Hex

Level 1 Enchantment spell available to Warlocks. It curses a target for +1d6 Necrotic on every hit and Disadvantage on a chosen Ability, and hops to a new target for free when it dies. The Warlock’s signature opener.

Spell description: Curse a creature so it takes additional damage whenever you attack it and to inflict Disadvantage on Ability Checks with an Ability of your choosing. If the target dies before the spell ends, you can use a Bonus Action to Hex a new creature.

Spell properties

• Damage: 1d6 Necrotic per attack from the caster
• Damage type: Necrotic
• Range: 18m (60ft)
• Duration: Concentration
• Conditions applied: Hexed. Disadvantage on checks with the chosen Ability.
• Cost: Bonus Action + Spell Slot
• Recharge: Per action

Spell upcasting

Casting Hex at higher levels provides no additional benefits.

How to obtain Hex

• Warlock at Class level 1
• College of Lore (Bard) at Class level 6 via Magical Secrets
• Bard at Class level 10 via Magical Secrets
• Granted by features: Magic Initiate: Warlock

When to cast Hex

Hex is the Warlock’s signature opener. It adds 1d6 Necrotic to every hit you land on the target, and an Eldritch Blast Warlock firing multiple beams stacks that 1d6 per beam, so the extra damage adds up fast over a fight.

Because it is a Bonus Action to cast and moves to a new target for free when the current one dies, you keep it running all fight for a single slot. Pick the Ability to hobble based on the enemy: Strength on a brute, Dexterity on a save-heavy target.