Warlock Class Overview

Core Warlock Traits

  • Primary Ability: Charisma
  • Hit Point Die: D8 per Warlock level
  • Saving Throw Proficiencies: Wisdom and Charisma
  • Skill Proficiencies: Choose 2: Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, or Religion
  • Weapon Proficiencies: Simple weapons
  • Armor Training: Light armor
  • Starting Equipment: Choose A or B:
    • A: Leather Armor, Sickle, 2 Daggers, Arcane Focus (orb), Book (occult lore), Scholar’s Pack, and 15 GP
    • B: 100 GP

Becoming a Warlock

As a Level 1 Character

  • Gain all the traits in the Core Warlock Traits table.
  • Gain the Warlock’s level 1 features, listed in the Warlock Features table.

As a Multiclass Character

  • Gain Hit Point Die and Light armor training from the Core Warlock Traits table.
  • Gain Warlock level 1 features (see Warlock Features table) and determine available spell slots per multiclassing rules.

Warlock Features Table

Level Proficiency Bonus Class Features Eldritch Invocations Cantrips Prepared Spells Spell Slots Slot Level
1+2Eldritch Invocations, Pact Magic12211
2+2Magical Cunning32321
3+2Warlock Subclass32422
4+2Ability Score Improvement33522
5+353623
6+3Subclass Feature53723
7+363824
8+3Ability Score Improvement63924
9+4Contact Patron731025
10+4Subclass Feature741025
11+4Mystic Arcanum (level 6 spell)741135
12+4Ability Score Improvement841135
13+5Mystic Arcanum (level 7 spell)841235
14+5Subclass Feature841235
15+5Mystic Arcanum (level 8 spell)941335
16+5Ability Score Improvement941335
17+6Mystic Arcanum (level 9 spell)941445
18+61041445
19+6Epic Boon1041545
20+6Eldritch Master1041545

Warlock Class Features

As a Warlock, you gain the following class features at the specified levels:

Level 1: Eldritch Invocations

You gain one Eldritch Invocation of your choice, such as Pact of the Tome. Invocations are described in the Eldritch Invocation Options section.

  • Prerequisites: Must meet the prerequisite to learn an invocation (e.g., level 5+ Warlock).
  • Replacing and Gaining Invocations: Replace one invocation when gaining a Warlock level if eligible. Cannot replace if it’s a prerequisite for another invocation you already have.

Level 1: Pact Magic

  • Cantrips: Know 2 Warlock cantrips of your choice (Eldritch Blast and Prestidigitation recommended). Gain additional cantrips at levels 4 and 10.
  • Spell Slots: All slots are the same level. Regain expended slots after a Short or Long Rest.
  • Prepared Spells: Start with 2 level 1 Warlock spells (Charm Person and Hex recommended). Number increases with level.
  • Changing Prepared Spells: Replace one prepared spell when gaining a Warlock level.
  • Spellcasting Ability: Charisma
  • Spellcasting Focus: Arcane Focus

Level 2: Magical Cunning

Perform a 1-minute ritual to regain expended Pact Magic spell slots up to half your maximum (rounded up). Recharge on Long Rest.

Level 3: Warlock Subclass

Gain a Warlock subclass (e.g., Fiend Patron). Gain all features at or below your Warlock level.

Level 4, 8, 12, 16: Ability Score Improvement

Gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another eligible feat.

Level 9: Contact Patron

You can communicate directly with your patron. Always have Contact Other Plane prepared and castable without expending a spell slot.

Level 11: Mystic Arcanum

Choose one Warlock spell as a level 6 arcanum. Can cast once without a spell slot per Long Rest. Gain higher-level arcanums at levels 13, 15, and 17. Replace arcanums when gaining levels.

Level 19: Epic Boon

Gain an Epic Boon feat (Boon of Fate recommended).

Level 20: Eldritch Master

Using Magical Cunning regains all Pact Magic slots.

Eldritch Invocation Options

Invocations appear in alphabetical order.

  • Agonizing Blast: Level 2+, Warlock Cantrip that deals damage. Add Charisma modifier to damage. Repeatable with different cantrips.
  • Armor of Shadows: Cast Mage Armor on yourself without a spell slot.
  • Ascendant Step: Level 5+. Cast Levitate on yourself without a spell slot.
  • Devil’s Sight: Level 2+. See normally in dim light and darkness within 120 feet.
  • Devouring Blade: Level 12+, Thirsting Blade. Extra Attack grants 2 extra attacks instead of 1.
  • Eldritch Mind: Advantage on Constitution saving throws to maintain Concentration.
  • Eldritch Smite: Level 5+, Pact of the Blade. Expend a Pact Magic slot to deal extra 1d8 +1d8 per slot level, Prone on Huge or smaller.
  • Eldritch Spear: Level 2+, Warlock Cantrip that deals damage. Range increases by 30 feet × Warlock level.
  • Fiendish Vigor: Level 2+. Cast False Life on yourself at max HP without expending a spell slot.
  • Gaze of Two Minds: Level 5+. Bonus Action to perceive through another creature’s senses.
  • Gift of the Depths: Level 5+. Swim speed equal to movement; cast Water Breathing once without slot.
  • Gift of the Protectors: Level 9+, Pact of the Tome. Creature on Book of Shadows page drops to 1 HP instead of 0 HP once per Long Rest.
  • Investment of the Chain Master: Level 5+, Pact of the Chain. Infuse familiar with Fly/Swim speed, Quick Attack, Necrotic/Radiant damage, save DC, Resistance.
  • Lessons of the First Ones: Level 2+. Gain one Origin feat. Repeatable with different feats.
  • Lifedrinker: Level 9+, Pact of the Blade. Extra 1d6 Necrotic/Psychic/Radiant damage, can expend Hit Die to heal.
  • Mask of Many Faces: Level 2+. Cast Disguise Self without a spell slot.
  • Master of Myriad Forms: Level 5+. Cast Alter Self without a spell slot.
  • Misty Visions: Level 2+. Cast Silent Image without a spell slot.
  • One with Shadows: Level 5+. Cast Invisibility in dim light or darkness without a spell slot.
  • Otherworldly Leap: Level 2+. Cast Jump on yourself without a spell slot.
  • Repelling Blast: Level 2+, Warlock Cantrip with attack roll. Push target 10 feet. Repeatable.
  • Thirsting Blade: Level 5+, Pact of the Blade. Extra Attack feature.
  • Visions of Distant Realms: Level 9+. Cast Arcane Eye without a spell slot.
  • Whispers of the Grave: Level 7+. Cast Speak with Dead without a spell slot.
  • Witch Sight: Level 15+. Truesight 30 feet.

Pact Boons

Pact of the Blade

Create or bond with a melee weapon. Use Charisma for attacks/damage. Deal Necrotic, Psychic, or Radiant damage. Ends on distance >5 ft, Bonus Action, or death. Conjured weapon disappears at bond end.

Pact of the Chain

Learn Find Familiar spell. Special familiar forms: Imp, Pseudodragon, Quasit, Skeleton, Sphinx of Wonder, Sprite, Venomous Snake. Can use familiar’s Attack action by forgoing your own attack.

Pact of the Tome

Create a Book of Shadows with 3 cantrips and 2 level 1 Ritual spells. Spells function as Warlock spells. Book can be used as Spellcasting Focus. Disappears if you conjure another book or die.

DoggertQBones
DoggertQBones

DoggertQBones is an avid player of games, predominately D&D! Previously a highly published author for another popular Wizards of the Coast game, Magic: the Gathering, he's been playing D&D since childhood as both player and DM!

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