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Best Warlock Builds In Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Published

3 weeks ago

December 6, 2024

Some of the spellcasting classes of Dungeons & Dragons have to plan in advance and make a few extra choices, even on a turn-by-turn basis in combat. Of all the D&D spellcasting classes, Warlocks are probably the easiest to master because of their streamlined ways of memorizing spells and using them in battle.

Dungeons & Dragons: 7 Tips For Building A Warlock

Casters bound by a pact, Warlocks are a staple class of Dungeons & Dragons. Here are a few tips to help build the ideal Warlock.

Some players consider the Warlock’s limited number of spell slots a liability, but the advantage is that a Warlock doesn’t have to deal with multiple spell slot levels or change spells daily. This class learns some of D&D‘s strongest cantrips, and Wizards, Sorcerers, and Bards are always looking for a way to dip into Warlock spells. Other weaknesses the class might normally have when it comes to AC or melee skills can be balanced out through a few specific choices during character creation.

Updated December 6, 2024 by Kristy Ambrose: The Warlock has gone from being fairly obscure to becoming one of the most beloved classes in the D&D universe, and the character of Wyll in Baldur’s Gate 3 showed how far the RP possibilities can go.

Extra supplemental materials have improved the choices and possibilities for playing a Warlock even more when it comes to game mechanics, party roles, and role-playing options, all of which are improved to an even greater extent with recent and extensive changes to the popular gaming IP.

Best Warlock Races

Few Are Just Meant To Be Warlocks

Dungeons & Dragons Dark Alliance playable characters

Anybody could make a deal with an unknowable entity in exchange for power, but there are advantages to a few D&D races for 5e Warlock builds that the others don’t have.

Species	Sourcebook Advertisement	Description
Winged Tiefling	Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide	Bonuses to both Intelligence and Charisma. Other perks include increased fire resistance and flight.
Changeling Advertisement	Eberron: Rising from the Last War	Changelings get a +2 bonus to Charisma and a +1 to any ability score of the player’s choice.
Aasimar	Volo’s Guide to Monsters	A +2 to their Charisma, resistance to necrotic and radiant damage, and innate healing abilities. Advertisement
Half-Elves	2nd Edition D&D Handbook	A +2 Charisma bonus and another +1 bonus to two other stats.
Satyr	Mythic Odysseys of Theros Advertisement	A race with a +2 to Charisma and +1 to Dexterity is an ideal start for a Warlock of any build.
Dragonborn	Player’s Handbook 5th Edition	Strength increases by +2, and Charisma gets a bonus of +1.
Aarakocra Advertisement	Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse	Increase one Ability score by two and another by one. Or, choose three to increase by one point each.
Variant Humans	Eberron: Rising from the Last War	Choose a +1 bonus for any two different ability scores. Advertisement
Yuan-ti Pureblood	Monsters of the Multiverse	Charisma bonus of +2 and an evil alignment.
Asmodeus Tiefling	Player’s Handbook %th Edition Advertisement	Intelligence and Charisma, the Thaumaturgy cantrip, Hellish Rebuke at level 2, and Darkness at level 5.
Fairy	The Wild Beyond the Witchlight	Ideal for a DPS-focused Warlock build with the power of flight and can cast Faerie Fire and Druidcraft.
Autognome Advertisement	Spelljammer: Adventures in Space	The extra armor is ideal for a build similar to the Hexblade, a Warlock that gets a few hits in melee combat.

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Rangers aren’t always as highly-regarded as other Dungeons & Dragons classes, but the truth is they’re a formidable pick with the proper builds.

Best Warlock Ability Scores

All About Charisma, The Casting Modifier

Dungeons And Dragons Mordenkainen's Tome Of Foes Cover Art

Every class is defined by its ability scores, and in the case of a Warlock, certain ones are essential when building the ideal character. The following are listed in order of importance for starting any basic Warlock build, and the first three are the most important regardless of what party role the Warlock takes.

Charisma: Like Bards and Sorcerers, Warlocks are Charisma-based arcane spellcasters, which makes Charisma the Warlock’s primary and highest stat.
Dexterity: Dexterity is especially critical for a melee Warlock, but it should be highly valued for any build in this class.
Constitution: Determines the Warlock’s hit point numbers and, therefore, goes a long way towards building the character’s power.
Intelligence: Nice for knowledge skills including Arcana, but, otherwise, doesn’t particularly empower the Warlock.
Wisdom: Decent for saving throws, which are very common, but little else, unless you plan to multi-class into a Cleric.
Strength: The least important of all, this is the Warlock “dump stat,” and even Hexblades don’t get much use from it.

The great old one, the undying and the archfey patrons.

Dungeons And Dragons: All Warlock Patrons, Ranked

There exists an entire pantheon of patrons players can choose for their warlock, but which of these is a god amongst lesser deities?

Best Warlock Patrons

Warlocks Serve An Otherworldly Patron

Dungeons and Dragons cover artwork Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

Warlock subclasses are characterized by pacts and the beings that power them, so each subclass reflects the characteristics and will of a different otherworldly being.

There are several otherworldly patrons to choose from, with some choices being more popular than others. The following list doesn’t include all of the options possible in the lore or any homebrew possibilities, but if players have a unique idea, they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to their Dungeon Master.

Patron Name	Source	Primary Spells and Abilities	Special Features Advertisement
The Fiend	D&D Player’s Handbook	Plenty of fire-based magic, starting with Burning Hands at Level 1.	Abilities like Dark One’s Blessing and Fiendish Resilience give a Warlock extra hit points and improved resistance against certain kinds of damage.
The Undying Advertisement	Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide	2nd Level spells with both martial and spellcasting advantages.	Defy Death and the Among the Dead cantrip.
The Fathomless	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Advertisement	Tentacle of the Deeps, Oceanic Soul	This Warlock is overpowered in any campaign that involves water, but it takes some creative gameplay to make them equally effective on land.
The Archfey	D&D Player’s Handbook	Any spells from the schools of Illusion, Deception, and Enchantment. Advertisement	Misty Escape and Dark Delirium, along with an expanded spell list for various levels.
The Celestial	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	Healing Light and Celestial Resilience.	A good deity instead of an evil one is one’s Patron, making this class something like a Cleric. Advertisement
The Undead	Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft	Form of Dread and False Life	The access to False Life is what makes this Warlock subclass more durable than others and is ideal for a melee build.
The Hexblade Advertisement	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	1st and 2nd level spells that grant extra armor proficiencies.	A spellcaster that also does impressive melee weapon damage with improved AC and abilities like Hexblade’s Curse.
The Genie	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything Advertisement	Depends on the type of Genie (Dao, Djinni, Efreeti, or Marid).	Genie’s Vessel, which contains one’s patron.
The Great Old One	D&D Player’s Handbook	Low-level spells are a nice mix of damage, debuff, and crowd control. Advertisement	Abilities such as Awakened Mind, which is like Tongues combined with Telepathic Link.
Mage Of Lorehold	Unearthed Arcana: Mages of Strixhaven	Sacred Flame, a cantrip, and Comprehend Languages, a Level 1 spell.	Lorehold Spells and an Ancient Companion. Advertisement
Mage Of Witherbloom	Unearthed Arcana: Mages of Strixhaven	The Spare the Dying cantrip along with the 1st level spells Cure Wounds and Inflict Wounds.	Essence Trap and Witherbloom Spells.
Mage Of Silverquill Advertisement	Unearthed Arcana: Mages of Strixhaven	Sacred Flame or Vicious Mockery, one of two handy cantrips, and the choice of two skills from either Deception, Intimidation, Performance, Persuasion, or Insight.	Silvery Barbs, Eloquent Apprentice.

baldurs-gate-3-best-bg3-warlock-class-build-guide

Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Warlock Class Build

The Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock build relies on the Great Old One for powers that turn the tide of a fight while empowering Eldritch Blast.

Best Warlock Backgrounds

A Warlock Needs A Good Backstory

Prosper, Tomb-Bound by Yongjae Choi in Dungeons and Dragons

A d6 and a d8 are used to determine the nuances of each Background. In the case of a Criminal, for example, a character’s specialty could include Pickpocket, Hired Killer, or Fence. Other details include personality traits, hopes and dreams, and flaws.

Background Advertisement	Description
Criminal	Charisma and Dexterity-based. Includes a set of Thieves Tools and a gaming set.
Haunted One	Popularized by the Origin character in Baldur’s Gate 3, this character suffered a Harrowing Event and has the Heart of Darkness ability. Advertisement
Noble	Includes a gaming set. Charisma and Intelligence-based.
Charlatan	Deception and Sleight of Hand, which are handy for picking locks as well as pockets.
Folk Hero Advertisement	This character is known throughout the land for their heroic deeds. Wyll from BG3 has this Background, and he’s a perfect example.
Acolyte	Adds two languages, based on Wisdom and Intelligence.
Sage	Adds two languages, Intelligence-based. Advertisement
Black Fist Double Agent	An optional choice exclusive to Curse of Strahd, this Warlock is a double agent for the Tears of Virulence.
Smuggler	Proficient in Athletics and Deception and has access to a secretive network of smugglers or mercenaries.
Knight Advertisement	Adds one extra language and a gaming set, based on Intelligence and Charisma.

Dungeons & Dragons: 23 Most Useful Warlock Spells

Warlocks are among the most interesting and powerful spellcaster classes in Dungeons & Dragons. Here are the best of the spells at their disposal.

Best Warlock Skills

Key Abilities That Work Best In A Warlock’s Hands

Githzerai from the D&D 4E monster manual by Michael Komarck

Every class has a few key skills that suit them best, and it’s important to know some of the best for the best Warlock build. Since any D&D character with a naturally high Charisma score is likely to be the party’s face in social interactions, Warlocks would do well to take on Charisma-based skills.

Skill	Description Advertisement
Deception	Determining whether one can convincingly hide the truth blends nicely with a high Charisma score.
Intimidation	Attempt to influence someone through overt threats, hostile actions, and physical violence. Also depends on Charisma.
Arcana Advertisement	An ability to recall lore about spells, magic items, magical traditions, and more. Related to Intelligence.
Religion	Measures one’s ability to recall lore about deities, rites and prayers, and bits of other spiritual knowledge.
Investigation	Search for clues and make deductions based on those clues. Based on both Wisdom and Intelligence. Advertisement

Baldur’s Gate 3: 10 Best Feats for Warlocks, Ranked

Baldur’s Gate 3 players have a range of useful feats to choose from. For those using a Warlock, however, these are the best ones available.

Best Warlock Feats

More Abilities To Help Round Out A Warlock Build

Dungeons And Dragons Fizban's Treasury Of Dragons - Bathing in Dragon's Blood by Katerina Ladon

A Feat is an extra ability that one’s character is granted depending on the class, the DM, or the module being played. Some are ideal for the best Warlock build specifically and spellcasters in general.

Feat	Description
War Caster	A must for Hexblades especially, as it gives Advantage to any concentration-based constitution saves.
Spell Sniper Advertisement	Makes spells like Eldritch Blast, which is already an amazing cantrip, even more reliable.
Crossbow Expert	The character doesn’t need time to load and doesn’t get penalties at point-blank range. It’s a nice option if the Warlock is out of spell slots.
Piercer	Warlocks often use finesse or ranged weapons, so a bonus to Dexterity or Strength is useful. This Feat also adds another dice for piercing damage or critical hits. Advertisement
Cartomancer	A 4th-level spellcasting feature in The Book of Many Things, the character learns the Prestidigitation cantrip and two handy abilities – Card Tricks and Hidden Ace.
Telekinetic	Adds a +1 bonus to either Charisma, Intelligence, or Wisdom. It also includes the Mage Hand spell.
Inspiring Leader Advertisement	Backs up the Warlock’s natural high-level Charisma skills.
Elemental Adept	Adds even more ‘fire’ to the Warlock’s power, but they don’t have to choose the fiery option.
Chef	A Warlock should take the +1 for Constitution, and other perks include the ability to cook special foods every Short and Long Rest. Advertisement
Alert	Gives the Warlock a +5 to Initiative and prevents them from being surprised.

D&D’s 2024 Update Looks More Like Baldur’s Gate 3 By the Day

Some of the changes Baldur’s Gate 3 makes to the rules of Dungeons and Dragons 5e have resurfaced in the TTRPG’s 2024 revision.

Best Warlock Gear

Improve AC And Charisma

Dungeons and Dragons Warlock official WotC art

Use armor, weapons, and accessories to buff up the Warlock’s most important stats and skills.

The Warlock’s spell modifier is their Charisma, so this should be one of the player’s top priorities when it comes to choosing gear, but since every build is different this isn’t always the case. Other important stats can include Constitution or Wisdom, and for spellcasters, low AC is always an issue.

Voyager Staff. Give the Warlock a few more spell slots with the Voyager Staff, which grants them various charges of various spells that include Misty Step, Teleport, and Banishment.
Ring of Shooting Stars. The ring gives the Warlock six extra spell charges per day for the spells Dancing Lights, Faerie Fire, and Ball Lightning.
Cloak of Protection. Add a +1 to the Warlock’s armor class and saving throws.
Illusionist’s Bracers. Not only can the Warlock cast several illusions at once using these bracers, but when they cast a cantrip, they can use a Bonus Action to cast the cantrip again.
Wand of Fireballs. The wand has seven charges of 3rd-level Fireball, and they recharge at dawn.
Elven Chain. It’s chain mail that gives +1 to AC, which is normally medium armor, but any character that equips this armor is proficient in it so it’s great for casters.