As one of the most unique and versatile classes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, the warlock offers players an exciting array of options when it comes to multiclassing. By combining the warlock‘s eldritch magic and invocations with features from other classes, players can create powerful, flavorful adventurers ready to excel in combat, exploration, and social encounters.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore some of the top tier warlock multiclass builds, discussing their strengths and synergies. We‘ll also provide tips on optimizing these combinations, things to consider when multiclassing a warlock, and creative character concepts to inspire your next D&D hero.
Assessing Multiclass Effectiveness for Warlocks
Unlike single-classed builds that progress in a steady, predictable fashion, multiclass characters exchange some of their high-level advancement for the benefits of combining features from multiple classes. When rating multiclass combinations, we evaluate three key factors:
Power in Combat: Damage dealing capabilities, action economy, survivability
Exploration: Skills, abilities enhancing exploration or social pillars
Synergies: How well features from different classes combine
Multiclassing warlocks involves special considerations due to their pact magic and invocations. Because warlock slots regenerate separately on short rests, they have greater endurance over an adventuring day. These slots combine especially well with certain class features like Divine Smite, Sneak Attack and Metamagic.
Spell Slot Progression Across Multiclass Combos
| Level | Warlock | Warlock/Sorcerer | Warlock/Paladin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 5th | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 10th | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| 15th | 5 | 7 | 5 |
| 20th | 5 | 9 | 5 |
Table 1: Comparing warlock spell slot progression when multiclassed
As shown in Table 1, multiclassing with full spellcasters provides the highest slot progression. However, splitting classes delays access to top level spells and high level class features. This tradeoff warrants consideration.
Top Warlock Multiclass Builds for Combat
Now, let‘s explore some popular, battle-ready multiclass builds:
Hexblade/Barbarian
The Core Combat Build
This brute force combo sees the hexblade‘s versatile magic empower a raging barbarian warrior for pure martial destruction:
- Classes: Barbarian X / Hexblade 5
- Key Abilities: Strength, Constitution, Charisma
- Best Features
- Rage damage bonus
- Reckless Attack granting easy advantage
- Extended critical hit range
- Eldritch Smite proning enemies
- Armor of Agathys temp HP shielding
This build shines when built for critical smite hits. To optimize:
- Prioritize Strength, then Constitution and Charisma
- Wield a two-handed heavy weapon for extra die on crits
- Take Great Weapon Master and Polearm Master feats
- Use Darkness and Devils Sight to gain advantage
Embrace your inner savage! Let fury and steel cleave through your foes!
Breakdown by Tier
| Tier | Features Gained |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Reckless Attack, Spellcasting, Armor of Agathys |
| Tier 2 | Extra Attack, Danger Sense, Agonizing Blast, Devil‘s Sight |
| Tier 3 | Brutal Criticals, Pact Boon, Eldritch Smite |
| Tier 4 | Extra Rage, Indomitable Might, Lifedrinker |
This MC excels through mid tier play thanks to features combining at key levels. By T4 however, peers gain additional attacks and high level class features.
Sorcerer/Warlock (aka "SorLock")
Dubbed "the quadratic wizard", this notorious build earns top marks for its blistering Eldritch Blast damage potential:
- Classes: Sorcerer 3-5 / Hexblade 5 / Sorcerer X
- Key Abilities: Charisma > Constitution > Dexterity
- Core Spells: Eldritch Blast, Hex, Darkness, plus Quickening and Twin metamagics
By quickening Eldritch Blast, this build achieves unmatched single target DPR. Meanwhile, pact slots fuel font of magic sorcery points for incredible versatility. Plus, metamagic boosts spell effectiveness greatly.
To optimize DPR:
- Take the Agonizing Blast, Repelling Blast, and Grasp of Hadar invocations
- Choose draconic bloodline for +CHA mod to fire damage
- Quicken EBlast every other roundand twin it on off turns
- Prioritize CHA then CON and DEX.
For a legendary "machine gun mage" optimized for pure carnage, accept no substitutes!
Arcane Artillery: Comparing Pure Warlock vs. Multiclass
Multiclassing offers cool combos, but also delays core class features. To compare outcomes, let‘s pit a straight Warlock 20 against a fierce Sorcerer/Warlock "spell cannon" build.
Mazirian the Magnificent (Single Class Warlock)
- Class: Archfey Tome Pact Warlock 20
- Key Abilities: Cha > Con
- Best Features:
- 9th level spell casting
- Eldritch Master + Mystic Arcanum buffs
- Unlimited Disguise Self disguisekit
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rank 9 spells | Lower defensive ability |
| Tome rituals like Clone | Occasional overkill on slots |
| Eldritch Master buffs | Less flexible than a partial caster |
With access to wish spells and potent invocations, Mazirian‘s limitless magical power proves overwhelming…if he can survive long enough to wield it.
Lyra the Spellstorm (Sorcerer/Warlock)
- Classes: Divine Soul Sorcerer 15 / Hexblade 5
- Key Abilities: Cha > Con > Dex
- Best Features:
- Metamagic enhanced EBlasts
- Twinned buff spells like Greater Invisibility
- Cleric spells bolster survivability
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Twinned / quickened Eblast | No level 9 spells |
| Font of Magic enhances versatility | Delayed class feature progression |
| Metamagic offers tremendous flexibility | Occasional "too many eggs in one basket" syndrome |
Blending metamagic, font of magic, and pact slots, Lyra achieves incredible spellcasting potency. However, split advancement forces difficult trade offs.
The Verdict:
Pure warlock allows unmatched peak spell potency eventually. But before that, multiclass builds exploit huge short-term advantages by combining key low and mid-level features for outsized synergy. This allows them to dominate through early tier 3 play.
But eventually pure progression overtakes split, assuming the single classed warlock survives that long! Ultimately both approaches work, so choose your playstyle preference.
Roleplaying a Warlock Multiclass
Min-maxing character builds is fun theorycrafting. But a cardboard collection of numbers alone does not a hero make. The true magic lies in binding mechanical strengths to compelling narratives.
To that end, here are hooks for two unorthodox multiclass concepts:
1. Hexblade/Ranger: Born in a grim mountain settlement beset by orcs, your village prayed to the Raven Queen for deliverance. She answered by imparting a deathly radiance into your hand-carved bow. Imbued with Witch Sight from your vision, you now stalk the wilds, sworn to protect travelers through the mountain passes.
2. Archfey/Rogue: You began innocently enough, using minor tricks learned from a wandering hedge wizard to cheat at cards. But after being caught, you made a dangerous pact with an amoral satyr prankster, escaping town one step ahead of the sheriff. Now part Scooby-Doo hijinks, part wanted outlaw, you stay on the run, scamming to pay debts to your sketchy benefactor. For better or worse, the pact imbued real power to your trickery, making each heist more audacious.
The possibilities for warlock backstories are endless! What pacted price will unlock your character‘s true potential?
Wrap Up
While the Sorcerer multiclass reigns supreme by community consensus, many combinations offer unique playstyles. Paired with immersive backstories, even unconventional warlock builds bring tremendous roleplaying potential to your D&D adventures.
What‘s been your favorite warlock multiclass experience? Let us know below! Just remember to balance role playing flair with roll playing optimizations. A mechanically smooth build means nothing without the charisma and charm to match!