Gunslinger/hexblade multiclass

[Seckman93]

Hey ya'll.

In the process of creating a gunslinger hexblade multiclass and was wantingto see if you guys could help me optimize it

We can roll/use standard array and mainly any race outside of arakokra.

Any suggestions? First time multiclassing and didn't see much of this build online

[RogueJK]

First time multiclassing and didn't see much of this build online

Partly because the unofficial Gunslinger subclass isn't that popular (it's pretty clunky) and partly because multiclassing a Gunslinger with a Hexblade is going to be tough to optimize due to it needing so many different ability scores...

You'd need DEX for ranged attacks and Trick Shots
You'd need WIS for Grit
You'd need CON for Concentration
You'd need CHA for Warlock spellcasting, and potentially Hex Warrior with pistols


Honestly, the best way to do it would be either as a Hexblade 1 or 2/Gunslinger X focusing on DEX/WIS with just a minimal 13 CHA and sticking to the Shield spell and utility cantrips, or as a straight Blade Pact Hexblade with a high CHA and the Gunner and Sharpshooter feats but no actual Gunslinger levels.

Of the two, the latter is the more optimal choice. And even without Gunslinger levels, you can refluff the Branding Smite/Banishing Smite spells and the Eldritch Smite invocation as "trick shots", and some of your flashier/blastier spells as "special ammunition". You'll start out using a 1H pistol with Hex Warrior, but ask your DM if he'd allow the Improved Pact Weapon invocation to apply to a musket like it does with bows and crossbows.

(This route also has the added benefit of allowing you to skip the janky Gunslinger reload/misfire/repair mechanics, and just stick to the basic pistol/musket rules in the DMG, supplemented by the Gunner feat's removal of the Loading property.)

Something like this:
Custom Lineage Hexblade Bladelock
STR 8 or 10
DEX 13
CON 14
INT 10 or 8
WIS 12
CHA 15+2
ASIs: Gunner (+1 DEX) at 1, Fey Touched (+1 CHA, Bless) at 4, Sharpshooter at 8, +2 CHA at 12
Invocations: Devil's Sight, Improved Pact Weapon at 3, Thirsting Blade at 5, Eldritch Smite at 7, Eldritch Mind at 9, and Lifedrinker at 12.

Utilize Darkness+Devil's Sight or Bless to counteract Sharpshooter's attack penalty. Use Branding Smite from Levels 3-6 when you want to tack on additional damage and you aren't already Concentrating on something else. Later, use Eldritch Smite regardless of other Concentration.