Optimizing Hexblade for fighting in other PC’s Darkness spell

[morgante]

While optimizing Hexblade for fighting in other PC’s Darkness spell, what multi-class should my level 5 PC take for maximum damage per standard adventuring day?

Hexblade 2/x

We’re starting at 5th level, and another player will be playing a 5th level Shadow Sorcerer. They’ve agreed to Concentrate on keeping the Darkness spell up so that our 2 PCs can both make use of Advantage on ranged/melee and Disadvantage to enemies targeting us for ranged attacks. There will be other players, but they don’t want to strategize, and we'll try to place our Darkness spell judiciously.

Could go Paladin x levels (GWM) for smites & the bonus to saving throws. Concentrate on Bless?
Or go Sorcerer x levels for quickened spells. Concentrate on haste at higher levels?
Or go Rogue x levels for reliable damage and skill versatility. GFB & Concentrate on Shadow Blade?

[Blood of Gaea]

Personally, I would just go straight hexblade. I would also make absolutely sure to be a half-elf and take the elven accuracy feat as soon as possible. You can slot in GWM as well if you want to go that route.

If you really want to multiclass, I would just go for 6 levels of paladin, but you're going to be around level 11 before that really starts showing its benefits. If you do so, put a 15 into str and wear heavy armor.

Avoid using shadow blade, being in darkness already will give you advantage most of the time, and it doesn't let you attack with cha.

And alternative multiclass would be 2 level of fighter for a fighting style, heavy armor (potentially), constitution saving throws, and action surge (which recharges on a short rest like your spells).

[Exocist]

Since the printing of Eldritch Smite, Paladin 2/Warlock 18 has lost a bit of its lustre. So Paladin 6/7 would be the way to go there. However, it will kind of feel substandard in the level 5 and 6 range because you don't have a powerspike yet. It will also be primarily defensive. If you're intending to GWM, you might want to take the 3rd level of Hexblade first so you can can use CHA for your great weapons, but this will delay your powerspike even further.

Alternately, you can do Warlock +0-1 and Sorcerer 17-18 if you really feel like tossing out Quickened Eldritch Blasts all day. It's generally the most damage based option.

Does your DM allow UA? If so, Stone Sorcerer (https://media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/downloads/26_UASorcererUA020617s.pdf) might be worth looking into if you want a more melee focus.

Can't really go wrong with continuing Hexblade either.

So to sum it up (you basically can't go wrong with multiclassing into any charisma class):

- Hexblade to 20
- Paladin to 6/7
- Possibly Hexblade +1, then do Sorcerer for the rest of the levels.
- Possible Hexblade +1, then possibly Bard if you want to be more supporty (think Paladin might be better for this purpose though).

[unusualsuspect]

Elven Accuracy and Fighter 3 combine quite well - fish for crits like nobody's business, because you're practically drowning in advantage.

[Talionis]

Lots of great choices.

You should consider Bard, if you want skills and spell slots. It has Charisma synergy, just like Sorcerer.

Rogue is a goo small dip for skills. The advantage you get will enable sneak attack and the mobility that Cunning Action grants can be very useful.