[RPG] the optimal race choice for maximum melee damage for the pure Hexblade build

damagednd-5ehexblademelee-combatoptimization

Stat rolls 18, 14, 16, 8, 10, 12

Pure Hexblade build, no multiclass. We start at level 4, probably play to level 10 at most.

I have two choices:

One a classic Vuman with PAM, GWM + 18 CHA on level 4, attacking with advantage with +3 (+8 – 5 from GWM) with Pact Glaive +1. From level 5 I have 3 attacks with GWM and on level 8- +2 CHA for 20 CHA and I am done.

Other one is Half-Elf drow with GWM (and later Elven Accuracy) and 20 CHA on level 4, attacking with advantage with +4 (+9 – 5 from GWM). However to get Elven Accuracy I have to wait till level 8 so max I will attack till level 8 is 2 attacks with advantage. From level 8 I will have two attacks with super advantage but Vuman will have 3 attacks with 20 CHA on level 8.

Darkness on Half-Elf is nice but both will switch to using Shadow of Moil anyway.

Since game is till level 10, I think Vuman is better choice as he comes online faster and allows to have 3 attacks from level 4. Even if we see level 12- he would still come ahead as he could take Resilence (CON) and have concentration effects much longer vs half-elf who would pick PAM on level 12.

I like Half-Elf Elven Accuracy, however I think that PAM is just too good to skip on pure Hexblade.

The Goal is maximum melee power (DPR) abusing advantage from Darkness/Shadow of Moil/Greater Invisibility etc to offset GWM. I just want to get on enemies faces and kill them with my Pact Weapon Glaive/Greatsword.

Best Answer

Roll/Hit-wise, it's about a wash. Go human.

You don't really need to keep your bonus action open for anything, so burning it on a weapon butt attack through PAM isn't really a cost.

You're either rolling 2x on 3 attacks or 3x on 2 attacks. The hit rate for Elven Accuracy (EA) means, statistically, you're going to be hitting roughly 25% to 50% more often against a given AC (per any dice) so the net hits will probably end up about the same.

Half Elf Drow gives you Darkness, but you can pick that up as a Warlock anyway. As a damage-focused character, what else are you going to spend your spell slots on?

Human gets 3 attacks at level 3 but Half Elf wouldn't get EA until level 8, so go Human to be more dangerous sooner.