Summary
- Baldur's Gate 3 offers a variety of character options inspired by D&D, including a unique interpretation of the Hexblade subclass.
- Ch'r'ai Tska'an, an NPC in the game, defies typical class selection by displaying features not available to players or other NPCs.
- Larian Studios addressed the absence of the Hexblade subclass by introducing a Pact Weapon system as a versatile alternative.
With a wide selection of main and subclasses alike, the variety available when building a character in Baldur's Gate 3 showcases an impressive but streamlined version of its Dungeons and Dragons inspiration. Released during a time in which Wizards of the Coast was transitioning from the 5e rules into the OneDnD format, Baldur's Gate 3's interpretations of certain aspects of the Forgotten Realms had to be curated by Larian Studios in ways that separate the video game from the tabletop. The lack of one particular subclass has been a point of criticism among some players, but it actually seems to be partially represented in one of the game's enemy encounters.
Most heavily associated with a melee-oriented take on the Warlock class, the Hexblade is a subclass with an entity from the Shadowfell as its patron. Using Baldur's Gate 3's Shadow Blade Ring might be the closest that anyone in the game can come to conjuring the magic weapons of shadow that the Hexblade is typically known for, but a hostile NPC found in Act 2 breaks the boundaries of a typical Warlock in other ways that evoke the same playstyle.
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How Ch'r'ai Tska'an Defies Baldur's Gate 3's Typical Class Selection
A Warlock of the Undead Patron
Those who have fought through the Githyanki ambush near the Road to Baldur's Gate waypoint may have noticed that the leader of the attacking group of, Ch'r'ai Tska'an, is capable of features completely unavailable to the player or even other NPCs. With Vlaakith as her patron, she is able to use Form of Dread, a class action that only the Undead are capable of in DnD. She has Eldritch Invocations and some of the class's typical spells as well, but her apparent proficiencies go beyond what this subclass usually offers.
Tska'an's Build Resembes More of a Hexblade Than the Undead Warlock
It appears that Tska'an wears the Psionic Ward Armour which she drops, but this is Medium Armour that can normally only innately be equipped by a Hexblade Warlock (She is proficient due to being Githyanki). She acts as a melee attacker in a similar way as well, even if her greatsword would not typically be covered by the Hex Warrior feature. Ironically, the Githyanki people do not seem to believe that Vlaakith is the sinister lich when she actually is, meaning that one could see this Warlock as potentially not even being aware of their subclass.
The Hexblade's Popularity Has Carried Over From Dungeons and Dragons into Baldur's Gate 3
Larian's Own Spiritual Successor to the Hexblade and the Power of Mods
There's been no small amount of discussion regarding the lack of a Hexblade subclass within BG3's community, but this concern was technically addressed from the beginning. In accordance with the OneDnD changes, Larian made it so that Pact of the Blade in Baldur's Gate 3 essentially functions as a more versatile replacement for the Hexblade. Having a Pact Weapon enables a Warlock to apply their Charisma modifier to whatever weapon they want, even beyond the limits of Hex Warrior. This could explain why an NPC like Ch'r'ai Tska'an seems to ride the line between subclasses, and it also hasn't stopped fans from making their own iteration.
Since shortly after the time of its release, there's been a popular mod which adds the Hexblade into Baldur's Gate 3. Realizing the full suite of features from Eldritch Smite to Curse Bringer, this allows for the complete class fantasy of the Hexblade in a way that the developer only referenced by comparison. While it might not be completely represented to the same extent as other hidden subclasses, it's hard to deny that Larian included an NPC which bears a close resemblance to a Hexblade while still adhering to BG3's systems.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Abducted, infected, lost. You are turning into a monster, but as the corruption inside you grows, so does your power. Forge a tale of fellowship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival, and the lure of absolute power. Caught in a conflict between devils, deities, and sinister otherworldly forces, you and your party will determine the fate of the Forgotten Realms.
THE ULTIMATE D&D EXPERIENCE
Choose from a wide selection of D&D races and classes, or play as an origin character with a hand-crafted background. Adventure, loot, battle, and romance as you journey through the Forgotten Realms and beyond. Play alone or as a party of up to four in multiplayer – and select your companions carefully.
A CINEMATIC STORYTELLING EPIC
Forged with the new Divinity 4.0 engine, Baldur’s Gate 3 gives you unprecedented freedom to explore, experiment, and interact with a world that reacts to your choices. A grand, cinematic narrative brings you closer to your characters than ever before, as you venture through our biggest world yet. Romance, deceive, aid, obstruct, and grow alongside your friends thanks to Larian's next-generation RPG engine.
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- Metascore
- 96
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
