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Nerdarchy > Dungeons & Dragons  > Character Builds  > Multi-Class Character Builds in Dungeons & Dragons 5e (The Warlock)

Multi-Class Character Builds in Dungeons & Dragons 5e (The Warlock)

My little secret: I skip D&D editions
Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition - A Return to Ravenloft

WarlockHello fellow Nerdarchists, Art here. I’m back with the next installment of my series Multi-Class Character Builds in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. If you missed my previous article on the Sorcerer just click HERE.

I’m going to take up some space and talk a bit about the Warlock in general. First I think the class itself is a unique design  with its’ spell-like abilities built in aka the Eldritch Invocations gained at second level. These abilities allow characters to come up with very interesting tricks and techniques. The patron selection also adds a variety of interesting mechanics as well, making the Warlock a great utility tool in  party of adventures. The third way a warlock can be diverse is their Pact selection out of the Pact of the Tomb, Chain and Blade, giving a final score in a very diverse character class. Lastly with the Warlock able to regain spell slots on only a short rest, making this class quite durable.

How do You Build a 5e Warlock?

The first build I’d like to address is the combination of Warlock with Pact of the Tomb for twelve levels and the Bard with College of Lore of eight levels making this build the ultimate spell utility character. First let me say as a DM I findhex the combination of the spells Hex and Vicious Mockery to quite powerful at level two. Adding a D6 necrotic damage and 1d4 psychic damage along with disadvantage on the next attack roll by the victim at such a low level, only having to use one spell slot and able to move the targets of the Hex makes this quite an effective combination. Let’s not forget the Bard’s spell Dissonant Whispers combined with Hex for 3d6 psychic damage and 1d6 necrotic damage at second level also and must immediately take a reaction to run away from the character which triggers attacks of opportunity. Furthermore as this character progresses they will be able to select spells from other classes such as cleric and druid allowing them to become quite diverse in the ways of casting as well as a great healer for an adventuring party. All in all this is I feel the strongest Warlock multi-class build by far.

The next build I’d like to address is the combination of Warlock with the Fiend Patron and Pact of the Blade of twelve levels and the Wizard of the school of Abjuration of eight levels. This in my opinion is a great way to build the Warlock melee caster. Gaining all the buff spells of the Abjuration as well as the spell shield and the added attacks of the Pact of the Blade making the character quite durable in a fight. The only down is having to obtain a decent armor class. Of course there are spells like Shield also an abjuration spell fueling your spell shield ability. But, as a Warlock you gain spell slots back at the end of a short rest allowing you to maintain your effectiveness in combat. Great spells like Armor of Agathys also an abjuration spell and Hellish Rebuke along combinationwith Arms of Hadar make the character quite a force in melee combat. The patron abilities to gain temporary hit points when killing an enemy also makes the character very durable in a fight.

The last multi-class combination is a bit over the top I’d say as it works best with small sized characters like the Gnome or Halfling. This is the Warlock with Pact of the Chain of twelve levels and the Ranger with the Beast Master of eight levels. Thus allowing the character to have two pets and gaining the Resistance to Magic trait as well as an attacking mount for a small character.  So being a mounted caster and having say an Imp as your flying familiar can be quite a fun character to play due to its effectiveness even in a dungeon environment. You can even make use of the Mounted Combatant feat allowing you to be pretty tough and durable in a fight. Being able to get into the back lines of a fight and hit with ranged spells can easily be a huge swing in the course of a fight. In some cases the character can even use Stealth while mounted on their beast as some beasts like the Wolf have a Stealth skill. With spells like Hex or Hunter’s Mark and Eldritch Blast the character can quite effective at damage dealing as well.

Well that’s all I have for you this time. Tune in next time “Same Bat Time! Same Bat Channel!’ when we will be taking a look at multi-class builds and exploring the wilderness with…the Ranger! (Yes I know I accidentally skipped the Ranger a while back)

So until next time… Stay Nerdy!

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Art Wood

I'm a nerd from the days of OLD! Nuff Said!

1 Comment

  • Spencer Vernon Banks
    April 27, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Hex only works with attacks RAW. It wouldn't work with Vicious Mockery nor with Dissonant Whispers as they do not require an attack roll.

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