Hello there! I would like to play a 2024 PHB elf (haven’t decided between Drow or high elf) GOO warlock, but I haven’t play a long term warlock before only on a couple of one shots.
My experience playing dnd is mostly full casters: Sorcerers and Wizards, but the Warlocks are really limited in how many spell slots they have so I am not sure how to start.
I really like the idea of an ancient lovecraftian being as patron that’s why I picked the GOO patron, but not sure how to build one. Can you help me do that? What’s the best build for a 2024 PHB GOO warlock? Melee Pact of the Blade? Or Caster Pact of the Tome? Or a combination of both?
The main thing is managing your spell slots is a much bigger deal, even if your group only plays a few encounters per adventuring day. If your group isn't prone to taking short rests, you're going to be running on fumes a lot. (Where "fumes" are "the best damage cantrip in the game".)
Any of the pacts are playable; it's entirely a matter of taste. I would advise against taking Hex if you're doing melee warlock, because your concentration is going to get blown too fast. (I'm also not a fan of Hex in general (it locks you out of the more interesting and effective concentration spells), but it's more viable if you're not getting punched in the face all the time.)
Thanks, I want to play a fun character that would have options in an encounter. I just do not want to be a one trick pony and yes, I understand that the warlock depends a lot of cantrips and I accept that fact. I just do not want to use the same tactic in every encounter because I’ll get bored.
Don't think about the Warlock as a full caster. Think of it as an archer with spell slots, and choose your spells accordingly. Most rounds, you're going to be eldritch blasting things. Figuring out how to use those limited spell slots to the best of your ability is really the challenge. How do you envision playing the character? Are you looking to control, or something else. You can get some nice push/pull invocations to modify your eldritch blast.
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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.
Thanks, I want to play a fun character that would have options in an encounter. I just do not want to be a one trick pony and yes, I understand that the warlock depends a lot of cantrips and I accept that fact. I just do not want to use the same tactic in every encounter because I’ll get bored.
If you pick your spells and invocations carefully, you can have a decent set of tactical options. My personal favorite is Hunger of Hadar plus knockback on your eldritch blast, but there's other tricks one can do, and I haven't done much thinking about it taking into account the upgrades in the new PHB.
Don't think about the Warlock as a full caster. Think of it as an archer with spell slots, and choose your spells accordingly. Most rounds, you're going to be eldritch blasting things. Figuring out how to use those limited spell slots to the best of your ability is really the challenge. How do you envision playing the character? Are you looking to control, or something else. You can get some nice push/pull invocations to modify your eldritch blast.
I think with the current party control will be the best option. We are going to play an aquatic campaign, Call of the Deep with the following members:
goliath world tree barbarian
gnome artificer (haven’t decided between armorer or artillerist)
human rogue soulknife
And myself the GOO warlock
We have the defender position, dps and support sino believe control will help considerably.
I'd definitely be looking at options to add control effects to your EB, and be looking at concentration spells that set up zones. Then use your eldritch blast to move them into the zones, and keep them there
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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.
With that classes in your party, you will likely also be the face of the party.
For spells, you want the most effect for your spell slot: use (concentration) spells with a long duration and good, long lasting control effects.
I like to have Hex as a backup option, actually: Hex is somthing to use, when it is clear, that I won't get a short rest anytime soon to recover your spell slots. In that case Hex will last several fights, and I rather have Hex to add to the damage, than rely only on Eldrich Blast alone. Hex lasts (if you can keep Concentration) minimum 1 hour and when upcast 4, 8 or 24 hours.
Don't forget to switch out spells when you level up and plan for it in advance: You want the biggest guns and best utility at all times. You don't want spells in your spell list you would feel sorry, if you cast them with a 5th level spell slot.
Also, plan your invocations: in an aquatic campain you might want to consider getting Gift of the Depths or at least Master of Myriad Forms at level 5. Pact of the Tome (with Find Familiar) or Pact of the Chain lets you summon an aquatic Familiar to scout below the surface.
Hello there! I would like to play a 2024 PHB elf (haven’t decided between Drow or high elf) GOO warlock, but I haven’t play a long term warlock before only on a couple of one shots.
My experience playing dnd is mostly full casters: Sorcerers and Wizards, but the Warlocks are really limited in how many spell slots they have so I am not sure how to start.
I really like the idea of an ancient lovecraftian being as patron that’s why I picked the GOO patron, but not sure how to build one. Can you help me do that? What’s the best build for a 2024 PHB GOO warlock? Melee Pact of the Blade? Or Caster Pact of the Tome? Or a combination of both?
The main thing is managing your spell slots is a much bigger deal, even if your group only plays a few encounters per adventuring day. If your group isn't prone to taking short rests, you're going to be running on fumes a lot. (Where "fumes" are "the best damage cantrip in the game".)
Any of the pacts are playable; it's entirely a matter of taste. I would advise against taking Hex if you're doing melee warlock, because your concentration is going to get blown too fast. (I'm also not a fan of Hex in general (it locks you out of the more interesting and effective concentration spells), but it's more viable if you're not getting punched in the face all the time.)
Thanks, I want to play a fun character that would have options in an encounter. I just do not want to be a one trick pony and yes, I understand that the warlock depends a lot of cantrips and I accept that fact. I just do not want to use the same tactic in every encounter because I’ll get bored.
Don't think about the Warlock as a full caster. Think of it as an archer with spell slots, and choose your spells accordingly. Most rounds, you're going to be eldritch blasting things. Figuring out how to use those limited spell slots to the best of your ability is really the challenge. How do you envision playing the character? Are you looking to control, or something else. You can get some nice push/pull invocations to modify your eldritch blast.
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
If you pick your spells and invocations carefully, you can have a decent set of tactical options. My personal favorite is Hunger of Hadar plus knockback on your eldritch blast, but there's other tricks one can do, and I haven't done much thinking about it taking into account the upgrades in the new PHB.
I think with the current party control will be the best option. We are going to play an aquatic campaign, Call of the Deep with the following members:
goliath world tree barbarian
gnome artificer (haven’t decided between armorer or artillerist)
human rogue soulknife
And myself the GOO warlock
We have the defender position, dps and support sino believe control will help considerably.
I'd definitely be looking at options to add control effects to your EB, and be looking at concentration spells that set up zones. Then use your eldritch blast to move them into the zones, and keep them there
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
With that classes in your party, you will likely also be the face of the party.
For spells, you want the most effect for your spell slot: use (concentration) spells with a long duration and good, long lasting control effects.
I like to have Hex as a backup option, actually: Hex is somthing to use, when it is clear, that I won't get a short rest anytime soon to recover your spell slots. In that case Hex will last several fights, and I rather have Hex to add to the damage, than rely only on Eldrich Blast alone. Hex lasts (if you can keep Concentration) minimum 1 hour and when upcast 4, 8 or 24 hours.
Don't forget to switch out spells when you level up and plan for it in advance: You want the biggest guns and best utility at all times. You don't want spells in your spell list you would feel sorry, if you cast them with a 5th level spell slot.
Also, plan your invocations: in an aquatic campain you might want to consider getting Gift of the Depths or at least Master of Myriad Forms at level 5. Pact of the Tome (with Find Familiar) or Pact of the Chain lets you summon an aquatic Familiar to scout below the surface.