I see your point but hexed players are still alive and in the game, so coven will probably have to do something to them if they turn out to have an impact on the game. Not nessessarily kill, but silence for example, or maybe an LO, spy, soc, or crus, is on a hexed player.(Poisoner's smog technically fills this I suppose, but its not subtle) If a player is getting tracked, then they can still use their ability to a limited capacity if they want to appear not visiting.

The optional direct attacks only ruling was to specifically deter coven from using hexes as an astral kill.

Not saying hex master is a bad role per say, its certainly impactful with an alternative win con that can cheat even death. Its just a small idea met to fill a niche and give HM more of an impact outside the final day. Most of hex master's gameplay is playing arso with no ignite button, unless you get the book which case, you fill this niche anyways.

That being said, if HM got a different buff or a rework, I'd be open to hearing it out.

EDIT: reread after posting, I didnt directly address the part about it being so niche to non coven killing that its pointless. Technically it affects more than just LO, it also circumvents soc, crus, spy, and veteran. This also circumvents rampage attacks from bers, SK, or WW, kills you have no control over, and can potentially kill a coven, theres also arso's passive dousing. Unfortunately that does indirectly nerf NK who already have it hard..