So let me say there are a lot of attempts to build a Venom out there in the interwebs. I came across a request for a low level single class warlock version, gave it a try and ended up building a path for a single class warlock that is Venom.....curious what others think of it, I'm posting here:
Half orc haunted one background.
You were abused as a youngling treated as nothing more than a slave to the orc tribe you had the unfortune to be born in. The physical abuse made you tough and angry. But the desperation was even worse, always looking to escape having made many attempts only to be brought back and beaten to submission time and again. They eventually chained you in the mining caves and used as a "canary" of sorts when new areas of the underdark are found....it was in that role you found your "symbiote" patron. A Fiendish Monstrosity/Shapechanger (mimic), created by being in proximity to a Demon lord. An amorphous creature, it merged with you and took over for a time, killing your tormentor(s), a small band of Orcs in the underdark. It gave you your freedom, but is constantly there urging you forward, an insatiable appetite to consume, and in desperate times takes over, when you come around there is death and gore all around you....
I suggest role play the symbiote taking over when things are dire, as you level up assert yourself more and become synergistic.
reskinned Shadow Blade as a Tentacle Flail. Or as a blade extending from arm
The Hadar Spells were just bonus cherries on top.
My Eldritch Blast was a large conjured eyeball with teeth that just blasted rays of Eldritch energy.
Following this plan you are essentially Venom at 3rd level. Using Half orc or even variant Human (to get tough feat as bonus feat so that HP progression is same as fighter.)
Cantrip:Toll the Dead, Poison Spray, 1st: Arms of Hadar, Hex
Inv: Armor of Shadows, Devils sight, 1st: Cause Fear
Pact of the Tome: Primal Savagery, Thorn Whip, Acid Splash, 2nd: Shadow Blade
Cantrip: Sword Burst 2nd: Darkness, Feat/Ability: War Caster or Alert or +2Ch
3rd: Hunger of Hadar, Fear (replaces Cause fear), Inv: Maddening Hex
Spell: (2nd) Spider Climb
4th: Shadow of Moil, Inv: Relentless Hex
Feat/Ability: Tough or Charger, Spell: (3rd)Gaseous form
5th: Enervation, Inv: Otherworldly Leap or one with Shadows
Cantrip: Eldritch Blast (couldn't think of anything more thematic here)
So let me say there are a lot of attempts to build a Venom out there in the interwebs. I came across a request for a low level single class warlock version, gave it a try and ended up building a path for a single class warlock that is Venom.....curious what others think of it, I'm posting here:
Half orc haunted one background.
You were abused as a youngling treated as nothing more than a slave to the orc tribe you had the unfortune to be born in. The physical abuse made you tough and angry. But the desperation was even worse, always looking to escape having made many attempts only to be brought back and beaten to submission time and again. They eventually chained you in the mining caves and used as a "canary" of sorts when new areas of the underdark are found....it was in that role you found your "symbiote" patron. A Fiendish Monstrosity/Shapechanger (mimic), created by being in proximity to a Demon lord. An amorphous creature, it merged with you and took over for a time, killing your tormentor(s), a small band of Orcs in the underdark. It gave you your freedom, but is constantly there urging you forward, an insatiable appetite to consume, and in desperate times takes over, when you come around there is death and gore all around you....
I suggest role play the symbiote taking over when things are dire, as you level up assert yourself more and become synergistic.
From <https://www.reddit.com/r/3d6/comments/b9x23m/showcase5e_my_tentacleclaw_cleric/>
Fiend (Juiblex?) or Devil pact warlock:
Following this plan you are essentially Venom at 3rd level. Using Half orc or even variant Human (to get tough feat as bonus feat so that HP progression is same as fighter.)
Cantrip: Sword Burst 2nd: Darkness, Feat/Ability: War Caster or Alert or +2Ch
3rd: Hunger of Hadar, Fear (replaces Cause fear), Inv: Maddening Hex
Spell: (2nd) Spider Climb
4th: Shadow of Moil, Inv: Relentless Hex
Feat/Ability: Tough or Charger, Spell: (3rd)Gaseous form
5th: Enervation, Inv: Otherworldly Leap or one with Shadows
Cantrip: Eldritch Blast (couldn't think of anything more thematic here)
Mystic Arcanum: otherworldly form, 4th: Summon Greater Demon
Feat/Ability: +2 Con or Martial Adept, Inv: Tricksters escape
Mystic Arcanum: Plane Shift, Spell: (2nd)mirror image
Mystic Arcanum: Maddening Darkness, Inv: Master of Myriad Forms, Spell:
**EDIT** realized the Table I used to show progression and suggested Spells/Invocations didn't format well in Mobile. Edited for easier read.