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Pacts Reforged: Comparing the 2014 and 2024 Warlock Core Classes

The Warlock has always stood apart from other spellcasters—a charismatic wielder of eldritch powers, bound to otherworldly patrons. But in 2014, the Warlock’s unique spellcasting model made it both exciting and controversial. With the 2024 revision, Wizards of the Coast has restructured the class to better align with traditional casting expectations, while keeping its distinctive flavor. More discussion can be found over on YouTube. Or you can find more Warlock service here.

Let’s break down how the 2024 Warlock has been remade from the inside out, and what that means for your next pact-forged character.

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1. Spellcasting: The Biggest Overhaul

2014:

• Warlocks were Pact Magic users, with only a few spell slots—but all cast at the highest level available.

• Slots refreshed on a short rest, making Warlocks excellent at short-term burst casting.

• Known spells only—no preparing.

2024:

• Warlocks now use Spellcasting, like Wizards and Clerics:

  • Prepared spells rather than known spells.

  • Use a full spell slot progression (1st to 9th level) over time.

  • Cast spells with long-rest-based spell slots.

• Pact Magic is gone as a core class mechanic. However, subclasses like the Pact of the Blade may include features that resemble it.

🧠 Takeaway: The Warlock is now a full caster in progression, with fewer bursts but more long-haul versatility.

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2. Eldritch Invocations: More Flexible and Impactful

2014:

• Gained access to Eldritch Invocations starting at level 2.

• Static choices—few could be swapped, and some were only accessible with specific Pact Boons.

2024:

• Still gained at level 2, but with cleaner progression and rebalanced options.

• You can swap invocations every level (instead of only on level-ups), similar to spells.

• Invocations are more streamlined—many minor effects rolled into fewer, more versatile options.

• Pact-specific requirements are more intuitive and better integrated.

🧠 Takeaway: Invocations are now a robust, flexible toolkit, not a set of permanent mini-feats.

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3. Mystic Arcanum: Reworked into Standard Spellcasting

2014:

• Warlocks couldn’t cast 6th–9th level spells using slots.

• Instead, they gained Mystic Arcanum at levels 11, 13, 15, and 17—each a 1/day high-level spell known.

2024:

• Mystic Arcanum is removed.

• Warlocks now simply gain access to higher spell levels and cast them using normal long-rest spell slots.

• Their spellcasting mirrors other full casters, though their flavor still leans heavily into pact-themed magic.

🧠 Takeaway: No more awkward 1/day spell bottlenecks—Warlocks now have better control over high-level magic.

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4. Pact Boon Integration: Unified and Expanded

2014:

• Chose a Pact Boon at level 3 (Blade, Chain, or Tome).

• These were mostly flavor hooks with a few mechanical impacts (especially Tome and Chain).

• Many invocations were locked behind these choices.

2024:

• Pact Boon selection now happens at level 1, reinforcing your Warlock identity from the start.

• Boons are more tightly integrated into the class’s progression, with expanded support from Invocations and class features.

• The Boon system now better reflects the story of the pact, not just a mechanical add-on.

🧠 Takeaway: Warlocks now feel like Warlocks right away, rather than waiting until 3rd level.

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5. Hex Rework and Curse Features

2014:

• The Hex spell was a defining feature—concentration-based, bonus damage on attacks.

• Patrons and invocations occasionally added curse-like effects.

2024:

• Warlocks gain a Cursed Magic feature that may apply Hex-like effects thematically (varies by subclass).

• Hex and similar curse-style abilities are more often class-based or boon-based, not locked behind spells.

• Some versions of Hex-like curses are non-concentration and scalable with level.

🧠 Takeaway: Cursing feels more thematic and class-bound, not just tied to one concentration spell.

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6. Cantrips and Eldritch Blast: Balanced Access

2014:

• Eldritch Blast was the Warlock’s bread and butter—scaling force damage with Agonizing Blast to boost Charisma damage.

• Every Warlock took it.

2024:

• Eldritch Blast is now a class feature, not just a cantrip—gained automatically and tied to Warlock scaling.

• Invocations are balanced around it, no longer making one build mandatory.

• Other cantrips remain part of the spell list, with broader support for varied builds.

🧠 Takeaway: Warlocks still blast, but aren’t forced into a single archetype to feel effective.

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7. Capstone: Epic Boon, Not Mystic Arcanum

2014:

• Capstone was Mystic Arcanum (9th-level spell, 1/day)—powerful, but limited in impact and flexibility.

2024:

• At level 20, Warlocks choose an Epic Boon, which provides broad, customizable power options.

• These can be defensive, offensive, or utility-focused.

🧠 Takeaway: Warlocks now end with player-defined greatness, not a single use spell.

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🔮 Side-by-Side Summary Table

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🪄 Final Thoughts: A Pact Worth Making

The Warlock has undergone one of the most dramatic reworks in the 2024 revision—but it’s not a nerf. It’s a realignment.

By swapping out short-rest Pact Magic for full-caster longevity and tying their core powers more directly to class features rather than niche spells or locked invocations, Warlocks now feel more powerful, more thematic, and more playable across campaigns of all styles.

Whether you’re a fan of eldritch blasts, forbidden knowledge, or infernal bargains, the Warlock now lets you make the kind of character you imagine—without compromise.

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time, Stay Nerdy!!