Maybe the idea was that, with the bonuses being given, the altering to a swift action would prevent a hexblade from doing too much per turn, and thus seeming overpowering (by less studied DM's) to allow for the fix to go through more smoothly? Just to not advertise that the class had been given a crack-shot as opposed to an energy boost. Or he simply could have thought that it helped the class; it WAs off the top of his head, and everyone has brain farts. I'd just ask that it be kept as a free action, with the other boosts, though it isn't terrible if changed to a swift action; really, it's not too bad of a change, just not a particularly good one.
Also, my DM liked the Aftercrescent fix best (for flavor and mechanic reasons he says; I think it's just because he's a warlock fan. Would allow the Ejo fix, but would prefer the AC, which might be beneficial, playing to his interests), and would be fine with me playing one in the campaign. So, I threw this together while reading the class and reading the hexblade handbook; I'm the only set-class player right now, but I might wind up being the main melee, so I put imp toughness i just in case. Any thoughts on the build?
[spoiler]
Human - AfterCresent's Hexblade 20 - Buy-off the Firesouled Template
(1) Dreadful Wrath
(h) Improved Toughness
(3) Power Attack
(H) Arcane Master [Level 5]
(6) Combat Expertise
(9) Improved Trip
(H) Vatic Gaze [Level 10]
(12) Flay Foe
(H) Ability Focus (Hexblade Curse) [Level 15]
(15) Combat Reflexes
(18) Robilar's Gambit
(H) Extra Invocation [Level 20]
Invocations:
Least: Beguiling Influence, Baleful Utterance, See the Unseen
Lesser: Flee the Scene, Bestow Curse, Voracious Dispelling
Greater: Nightmare's Made Real, Painful Slumber of Ages, Enervating Shadow, Doom Blade
I've been asked to not go full-out min/maxing, just to not overshadow the other players, which I think is reasonable what with him letting me play an altered class which he's usually reluctant to. Thus, no cheese. Also, for skills, intimidate is obvious, but diplo and bluff might be since I'll have a high charisma score, and might thus be the party leader (melee and cha kinda netted me that role, I think...), so keep that in mind. For equipment, I've been thinking that (see my avi for the basic theme of the guy) Gauntlets of Heartfelt Blows (adds charisma as fire damage to attacks) and a Crimson Coat of Ipharaz for items. Fire goodness, and anything that helps add charisma to any/everything (Slippers of Battledancing(?), maybe, but how often might I move???) would be a good addition, so suggest anything; he's really flexible this game, so woot![/spoiler]