Hex - What's the most beneficial ability to disadvantage in combat?

[Noctoculus]

Seems like it's only useful outside of combat since eldritch blast uses a ranged attack save. For other party members, would this just help spellcasters land spells that have an ability save?

[Pigeon0verlord]

Attack/saving throws are distinct from ability checks: a saving throw to wisdom is not a wisdom ability check! that said, certain spells use ability checks for secondary effects (like some poison spells requiring an aditional constitution check, knockbacks requiring athletics checks, ...) So even though the saving throw isn't affected by hex, added effects will have a higher chance of ocurring

[DAVOS CENSORSHIP 2030 FTW!!!]

Dex is king for 90% of chars because Larian made it the new wits.

[Hobocop]

I'd hex Strength or Dexterity, whichever is higher, since those affect the resistance to shoves.

[Enigmatory]

Well... when you push someone it's ability check constest. When enemy trying to detect hidden character it's ability check contest. And escape from restrains ability check contest too.

[Noctoculus]

Messaggio originale di Enigmatory:

Well... when you push someone it's ability check constest. When enemy trying to detect hidden character it's ability check contest. And escape from restrains ability check contest too.

Okay, but those sound like saves as well. If I'm understanding what Pigeon has been saying, those aren't ability checks.

[SpaceKiwi]

Hexing DEX is useful when combined with spells like Ray of Frost or Grease, it makes it easier for enemies to slip over.

[Enigmatory]

Messaggio originale di Noctoculus:

Messaggio originale di Enigmatory:

Well... when you push someone it's ability check constest. When enemy trying to detect hidden character it's ability check contest. And escape from restrains ability check contest too.

Okay, but those sound like saves as well. If I'm understanding what Pigeon has been saying, those aren't ability checks.

Wrong. Many spells and effects require ability checks not saving throw(so even if you have prof with ST it's ignored). ST mostly to block/mitigate initial effect or remove charm/paralysis/decease.

So if you lost ST aganist spiked weed and got restrained you need make ability check to get free.

[Ironside]

Wait. Did people think a hex was a buff? When has a hex ever been thought of as something good?

[Noctoculus]

Messaggio originale di Ironside:

Wait. Did people think a hex was a buff? When has a hex ever been thought of as something good?

No...? A debuff on an enemy that benefits the party.

[DAVOS CENSORSHIP 2030 FTW!!!]

Hex Dex for a varied party. Tbh the only thing you should care about is the extra necrotic dmg it adds over eldritch blast.

[Graphiknight]

Messaggio originale di Kaine:

Dex is king for 90% of chars because Larian made it the new wits.

Larian didn`t made it. DEX is king in 5e period

- increases attack and damage rolls for finesse and ranged weapon attacks
- increases dexterity saves (a strong save required a lot)
- increases AC
- Many useful skills are dex ability checks
- increases you initiative (that is also an ability check)

This problem cames from the D&D 5E ruleset


About usavility of Hex in combat. Hex was designed to be the main damage output of warlocks paired with eldrich blast. They added the ability check penalt to include the fantasy of warlocks to curse people so bad things happen when they try to do something.

In combat, use strengh/dexterity hex, so you have a better chance to push someone, since this is an ability check versus another (the target can resist your atempt using an atlethics or acrobacy ability check - the higher one)

[SiFi]

Ok, now we are getting into the "DnD is complicated" area. Some spells/abilities cant be resisted, and instead are ability checks. If the caster makes the check it takes effect, regardless of the target.

THAT is where you will see Hex really shine. HOWEVER, so far BG3 has only a few of those that I know of, so far. I have to assume that more of those will be in the game at a later date.

[Trotzki's Strongest Soldier]

Hex has NOTHING to do with attacks and saves!! Only ability/skill checks. Affecting their strength will not have them have disadvantage on their strength-based attack rolls, that would be ludicrously overpowered. As of now, which one you choose doesn't really matter. Usually, you wanna target Strength to help your frontliner with grappling or Wisdom to help your rogue with stealth. Neither of those are very relevant in BG3 atm.

Basically, in D&D 5e, you roll a d20 for three different things: attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks (which are skill checks most of the time). These are all completely independent from each other, even if they may use the same ability modifier. To reiterate, Hex only affects ability checks.

[SiFi]

I dont typically like doing this, but since theres a bunch of confusion on Hex (including me from 1 hour ago), the Youtube guys, Dungeon Dudes, have a good video on Warlocks that explains Hex and how it works, quite well.

[Noctoculus]

Messaggio originale di SiFi:

I dont typically like doing this, but since theres a bunch of confusion on Hex (including me from 1 hour ago), the Youtube guys, Dungeon Dudes, have a good video on Warlocks that explains Hex and how it works, quite well.

Fine I'll give it a look... I hate those guys.