I’m currently playing a fairly iconic Tiefling Pact of the Tome warlock with a very interesting if conventional archdevil for a patron. While he is primarily a ranged caster, he is not shy about throwing up Armor of Agathys, casting Shillelagh(or “Devil’s Cudgel” as I’ve reskinned that particular cantrip) and Green Flame Blade and wading into combat. With only two spell slots, he ends up falling back on Eldritch/Agonizing Blast quite often if it’s an extended combat. As he will soon be 5th level, this go-to cantrip will become even more effective and versatile with a second blast and possibly adding the Repelling Blast Invocation(I can’t resist the idea of casting Hunger of Hadar on a group of opponents, and then Eldritch Blasting them back into it if they manage to claw their way out). My issue is that I continually hear the complaint, here and many other places, that Warlock’s are a one-trick pony, all they can do is cast Eldritch Blast over and over, rinse and repeat.
First of all, this is not true at all, at least not with how I’ve built my character. With the Pact of the Tome, and the above mentioned cantrips and spell(which is essentially Warlock-exclusive), I am a competent melee combatant when needed. I have access to Find Familiar and a growing number of “utility” spells that I can ritually cast thanks to the Book of Ancient Secrets invocation, ritual spells I can acquire from ANY classes spell list. With one or two strategic short rests throughout the adventuring day, along with my Racial spell abilities, and 7, count ‘em, 7 cantrips available, I have rarely been “out of slots” in any detrimental way. Add to all this a high level of competency, even at 4th level, in useful(and scarce in our current party) skills like Intimidation, Deception and Persuasion, for when you maybe don’t want to fight.
Secondly, even if my Warlock was only really good for attacking from range with his various flavors of Eldritch Blast, maybe with Hex thrown on, so what. Why is that any different than our Barbarian going into his Rage and melee attacking with his axe EVERY combat.
Add on to this the fact that Warlock’s have some of the best roleplay elements baked right into their class, and the most customization potential from LEVEL 1, and I truly fail to see why people say Warlocks are boring and one dimensional.
A warlock's meat and potatoes in combat is in long concentration spells that deliver the most for your limited spell slots. Ideally something you can throw down and either effects enemies in the area automatically, or that you can activate/move around with a bonus action while you use your action to throw in some eldritch blasts.
I think a lot of warlocks make the mistake of prioritizing single-use spells like fireball because they're iconic and do tons of damage, over spells like wall of fire which you can use every round and not blow both of your spell slots in a single combat.
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I’m currently playing a fairly iconic Tiefling Pact of the Tome warlock with a very interesting if conventional archdevil for a patron. While he is primarily a ranged caster, he is not shy about throwing up Armor of Agathys, casting Shillelagh(or “Devil’s Cudgel” as I’ve reskinned that particular cantrip) and Green Flame Blade and wading into combat. With only two spell slots, he ends up falling back on Eldritch/Agonizing Blast quite often if it’s an extended combat. As he will soon be 5th level, this go-to cantrip will become even more effective and versatile with a second blast and possibly adding the Repelling Blast Invocation(I can’t resist the idea of casting Hunger of Hadar on a group of opponents, and then Eldritch Blasting them back into it if they manage to claw their way out). My issue is that I continually hear the complaint, here and many other places, that Warlock’s are a one-trick pony, all they can do is cast Eldritch Blast over and over, rinse and repeat.
First of all, this is not true at all, at least not with how I’ve built my character. With the Pact of the Tome, and the above mentioned cantrips and spell(which is essentially Warlock-exclusive), I am a competent melee combatant when needed. I have access to Find Familiar and a growing number of “utility” spells that I can ritually cast thanks to the Book of Ancient Secrets invocation, ritual spells I can acquire from ANY classes spell list. With one or two strategic short rests throughout the adventuring day, along with my Racial spell abilities, and 7, count ‘em, 7 cantrips available, I have rarely been “out of slots” in any detrimental way. Add to all this a high level of competency, even at 4th level, in useful(and scarce in our current party) skills like Intimidation, Deception and Persuasion, for when you maybe don’t want to fight.
Secondly, even if my Warlock was only really good for attacking from range with his various flavors of Eldritch Blast, maybe with Hex thrown on, so what. Why is that any different than our Barbarian going into his Rage and melee attacking with his axe EVERY combat.
Add on to this the fact that Warlock’s have some of the best roleplay elements baked right into their class, and the most customization potential from LEVEL 1, and I truly fail to see why people say Warlocks are boring and one dimensional.
Yeah warlocks can do a lot more. A couple friends of mine have played pretty scare warlocks.
I haven't gotten to play one myself, but I love how much customization there is between your patron, invocation choices, boon choice and spells.
A warlock's meat and potatoes in combat is in long concentration spells that deliver the most for your limited spell slots. Ideally something you can throw down and either effects enemies in the area automatically, or that you can activate/move around with a bonus action while you use your action to throw in some eldritch blasts.
I think a lot of warlocks make the mistake of prioritizing single-use spells like fireball because they're iconic and do tons of damage, over spells like wall of fire which you can use every round and not blow both of your spell slots in a single combat.