Still fairly new to the game, I'm playing a shadow sorcerer, currently level 6 so I just got my hound of ill omen. I was considering doing a multiclass with him maybe next level?
Primarily I have kind of an illusion theme that also does some blasting. I think it would be cool to go into warlock maybe for the flavor (it could be interesting RP to make a Pact with some demon or other being, if I can get with the DM and make it work in the campaign) but not sure what would be the main benefits of choosing the certain subtypes. So I had a few questions:
Is warlock a good class to multiclass as shadow sorc, or are there better options?
What are the pros/cons of the different warlock patrons
How many levels of warlock should I get and when should i get them, is level 6 too early?
Warlock and sorcerer both use charisma as their casting stat, so they've at least got that synergy, and if you only care about the flavor, just go for it. Mechanically speaking, whenever you multiclass you're giving up levels in your main class, and you need to look at the costs vs benefits and determine whether it's worthwhile for you. Taking a level in warlock means you're delayed a level in sorcerer spells, abilities, and ASI/feats. A lot of campaigns tend to peter out or stop around level 10-14, so consider whether you're going to spend long enough in this campaign playing to justify the multiclass.
Try making your character in the character builder, then copy it twice. Level it up to 7 as a sorcerer on one copy, and a 6/1 sorlock on the other. Maybe extend it to 9 and 6/3. Weigh your options. I've seen some sorcerer/warlock builds that are mechanically strong, but either are pretty good without any multiclassing at all. You don't need to be a warlock to RP having made some kind of deal with a fey, fiend, or other entity. I have a sorcerer that's a member of Glasya's Coin Legion, but doesn't have any levels in warlock. The things I'd get from taking a few levels of fiendlock aren't worth the high level sorcerer spells I'd be missing.
As for the pros/cons of different warlock patrons, again, just take a look at the subclass specific abilities. Things like fiend have access to spells like fireball (which sorcerer already gets), archfey patron has illusion/enchantment magics, etc.
IMO you should /only/ multiclass if you have specific goals for the multiclass. I've MC'd enough that I've come to understand how often it's a mistake. Now, I plan it well in advance, either to MC or to not MC. I highly recommend /not/ MC just to MC. If there are things you want from another class, by all means go get them, but have clear goals in mind before you risk messing up your character.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Multi-classing spellcasters is always a bit odd, since you give up higher level spells to do so.
There are some advantages to sorcerer/warlock. It can help you to spam low level spells and cantrips.
Im not sure how much of shadow sorcerer specifically crosses over with warlock. I feel like there is some overlap, in that one of the eldritch invocations is just better than one of the level 1 shadow sorcerer abilities for darkvision, and kind of makes casting darkness with sorcery points less attractive.
Hexblade offers some neat options if you are going for a spell sword kind of character. I can't think of any stand out patrons for a purely magic based sorcerer/warlock, because they all have neat stuff.
As far as a pact, I would definetly go pact of the chain. With your shadow hound and a fighting familiar, you're basically bringing 3 bodies into a fight, with a ton of utility outside of combat.
The allure of getting all those extra 1st level spells is tempting but I think I'll just stick to the straight class for now. After weighing the benefits I think I'd rather get to my higher level spells quicker and stack more sorcery points. (Coffeelock was also tempting)
I may make a character concept down the road of a more spellsword based character with hexblade and sorc, that seems like it could be a fun idea, but I'll leave my current character as is so I don't break my PC.
That's what I found. With my first warlock MC, I was primarily a sorcerer and MC'd in some warlock for flexibility. It was a mistake, and I regretted delaying my spell progression. My second warlock MC was primarily a warlock, and as such, I didn't care about my spell progression so much as I was focused on eldritch blast and twisted in a few levels of bard. It was very much not a mistake.
I've currently got a divine sorc that I originally rolled up as the party supporter. Life happened, and we lost the dragon sorcerer who dealt our DPR and another player's boyfriend joined with a cleric. So, I was asked to change from support to damage. That was never the plan, but now I am strongly considering twisting in two levels of warlock to prop up my AC a bit with armor, get eldritch blast and the darkness/devil's sight combo online. I'm not sure how much I want to delay 4th level spells though even though nothing really calls out to me.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
SorcX/Warlock1-2 is great as it gives you eldritch blast and agonizing blast so you can focus your precious sorcerer spells on defense and utility. It is a concept I aim to play next. It also means you get the most out of a sorcerers most powerful ability - quicken spell. When you quicken something, you can also cast a cantrip as a regular action so getting eldritch blast+agonizing as a cantrip is very powerful. Late game it is the difference between 4d10 and 4d10+(cha*4).
i would argue hexblade is the prefered subclass as it gives medium armor proficiency and a no-concentration buff for key fights.
going higher in warlock makes no sense from a mechanical point of view.
Hey guys!
Still fairly new to the game, I'm playing a shadow sorcerer, currently level 6 so I just got my hound of ill omen. I was considering doing a multiclass with him maybe next level?
Primarily I have kind of an illusion theme that also does some blasting. I think it would be cool to go into warlock maybe for the flavor (it could be interesting RP to make a Pact with some demon or other being, if I can get with the DM and make it work in the campaign) but not sure what would be the main benefits of choosing the certain subtypes. So I had a few questions:
Warlock and sorcerer both use charisma as their casting stat, so they've at least got that synergy, and if you only care about the flavor, just go for it. Mechanically speaking, whenever you multiclass you're giving up levels in your main class, and you need to look at the costs vs benefits and determine whether it's worthwhile for you. Taking a level in warlock means you're delayed a level in sorcerer spells, abilities, and ASI/feats. A lot of campaigns tend to peter out or stop around level 10-14, so consider whether you're going to spend long enough in this campaign playing to justify the multiclass.
Try making your character in the character builder, then copy it twice. Level it up to 7 as a sorcerer on one copy, and a 6/1 sorlock on the other. Maybe extend it to 9 and 6/3. Weigh your options. I've seen some sorcerer/warlock builds that are mechanically strong, but either are pretty good without any multiclassing at all. You don't need to be a warlock to RP having made some kind of deal with a fey, fiend, or other entity. I have a sorcerer that's a member of Glasya's Coin Legion, but doesn't have any levels in warlock. The things I'd get from taking a few levels of fiendlock aren't worth the high level sorcerer spells I'd be missing.
As for the pros/cons of different warlock patrons, again, just take a look at the subclass specific abilities. Things like fiend have access to spells like fireball (which sorcerer already gets), archfey patron has illusion/enchantment magics, etc.
IMO you should /only/ multiclass if you have specific goals for the multiclass. I've MC'd enough that I've come to understand how often it's a mistake. Now, I plan it well in advance, either to MC or to not MC. I highly recommend /not/ MC just to MC. If there are things you want from another class, by all means go get them, but have clear goals in mind before you risk messing up your character.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Multi-classing spellcasters is always a bit odd, since you give up higher level spells to do so.
There are some advantages to sorcerer/warlock. It can help you to spam low level spells and cantrips.
Im not sure how much of shadow sorcerer specifically crosses over with warlock. I feel like there is some overlap, in that one of the eldritch invocations is just better than one of the level 1 shadow sorcerer abilities for darkvision, and kind of makes casting darkness with sorcery points less attractive.
Hexblade offers some neat options if you are going for a spell sword kind of character. I can't think of any stand out patrons for a purely magic based sorcerer/warlock, because they all have neat stuff.
As far as a pact, I would definetly go pact of the chain. With your shadow hound and a fighting familiar, you're basically bringing 3 bodies into a fight, with a ton of utility outside of combat.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
The allure of getting all those extra 1st level spells is tempting but I think I'll just stick to the straight class for now. After weighing the benefits I think I'd rather get to my higher level spells quicker and stack more sorcery points. (Coffeelock was also tempting)
I may make a character concept down the road of a more spellsword based character with hexblade and sorc, that seems like it could be a fun idea, but I'll leave my current character as is so I don't break my PC.
That's what I found. With my first warlock MC, I was primarily a sorcerer and MC'd in some warlock for flexibility. It was a mistake, and I regretted delaying my spell progression. My second warlock MC was primarily a warlock, and as such, I didn't care about my spell progression so much as I was focused on eldritch blast and twisted in a few levels of bard. It was very much not a mistake.
I've currently got a divine sorc that I originally rolled up as the party supporter. Life happened, and we lost the dragon sorcerer who dealt our DPR and another player's boyfriend joined with a cleric. So, I was asked to change from support to damage. That was never the plan, but now I am strongly considering twisting in two levels of warlock to prop up my AC a bit with armor, get eldritch blast and the darkness/devil's sight combo online. I'm not sure how much I want to delay 4th level spells though even though nothing really calls out to me.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
SorcX/Warlock1-2 is great as it gives you eldritch blast and agonizing blast so you can focus your precious sorcerer spells on defense and utility. It is a concept I aim to play next. It also means you get the most out of a sorcerers most powerful ability - quicken spell. When you quicken something, you can also cast a cantrip as a regular action so getting eldritch blast+agonizing as a cantrip is very powerful. Late game it is the difference between 4d10 and 4d10+(cha*4).
i would argue hexblade is the prefered subclass as it gives medium armor proficiency and a no-concentration buff for key fights.
going higher in warlock makes no sense from a mechanical point of view.