Blood Hunter vs Hexblade Warlock

[Master O'Laughs]

Out of curiosity, what are peoples opinion on the two classes, what are their Strengths vs Weaknesses?

I saw in one thread where someone mentioned due to the Hexblade now being a thing, Blood Hunters were obsolete. I can see the caster archetype being pointless but what about the Order of the Mutant variant?

Just in case you are unfamiliar, the Blood Hunter is a custom class created by Matthew Mercer. It has a lot of flavor and I have recently started thinking about making one next chance I get, but the Hexblade was interesting as well.

[rbstr]

Are they even actually similar?

The Bloodhunter is a straight up martial class (with 1/3 caster archetype) while the Hexblade is a full caster and doesn't even need to use a weapon to work well.

[DivisibleByZero]

Are they even actually similar?

The Bloodhunter is a straight up martial class (with 1/3 caster archetype) while the Hexblade is a full caster and doesn't even need to use a weapon to work well.

Nitpick of a common misconception:
The Bloodhunter is not a 1/3 caster. It's *much* more powerful than other 1/3 casters.
It has the spell progression of a 1/3 caster, but using the Pact Magic way of handling things with short rest replenishment, if you actually do the math on its equivalent Spell Points, it almost has the spellcasting power of an Half Caster (and can actually exceed 1/2 casters under the right circumstances).

Consider, using Spell Points
1st level spells: 2pts
2nd level spells: 3pts
3rd level spells: 5pts
4th level spells: 6pts
5th level spells: 7pts

20th level Paladin: 1st: 4 (8pts), 2nd: 3 (9pts), 3rd: 3 (15pts), 4th: 3 (18pts), 5th: 2 (14pts) = 64pts
20th level EK: 1st: 4 (8pts), 2nd: 3 (9pts), 3rd: 3 (15pts), 4th: 1 (7pts) = 39pts
20th level Bloodhunter: 3rd: 3 (15pts), with 2 short rests (*3)= 45pts, with 3 short rests (*4)= 60pts, averaged to 52.5pts
With Soul Syphon granting renewed slots, it gets even worse, adding 5pts for each use. If you use it a couple/few times, a Bloodhunter has *MORE* casting power than a 1/2 caster.
It is *definitely* not a 1/3 caster in terms of power.

[Master O'Laughs]

Hexblade, Pact of Blade @ 20 possible bonuses
* 2/SR Curse target, this applies +6 damage, 19-20 Crit range, if it dies you gain 25 HP
* Invocations: Eldritch Smite, Thirsting Blade, Life Drinker

Damage: 1d10 (long sword)+5 (CHA to attack and damage, hexblade feature) +5 (Life drinker invocation) +6 (from curse) +1d6 (Hex) +6d8 (eldritch smite, knock Huge or smaller prone) x2 (3 of 4 spell slots used) AVG Damage = 104

The Hexblade also when hit by an attack from their cursed target, they can roll a d6 and on a 4 or higher they are missed instead of hit.

Blood Hunter, Order of Mutant @ 20 possible bonuses
* +5 STR, but -5 DEX
* 19-20 Crit range, but all healing is halved
* While conscious in combat, regenerate 10 hp/round, but speed is reduced by 10ft
* FS: Great Weapon Fighting
* Blood Rite: extra 1d10 damage
* Blood Maledict: Double Blood Rite damage against target
* Great Weapon Master Feat taken

Damage: 1d12 (Great Axe) +7 (STR) +10 (GWM) +2d10 (Blood Rite and Blood Maledict) x2 Avg Damage = 69

Other notes, when at 25% or less HP the d10 from Blood rite is max damage. This would increase AVG Dam by 9 per attack. If there is a critical hit or a creature is killed, GWM would give a bonus action attack for another 34.5 damage or 43.5 if 25% or less HP.

The blood Hunter has more sustained damage while the Hexblade has a big boost from the Eldritch Smite. The blood Hunter can also take a 4th ability (mutagen) and one would give him an extra attack as a bonus action but it carries the steep price of giving him disadvantage on all saving throws.

Based on the above, which seems the better choice? Hexblade seems like it might have better spikes on a crit, but the Hexblade might have more consistent damage. The Hexblade seems also a little more tanky against its cursed target (most likely the boss of an encounter) with the d6 roll to miss feature.