Pact of the Blade is not a spell, so you can use it while Raging. The same goes for Lifedrinker and Thirsting Blade.
Eldritch Smite is also not a spell, so it can also be used while Raging. Rage says that you can't cast spells, not that you can't use spell slots. Using spell slots for things other than casting spells is perfectly fine.
I think there is a couple of major considerations that'd put me off of the Warlock/Barbarian multiclass, I'll just put down the considerations at to why here.
1) Barbarian's rage damage requires attacks using strength, reckless attack (if you plan to use it) also requires attacks using strength. So the main benefit of Pact of the Blade (using Charisma) is reduced.
2.a) barbarian's unarmoured defence is dexterity and constitution which would make such a character very MAD, Or
2.b) to get medium armour proficiency barbarian needs to be your 1st level, which would switch your saving throw proficiency from WIS+CHA to STR+CON. While CON saving throw proficiency can be good for casters for concentration, you can't concentrate while raging.
3) As you're raging, you can't benefit from spells like Hex or Spirit Shroud since they are concentration spells.
4) Barbarian Subclass considerations
4.a) berserker gets extra damage from using reckless attack (again strength based attack requirement)
4.b) World Tree, Vitality of the Tree scales off of Barbarian level... so it's benefits will be weakened by multiclassing
4.c) zealot, Divine Fury scales off of barbarian level... so it's benefits will be weakened by multiclassing
- Wild Heart should be fine
5) Warlock subclass considerations
5.a) Archfey is basically built around misty step, but you can't cast spells while raging
5.b) Great Old One, is basically built around casting damaging spells and inflict psychic damage
- Celestial and Fiend should be fine, additionally both offer an additional resistance that can help.
I am not saying to not do this multiclass, just that there is a number of considerations/caveats you should consider before taking it, if you feel you're experienced enough to handle it then feel free but if not as certain, I might recommend thinking of one of these two options:
Warlock/Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) will get you most of the same benefits as Warlock/Barbarian except for rage but with no real downsides and in fact more positives.
Barbarian/Fighter (Battlemaster/Champion) would easily out-perform this if going for more for a Barbarian build.
I think there is a couple of major considerations that'd put me off of the Warlock/Barbarian multiclass, I'll just put down the considerations at to why here.
I agree, at 1st glance not being able to rage and cast spells is a major issue. Thank you very much for you analysis. Never heard of spiritual shroud as it is not in the 2024 PHB. Hex sounds good, but not sure if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. If one needs to use a concentration spell in combat, there seems like better ones. Thank you for mentioning the Paladin, overlooked it as had no intention of being a LG knight. But I will look at it to see the benefit of choosing that.
The intent is to get a better con save. So with only a 1 level dip that appears to be Sorcerer/FTR/Barbarian. Barbarian did appear to be a dead end. Sorcerer seemed the most obvious, but at 1st level it only had the CON save, and that appeared to be a bit too steep of a price to pay. Comparing Sorcerous Burst and eldritch blast seems why bother with Sorcerous Burst. You get a better hit die, but that is it. Eldritch blast will give you multiple as you advance and you can apply the CHA modifier. Once you get to level 5, and get two eldritch blast attacks it is much better.
Barbarian/FTR gives you access to wearing armor & shield. If you are going Pact of Blade that is a big bonus. The unarmored defense appears to be a red herring, as most armor caps you at dex of 2. Even by boosting con, it is at best even but not enough to be better than a shield + armor. With Pact of Blade, you are already limited on spells due to holding a weapon while doing somatic portion. So war caster eliminates that issue. Based on my understanding of actions. If I am swinging my weapon, how do I still have an available magic action, so Raging is not as big of a concern as implied. I can't swing and cast spells.
With warcaster, you can have your weapon and shield/armor, cast eldritch blast (like a ranged weapon aka bow) when the opponent gets within 30 feet, then rage and ignore the ability for casting spells.
Both FTR/Barbarian allow you to have weapon mastery, and the FTR bonus is an overkill. The barbarian does give you a 2 more starting HPs which is nice. You also get the damage resistance when raging which is a big bonus and a big reason to rage.
As for the lack of strength, that is a know issue and can be mitigated (not solved) when abilities are created. This also holds true if a fighter is picked as well.
Overall to get a better CON save, it is basically a 48/52% toss up between ftr and Barb.
I think there is a couple of major considerations that'd put me off of the Warlock/Barbarian multiclass, I'll just put down the considerations at to why here.
Thank you for mentioning the Paladin, overlooked it as had no intention of being a LG knight. But I will look at it to see the benefit of choosing that.
Probably worth mentioning that, unlike in some past editions, none of the classes in 5e have any alignment restrictions. You do not have to play a Paladin as a lawful good knight if you don't want to, though that's still a commonly used archetype.
I think there is a couple of major considerations that'd put me off of the Warlock/Barbarian multiclass, I'll just put down the considerations at to why here.
I agree, at 1st glance not being able to rage and cast spells is a major issue. Thank you very much for you analysis. Never heard of spiritual shroud as it is not in the 2024 PHB. Hex sounds good, but not sure if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. If one needs to use a concentration spell in combat, there seems like better ones. Thank you for mentioning the Paladin, overlooked it as had no intention of being a LG knight. But I will look at it to see the benefit of choosing that.
The intent is to get a better con save. So with only a 1 level dip that appears to be Sorcerer/FTR/Barbarian. Barbarian did appear to be a dead end. Sorcerer seemed the most obvious, but at 1st level it only had the CON save, and that appeared to be a bit too steep of a price to pay. Comparing Sorcerous Burst and eldritch blast seems why bother with Sorcerous Burst. You get a better hit die, but that is it. Eldritch blast will give you multiple as you advance and you can apply the CHA modifier. Once you get to level 5, and get two eldritch blast attacks it is much better.
Barbarian/FTR gives you access to wearing armor & shield. If you are going Pact of Blade that is a big bonus. The unarmored defense appears to be a red herring, as most armor caps you at dex of 2. Even by boosting con, it is at best even but not enough to be better than a shield + armor. With Pact of Blade, you are already limited on spells due to holding a weapon while doing somatic portion. So war caster eliminates that issue. Based on my understanding of actions. If I am swinging my weapon, how do I still have an available magic action, so Raging is not as big of a concern as implied. I can't swing and cast spells.
With warcaster, you can have your weapon and shield/armor, cast eldritch blast (like a ranged weapon aka bow) when the opponent gets within 30 feet, then rage and ignore the ability for casting spells.
Both FTR/Barbarian allow you to have weapon mastery, and the FTR bonus is an overkill. The barbarian does give you a 2 more starting HPs which is nice. You also get the damage resistance when raging which is a big bonus and a big reason to rage.
As for the lack of strength, that is a know issue and can be mitigated (not solved) when abilities are created. This also holds true if a fighter is picked as well.
Overall to get a better CON save, it is basically a 48/52% toss up between ftr and Barb.
Spirit Shroud is from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything - I don't know why they didn't bring this one over to 2024 PHB to be honest but it is still usable by a 2024 character if they have access to Tasha's. you'd replace Hex out with Spirit Shroud, generally speaking but without extra material, yeah, there are other spells to consider depending on how you want to play. Hex is just good early game.
If you're after better con saves, there is also the Resilient (constitution) feat, at level 4 take Warcaster (Charisma) then at level 8 take Resilient (constitution). But this won't give you armor/shield. I would say Fighter gives more since a fighting style isn't to be sneezed at. Paladin doesn't have the LG restrictions anymore, it would also gives two additional 1st spell slots for level 1, which can ease the burden on Warlocks limited number of Pact Slots.
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I understand with Rage you cannot cast spells and you can't concentrate.
But can the Eldritch Invocations like Pact of the Blade still be usable (before you rage)?
What about Lifedrinker and thirsting blade?
I assume if raging you can't use Eldritch Smite as that uses a spell slot.
Pact of the Blade is not a spell, so you can use it while Raging. The same goes for Lifedrinker and Thirsting Blade.
Eldritch Smite is also not a spell, so it can also be used while Raging. Rage says that you can't cast spells, not that you can't use spell slots. Using spell slots for things other than casting spells is perfectly fine.
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I think there is a couple of major considerations that'd put me off of the Warlock/Barbarian multiclass, I'll just put down the considerations at to why here.
1) Barbarian's rage damage requires attacks using strength, reckless attack (if you plan to use it) also requires attacks using strength. So the main benefit of Pact of the Blade (using Charisma) is reduced.
2.a) barbarian's unarmoured defence is dexterity and constitution which would make such a character very MAD, Or
2.b) to get medium armour proficiency barbarian needs to be your 1st level, which would switch your saving throw proficiency from WIS+CHA to STR+CON. While CON saving throw proficiency can be good for casters for concentration, you can't concentrate while raging.
3) As you're raging, you can't benefit from spells like Hex or Spirit Shroud since they are concentration spells.
4) Barbarian Subclass considerations
4.a) berserker gets extra damage from using reckless attack (again strength based attack requirement)
4.b) World Tree, Vitality of the Tree scales off of Barbarian level... so it's benefits will be weakened by multiclassing
4.c) zealot, Divine Fury scales off of barbarian level... so it's benefits will be weakened by multiclassing
- Wild Heart should be fine
5) Warlock subclass considerations
5.a) Archfey is basically built around misty step, but you can't cast spells while raging
5.b) Great Old One, is basically built around casting damaging spells and inflict psychic damage
- Celestial and Fiend should be fine, additionally both offer an additional resistance that can help.
I am not saying to not do this multiclass, just that there is a number of considerations/caveats you should consider before taking it, if you feel you're experienced enough to handle it then feel free but if not as certain, I might recommend thinking of one of these two options:
Warlock/Paladin (Oath of Vengeance) will get you most of the same benefits as Warlock/Barbarian except for rage but with no real downsides and in fact more positives.
Barbarian/Fighter (Battlemaster/Champion) would easily out-perform this if going for more for a Barbarian build.
I agree, at 1st glance not being able to rage and cast spells is a major issue. Thank you very much for you analysis. Never heard of spiritual shroud as it is not in the 2024 PHB. Hex sounds good, but not sure if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. If one needs to use a concentration spell in combat, there seems like better ones. Thank you for mentioning the Paladin, overlooked it as had no intention of being a LG knight. But I will look at it to see the benefit of choosing that.
The intent is to get a better con save. So with only a 1 level dip that appears to be Sorcerer/FTR/Barbarian. Barbarian did appear to be a dead end. Sorcerer seemed the most obvious, but at 1st level it only had the CON save, and that appeared to be a bit too steep of a price to pay. Comparing Sorcerous Burst and eldritch blast seems why bother with Sorcerous Burst. You get a better hit die, but that is it. Eldritch blast will give you multiple as you advance and you can apply the CHA modifier. Once you get to level 5, and get two eldritch blast attacks it is much better.
Barbarian/FTR gives you access to wearing armor & shield. If you are going Pact of Blade that is a big bonus. The unarmored defense appears to be a red herring, as most armor caps you at dex of 2. Even by boosting con, it is at best even but not enough to be better than a shield + armor. With Pact of Blade, you are already limited on spells due to holding a weapon while doing somatic portion. So war caster eliminates that issue. Based on my understanding of actions. If I am swinging my weapon, how do I still have an available magic action, so Raging is not as big of a concern as implied. I can't swing and cast spells.
With warcaster, you can have your weapon and shield/armor, cast eldritch blast (like a ranged weapon aka bow) when the opponent gets within 30 feet, then rage and ignore the ability for casting spells.
Both FTR/Barbarian allow you to have weapon mastery, and the FTR bonus is an overkill. The barbarian does give you a 2 more starting HPs which is nice. You also get the damage resistance when raging which is a big bonus and a big reason to rage.
As for the lack of strength, that is a know issue and can be mitigated (not solved) when abilities are created. This also holds true if a fighter is picked as well.
Overall to get a better CON save, it is basically a 48/52% toss up between ftr and Barb.
Probably worth mentioning that, unlike in some past editions, none of the classes in 5e have any alignment restrictions. You do not have to play a Paladin as a lawful good knight if you don't want to, though that's still a commonly used archetype.
pronouns: he/she/they
Spirit Shroud is from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything - I don't know why they didn't bring this one over to 2024 PHB to be honest but it is still usable by a 2024 character if they have access to Tasha's. you'd replace Hex out with Spirit Shroud, generally speaking but without extra material, yeah, there are other spells to consider depending on how you want to play. Hex is just good early game.
If you're after better con saves, there is also the Resilient (constitution) feat, at level 4 take Warcaster (Charisma) then at level 8 take Resilient (constitution). But this won't give you armor/shield. I would say Fighter gives more since a fighting style isn't to be sneezed at. Paladin doesn't have the LG restrictions anymore, it would also gives two additional 1st spell slots for level 1, which can ease the burden on Warlocks limited number of Pact Slots.