part of the base game. You must install a mod like the popular “Hexblade Warlock Subclass” from Nexus Mods. Follow the installation steps in this guide, ensuring you have all dependencies and the mod is active. Check the in-game mod manager and the load order if it still doesn’t appear.
Is Bhaalist Armor worth using on a Hexblade Warlock?
Only if you are specifically using a piercing weapon and can tolerate the low AC. For most builds, medium armor + shield offers far better protection, and the vulnerability aura is wasted if you aren’t dealing piercing damage. It’s better suited for a dedicated piercing damage dealer like a Rogue.
