Closest Thing to a Hexblade?


Advice


I've always liked the roleplay value of the Hexblade from 3.5, even if I thought the actual mechanics were pretty bad. I'd like to recreate one in Pathfinder.

What would be the closest thing to a hexblade from 3.5 style-wise? Here are the requirements for this sort of character, in order of greatest importance to least:

1) Debuffs, especially curses / hexes (like a Witch). This character should feel like the debuff-centric fifth man of the group while still being a melee warrior.

2) Martial character. Has to be able to endure and perform well in melee combat.

3) Spellcasting, either divine or arcane. (If Divine, I'd like to have access to the Luck domain, or perhaps the Fate or Curse subdomains.)

Bonus points: the character should be themed around luck and misfortune if at all possible. Even more bonus points for a character that is fully functional in its role by level 3, and extra still if you don't need to play a specific race to make this work.


Hex crafter magus or a warpriest with blessings chosen to support the concept.


Hexcrafter Magus archetype.


Any other good options? A quick look at the Hexcrafter Magus is very tempting to say the least, but I'd love to know if there are other ways of going about this.


Shaman is probably the strongest option for hexes, since they have full divine casting, hexes as class features, and also powerful combat options. Shaman with one level of Monk is particularly strong. As far as Shaman combat goes, Battle Spirit is just ridiculously good - check Enemies' Bane.

A Cleric with Chaos\Protean can be an exceptionally nasty debuff-and-melee swordsman - Chaos\Protean is one of the most hilariously "misfortunate" domains. Touch of Chaos is an exceptionally strong "curse" that can be delivered through a Conductive weapon or through Domain Strike, and Aura of Chaos is just... a circus of WTF.

A Cleric of Hei-Feng with one level of Unchained Monk can use Guided Hand to focus their build, with attack, AC, spell DC, Domain Power DC and Stunning Fist DC all based on WIS. They can inflict Touch of Chaos, Stunning Fist and Instrument of Agony through their sword attacks for brutal melee debuffing, and can use Aura of Chaos and Aura of Doom to completely screw with enemies just by being nearby. They've got strong AC without armor, and use Flurry of Blows two-handed with a 9-ring sword.

I'm sure there are other great "Chaos Blade" Cleric options as well.


It's third party, but the Malefex by dreamscarred press has been my go to for Hexblade flavor for quite some time. It's not a magic using class, but if you want to really laser focus on being the lord of curses it's my preference over any spellcaster.


I REALLY like the cleric and Malefex options. Lots of good angles to pursue here. The Hexcrafter looks really good, too.


If looking at Cleric options, note that Separatist Cleric allows you a free Domain pick regardless of what deity you choose. Very useful for customizing abilities. For a melee Cleric there's always the option of Crusader's Flurry if you want something like a Magdh Cleric using a scythe for Flurry of Blows.

For Hexes, Martial 1/ Strength Patron Witch 4/ Evangelist also works as a combat Witch who basically has 3/4BAB, great combat buffs, and full Witch spellcasting and Hexes -2 levels.

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