Hi! Not new to D&D but going away from my comfort zone and playing a Warlock for the 1st time transitioning off of a modified Circle of Spores Druid. Wouldn't mind any pointers on my Invocation and Spell selection.
Basic Info- Eladrin Archfey Patron Warlock- Pact of the Tome
Current Invocations:
Mask of Many Faces, Agonizing Blast, Devil's Sight & Ghostly Gaze
Cantrips:
Eldritch Blast, Guidance, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Primal Savagery & Spare the Dying
Spells:
Armor of Agathys, Blight, Charm Monster, Counterspell, Dimension Door, Greater Invisibility, Hold Person, Shatter & Thunderstep.
I wouldn't take counterspell but I am the ONLY full caster in the party so it feels like I have to take counterspell.
I love the Eladrin subclass for a warlock build! The free misty step/short rest is super nice 👍🏻. I’ve been playing warlocks for 3 years now as my primary class and I have a couple thoughts for you. What type of warlock do you see yourself being? Melee, battlefield control, blasty, mind control?
As a caster, I think it is always a good idea to have Counterspell...even Warlocks with only 2 spell slots. I like your balanced spell list. I might suggest adding Banishment for some additional battlefield control. It is always super helpful when it works.
One thing I’m wondering...of all the canttips available to a tomelock why pick primal savagery? The choice is a bit unusual based on the rest of your very strong list...you have a thing for biting monsters?
So from a combat perspective I'm trying to be somewhat a combination of blast damage and battlefield/mind control in a very mobile form so as to avoid damage. Between Fey Presence, Charm Monster and Hold Person the hope would be I can lock down some of the combatants in every battle to make it more manageable for the team. Then use EB for my primary blast damage supplementing with Shatter for groups and Blight for high CR single targets. Fey Step, Thunderstep and the Arch Fey escape feature give me 3 solid options to escape a bad melee situation with 2 of those not requiring a spell slot.
Out of combat I'll be the face and political manipulator with my high charisma and fey noble background.
I've gone back and forth on subbing out dimension door for banishment as I agree it is a great single target debuff.
So Primal Savagery is there as an emergency melee option if all else fails and felt more thematic for someone from the feywild than the typical shocking grasp.
So from a combat perspective I'm trying to be somewhat a combination of blast damage and battlefield/mind control in a very mobile form so as to avoid damage. Between Fey Presence, Charm Monster and Hold Person the hope would be I can lock down some of the combatants in every battle to make it more manageable for the team. Then use EB for my primary blast damage supplementing with Shatter for groups and Blight for high CR single targets. Fey Step, Thunderstep and the Arch Fey escape feature give me 3 solid options to escape a bad melee situation with 2 of those not requiring a spell slot.
Out of combat I'll be the face and political manipulator with my high charisma and fey noble background.
Sincerely appreciate any feedback.
Since a lot of charisma rolls are opposed by things like insight you might consider taking the hex spell to use out of combat.
I've gone back and forth on subbing out dimension door for banishment as I agree it is a great single target debuff.
So Primal Savagery is there as an emergency melee option if all else fails and felt more thematic for someone from the feywild than the typical shocking grasp.
Thanks for the feedback.
Another means of getting emergency “melee” is taking Crossbow Expert so you can make eldritch blast attacks up close and personal without being at disadvatage.
So from a combat perspective I'm trying to be somewhat a combination of blast damage and battlefield/mind control in a very mobile form so as to avoid damage. Between Fey Presence, Charm Monster and Hold Person the hope would be I can lock down some of the combatants in every battle to make it more manageable for the team. Then use EB for my primary blast damage supplementing with Shatter for groups and Blight for high CR single targets. Fey Step, Thunderstep and the Arch Fey escape feature give me 3 solid options to escape a bad melee situation with 2 of those not requiring a spell slot.
Out of combat I'll be the face and political manipulator with my high charisma and fey noble background.
Sincerely appreciate any feedback.
Since a lot of charisma rolls are opposed by things like insight you might consider taking the hex spell to use out of combat.
I've gone back and forth on subbing out dimension door for banishment as I agree it is a great single target debuff.
So Primal Savagery is there as an emergency melee option if all else fails and felt more thematic for someone from the feywild than the typical shocking grasp.
Thanks for the feedback.
Another means of getting emergency “melee” is taking Crossbow Expert so you can make eldritch blast attacks up close and personal without being at disadvatage.
Thanks for the Hex suggestion. That's a good one to think about.
Seems like Crossbow Expert would only apply to crossbow attacks. Granted I agree the way it is written it seems to apply to everything. Maybe I'll see if my DM would be ok with a Homebrew version of this feat to make it more applicable to casters since 2 of the benefits of the feat get me nothing.
Being pact of the fey, you have access to Plant growth, which is very powerful for battlefield control. I like it cause not only does it cause creatures to use 4 feet of movement for every foot, but it doesn’t require concentration, so you can stack a conc aoe Spell on top of it like Sickening Radiance for some craziness.
Being the only caster you might also consider Dispell Magic. Might be even more useful than counterspell in most situations.
Instead of primal savagery, maybe look at Shocking grasp for melee? If you hit, your target can’t take reactions until the start of its next turn and you get free advantage if they’re wearing metal armor.
Crossbow Expert Is it intentional that the second benefit of Crossbow Ex- pert helps ranged spell attacks? Yes, it’s intentional. When you make a ranged attack roll within 5 feet of an enemy, you normally suffer disadvantage (PH, 195). The second benefit of Crossbow Expert prevents you from suffering that disadvantage, whether or not the ranged attack is with a crossbow. When designing a feat with a narrow use, we consider adding at least one element that can benefit a character more broadly—a bit of mastery that your character brings from one situation to another. The second benefit of Cross- bow Expert is such an element, as is the first benefit of Great Weapon Master. That element in Crossbow Expert shows that some of the character’s expertise with one type of thing—crossbows, in this case—transfers to other things.
No problem. With only two spell slots, I'm always looking for spell economy. Spells that have a long duration, and its always a bonus for no concentration like Plant Growth or Blindness/Deafness (fiend pact). Armor of Agathys is also a favorite.
So ok..everyone who is commenting...You are AWESOME. Given me lots to think about. So in your collective opinions- is it better for me to have some solid blaster damage with Shatter for AOE and Blight for single target or do you think temporary single target shutdown is better in which case I should take Banishment. Or should I give up defense and get rid of Armor of Agathys or even Hold Person? My dexterity is +3 and I have a +1 light armor so my total AC is 16 which seems pretty respectable for a caster at level 8 so maybe I don't need the Armor of Agathys spell? So many CHOICES! Game is Saturday-very excited to try my new character.
Being short on healing spells as a warlock, Armor of Agathys has saved my skin a few times. And remember, “If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, the creature takes 5 cold damage.” RAW; they take the full damage each time they hit you while you still have those THPs. I almost always use this spell unless The battle is all at range or spell caster heavy.
I don’t personally use Hold Person because of our party makeup, but if you have a group of non-casters, they will certainly appreciate you paralyzing up to 4 enemies, giving them advantage on attacks and auto critical hits. Not to mention, this works well with your Eldritch Blast.
Good thoughts. I think I will hold onto Armor and Hold Person for now along with Shatter and Blight and make adjustments at level 9 depending on how the next few sessions of the game go. Thanks for your assistance all!
Hi! Not new to D&D but going away from my comfort zone and playing a Warlock for the 1st time transitioning off of a modified Circle of Spores Druid. Wouldn't mind any pointers on my Invocation and Spell selection.
Basic Info- Eladrin Archfey Patron Warlock- Pact of the Tome
Current Invocations:
Mask of Many Faces, Agonizing Blast, Devil's Sight & Ghostly Gaze
Cantrips:
Eldritch Blast, Guidance, Minor Illusion, Prestidigitation, Primal Savagery & Spare the Dying
Spells:
Armor of Agathys, Blight, Charm Monster, Counterspell, Dimension Door, Greater Invisibility, Hold Person, Shatter & Thunderstep.
I wouldn't take counterspell but I am the ONLY full caster in the party so it feels like I have to take counterspell.
I love the Eladrin subclass for a warlock build! The free misty step/short rest is super nice 👍🏻. I’ve been playing warlocks for 3 years now as my primary class and I have a couple thoughts for you. What type of warlock do you see yourself being? Melee, battlefield control, blasty, mind control?
As a caster, I think it is always a good idea to have Counterspell...even Warlocks with only 2 spell slots. I like your balanced spell list. I might suggest adding Banishment for some additional battlefield control. It is always super helpful when it works.
One thing I’m wondering...of all the canttips available to a tomelock why pick primal savagery? The choice is a bit unusual based on the rest of your very strong list...you have a thing for biting monsters?
So from a combat perspective I'm trying to be somewhat a combination of blast damage and battlefield/mind control in a very mobile form so as to avoid damage. Between Fey Presence, Charm Monster and Hold Person the hope would be I can lock down some of the combatants in every battle to make it more manageable for the team. Then use EB for my primary blast damage supplementing with Shatter for groups and Blight for high CR single targets. Fey Step, Thunderstep and the Arch Fey escape feature give me 3 solid options to escape a bad melee situation with 2 of those not requiring a spell slot.
Out of combat I'll be the face and political manipulator with my high charisma and fey noble background.
Sincerely appreciate any feedback.
I've gone back and forth on subbing out dimension door for banishment as I agree it is a great single target debuff.
So Primal Savagery is there as an emergency melee option if all else fails and felt more thematic for someone from the feywild than the typical shocking grasp.
Thanks for the feedback.
Since a lot of charisma rolls are opposed by things like insight you might consider taking the hex spell to use out of combat.
Another means of getting emergency “melee” is taking Crossbow Expert so you can make eldritch blast attacks up close and personal without being at disadvatage.
Thanks for the Hex suggestion. That's a good one to think about.
Seems like Crossbow Expert would only apply to crossbow attacks. Granted I agree the way it is written it seems to apply to everything. Maybe I'll see if my DM would be ok with a Homebrew version of this feat to make it more applicable to casters since 2 of the benefits of the feat get me nothing.
I use crossbow expert/EB/agonizing blast/Repelling blast combo all the timers my melee option. Crossbow expert states
doesnt state specifically “crossbow” or even “weapon”.
Being pact of the fey, you have access to Plant growth, which is very powerful for battlefield control. I like it cause not only does it cause creatures to use 4 feet of movement for every foot, but it doesn’t require concentration, so you can stack a conc aoe Spell on top of it like Sickening Radiance for some craziness.
Being the only caster you might also consider Dispell Magic. Might be even more useful than counterspell in most situations.
Instead of primal savagery, maybe look at Shocking grasp for melee? If you hit, your target can’t take reactions until the start of its next turn and you get free advantage if they’re wearing metal armor.
from sage advice:
Crossbow Expert
Is it intentional that the second benefit of Crossbow Ex-
pert helps ranged spell attacks? Yes, it’s intentional. When
you make a ranged attack roll within 5 feet of an enemy,
you normally suffer disadvantage (PH, 195). The second
benefit of Crossbow Expert prevents you from suffering
that disadvantage, whether or not the ranged attack is with
a crossbow.
When designing a feat with a narrow use, we consider
adding at least one element that can benefit a character
more broadly—a bit of mastery that your character brings
from one situation to another. The second benefit of Cross-
bow Expert is such an element, as is the first benefit of
Great Weapon Master. That element in Crossbow Expert
shows that some of the character’s expertise with one type
of thing—crossbows, in this case—transfers to other things.
Jesus Saves!... Everyone else takes damage.
Very good feedback and advice all around guys. Much obliged. Great community here on DnD Beyond.
No problem. With only two spell slots, I'm always looking for spell economy. Spells that have a long duration, and its always a bonus for no concentration like Plant Growth or Blindness/Deafness (fiend pact). Armor of Agathys is also a favorite.
Don’t forget, at 9th level Banishment turns into a two target debuff! It’s an incredible spell when your DM isn’t expecting it.
Professional computer geek
I think you mean 5th level? A 5th level Banishment allows for two targets which is awesome.
Alas! The poor warlock does not have 9th level spell slots!
But at 9th level the warlock gets 5th level spell slots. Which super charges Banishment!
Professional computer geek
So ok..everyone who is commenting...You are AWESOME. Given me lots to think about. So in your collective opinions- is it better for me to have some solid blaster damage with Shatter for AOE and Blight for single target or do you think temporary single target shutdown is better in which case I should take Banishment. Or should I give up defense and get rid of Armor of Agathys or even Hold Person? My dexterity is +3 and I have a +1 light armor so my total AC is 16 which seems pretty respectable for a caster at level 8 so maybe I don't need the Armor of Agathys spell? So many CHOICES! Game is Saturday-very excited to try my new character.
Being short on healing spells as a warlock, Armor of Agathys has saved my skin a few times. And remember, “If a creature hits you with a melee attack while you have these hit points, the creature takes 5 cold damage.” RAW; they take the full damage each time they hit you while you still have those THPs. I almost always use this spell unless The battle is all at range or spell caster heavy.
I don’t personally use Hold Person because of our party makeup, but if you have a group of non-casters, they will certainly appreciate you paralyzing up to 4 enemies, giving them advantage on attacks and auto critical hits. Not to mention, this works well with your Eldritch Blast.
Good thoughts. I think I will hold onto Armor and Hold Person for now along with Shatter and Blight and make adjustments at level 9 depending on how the next few sessions of the game go. Thanks for your assistance all!
Of those spells you mentioned, I would definitely keep Armor of Agathys and Banishment. I use both of these spells pretty frequently.