In the revamped Dungeons & Dragons, warlocks have received significant attention. Their unique type of magic, which is often obtained through deals, borrowing, or theft, offers rich storytelling possibilities that go beyond the classic bookish wizard or the privileged sorcerer. Not only are they enjoyable to roleplay, but they also prove to be a powerful class in both combat and social interactions.
Creating a warlock might seem daunting due to the wide range of choices available, leaving players worried about crafting a character that is both entertaining and engaging in the narrative. This guide aims to walk you through the essential decisions and explain how to weave them into a cohesive story.
Your subclass in warlock is dictated by your patron, and while you won’t receive unique features until level three, it’s essential to have a clear concept in mind from the beginning. This ensures that your character remains thematically coherent, guiding how you choose to play them.
The pact you select can dramatically influence your gameplay experience beyond the basic abilities of the warlock. Each subclass has a distinct role and brings specific strengths and weaknesses that influence how you operate in various situations.
Patron | Class Identity | Playstyle | Weakness |
---|---|---|---|
Archfey | Survivability | This patron excels in spells that help avoid damage and punish enemies targeting you. If your DM plays intelligent foes who focus their attacks on spellcasters, then the Archfey is an excellent choice. | Limited resources per day mean you depend heavily on your pool of Misty Steps to activate your features. |
Celestial | Team Player | This class strays furthest from the warlock’s core identity, focusing on healing and temporary hit points. The Celestial warlock swaps personal power for helping their allies stay in the fight. In games utilizing gritty realism rules, this subclass transitions from a damage dealer to an outstanding healer while still capable of delivering damage. | You must carefully balance the resources committed to dealing damage and healing your team. Sometimes, it makes tactical sense to empower others instead of increasing your own power. |
Fiend | Combat All-Star | The Fiend emphasizes personal survivability through temporary hit points, damage resistances, and strong saving throw options, combined with offensive spells. | Keeping track of your abilities is crucial: while choosing a daily damage resistance is powerful, it requires planning ahead and proactive use. |
Great Old One | Roleplaying and Intrigue | Much of this subclass is left to flavor unless your DM integrates your pact into the narrative. Unfortunately, campaigns utilizing these themes are more likely to feature creatures resistant to psychic damage. |
Your race choice will provide a mix of abilities that enhance your class and influence roleplay possibilities. While all options are viable mechanically, some races are particularly advantageous for warlocks:
Your chosen background influences your starting ability scores and origin feat. Here are the top contenders, but any option granting a Charisma boost is a strong choice:
If your DM permits a wider selection of ability scores beyond origins, choosing a scribe can be on theme. However, without a Charisma boost, it’s tough to justify.
Eldritch invocations allow you to shape a significant portion of your class features by selecting options that resonate with your desired playstyle. This customized approach lets you create a warlock tailored to your vision rather than a one-size-fits-all character.
To maximize your effectiveness, consider the strengths of certain choices while staying true to the character concept you envision. Here’s a look at different activation types:
Invocation Type | Examples | Uses |
---|---|---|
Basic Damage Upgrades | Pact of the Blade Agonizing Blast | These invocations provide essential bonuses, making it nearly impossible for a warlock to fulfill their role without the added damage or accuracy. |
Specializations | Lifedrinker Thirsting Blade | Some warlock playstyles necessitate certain invocations to function efficiently. Pact of the Blade warlocks must select related invocations when available. |
Party Synergies | Repelling Blast | These invocations provide new tactical options that rely on teamwork. Repelling Blast can set up extra attacks for a polearm master or help an ally avoid disengagement, while Eldritch Smite can knock enemies prone, enabling a rogue’s Sneak Attack. |
Problem Solvers | Otherworldly Leap Mask of Many Faces | These solve specific challenges typical in many campaigns. Otherworldly Leap is perfect for navigating terrain and altitude—eliminating the need for repeated Misty Steps. Mask of Many Faces is useful in campaigns focused on intrigue, provided you can impersonate effectively. |
Versatility | Lessons of the First Ones One With Shadows Gift of the Depths | These options allow you to tackle areas where your class struggles, often in non-combat situations. For instance, if your rogue misses a session, One With the Shadows enables you to scout for the party. |
Fun | Whatever you like! | Is there a practical reason to mix Lightning Lure and Repelling Blast? Not particularly, but it’s visual fun to imagine tossing foes back and forth like a magical yo-yo. |
Warlocks have ample multiclassing opportunities due to a variety of Charisma-based classes, along with the dynamic capabilities of the Blade Pact, which lets them substitute Strength or Dexterity for martial class requirements.
Even if you don’t rely on Strength or Dexterity to wield weapons or armor, you’ll still need to meet the stat requirements for any multiclasses you wish to pursue.