Unleash the Power: 5 Overpowered Warlock Builds You Need to Try in D&D!

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Summary

  • Warlocks have various powerful options for spellcasting, melee combat, and support roles.
  • Different races offer unique abilities to enhance a Warlock’s strengths.
  • Choosing the right Feats can further customize a Warlock’s abilities and playstyle.

Warlocks represent an uncommon character class that have seen a surge in popularity within the realm of RPGs, gracing both tabletop and video game scenarios more frequently than ever since the debut of Complete Arcana in 2004. While the specific abilities they wield may differ, their magical prowess is always linked to some form of supernatural or mystical energy source. In Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), a Warlock derives their power from a potent patron, promising lifelong allegiance in return.

The advancement of the Warlock character class in games or fantasy settings has led to the creation of some highly potent playstyles, capable of matching the spellcasting abilities of Wizards and Sorcerers. Additionally, some players choose to specialize in weapon use, adopting a more Fighter-like approach. Modern Warlocks offer a variety of intriguing opportunities for overpowered builds.

5. Support Serenade

The Bard/Warlock Multiclass

In this character setup, the common factor that determines how spells are cast is Charisma. This versatile build can take on different spellcasting tasks effectively. For a more diverse range of abilities, it’s advisable to include at least four levels of Bard, which will grant you the Bardic Versatility feature.

Races

For these two classes, charisma is deemed the essential attribute, but players can opt for other races that possess magical casting or healing skills as well.

  • Human: Choose two ability scores to increase by one. In this case, Charisma and Dexterity are the best choices.
  • Githzerai: Comes with handy racial abilities, like resistance to Psychic damage, and the spells Mage Hand, Detect Thoughts, and Shield, which use Charisma as a casting modifier.
  • Mark of Scribing Gnome: Available in the module Eberron: Rising from the Last War, this Gnome gets a +1 boost to Charisma, along with spells like Message and Magic Mouth.

Otherworldly Patron

The Genie stands out as a stellar option due to its focus on defense and stealth rather than healing. With multiple types of Genies available, this choice becomes even more intriguing. For instance, Dao Genies possess abilities such as Spike Growth and Sanctuary, while Djinni followers can cast spells like Greater Invisibility and Thunderwave, to provide a couple examples.

Feats

  • Shadow Touched: Increase Charisma by 1. Learn the spell Invisibility and another 1st level spell from either the Necromancy or Illusion school.
  • Telekinetic: Increase Charisma by 1. Learn the Mage Hand cantrip, along with an extra Action that can be used to telepathically shove enemies.
  • Resilience: Increase any ability score by +1, and gain proficiency in saving throws for the chosen ability.

4. The Power Of Benevolence

A Warlock With Good Intentions

Initially designed for a supportive function, this construction has the potential to become a dominant healer, marking a fresh role for Warlocks.

Races

In this context, charisma is crucial for spellcasting, serving as a key attribute. However, constitution could also be beneficial for a character fulfilling the healer or supportive roles, providing them with additional health points.

  • Drow: Gain +1 to Charisma and the ability to cast Faerie Fire, Darkness, and Dancing Lights.
  • Lightfoot Halfling: Increases Charisma by +1, and gain proficiency in stealth-related abilities.
  • Aasimar: These are the variety found in Volo’s Guide to Monsters. They get a +2 to Charisma and the abilities of Healing Hands, Celestial Resistance, and the Light cantrip.

Otherworldly Patron

A Celestial character is an ideal choice for a Warlock/Bard multiclass when it comes to assuming a healing role. This allows the Warlock to gain access to fundamental healing spells, as well as offensive ones such as Daylight and Guiding Bolt. These abilities become particularly useful if your adventure features undead elements in some capacity.

Feats

  • Healer: Gain proficiency in the use of a Healer’s Kit and use it to restore 1d6 + 4 hit points to any wounded creature. Restores additional HP equal to that creature’s total hit dice.
  • Alert: Gain +5 to Initiative. The character can’t be surprised while conscious, and hidden creatures don’t have Advantage on attacks.
  • Durable: Increase Constitution by +1. Rolls to regain hit points are double the character’s Constitution modifier.

3. Hellish Hexblade

Demonic Power And Sword Mastery

A homebrew favorite that went mainstream, the Hexblade combines spell power with sword mastery.

Races

  • Dragonborn: Gain +1 to Charisma and +2 to Strength, the latter of which is useful for weapon damage. Every color choice is either Dexterity or Constitution, all of which are useful.
  • Levistus Tiefling: Constitution increases by +1. Gain the spells Armor of Agathys, Ray of Frost, and Darkness.
  • Satyr: Available in the Mythic Odysseys of Theros module, this Fey creature gets +2 to Charisma and +1 to Dexterity.

Otherworldly Patron

In this case, the selection is clearly the Hexblade, given its suitability for a Warlock who prefers close-quarters combat. This subclass equips the character with a range of spells tailored for melee engagements. Defensive spells such as Shield, Blur, and Blink are among those used to bolster defense, while Smite spells, which come in multiple variations, serve an offensive purpose.

Feats

  • Moderately Armored: Increase Dexterity by +1 and gain proficiency with medium armor and shields. Warlocks can normally wear only Light Armor or Clothing.
  • Weapon Master: For characters that need a wider range of weapon proficiencies past the Warlcok’s usual simple range, this allows the player to choose any four weapon skills from either the simple or martial category.
  • Charger: Using the Dash action gives the Warlock a chance to either make a melee attack or Shove a target. Moving for at least 10 feet in one direction adds +5 to the attack roll.

2. Spellcasting Specialist

A Build Inspired By The Sorcerer

This Sorcerer build has an impressive ability to cast spells, but unlike the Sorcerer, it doesn’t need to be combined with another class through multiclassing. Instead, it requires thoughtful decisions when selecting Feats and a suitable subclass.

Races

Instead of a multi-class setup, enhancing Intelligence could prove beneficial for casters who opt for additional Wizard spells, while Constitution is universally advantageous for all spellcasters.

  • High Elf: Gain a +1 buff to Intelligence and a Wizard cantrip, along with some handy extra offensive skills with Elf Weapon Training.
  • Asmodeus Tiefling: +1 to Intelligence, Darkvision, Fire damage resistance, the spells Thermaturgy, Hellish Rebuke and Darkness.
  • Variant Human: Choose two ability scores to raise by +1. Gain one extra skill, and one extra Feat.

Otherworldly Patron

The Fiend offers additional spell selections to its followers as they advance in level. Many of these spells are offensive in nature, either generating harmful areas of effect or focusing on individual foes. For those seeking a darker character with more defensive options, the Great Old One subclass provides spells such as Tasha’s Hideous Laughter and Telekinesis.

Feats

  • Aberrant Dragonmark: Increase Constitution by +1 and learn a cantrip and spell from the Sorcerer list.
  • Metamagic Adept: This Warlock knows two Metamagic options from the Sorcerer class. Examples include Distant Spell, which gives a great casting range, and Twinned Spell, which can hit multiple targets.
  • Ritual Caster: Sorcerer: This is only available to those with an Intelligence or Wisdom score of 13 or higher, and allows Warlocks to choose two first-level Sorcerer spells to learn.

1. The Cyberpunk Warlock

Ghost In The Machine

Opting for just a handful of tiers as an Artificer will bestow upon your distinct Warlock character the ability to harness machine power. It’s strongly recommended that players consider investing in at least three levels of Artificer, as this allows them to select a specific subclass.

Races

For an Artificer, intelligence is crucial, and there’s a wealth of options to enhance this skill while keeping your Charisma strong as well.

  • Astral Elf: Increase one ability score by +1 and another by +2, or three by +1 each. Gain Darkvision, Fey Ancestry, and a choice of one cantrip from a choice of three.
  • Draconblood Dragonborn: Available in the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount guide, this subrace adds +2 to Intelligence and +1 to Charisma, as well as the abilities of Darkvision and Forceful Presence.
  • Human: All ability scores are increased by +1.

Otherworldly Patron

The Bottomless provides its Allies with spells capable of causing Thunder and Lightning harm, making it an ideal companion for Artificers who have specialized in weapons or abilities dealing similar damage types. For those desiring a broader range of options, the Genie offers distinct abilities tailored to the kind selected by the player.

Feats

  • Elemental Adept: Choose the type of elemental damage the Warlock’s spells and abilities ignore: acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder.
  • Gunner: In case the Artificer subclass doesn’t already grant proficiency with Guns, this Feat does. It also ignores any loading time, and close-range shots don’t have Disadvantage.
  • Gift of the Chromatic Dragon: Grants the abilities of Chromatic Confusion, which allows the Warlock to infuse their weapon with one kind of elemental damage, and Reactive Resistance, which gives them resistance to a type of elemental damage using a Reaction.

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2025-03-23 08:35