Archfey Warlock/Wild Magic Sorc

One of my groups has started a playthrough of the Mad Mage campaign using 5e rules.  Couple of sessions in and enjoying it (2nd time in the campaign but never finished it in a different group).  PC started at 5th level.  I was considering doing something along the lines of a Hexblade Sorlock to max EB and MM.  But as I was pondering character creation ideas I decided to go a different route with a concept I'd never considered before.  

This group is heavy into RP with deep back stories, PC interactions, between session RP on Discord etc.  Normally I'm a DM for the group but we fortunately have several other players that are also DM's so this is giving me a great break.  Most of us decided to do something completely different than our 'normal' characters.  For example the guy that is normally the half-Orc murder hobo went with halfling Bard.  The elven Rouge guy went with Minotaur Barbarian.  Stuff like that.  Went with Fairy as it's a race I'd never even thought about playing and it looked like fun with a lot of possibilities.  

So I currently have 2 levels of Archfey Warlock and three levels of Wild Magic Sorcerer.  Wanted the 2 Warlock levels to get the Invocations, chose Agonizing and Repelling Blast.  Wanted 3 levels of Sorcerer to get to the MM stuff and have some additional spell slots.  That's where I'm at now.

I'm leaning towards the next level being Warlock in order to get Pact of the Chain (Sprite).  Not looking so much for the most optimal min-max but leaning into the whole 'Fey' angle.  Don't get me wrong, I like min-maxing different PC's occasionally as to me it's kind of relaxing to research stuff with a lot of synergy.  But like I said, this time around it was going for a whole different angle for RP fun and shenanigans.  But I feel that with EB + Hex and/or Chaos bolt + Hex gives me some solid damage output.  But also want to have a lot of support and utility for a variety.  Faerie Fire, Enlarge, Charm, Frighten and that whole route.  

Beyond that I'm 'thinking' going Sorc the rest of the way but undecided.  Have some time before I need to make a decision.

Anyway, first post on this particular forum so just wanted to put up a post with some current thoughts and doings.  Thoughts, suggestions and experiences with this or similar builds are always welcome.  

2-3 levels of Warlock and the rest Sorcerer is a pretty decent setup. Hexblade is particularly nice for the armor proficiencies and Hexblade's Curse. This combo will let you get 9th level spells at the end of the game, and using Quickened Spell with Eldritch Blast then another Eldritch Blast to push whole groups of enemies into a concentration area spell like Wall of Fire or Sickening Radiance is a nice gameplay loop that can be surprisingly strong.

You could also play as a battlefield controller, taking spells like Hypnotic Pattern, Banishment, and Hold Monster to lock down an enemy or three then blast the rest into submission. Twinned Spell can work especially good for some of the single-target concentrations spells, or Heightened Spell to give the enemies disadvantage on the saving throws for your save-or-suck spells like Banishment. 

"Heavy into RP" ... "Pact of the Chain (Sprite)"

Might I suggest something akin to what I do. I am playing a Forgotten Realms elf who is a worshipper of Sune - Goddess of Beauty, (Beauty in the artistic as well as carnal senses). His "Sprite" (Celestial Patron) is seen by the character as a gift from the goddess so the sprite form is all the sultry beauty tyhat only a creature of Sune can inspire. But in any other form I summon her she is also as beautiful a creature of that type as was ever encountered and the character interacts with the familiar as the same immortal (those low hp mean a few re-summons have happened) creature, the history and shared adventures grow as the story does.

While I went Celestial and Your're hooking Hexblade, maybe a martial appearance to the Sprite with a more stoic demeanour. Summoned as a cat, then as a grizzled scarred tom cat used to fighting for it's turf, but similar vein - it is the same immortal spirit bound to the form you summon, same name, same memories, same promises, etc etc.

I think it adds to the story as the DM then has a constant they can then lean into for the narrative of conversations between warlock and familiar. 

I had cause to summon her as an imp (fire giant lair and immune to fire damage) but as a Sunish imp she was all succubus themed (still a celestial creature type though) and I copped it in the neck for making her assume a horrid beastly guise ... many bribes required to soothe it over

Hopefully that inspires some ideas.

Quote from Sequilonis >>

2-3 levels of Warlock and the rest Sorcerer is a pretty decent setup. Hexblade is particularly nice for the armor proficiencies and Hexblade's Curse. This combo will let you get 9th level spells at the end of the game, and using Quickened Spell with Eldritch Blast then another Eldritch Blast to push whole groups of enemies into a concentration area spell like Wall of Fire or Sickening Radiance is a nice gameplay loop that can be surprisingly strong.

You could also play as a battlefield controller, taking spells like Hypnotic Pattern, Banishment, and Hold Monster to lock down an enemy or three then blast the rest into submission. Twinned Spell can work especially good for some of the single-target concentrations spells, or Heightened Spell to give the enemies disadvantage on the saving throws for your save-or-suck spells like Banishment. 

Agreed, really starting to lean that way i.e. finish out the 3rd level of Warlock to get the Pact feature.  This would be on my next (6th) level, and then the rest into Sorc.  I really, really, really looked at the Hexblade for this one for the reasons you stated.  Hexblade curse can just really be an excellent rider.  And normally I would have because I really look for synergy that boosts DPS and such.  I finally decided on Archfey (which I normally would not even have considered) because of the whole 'Fairy' theme to the character.  Which is why I also went with Wild Magic Sorc, again, something I normally wouldn't have considered.  But this time around Archfey/Wild Magic just sort of jumped out as the way to go.  Since I never played either subclass it's a totally new experience which makes it a plus.  

Thumbs up on the Quickened Spell.  I was originally thinking about a MM build but I'll save that for a Hex/Wizard build down the road.  So focusing on EB will work well with this build.  And yep, EB then EB again makes for some great damage output.  I like your Wall of Fire and Sickening Radiance suggestions, thank you.  Hunger of Hadar would be a good one as well I think.  

I like the battlefield control options as well for this build.  I did also take Twinned Spell so that will help as you've noted.  We're using 5e (2014) so I have sleep as it seemed theme-strong.  I've used that many a time and in the past to good effect.  'Yeah buddy, take a nap', lol.  And your buddies can waste their action if they want to wake you up.  Win-win.  

Bought a Wand of Chaos Bolt as well just to have in the back pocket and again, seemed theme-strong for this build.  The whole 'wild and unpredictable' route I'm going.  Should be a lot of fun...well, at least until I surge and cast a fireball on myself, lol.  

Appreciate the suggestions.  I'm going to take a long look at several of the spells you've suggested.

Quote from Estaln >>

"Heavy into RP" ... "Pact of the Chain (Sprite)"

Might I suggest something akin to what I do. I am playing a Forgotten Realms elf who is a worshipper of Sune - Goddess of Beauty, (Beauty in the artistic as well as carnal senses). His "Sprite" (Celestial Patron) is seen by the character as a gift from the goddess so the sprite form is all the sultry beauty tyhat only a creature of Sune can inspire. But in any other form I summon her she is also as beautiful a creature of that type as was ever encountered and the character interacts with the familiar as the same immortal (those low hp mean a few re-summons have happened) creature, the history and shared adventures grow as the story does.

While I went Celestial and Your're hooking Hexblade, maybe a martial appearance to the Sprite with a more stoic demeanour. Summoned as a cat, then as a grizzled scarred tom cat used to fighting for it's turf, but similar vein - it is the same immortal spirit bound to the form you summon, same name, same memories, same promises, etc etc.

I think it adds to the story as the DM then has a constant they can then lean into for the narrative of conversations between warlock and familiar. 

I had cause to summon her as an imp (fire giant lair and immune to fire damage) but as a Sunish imp she was all succubus themed (still a celestial creature type though) and I copped it in the neck for making her assume a horrid beastly guise ... many bribes required to soothe it over

Hopefully that inspires some ideas.

Thank you.  As mentioned above, definitely going to get that next level of Warlock so I can get the Pact feature.  And as mentioned above, normally I'd be going Pact of the Blade with some sort of Hex build.  But yeah, for the RP opportunities (as well as the utility of having a familiar) Pact of the Chain with a Pixie just looks to be the right direction to take.  

I like your interactions with yours that you detailed.  I'll be putting some thoughts into this relationship/back story.  Off the top of my head the Pixie could be 'sent' to the PC to keep an eye on her and help keep her out of trouble.  My Fairy is of the noble class from the Feywild but her chaotic nature led her to a life of carefree adventuring.  Which fits well with the Mad Mage campaign.  

I'll need to flesh that out one I hit the next level and pick up the Pact.  :)

A third level sorcerer for the sake of the Chain Pact with a sprite will add fantastic benefit through invisible intelligence and emotional vision.

Quote from daphneross >>

A third level sorcerer for the sake of the Chain Pact with a sprite will add fantastic benefit through invisible intelligence and emotional vision.

I agree that it is going to have a LOT of utility!  Fitting the theme is an added benefit.