Hexblade (Melee Warlock Pure Build)

Warlocks can be a melee class. This might be counter intuitive when initially glancing over the class, but by picking options that compensate for their lack of physical toughness you can produce a character that is both strong on the front lines, and has a powerful arsenal of magic at your disposal.

This post will discuss a viable melee warlock build, for a unique character play style and aesthetic. There are generally two directions to go with when choosing the type of hexblade you can create: Strength-based two-handed (mountain dwarf suggested) or dexterity-based two-weapon fighting (drow suggested);but other interesting builds are possible.

The core abilities of this build are:
- Pact of the Blade - creates a weapon that you are automatically proficient with
- Defensive options (feats, spells, and invocations)

The strategy
- At the beginning of a combat encounter, or right before, buff yourself with defensive abilities.
- Use modifier independent spells to increase the value of your character's less than optimal charisma ability score.

The weakness
Unfortunately this build is a bit more difficult to optimize, since you benefit quite a bit from multiple ability scores.

The warlock has a pool of limited resources. It recovers spell slots quickly, but can leave you with little option from time to time.

Powerful additions to this build
- Hex - if you want to do a two-weapon warlock, this is especially good, otherwise a good source of extra damage
- The Fiend Patron - getting extra temporary hit points each time you kill an enemy is very nice for some extra tenacity
- Fiendish Vigor - extra tenacity
- Armor of Agathys - very good defensive spell that scales well with level
- Races
Half elf - Has a big +2 bonus to charisma and a +1 in two other ability scores
Mountain Dwarf - a +2 in strength and constitution, plus proficiency in medium armor
Stout halfling - +2 in dex and +1 in consituttion
Drow - +2 in dex and +1 in charisma and extra benefit to charisma score
- Multiclassing - its not a bad idea to dip a few levels into other classes for a little bit of extra benefit. Provided they synergize well with the warlock class.
Paladin - As seen in an earlier post (the Corrupted Paladin) there is some good synergy with the divine
Fighter - Getting a fighting style at level one and action surge at level 2 can be a good way to get a few extra actions at the beginning of combat. Especially if you are doing a dual wielding style of warlock.
Sorcerer - If you want a bit of extra flavor to your spells, sorcerer isn't a bad pick. It synergizes well if you have a decent charisma score, the draconic bloodline is quite durable, and sorcery points can be created quickly with your warlock spell slots.

Suggested level progression to 10 
(Strength Based, Mountain Dwarf/Drow or stout halfling - Favor Str/Dex>Con>Cha)
Level 1 - Fiendish Patron, Spells (Armor of Agathys, Hex), Cantrips (True Strike, Blade Ward) - if you have access to Sword Coast Adventurers Guide use cantrips from there, they are more melee based.
Level 2 - Eldritch Invocations (Fiendish Vigor, Devil's Sight(STR)/Armor of Shadows(DEX)), Spell (Expeditious Retreat)
Level 3 - Pact boon (Pact of the Blade), Spell (Darkness(STR)/Mirror Image(DEX))
Level 4 - Ability Score increase (feat - heavily armored(dwarf)/war caster (two-weapon)), Spell (Misty Step), Cantrips (Eldritch Blast)
Level 5 - Invocation (Thirsting Blade), Spell (Fly)
Level 6 - Spell (Remove Curse)
Level 7 - Invocation (One with Shadows), Spell (Dimension Door)
Level 8 - Ability Score increase (Great weapon Mastery, or Heavy Armor Master (STR)/ ), Spell (Counterspell)
Level 9 - Spell (Gaseous Form)
Level 10 - Invocation (Otherwordly leap), Spell (Tongues)

What do you think? Have any additions or alternatives you'd like to add? please comment and let us know!