The Unholy Avenger – Paladin/Warlock Multiclass Build Guide
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For all D&D guides on Nat1gaming, they only use the main sourcebooks (Player’s Handbook, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything) as well as Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos (mostly for Silvery Barbs) as those tend to be the most commonly used books at tables. Always be sure that if you’re following a guide that you’re adhering to your tables rules about what sourcebooks you are allowed to follow.
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For spellcasters, you may notice substantial overlap between the spell lists of builds with the same base class. This is due to each guide utilizing a generically good spell list and not considering extenuating factors that will influence how you particularly sculpt your spell list. When creating your own spell list, you should take into account the campaign setting, what spells any other party members are capable of casting, potential overlap (ritual spells tend to overlap so it’s rare you need multiple people capable of casting them), or potential shortcomings in the parties total spell list. While this guide can definitely help point you in the right direction for crafting a spell list, you should use your judgement and preferences to figure out what spells make the most sense for your character.
To that end, please refer to the Spell List and Spell Tier list for any substitutions you’d want to make to the build.
Paladin/Warlock Spell List and Spell Tier List
Why Unholy Avenger?
While you could easily go just Vengeance Paladin or just Hexblade Warlock and have a great time, combining the two makes a really fun class that can create an explosion of dice every once in awhile. Between the Hexblade’s Curse giving you an extended critical hit range, Divine Smite, Hex from being a Warlock, and Hunter’s Mark from Vengeance Paladin, any critical hit you get is going to deal absolutely incredible amounts of damage.
Let’s create an example, at level 10 when you first get the Hexblade’s Curse, say you have multiple turns to set up your Hex/Hunter’s Mark, Vow of Enmity (to make critting more likely), and Hexblade’s Curse on your enemy. On that 3rd turn, if you roll a 19 with just a standard Greatsword as your pact weapon, you are dealing 4d6 (Greatsword) + 2d6 (Hex/Hunter’s Mark – 4d6 if both) + 6d8 (Divine Smite) + 4 (Hexblade’s Curse) averaging 52 damage per critical hit on a single attack. A single level later, you get access to Eldritch Smite turning that damage into 4d6 + 2d6 (Hex/Hunter’s Mark – 4d6 if both) + 6d8 (Divine Smite) + 6d8 (Eldritch Smite) + 4 (Hexblade’s Curse) which is now 79 average damage on a single critical hit at level 11. That is obviously a massive amount of damage, and when you factor in Cleave from your Greataxe as well as your Vow of Enmity/ Hill Giant Topple to get advantage a lot of the time as well, this will happen more often than you might think.
So if you like having ridiculous critical hit potential, this is a great choice for you.
Quick Level Up Guide
| Level | Class Features/Feat | Notes |
| 1 – 1 Paladin | Lay on Hands, Spellcasting, Weapon Mastery | + Bless + Thunderous Smite |
| 2 – 1 Paladin 1 Warlock | Eldritch Invocations, Pact Magic Pact of the Blade | + Booming Blade + Eldritch Blast + Expeditious Retreat + Hex |
| 3 – 2 Paladin 1 Warlock | Fighting Style (Defense), Paladin’s Smite | + Divine Smite + Wrathful Smite |
| 4 – 3 Paladin (Vengeance) 1 Warlock | Oath of Vengeance, Channel Divinity: Vow of Enmity | + Bane (Vengeance) + Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) + Shield of Faith |
| 5 – 4 Paladin 1 Warlock | Feat: War Caster (CHA) | + Compelled Duel |
| 6 – 5 Paladin 1 Warlock | Extra Attack, Faithful Steed | + Find Steed + Hold Person (Vengeance) + Misty Step (Vengeance) + Prayer of Healing |
| 7 – 6 Paladin 1 Warlock | Aura of Protection | None |
| 8 – 6 Paladin 2 Warlock | Magical Cunning Agonizing Blast Devil’s Sight | + Hideous Laughter |
| 9 – 6 Paladin 3 Warlock (Hexblade) | Pact of the Hexblade Hexblade’s Curse Hex Warrior Expanded Spell List | + Shield (Hexblade) + Wrathful Smite (Hexblade) (Ensure you swap out your Wrathful Smite for Paladin during your next long rest) + Blur (Hexblade) + Shining Smite (Hexblade) + Suggestion |
| 10 – 6 Paladin 4 Warlock | Feat: Charisma to 20 | + Mage Hand + Mirror Image |
| 11 – 6 Paladin 5 Warlock | Eldritch Smite One with the Shadows | – Hideous Laughter + Blink (Hexblade) + Counterspell + Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) + Hypnotic Pattern |
| 12 – 6 Paladin 6 Warlock | Accursed Specter | + Dispel Magic |
| 13 – 6 Paladin 7 Warlock | Lessons of the First Ones (Alert) | – Suggestion + Dimension Door + Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) + Shadow of Moil + Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| 14 – 6 Paladin 8 Warlock | Feat: Great Weapon Master (STR) | + Thunder Step |
| 15 – 6 Paladin 9 Warlock | Contact Patron Thirsting Blade | + Banishing Smite (Hexblade) + Cone of Cold (Hexblade) + Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) + Storm of Radiance |
| 16 – 6 Paladin 10 Warlock | Armor of Hexes | + Minor Illusion |
| 17 – 6 Paladin 11 Warlock | Mystic Arcanum (6th level) | + Teleportation Circle + Scatter (Mystic Arcanum) |
| 18 – 7 Paladin 11 Warlock | Relentless Avenger | + Lesser Restoration |
| 19 – 7 Paladin 12 Warlock | Epic Boon: Boon of Combat Prowess (CHA) Devouring Blade | None |
| 20 – 8 Paladin 12 Warlock | Epic Boon: Boon of Fate (CHA) | None |
Questions About Multiclassing?
Not every inherent interaction here is going to be mentioned in the guide, so check out the multiclassing guide to help answer any additional questions you may have!
What’s The Game Plan Of The Unholy Avenger?
The Unholy Avenger is predominantly an offensive build that looks to stack a lot of effects that increase damage onto an enemy, wait until you get a critical hit, and then absolutely obliterate the enemy with a big Divine Smite and Eldritch Smite (this starts working to nearly full effect by level 9, but really pops off at level 11).
While you’re trying to save this strategy for a big enemy, this is really effective when you enter a fight that might take awhile. First you want to lay down a Hexblade’s Curse, activate Vow of Enmity, and attack as normal, then you’re going to lay down a Hex or Hunter’s Mark, attack, then the other on the next turn with an attack. Once all three are on, you are dealing an additional 2d6 (Hex and Hunter’s Mark) plus 4 and you have advantage on all of your attacks making it that you’re hitting quite hard. However, if you manage to crit (which you’ll have advantage and you can roll a 19 or 20 because of Hexblade’s Curse), you can pop a Divine Smite as your Bonus Action and Eldritch Smite for free to deal a boatload of damage – an average of 79 damage per critical hit (you can check that math in the “Why Unholy Avenger” section, and that’s only considering Hex or Hunter’s Mark, not both).
If you are not facing tough enemies, you are going to act as a standard Paladin but with the flexibility of attacking from range because you have Eldritch Blast as well.
Level One Build
Species: Goliath (Hill Giant)
Attributes:
| POINT BUY | |
| STRENGTH | 15 |
| DEXTERITY | 8 |
| CONSTITUTION | 15 (+1 background) = 16 |
| INTELLIGENCE | 8 |
| WISDOM | 8 |
| CHARISMA | 15 (+2 background) = 17 |
Class: Paladin
Class Features: Lay on Hands, Spellcasting, Weapon Mastery
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation and Persuasion
Background: Merchant (Lucky)
Starting Equipment: Greataxe, 10 Javelins, Explorer’s Pack, Chain Mail, Holy Symbol, and 45 gold + 50 gp from background
Starting Spells:
| SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
Species: Goliath (Hill Giant)
For any martial character, it’s hard to justify not going for Goliath as the Hill Giant topple is so incredibly good to get advantage on attacks. There are other solid options for species as well like Human for an additional origin feat or Aasimar as they are just generally strong, but Goliath is generally going to be my choice.
Attributes
| POINT BUY | |
| STRENGTH | 15 |
| DEXTERITY | 8 |
| CONSTITUTION | 15 (+1 background) = 16 |
| INTELLIGENCE | 8 |
| WISDOM | 8 |
| CHARISMA | 15 (+2 background) = 17 |
For this build, you’re looking to have your Constitution and Charisma as buffed as possible. Since you need 15 Strength to wear the heaviest armor sets, you’re going to need that as well.
Proficiencies: Intimidation and Persuasion
Pretty standard skill proficiencies for Paladins. Nothing novel here.
Background: Merchant (Lucky)
While I would normally pick Entertainer for boosts in Dexterity and Charisma, this build doesn’t need any DEX so having a background with a decent origin feat and grabs you Constitution and Charisma is the direction you should go.
Starting Equipment – Greataxe, 10 Javelins, Explorer’s Pack, Chain Mail, Holy Symbol, and 45 gold + 50 gp from background
The standard fare for a Paladin who’s using a two-handed weapon.
Class – Paladin
Your starting class is Paladin and you get two abilities to start off with – Lay on Hands, Spellcasting, and Weapon Mastery.
Your first ability is Lay on Hands. You get a pool of health equal to 5 times your paladin level, and as an action, you can heal someone as much as you’d like using that pool. This is a solid ability and will always provide a decent amount of healing whether you need to bring an ally up, top an ally off, or even spend 5 points to cure a disease or neutralize a poison. A solid ability all around.
Your second ability is Spellcasting which will be expanded upon later, but Paladins are your typical half-caster.
Finally, you get Weapon Mastery for two weapons, and you should choose whatever weapons you have currently have. Which, in this case, will be the Trident and Javelins.
Starting Spells
| SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
You can only prepare two spells to start with, and I will always recommend starting with the best two – Bless and Thunderous Smite.
Bless is an excellent buff that gives you and a few homies a little buff to attack rolls and saving throws.
Thunderous Smite is a derivative of Divine Smite which gives up a smidge of damage for the chance to push an enemy back and knock them prone. We love knocking enemies prone already, so having another shot at it is always nice.
The Build Level 2 Onward
Level 2-5
Level 2
Class: 1 Paladin 1 Warlock
Class Features: Eldritch Invocations, Pact Magic, Pact of the Blade
Spell Change Log: + Booming Blade + Eldritch Blast + Expeditious Retreat + Hex
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
Pact Magic is the Warlock way of casting spells which differs greatly from how every other class does it. While all casters have a prepared spell list they can draw from, Warlocks lack spell slots and instead can only cast a few spells per short or long rest at their highest possible strength for your level. To that end, choosing spells that are both high impact and ideally can be upcast in order to get their full usefulness.
The second feature you get immediately is Eldritch Invocations, special powers you get as you go up in Warlock levels. For this build to work, you obviously need Pact of the Blade! Pact of the Blade has a lot of abilities, but the summary is you can use Charisma as your weapon ability modifier and you can conjure up a weapon to be your pact weapon need be (or bond with a magical one). With Charisma being your combat stat, the need for high Strength is lessened.
For your standard melee cantrip, you’ll be going with Booming Blade. This is great to deal extra damage until you get your extra attack, but since you do take War Caster, this is better than just a standard attack if you ever get an attack of opportunity. That said, you could replace this once you hit level 6 if that isn’t good enough for you as it isn’t a big upgrade to just a standard attack.
Since you’re a Warlock, of course you have to take Eldritch Blast. While you’ll normally be fighting up close, having a ranged option is good as well just in case.
For spells, you can simply take the best first level spells available to Warlocks with Expeditious Retreat and Hex.
Expeditious Retreat is not a spell you’ll need often, but being able to dash as a bonus action can be really powerful if you need to run away, pursue an enemy, or kite an enemy.
Hex, on the other hand, is an offensive spell that lets you deal extra damage to the cursed target, and when that target goes down, you can move it onto someone else! This is really good to use in pretty much any fight that may be difficult as that damage can easily add up round after round.
Level 3
Class: 2 Paladin 1 Warlock
Class Features: Fighting Style (Defense), Paladin’s Smite
Spell Change Log: + Divine Smite + Wrathful Smite
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
2 levels in Paladin brings more spells, your Fighting Style, and Paladin’s Smite!
While there are a few fighting styles that are super reasonable for Paladins, for this build, I like grabbing Defense. While not exciting, getting +1 to AC is really nice. If you don’t want to use a Greataxe and instead want to use a Shield, I would instead opt for Dueling or Protection.
As the Paladin’s most famous feature, you get Divine Smite! Divine Smite lets you convert spell slots into damage with the base being 2d8 radiant which is quite strong. What makes Divine Smite so potent is that you can tack it on after you know whether you hit or not so you can never accidentally waste them, and better yet, you can throw them into a critical hit to get double the damage! As a general note, a lot of Paladins tend to use all their spell slots on just simply Divine Smiting, and while you absolutely can do that and have good results, I think it’s generally better to save Smites in an attempt to finish a problematic enemy off or when you get a critical hit rather than just doing it with every hit. Even as a half-caster, your spells are potent so don’t forget about them!
Finally, you get your spell choice this level with Wrathful Smite. Unfortunately, this spell did get nerfed from the previous version, but giving up damage to potentially frighten the enemy is a pretty good deal.
Level 4
Class: 3 Paladin (Vengeance) 1 Warlock
Class Features: Vow of Enmity
Spell Change Log: + Bane (Vengeance) + Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) + Shield of Faith
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
3 levels in Paladin brings your subclass, and of course, you’re picking Oath of Vengeance!
Like all other Paladin subclasses, Vengeance comes with a Channel Divinity feature – Vow of Enmity.
Vow of Enmity which gives you advantage against a creature for one minute as a bonus action which is obviously really good in a tough fight! The only downside of this ability is that bonus action economy can be frequently eaten up in Paladins, but that’s hardly a downside at all.
On top of your Channel Divinity options, you get to pick up Oath Spells as well, and this level you get Bane and Hunter’s Mark.
Bane is cute as it’s a reverse bless, but rolling the dice on nabbing three enemies with this versus always getting three allies with Bless isn’t a gamble I normally like taking.
Hunter’s Mark is a ranger staple that lets you stack up damage against a particular enemy, then when you fell it, you get to switch it to a new target! While it doesn’t necessarily scale the best, this is going to be a staple for you as it’s going to make your critical hits at later levels even more brutal.
For your spell choice this level, you can pick up Shield of Faith. Getting +2 AC when your AC is high makes it that much harder to hit you, which is especially good with the Protection fighting style.
Level 5
Class: 4 Paladin 1 Warlock
Feat: War Caster (CHA)
Class Features: None
Spell Change Log: + Compelled Duel
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
You can now pick up your first feat and I really like grabbing War Caster. Buffing your Charisma to 18, getting advantage on concentration checks, and being able to spellcast when you don’t have two free hands is excellent (even if your pact weapon kind of makes this a non-issue anyway).
Level 6-10
Level 6
Class: 5 Paladin 1 Warlock
Class Features: Extra Attack, Faithful Steed
Spell Change Log: + Find Steed + Hold Person (Vengeance) + Misty Step (Vengeance) + Prayer of Healing
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
5 levels in Paladin brings what all martial characters have been waiting for – the Extra Attack. Double the damage potential is obviously insane!
This level brings a new feature for Paladin as well in Faithful Steed. This gives you Find Steed for free, and while this may tempt you to fight on horseback, you absolutely don’t need to and having a free horse is more helpful than many may anticipate.
Furthermore, you get more Oath spells to work with in Hold Person and Misty Step.
Hold Person is a classic “save or suck” spell where, when it works, it pays out big, and when it fails, you get absolutely nothing. I’m generally not the biggest fan of spells like that, and to make matters worse, you may not have many humanoid enemies in your campaign to even use this on as the most common humans in campaigns are either random townsfolk or legendary heroes. All that said, this can definitely work in a pinch as the target failing the saving throw will likely result in their expedited doom.
Misty Step, on the other hand, is just an incredible spell in general. While it’s likely at its “worst” on a Paladin, being able to quickly reposition in a fight is very powerful.
For your actual spell choice, I really like picking up Prayer of Healing. This gives you a short rest on demand when you may not be able to take one normally which can give you a Channel Divinity charge and refresh your Warlock spell slots which is really powerful, even if it’s just once a day.
Level 7
Class: 6 Paladin 1 Warlock
Class Features: Aura of Protection
Spell Change Log: None
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
Level 6 brings what is the most important ability a Paladin can get – Aura of Protection.
Giving your allies a flat bonus to saving throws is extremely powerful, especially if you have a team that tends to group up. Aura of Protection is the reason that an optimized party will functionally always have a Paladin where every other class is more or less replaceable.
Level 8
Class: 6 Paladin 2 Warlock
Class Features: Magical Cunning, Agonizing Blast, Devil’s Sight
Spell Change Log: + Hideous Laughter
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hideous Laughter |
Level two brings you Magical Cunning, two new Eldritch Invocations, and a new spell to work with.
Your first new ability is Magical Cunning, where once per day, you can conduct a short ritual to regain half you spell slots. This would normally be excellent, but with so few spell slots, this obviously won’t end up doing too much, but free spell slots are still free spell slots.
You also get two additional Eldritch Invocations which you have a bit of flexibility with, but I like picking up Agonizing Blast and Devil’s Sight.
Agonizing Blast is a great way to beef up your Eldritch Blast when needed, and while you are focused on melee attacks mostly, having a good ranged option is still good.
For your second Eldritch Invocation, I like picking up Devil’s Sight. While you probably can’t make amazing use of this unless you pick up Darkness (this build doesn’t, but you certainly could), having Darkvision on a species that normally doesn’t get it is still great.
Level 9
Class: 6 Paladin 3 Warlock (Hexblade)
Class Features: Hexblade’s Curse, Hex Warrior, Expanded Spell List
Spell Change Log: – Wrathful Smite (Paladin) / + Detect Magic + Shield (Hexblade) + Wrathful Smite + Blur (Hexblade) + Shining Smite (Hexblade) + Suggestion
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hideous Laughter |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Suggestion |
This level brings a lot to the table including your subclass, a new subclass feature, an expanded spell list, and second level spells.
The first ability you get with Hexblade is Hexblade’s Curse which is functionally a juiced up Hex spell as you get a wider critical range (which is really important for this build), comparable or more damage on average than Hex, and some health back when you kill the target. Obviously, this is a pretty solid ability.
The second ability you get is Hex Warrior which offers a lot and is the main reason Hexblade was one of the most popular multiclass dips. Crucially, you gain proficiency with medium armor, shields, and martial weapons which is generally excellent, however as you started as a Paladin, this is a bit moot. The second half of the ability lets you use your Charisma modifier for attack and damage rolls (which Pact of the Blade already does, but so it goes).
For your expanded spell list, you get to pick up Shield, Wrathful Smite, Blur, and Branding Smite.
The largest pickup for this expanded spell list is easily Shield. While Shield is not nearly as good on Warlocks as it is for other casters, being able to avoid a lot of damage by raising your AC can be invaluable in tougher fights.
Wrathful Smite is a decent bit of CC if you are looking to frighten a creature which can be helpful depending on the encounter, even if you have to use one of your spell slots to get it.
Blur is a solid defensive option that makes it so enemies have disadvantage when attacking you, but this does eat up your Concentration. This is a decent option in the short term, but will be outclassed by later options.
Finally, you get Shining Smite which is unfortunately not a particularly good version of Smite barring you’re facing an invisible enemy. If you are, then shine away.
Finally, for your spell choice this level, you can pick up the excellent Suggestion. This spell is a powerhouse as it has excellent out of combat applications by forcing a course of action, but is similarly powerful in combat to make an enemy do something other than fight you! No matter what, you’re going to get mileage out of this spell. Unfortunately with few spell slots and no upcast potential, this isn’t sticking around forever, so be sure to enjoy it while it lasts.
Level 10
Class: 6 Paladin 4 Warlock
Feat: Charisma to 20
Class Features: None
Spell Change Log: + Mage Hand + Mirror Image
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hideous Laughter |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Suggestion |
While a little later than you would like, you get your second feat this level!
While simple, I like simply boosting your Charisma to 20 right now. Having the best spells, attacks, and damage is a no brainer.
Your cantrip choice really comes down to Mage Hand or Minor Illusion at this point, so you can pick the one you prefer. I like Mage Hand the tiniest bit more, but it’s completely personal preference.
For your spell choice, you can pick up Mirror Image. Mirror Image is a unique defensive spell that doesn’t take up concentration and gives enemies three opportunities to potentially miss you if they connect with an attack. This is definitely nice for prolonged fights where you may be taking some hits.
Level 11-15
Level 11
Class: 6 Paladin 5 Warlock
Class Features: Eldritch Smite, One with the Shadows
Spell Change Log: – Hideous Laughter / + Blink (Hexblade) + Counterspell + Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) + Hypnotic Pattern
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Suggestion |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
Level 5 means new Eldritch Invocations and new Pact spells!
Your first Eldritch Invocation choice is Eldritch Smite which gives you a pseudo Divine Smite that doesn’t require any action which can make your critical hits deal incredible damage between this and a regular Divine Smite.
I did this math before, but I’ll show it again. If you manage to set up a Hex/Hunter’s Mark on turn one, your Hexblade’s Curse on turn two, and hit a 19 or 20 on turn 3, you can deal 4d6 + 2d6 + 6d8 (Divine Smite) + 6d8 (Eldritch Smite) which is 75 damage on a single critical hit. That is extremely high and can make one rounding a tough enemy a real option, even at this level.
For your second Eldritch Invocation choice with One with the Shadows. Being able to cast Invisibility when you’re in dim light or darkness for free is really strong and something you’ll be able to use really often.
For your Pact spells, you unfortunately don’t get particularly compelling ones with Blink and Elemental Weapon. Blink is yet another defensive spell, but this only works 50% of the time and abandoning your friends when it actually does work is a little lame. Elemental Weapon, on the other hand, just lets you infuse your weapon with an element if you need. This isn’t particularly helpful for Pact of the Blade users who already have elemental damage, but if you know that you’re facing an enemy with a particular damage vulnerability, then this could be useful.
Now that you have an extra attack, Booming Blade isn’t an effective cantrip anymore so you’re switching to the best utility cantrip Warlocks can get – Prestidigitation. There are hundreds if not thousands of applications of this spell, and while none of them are extremely high impact, find me anything that is so versatile.
Since there are so many strong third level spell options you want at this point, something needs to go to make room. Unfortunately, that means Witch Bolt has to hit the bench. At this point, the damage isn’t going to scale that well as you may as well be swinging at them instead.
For your actual spell choices, you get to pick up the excellent Counterspell and Hypnotic Pattern.
The first spell you get access to is Counterspell, which is simply the best third level spell in the game. Using your reaction to rid an enemy of their action and trade spell slots is incredibly powerful and any ally who can learn Counterspell should.
For your second spell, this is a good time to pick up the excellent Hypnotic Pattern. This spell is such a potent CC spell that it’s in contention for best third level combat spell with Fireball as being able to potentially lock down multiple enemies with one spell slot is extremely powerful.
Level 12
Class: 6 Paladin 6 Warlock
Class Features: Relentless Avenger
Spell Change Log: + Dispel Magic
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Suggestion |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
6 levels in Warlock brings your next subclass ability with Accursed Specter. This functions similarly to Animate Dead, but limited to things that you’ve killed. A bit of a strange ability, but getting a temporary ally for combat is rarely going to be a bad thing.
For your spell choice, you can pick up Dispel Magic.
Dispel Magic is no Counterspell, but having access to both means you’ll never get caught flat footed by a spell.
Level 13
Class: 6 Paladin 7 Warlock
Class Features: Lessons of the First Ones (Alert)
Spell Change Log: – Suggestion / + Dimension Door + Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) + Shadow of Moil + Staggering Smite (Hexblade)
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
7 levels in Warlock brings fourth level spells, more Pact spells, and yet another Eldritch Invocation!
For your Eldritch Invocation, I like picking up Lessons of the First Ones for Alert. Alert is excellent and you don’t have that much better of an option, so I like picking it up.
For your Pact spells you get Phantasmal Killer and Staggering Smite.
Phantasmal Killer is a middling CC spell that can potentially really mess up a target who fails the Wisdom saving throw, but at this point, trading one of your spell slots and your action just for the chance to mess with an enemy is not a great trade.
Staggering Smite, on the other hand, is a pretty brutal Smite spell if you the opponent fails their save which will lead them to take an ok amount of damage, them getting disadvantage on attacks, and they lose their reactions. No Counterspell for them!
For the second and final time, I recommend swapping out a spell to make room for more. While it’s definitely served you well up until this point, Suggestion hits the bin as it has no upcast feature and it’s getting harder and harder to justify using one of your few spell slots on it.
Your first spell choice is one of the best teleportation spells in the game with Dimension Door. Teleporting without line of sight is really powerful, and being able to take an ally with you makes this even better. If you need to infiltrate a building or make a quick escape, it’s difficult to do better than this.
Your second spell choice this level is the very excellent Shadow of Moil. Making yourself heavily obscured is functionally the same thing as going invisible, plus you get the additional rider of the shadow attacking anyone who is close and manages to hit you for a bit of additional damage. A really excellent effect you’re going to be using often.
Level 14
Class: 6 Paladin 8 Warlock
Feat: Great Weapon Master (STR)
Spell Change Log: + Thunder Step
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
8 levels in Warlock brings your next feat and another spell.
For your feat, I really like Great Weapon Master. While boosting Strength isn’t particularly useful for you, getting additional damage per hit and potential additional attacks is still more than worth it.
Level 15
Class: 6 Paladin 9 Warlock
Class Features: Contact Patron, Thirsting Blade
Spell Change Log: + Banishing Smite (Hexblade) + Cone of Cold (Hexblade) + Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) + Storm of Radiance
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Banishing Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Cone of Cold (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Storm of Radiance |
9 levels in Warlock means yet another class ability, Eldritch Invocation, your final round of Pact spells, and the last spell level you’ll naturally get – 5th level spells.
Your class ability is Contact Patron which is simply the Contact Other Plane for free once per day which is nice and super flavorful that you actually have a way to talk to your patron now!
For your Eldritch Invocation, you’re going to pick up Thirsting Blade. While this doesn’t work with Extra Attack, this lets you pick up Devouring Blade in a few levels to get three attacks which is obviously extremely important.
For your final Pact spells, you get access to Banishing Smite and Cone of Cold.
Banishing Smite deals a good amount of damage, and if your hurt an extraplanar threat enough, you just straight up banish them. Even if the threat isn’t extraplanar, you can keep concentrating on it to keep the target in a harmless demiplane while you deal with the rest of their friends.
Finally, you get Cone of Cold which isn’t the highest damage blast spell, but it has an absolutely massive AOE, so if you’re fighting an army, this is what you want to hit them with.
For your spell choices I recommend taking the best fifth level spells Warlocks naturally have access to – Storm of Radiance.
Storm of Radiance is a nice AOE damage and CC spell that can be really brutal if your allies can help you out a bit. While the damage itself isn’t super special, blinding and deafening anyone in the spell area is powerful against melee attackers, but ridiculous against any casters in the area. If your allies can help keep your enemies in that area, they will be substantially nerfed which will make that fight much easier.
As an aside, there is also a good chance that you should pick up Synaptic Static at this point over Teleportation Circle so you have two excellent combat options, but I believe that’s pretty contingent on whether or not your campaign can facilitate the use of Teleportation Circle or if someone else can use it. If you don’t need this, I would definitely pick up Synaptic Static now.
Level 16-20
Level 16
Class: 6 Paladin 10 Warlock
Class Features: Armor of Hexes
Spell Change Log: + Minor Illusion
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Minor Illusion |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Banishing Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Cone of Cold (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Storm of Radiance |
You get your penultimate subclass feature here with Armor of Hexes!
This is a very minor buff to Hexblade’s Curse as you can use your reaction against your cursed target to give them a 50/50 to hit you if they already connected with an attack roll. Not a terrible ability, but not exciting.
Since you don’t get another known spell at this level, you have to settle with picking up another cantrip in Minor Illusion. This is the best cantrip Warlocks can learn that you don’t already have, so you may as well pick it up!
Level 17
Class: 6 Paladin 11 Warlock
Class Features: Mystic Arcanum (6th level)
Spell Change Log: + Teleportation Circle + Scatter (Mystic Arcanum)
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Minor Illusion |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Banishing Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Cone of Cold (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Storm of Radiance |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Teleportation Circle |
| Warlock | 6th Level Spell | Scatter (Mystic Arcanum) |
Unlike other full casters where you get unfettered access to sixth level spells, you get Mystic Arcanum instead which used to be a lot more restrictive, but now is just a single prepared spell for each spell level that can be swapped out.
For your spell choice at this level, you get the best teleportation spells Warlocks can get – Teleportation Circle. While this does cost you 50gp per use and you need to use an established circle, this is a really effective way to travel without needing to hire a carraige or go on foot. Some DMs may be stingy with what areas have a circle to teleport to which can be a pain, but in the average campaign (and per the spell description), most major areas should have one making this an effective way of getting around.
For your Mystic Arcanum, I like picking up Scatter. This spell is extremely versatile as you can use this to move allies and enemies alike around on the battlefield. Whether you need to make an escape, get allies to safety, or move enemies into hazardous areas, Scatter will get the job done.
Level 18
Class: 7 Paladin 11 Warlock
Class Features: Relentless Avenger
Spell Change Log: + Lesser Restoration
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Minor Illusion |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Lesser Restoration |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Banishing Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Cone of Cold (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Storm of Radiance |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Teleportation Circle |
| Warlock | 6th Level Spell | Scatter (Mystic Arcanum) |
7 levels in Paladin brings a new ability to work with in Relentless Avenger.
Relentless Avenger is pretty much the important part of the Sentinel feat now, so that’s pretty good as a feature! Very thematic and really easy to pull off if the target that’s trying to run is your Vow of Enmity target.
For your spell choice, you can pick up Lesser Restoration. While you won’t use this often, being able to heal a few status conditions can be really helpful, even this late in the game.
Level 19
Class: 7 Paladin 12 Warlock
Epic Boon: Boon of Combat Prowess (CHA)
Class Features: Devouring Blade
Spell Change Log: None
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Minor Illusion |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Lesser Restoration |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Banishing Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Cone of Cold (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Storm of Radiance |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Teleportation Circle |
| Warlock | 6th Level Spell | Scatter (Mystic Arcanum) |
Level 19 now brings you an additional Eldritch Invocation and your Epic Boon.
For your Epic Boon, I like picking up Boon of Combat Prowess. Since you can covert a missed attack into a hit, this functionally gives you an Extra Attack which is obviously more than worth the boon.
For your Eldritch Invocation, it’s time to take the absolutely incredible Devouring Blade. You now get as many attacks as a Fighter with three total attacks per turn which is incredible! You are now the only other class in the game that can get more than two attacks (not including Two Weapon Fighting or the Nick property).
Level 20
Class: 8 Paladin 12 Warlock
Epic Boon: Boon of Fate (CHA)
Class Features: None
Spell Change Log: None
| CLASS | SPELL LEVEL | SPELL NAME |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Booming Blade |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Eldritch Blast |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Mage Hand |
| Warlock | Cantrip | Minor Illusion |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bane (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Bless |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Compelled Duel |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Detect Magic (R) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Divine Smite |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Hunter’s Mark (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Shield of Faith |
| Paladin | 1st Level Spell | Thunderous Smite |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Find Steed |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Hold Person (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Lesser Restoration |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Misty Step (Vengeance) |
| Paladin | 2nd Level Spell | Prayer of Healing |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Expeditious Retreat |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Hex |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Shield (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 1st Level Spell | Wrathful Smite |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Blur (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Mirror Image |
| Warlock | 2nd Level Spell | Shining Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Blink (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Counterspell |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Dispel Magic |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Elemental Weapon (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Hypnotic Pattern |
| Warlock | 3rd Level Spell | Thunder Step |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Dimension Door |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Phantasmal Killer (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Shadow of Moil |
| Warlock | 4th Level Spell | Staggering Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Banishing Smite (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Cone of Cold (Hexblade) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Contact Other Plane (Contact Patron) |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Storm of Radiance |
| Warlock | 5th Level Spell | Teleportation Circle |
| Warlock | 6th Level Spell | Scatter (Mystic Arcanum) |
For your final level up, you can pick up another Epic Boon with Boon of Fate!
Boon of Fate lets you get up to 22 Charisma which is already great, but also give you the chance to add or remove 2d4 once per rest or initiative roll which can be really impactful on that right roll.
