Verdict
The most customizable caster in the game. Eldritch Blast plus Agonizing Blast is still one of the best damage cantrips, and invocations let you build anything from a sword fighter to a familiar-handler. Pact choices are now invocations, so you can take one at level 1 or take more than one later.
Class basics
| Hit die | d8 |
|---|---|
| Primary ability | Charisma |
| Saving throws | Wisdom and Charisma |
| Armor | Light armor |
| Weapons | Simple |
| Spellcasting | Pact Magic, Charisma-based, prepared spells; slots recover on a short rest |
Features by level
| Level | Features |
|---|---|
| 1 | Eldritch Invocations, Pact Magic |
| 2 | Magical Cunning |
| 3 | Warlock subclass |
| 4 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 5 | No new class feature |
| 6 | Subclass feature |
| 7 | No new class feature |
| 8 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 9 | Contact Patron |
| 10 | Subclass feature |
| 11 | Mystic Arcanum (level 6 spell) |
| 12 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 13 | Mystic Arcanum (level 7 spell) |
| 14 | Subclass feature |
| 15 | Mystic Arcanum (level 8 spell) |
| 16 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 17 | Mystic Arcanum (level 9 spell) |
| 18 | No new class feature |
| 19 | Epic Boon |
| 20 | Eldritch Master |
Pact Magic and invocations by level
All your Pact Magic slots are the same level, and that level rises as you do. At level 5 you have two level 3 slots, so a Hex cast at that point is cast as a level 3 spell. Every slot comes back on a short rest.
| Level | Invocations | Cantrips | Prepared spells | Slots | Slot level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | 6 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 5 |
| 10 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| 12 | 8 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| 13 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| 14 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| 15 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| 16 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| 17 | 9 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 5 |
| 18 | 10 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 5 |
| 19 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 5 |
| 20 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 5 |
Slots stop at level 5. Mystic Arcanum adds one spell each of levels 6, 7, 8 and 9, gained at levels 11, 13, 15 and 17. You can cast each once per long rest without a slot.
A tip for DMs and players: the warlock is built for groups that short rest. If your table goes a whole day without one, the warlock runs dry fast. Magical Cunning at level 2 helps. A one-minute rite gets back half your slots, rounded up, once per long rest.
Invocations worth taking
You can swap one invocation each time you gain a level, so early picks aren't permanent.
| Invocation | Prerequisite | Why take it |
|---|---|---|
| Pact of the Blade | None | Conjure a weapon and attack with Charisma. The start of any melee warlock |
| Pact of the Chain | None | A familiar with special forms like an imp or pseudodragon. Great scout |
| Pact of the Tome | None | Three extra cantrips from any class and two ritual spells |
| Armor of Shadows | None | Mage Armor on yourself, free, all day |
| Eldritch Mind | None | Advantage on Concentration saves |
| Agonizing Blast | Level 2 | Add Charisma to a damage cantrip's damage. Take it on Eldritch Blast |
| Repelling Blast | Level 2 | Push a Large or smaller target up to 10 feet with an attack cantrip |
| Devil's Sight | Level 2 | See through magical darkness out to 120 feet |
| Thirsting Blade | Level 5, Pact of the Blade | Extra Attack with your pact weapon |
| Lifedrinker | Level 9, Pact of the Blade | Extra damage on pact weapon hits, and spend Hit Point Dice to heal |
At level 1 you have one invocation. Take a Pact, or Armor of Shadows if you plan to stay at range. At level 2 you have three, and Agonizing Blast should be one of them if you use Eldritch Blast.
The features that matter
Eldritch Blast
Not a class feature any more, but it's still the warlock's main attack. A d10 force beam out to 120 feet, rising to two beams at level 5, three at 11 and four at 17. Each beam gets your Charisma bonus with Agonizing Blast.
Contact Patron (level 9)
Once per long rest you can cast Contact Other Plane for free to speak with your patron, and you automatically pass its save. It's a direct line for questions, and it gives your DM an easy story hook.
Eldritch Master (level 20)
Magical Cunning now restores all your Pact Magic slots, not half.
Subclasses
You choose your patron at level 3.
| Patron | Plays like | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|
| Archfey | A fey trickster who teleports around the battlefield and beguiles enemies | You want to be slippery and hard to pin down |
| Celestial | A warlock with a healing pool and radiant and fire magic | Your party needs a backup healer |
| Fiend | Temporary hit points on kills, fire spells, luck on checks and saves | You want the strongest all-rounder |
| Great Old One | Telepathy, psychic damage and spells that mess with minds | You want a creepy controller |
Fiend is the one in the SRD. At 3, Dark One's Blessing gives temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier plus your Warlock level when you or a nearby ally drop an enemy. You also always have Burning Hands, Command, Scorching Ray and Suggestion prepared, with Fireball added at 5. At 6 you can add a d10 to an ability check or saving throw, a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier per long rest. At 10 you pick a damage type to resist after each rest.
Building one
- Ability scores: Charisma first, Constitution second, Dexterity third. A Pact of the Blade warlock attacks with Charisma, so it doesn't need Strength.
- Cantrips: Eldritch Blast and Prestidigitation at level 1. Add Minor Illusion or Mage Hand at 4.
- Spells: Hex early for damage. Misty Step and Hold Person at 3. Counterspell or Fly at 5. Because slots are scarce, prepare spells that still matter when cast at your top slot level.
- Feats: raise Charisma to 20, then War Caster if you hold Concentration a lot.
Questions
Do I have to take Eldritch Blast?
No, but most warlocks should. It's the best attack cantrip on the list once you add Agonizing Blast. A Pact of the Blade warlock can skip it and fight with a weapon.
Is a Warlock good for a first character?
It's fine if someone at the table can help with the build. Few slots means fewer choices each fight, which is simple. Invocations and short rests are the parts new players forget.
Corin Ashdown is the pen name of the editor who writes and checks every guide on Vorbelutrioperbir. How we write and check guides.