D&D WARLOCK RANKING

[@draxthemsklonst]

Everyone that has a Patreon account is a Warlock.

[@esperthebard]

Ravenous Subscribers patron

[@zackdonzanti9470]

Support me with your magic Demon Daddy!

[@-kenik9629]

The unknowable will of the collective will ascend to become a great old kne.

[@dirtbagwizardry4109]

Fair

[@tobiasbrull447]

Actually, I´m more one of the Eldritch Knights ;)

[@kingcole5977]

Ritual of Ascension: At 20th level, you have finally kept true to your patron, your pact completely fulfilled. All duties performed, all costs paid in full, all terms completed, and all parties satisfied. Your contract has ended and is neatly rolled, sealed, and stored away in the great library of promises. The time has come where the vast power within yourself is now unfit for your current mortal form, and that it is soon time to perform the ritual of ascension. Once ascended, you may choose to carve out your own godhood, or loyally sit beside your former patron, or perhaps even replace them in a cruel twist of fate. You are no longer fit for bygone adventures and petty squabbles of kings. However seated in your proper place of power, you may bestow a gift upon a mortal of your choosing, forming a new pact and offering them your esteemed patronage.

[@rotaderp88]

Then I want to be Cthulhu

[@ticker0157]

I love the idea of a contunis cycle of warlocks becoming gods and overthrowing eachother

[@Tengu125]

@@ticker0157 The Sith under the Rule of Two comes to mind; "A master to embody the power, and an apprentice to crave it."

[@ticker0157]

@@Tengu125 I can for sure agree

[@NWLR-tv]

@@Tengu125 you beat me to it

[@Hawdkoah]

0:42 Hey, I know her! My dad illustrated this and the woman who posed for it was my mom.

[@samuelbroad11]

legend!

[@LazyVideosGAME]

That's fuckin cool man.

[@MSOGameShow]

Nice!

[@adamkaris]

So you're saying your mother is a warlock? *Intense Salem Music*

[@r.0.b.429]

Oh hell yeah! Tell him his art rocks!

[@kyliepoe6231]

Ye gods! that capstone idea of becoming a patron is so good.

[@-kenik9629]

Honestly I just want a spell for it, like 8th spell level with discounds by preparing certain other spells along side it.

[@kmoustakas]

You can already do that if you just choose true polymorph as your 9th level spell, wait until level 20 to cast and it keep concentration for an hour.

[@zeroarc906]

Hard agree! I’m playing a homebrew Pact of the Dragon subclass that my DM approved, and we just finished session 0 at level 1. The subclass takes inspiration from the Draconic Sorcerer, and it would be super cool to have that kind of ability at 20th level.

[@the_rose_garden01]

@@kmoustakas I second this. Currently playing a 20th Level Wizard who used that spell to become an Ancient Brass Dragon. I've now got to contend with the various Draconic Gods who do not like the fact that a human with a book and pointy hat just decided to steal the majesty of the draconic race. It's pretty great

[@UnseenDrifter]

this goes well with my story I am making about my warlock,his patron is a timeless collector of souls and is just him just helping him become what he becomes if that makes sense.

[@triplehate6759]

Loved your imitation of Lovecraft writing, can confirm you matched the style quite well.

[@brunop.8745]

I should *not* have watched the Great Old One "description" at night holy _shit_

[@erekthus]

from where? Players handbook?

[@brunop.8745]

@@erekthus I'm talking about the video, how does one even " _watch_ " a book

[@svartrbrisingr6141]

@Tyrant Kragith oh is that why I can see flavor?

[@coranbaker6401]

All that build up just for the subclass to be meh. XD

[@primeemperor9196]

Elder Scrolls Campaign: (Everyone's a warlock) Patrons: Archfey: Hircine Fiend: Mehrunes Dagon Great Old One: Hermaeus Mora Celestial: Meridia Undead: Molag Bal Hexblade: Pick a daedra's weapon.

[@The_Yukki]

Hexblades form pacts with beings who make the weapons not the weapons themself. That's why raven queen is mentioned in hexblades description. This combined with the rising undead thing they get later leads me to say molag baal

[@TerrariaGolem]

Hexblade should use *Umbra* it's a fragment of Clavicus Vile with it's own sentience and motives. Its a sword.

[@nomad7865]

*Hexblade: Umbra

[@simonesaccardi2139]

A good patron for the hexblade can be Nocturnal IMO: she has created the Nightingale weapons and her portfolio is similar to the Raven Queen's.

[@WexMajor82]

Create thrall is amazing. By 14th level you'd probably could sneak into a king's bedchamber. And he is incapacitated while sleeping. Now you have a king working for you.

[@esperthebard]

That's all true, the issue is that by 14th level the characters are way beyond the powers of kings. Things like regional politics, castles, soldiers, and knights are for low and mid levels. Upper levels require things like archdevils, demon lords, ancient dragons, and gods in order to face real challenges.

[@WexMajor82]

@@esperthebard Yeah I wouldn't know that. Are there other levels past the 8th?

[@Hadaron]

WexMajor82 Also remember it says ANY humanoid. The level 15 paladin boss that you just fought? Ask your party to knock him or her out instead of killing, and create a thrall of this Paladin. Boom, a strong thrall.

[@esperthebard]

@@Hadaron That is a great way to use Create Thrall, the issue I have is that you can essentially accomplish the same thing already by the characters' own force of might and influence. Even level 1 charm person is a similar effect. I really wish that Create Thrall actually allowed you to create a thrall.

[@Hadaron]

Esper the Bard I also wish it was stronger. However, Paladins have proficiency on WIS and CHA saves. Luckily for you, this is one of the only charms that requires no save - it’s automatic. I wish it was stronger, but this just means you have to be clever with it to get its maximum potential out. As a GOOlock, it would be such a cool thing to look forward to using a thrall like my abolethic patron (The Eldest) and slowly siphoning HP as needed. The ability is underpowered but still usable.

[@singularity1130]

Becoming an avatar of your Patreon is the most warlock thing I could ever imagine. You've proven yourself fully to be 100% trustworthy of something so personal to your patreon.

[@steveharrison76]

I am the eternal DM and have only ever played one game as a PC, and that was as a warlock. My absolute favourite class. I have an unhealthy obsession with Lovecraftian horror, and the warlock just embraces that - I had so much fun with Rickardt Pickmann, my Great Old One Tome-Pact warlock...

[@lordvaust5830]

The DM’s curse is a powerful one. One many DMs suffer for an eternity, including myself. Ne’er again shall we play in a group, doomed to run sessions as the master eternally.

[@steveharrison76]

Lord Vaust: Each of us an Ahab, tied to the wheel of the ship, shrieking into the storm... “it took me ages to come up with this scenario and you spent four hours shopping at a cheese store and accusing the owner of being three kobolds in a raincoat WHY DO I DO THIS TO MYSELF...” Such is our lot, our burdensome pleasure.

[@freman007]

I'd say that that is when you create a DMPC. Just make sure they're just another member of the party and are no more (or less) superhuman than the rest of the party. I like the idea of a Half-Elf Arcana Cleric with the Gruul Anarch background.

[@iceage951]

@@freman007 I'm sorry but I don't really like that term. I mean, we play all the NPCs, the most proficient DMs give their own unique personalities to each of them, set of skills, etc. Then, that would make each NPC, a DMPC then. I understand that they have to travel with the party, but I don't see much difference besides that. In Curse of Strahd there's an optional ally and depending on the flow, she can join your party, but she's still an NPC non the less.

[@jigokusagent]

One of my players is playing a hexblade, and she's pretending to be a paladin. It's especially amusing because everyone knows that she only ever plays paladins, even in other games and genres.

[@The_Yukki]

Reminds me of that one dnd story, where someone played vengance paladin however may lvls and took magic initiate to get eb and hex, only used those, was wearing dark black hooded robes and a cane and was a grandma. Everyone was surprised when she one time healed someone, but dm said it's good. Then one time they met the person who kidnapped her grandchildren. She dropped the cloak, threw away the cane to show her true power.

[@sofer2230]

Wish there was a way to combine Hexblade with the Celestial's "Lay on Hands" ability for the full "Warlock Who Thinks They're a Paladin" experience.

[@serezelveydawn]

@@sofer2230 Be an Aasimar

[@numberbndl3763]

Yukki I remember hearing that on all things dnd

[@svartrbrisingr6141]

Lol, reminds me of my plan for my current Oathbreaker paladin. I'm only level 3 right now but I plan on getting 3 levels of warlock so I can get those delicious abilities from warlock and hexblade

[@veteran673]

13:27 Archfey 17:53 The fiend 22:24 Great Old one 31:00 Celestial 35:02 Hexblade 39:15 Undying 44:55 Ranking

[@shandaniel2999]

Patron:KZbin Conditions: don’t curse, mention the plague, allude to anything sexual or violent and you also can’t target videos at kids or else you lose all your powers.

[@joshuahicks7798]

Too true.

[@arandomzoomer4837]

Also I can change the conditions whenever I want without telling you.

[@alistairclough674]

Your patrons ultimate goal is that you influence others to join random cults

[@Mugthraka]

Those conditions doen't apply if you're Gay, Popular Female or part of Mass Media

[@ClownCompanyInk]

Even then you're not safe

[@brody5409]

Straight up, I just always have Warlocks know the expanded spell list. Like, until 11th level, they only have two spell slots, so in my opinion knowing a handful more spells isn't going to break the class.

[@Neutral_Tired]

Brody that’s how I run that, too

[@anthonynorman7545]

It's the only way to run it lol

[@MsKeylas]

@@anthonynorman7545 I agree. As a matter of fact I do this for all classes that get expanded spell list. The additional spells are automatically known/learned/prepared.

[@Alphadog2064]

Interesting lore tidbit: Warlock pacts in 5e have been confirmed to have been meant to be a 1 time deal. Any levels you gain in the class is you growing the power you were given on your own. Thus a warlock becoming a patron would not surprise me in the least.

[@baxterbruce9827]

*writing new Warlock that wants to become a Patron to be buddies with my Sorcerer that wants to be a god*

[@GrassPokeKing]

Baxter Bruce Now that's a bud

[@Logamer-tn6db]

Fun fact, there is no in lore reason one cannot make a pact with multiple patrons. Though I imagine it would turn really shitty really fast. However celestial and fey might be able to get along.

[@anyoneatall3488]

Is there any source for this? I mean this is what i already interpreted from the rules but i'd like to know if there is any source to back it up

[@lordilluminati5836]

In defense of the great old one: if your adventure features lots of eldetrich horror creatures/themes the features are a lot better.

[@Rodrik18]

GOO gets evards black tentacles, which is an excellent cc option with the warlocks higher spell dc (from rod of pact keeper). In addition, you can entrall an active enemu combatant as it only requires them to be incapacitated-- this means you can cast tashas hideous laughter and then get them to swap sides next turn. I wont deny that entropic ward is a bit underwhelming with its wording, but awakened mind and thought shield are very good in any situation where you need to be negotiating or in a political campaign. Goolocks make pretty great problem solver and cc builds.

[@TheAardvark57]

And don’t underestimate the usefulness of that telepathy.

[@AllThingsFascinate]

@@TheAardvark57 hey there! Can you elaborate on what you can do with it that's different from message? Just made a GoO and am feeling kind of meh. Seems like the Bard that took message gets the same thing at 4 times the range. Feel like i should have gone archfey for the aoe charm (low level, not going too high).

[@Transcedant]

@@AllThingsFascinate i mean the obvious thing it has over message is that it's not a spell, meaning there aren't components of any kind. a dude is within 10 feet of you? you can just talk to him and there's no visual or even traceable features. message has every component, and it even requires you to say the message out loud. are there things message has over telepathy? sure, but you can use telepathy in so so so many scenarios where you couldn't get away with using a message spell.

[@AllThingsFascinate]

@@Transcedant fair, but message does specify that only the target hears the message

[@g80gzt]

the books actually say shit about 20th level characters a druid may become a spirit of nature, a wizard may become immortal, a warlock may ascend in power and have enough to be a patron themselves Clerics and Paladins can become the hands of their god Sorcerers become forces of magic, animated and alive and one with the weave

[@lihanchai154]

I can see those happening with classes of a more supernatural beckoning, but what if rogues, fighters and barbarians?

[@chaoticzer0688]

Esper: *Describes an EPIC level 20 warlock ability by transforming into an avatar or into an Eldritch being.* WoTC: “Mmmmmmmm lets make this a first level ability and give it to the new Warlock UA” *Undead warlock and Form of Dread exist now which is exactly what was described*

[@Bryanfuel0]

One of my favorite character concepts I made was an Aasimar Celestial Warlock whose patron was his brother who was still in Mount Celeste as an Angel

[@shorgravan]

The narration is exceptionally good in that one! That intro for the Great Old One warlock gave me chills. Thanks a bunch!

[@hraughr]

Becoming a patron yourself, totally the best option for level 20, not that might even be a campaign goal, replacing your patron god, especially if you're talking Fiend, that would be perfect

[@warlockghovat5745]

I think there could be some fun playing a fiend pact aasimir, who’s patron is their fallen celestial ancestor that formed the pact because of back child support.

[@zacheryeckard3051]

That's hilarious.

[@JLT0087]

I alwaya thought about playing fiend-pact tiefling whose patron is their great-great-great-etc grandmother keeping tabs on her progeny.

[@warlockghovat5745]

The warlock being related to their patron could gain some home brew options like: Having the warlocks storm controlling arch fey ancestor allowing access or giving lightning spells to them. Their lich grandfather teaching them better spell efficiency making the warlock have one more spell slot than others of the same pact. The devil blood in their veins cause the warlock’s spells to cast at a higher level than normally possible.

[@onikittychan8317]

I'm a dm and 2 of my players decided to be brothers, an aasimar warlock, and a tiefling cleric. Dad fucked a fiend and a celestial and he faced the consequences. Aasimar son did a pact with the tiefling's mom and now they have an invasive mom as a patron. I love my players.

[@alexfirefly1956]

@@JLT0087 One of my characters is a Tiefling descended from Glasya. After he was abandond by his parents for you know, being a Tiefling she started to raise him to exploit his potential, giving him Warlock powers and using him for all kinds of heists. Eventually he multiclassed into Rogue so he could be more efficient. However he fell in love with one of his compatriots and Glasya didn't look kindly to it, manipulating a fireball cast by my Tiefling into killing his lover and multiple members of his crew. Afterwards she stripped him of his Warlock powers. Now he is out for revenge. Having had a nack for fighting with the scimitar he is currently learning the skills of a bard in order to join the college of swords in an effort to regain his magical abilities and ultimately besting Glasya with the weapons she thaught him to use and granted a boon with. Having a lot of fun with this character. Can only recommend trying ot out.

[@jthompson7175]

There's a Great Old One Warlock in one of the games I play. We rigged a card game where my bard played at the poker table, which he hung behind the NPC's and used his telepathy to tell me their hands.

[@ridwana4037]

What's crazier is that you get said skill at level 1. And it's really convenient on many scenario.

[@joedominguez8064]

That great old one intro was amazing, well done! 👍

[@dudeskeela]

Wow, Esper, that Great Old One short story was dripping with atmosphere. Amazing work as usual.

[@lordvaust5830]

Warlocks are one of my favorite classes next to the Paladin because of how important role play is to the mechanics of the class. They’re very customizable and fun to play in terms of mechanics and role playing.

[@royceheflin8207]

27:11 that compliments a Kenku so well! Talk to someone in exactly their own voice in their head, sure to cause some confusion and possibly a little madness

[@derekcook8354]

I’m currently playing an Aasimar Celestial Warlock. Aasimar have an angelic guide as part of their race features, with my DM’s help, we decided my character took their relationship with their angelic guide to a new level and became my character’s Patron. It’s honestly making for a great story thus.

[@Captain_Yorrick]

Love how this is uploaded as soon as i decide to make a warlock for my game on Saturday

[@ErinWi]

Becoming a patron is so thematic to the class, and I love it as the capstone feature. Through the whole campaign they thought they were using you for their ends, but it turns out you were using them, and you made good use of the knowledge and power they imparted to you. Very dark and flavorful stuff.

[@spagandhi]

I hope the undying pact gets a rework some day. I really love the flavor, but I wish it was more necromancy and less self heal. Nevertheless, my gravelock has put in lots of work in my current campaign as a combat support caster

[@thegayghost872]

A Dungeon Master Warlock Patron would be a fun joke subclass

[@dragonheart1236]

Things you can do to win favor Pay meticulous attention to the world around you Provide food and sustenance for your fellow compatriots Learn to listen and follow the word of your patron

[@Neutral_Tired]

I’ve seen one like that, the first level ability was basically “you have advantage on every roll, the dm can revoke this ability whenever they see fit”

[@baxterbruce9827]

@@Neutral_Tired I've been working on one of those

[@karsten69]

Dissonant Whispers is amazing by the way. 60 feet range, only verbal component, that is inaudible to all but the target, doesn't require line of sight, isn't blocked by walls, floors or ceilings, no matter how thick. 3d6 psychic damage is nice for 1st level, and if they fail Wisdom they have to flee from you, even if they don't know where you are. now imagine a cloak and dagger city scenario, instead of the dungeon exploration.

[@aldoushuxley5953]

Also, this triggers opportunity attacks (because it is not forced movement like pushing etc.) So the spell stays decent, even at Higher levels

[@Raoul9753]

Lets be real, noone levels a Warlock over Level 17 or 18 if you really want that last Invocation. You level until you get your 9th level spell and then you go 3 levels into another class that goes well with your Warlock...

[@kmoustakas]

The only reason to do it is so you can say you did it :/

[@Mugthraka]

Thats usually what i do, 3 levels of paladin-Vengeance/the rest in Warlock=Dark Knight.

[@serezelveydawn]

#Sorlock

[@nicholas3141]

There is only two options 2 levels of paladin or fighter

[@irgendeinname2737]

43:03 Be Celestial Aasimar Imagine being on the Verge of death, then you use this: Radiant light emerges from you, it blinds your enemies and boils their blood. And then while everyone around you covers their eyes, godly Wings sprout from you Back, turning you into the Angel of death.

[@dilsoncamacho4100]

IMHO the biggest issue of this class in general is how generic eldritch blast end up being, regardless of who's your patron. They should have changed eldritch blast to have a particular damage type dependent on what patron you have AND given especial invocations, that only ones with this or that patron can have.

[@arekpetrosian4965]

House Rule it. We do. For the Fiend, for instance, it's fire, for the Celestial, it's radiant, etc. Minor problem, easily fixed.

[@Almighty_Mage]

@@arekpetrosian4965 sounds like a nerf

[@arekpetrosian4965]

@@Almighty_Mage Not sure how it's a nerf, if you're allowing the player to choose. Oh, did I forget to mention that we House Rule it as a choice? Should have stipulated that.

[@serialBLEACHexpert98]

@@arekpetrosian4965 it’s a nerf because Force damage is generally not resisted, while fire damage is a common resistance.

[@arekpetrosian4965]

@@serialBLEACHexpert98 Very true, but if the player wants to "flavor" his character, in order to suit his own wishes, what's the problem? Plus, he could also take Elemental Adept at some point, to overcome resistance, couldn't he?

[@clarkside4493]

I want to make a necromancer who climbs up to 20th level and acts as the patron for my next character: an undying warlock. I know, it's a weaker option, but it's a cool concept and tricking out _eldritch blast_ should more than help cover it anyway.

[@dabbingperson9236]

The great old one description sounds like an actual horror story holy shit.

[@Pyreleaf]

My idea on how to become a warlock patron as a lvl20 warlock: #1. Lose enough XP to put you back at 19th level to give an NPC their first level of warlock. #2. Gain enough XP to earn an epic boon, but make a new warlock instead.

[@defensivekobra3873]

Note: some warlock and patron relationships, particularly those of the great old one sees the patron teaching the warlock to cast normal spells as a wizard would, and not the warlock drawing power directly from the patron like a cleric, in early design intelegence was the warlock casting abillity for this reason

[@samvanderstaak7296]

I persuaded my dm to let me play an intelligence-based Old One Warlock, and he's practically the wizard who is actually a warlock

[@tauronmitronion377]

I think there's a strong argument for a homebrew INT-based warlock, especially for Fiend or Great Old One. (Faust's bargain, after all, was for knowledge!) And besides, what's more thematic than a wizard/warlock multiclass? Someone who needed power of a particular type and wasn't quite finding it in the conventional magic tomes... so they turned to darker powers.

[@defensivekobra3873]

@@tauronmitronion377 especially since great old Ones are often not aware of their patrons, However you could just as easily say that a normal warlock was one who turned from wizardry due to the restrictions on what you could learn from conventional means (Also according to the PHB your invocations and spells are largely from your own research rather than directly from your patron)

[@emptank]

You should be able to get a dragon as a patron. They're big, powerful, ancient magical creatures that are often interested in the world of mortals and often recruit people to go do things for them. Get an expanded spell list with some fire spells, eldritch blast deals 1d4 extra fire damage at say fifth level. at say ninth level get a better version of the dragon born perks like your own breath weapon that's like half as strong as your patron's, or wings that can actually fly or scales that give you plate mail level AC. Late game get the ability to summon a wyvern or something to come help you.

[@witchBoi_Connor]

14:30 THANK YOOOOOU!! I did this when I made my first warlock and it pissed me off when I found out it wasn’t the case and now that I know more about the balance of casters in 5e it still frustrates me a lot.

[@kylethomas9130]

It took several readings for me to realize that, spell list felt gimped for characters I had planned on that.

[@anthonynorman7545]

I see no class balancing being achieved by not having them be learned.

[@calvingaster]

17:55 Unbelievable sights, indescribable feeling. Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling, through an endless realm of fright! A whole new world!

[@jasonwitt7943]

I'm irrationally grateful that you're going in opposite-alphabetical order. Also, great video about my favorite 5e class - mainly because of the customization with Invocations.

[@esperthebard]

You are most welcome, though I'm not going reverse-alphabetical, barbarian was the first class I did. I'm considering Rogue next.

[@jasonwitt7943]

Esper the Bard Oh, sure enough. I missed that and jumped in at Wizard. Looking forward to the rest

[@watchface6836]

Ah, it's time for my favorite class. It gives me so much to play with as a DM, as the Patron is an inbuilt NPC and so many plot hooks. I love it.

[@lordilluminati5836]

Also DM, My player's patron is always hanging out there with the party but only the warlock can see and talk to him

[@rhodarforaramoor2952]

@@lordilluminati5836 thats an awsome idea tbh warlock player here

[@FlailSnail222]

Pact of the fey is for the “so random lol” characters, pact of the fiend is if you’re playing a tiefling, pact of the great old is for someone who is also a Kalashtar, and just really wants to fight a mind flayer, pact of the celestial is for people who think that clerics are stupid, and pact of the blade is for people who likes magic classes, but doesn’t like the limitations set by eldritch knights.

[@WillPC]

I hope Raven Queen gets an official release at some point, but for now, Celestial is probably my top choice, especially with Pact of the Tome - you can basically pretend to be any type of caster.

[@Ekair42]

Nah, get pact of the blade so you can smite and have fun pretending to be a paladin

[@Ekair42]

Or get pact of the chain and always get an ungodly amount of self healing, hmmm, divine patron is fun no matter the pact it seems

[@SleepySlann]

You can always claim to be a cleric and it would not be a complete lie.

[@varietasVeritas]

Hexblade and favored soul sorcerer for the Raven queen is a good combination.

[@freman007]

Ooh. A fiend pact warlock, and your patron is Rias Gremory.

[@TheEldritchGoth]

As a fan of Lovecraftian horror, I was dissatisfied with the GOOlock and decided to make three variants for it, one for an Aboleth, one for an Eye Tyrant, and one for an Illithid hive mind

[@dwelfking8050]

I'd be quite interested in having a look at those.

[@phelps6205]

Send us a link my guy.

[@watchface6836]

As to the expanded spell list problem, I can definitely see where you're coming from. I'm playing a Celestial Pact warlock right now, were level 7 for context. I act as the party's primary healer using Healing Light and Cure Wounds (Short Rest Spell slots FTW) and using my familiar to scout and assist in combat. Thing is I almost never use my standard warlock spells because the class list is so good and I'm relied upon to heal people/prevent permadeath. Though I do wonder, I wonder which of the expanded spell lists is your favorite?

[@esperthebard]

My personal favorites would be probably Archfey or Celestial, though each expanded spell list is good in its own way.

[@Mugthraka]

@@esperthebard Personally i'd change some of the spells in the Hexblade list. -Swap Elemental Weapon with Haste -swap Cone of Cold with either Steel Wind Strike or Destruction Wave, those two are SOOOO much more thematic for a Gish character, one lets you strike multiple targets with your weapon and teleport, and the other can be flavored as you Summoning Giant Blades out of the ground to impale your foes.

[@gabrielrockman]

@@Mugthraka The Hexblade is already quite good (quite reasonably earned the spot as the top subclass in this video's ranking), giving them two of the most powerful spells in the game for their levels in Haste and Destructive Wave is completely unnecessary. It would make much more sense to boost some of the weaker subclasses instead of taking what is probably the strongest subclass and making it even stronger.

[@samvanderstaak7296]

@@gabrielrockman True, but Steel Wind Strike is awesome

[@brendandrislane4560]

Your Great Old Ones monologue was magnificent. I love playing Great Old One Warlocks. A great use of Awakened Mind, paired with Mask of a Thousand Faces: infiltrating evil humanoids. Mask into an orc (or goblin, or whatever), approach a lone humanoid, use Charm Person on it via Awakened Mind (telepathic charm). Now you have a buddy to vouch for you as you move through the humanoid camp. If you need to persuade your buddy, you do so telepathically. This allows you to silently manipulate your buddy in many wonderful ways. Telepathic whisper: bring me the key to the treasury, or distract that guard, or bring those guards to that shadowy ravine, whatever. Tell these guards I'm a new goblin, a cousin of yours. Fantastic infiltration potential when paired with charm person and Mask K faces. Great secret agent stuff, and you can wreak an amazing amount of chaos, gain tremendous insight into the dungeon, and just generally have kickass fun, although its risky.

[@esperthebard]

I played a character like that once, and it was one of the most enjoyable and unique D&D experiences I ever had.

[@quinnwilder6990]

Thanks for this awesome video. I think the Warlock subclass you are talking about at the end is the UA Lurker In the Deep. It probably should have been punished in The Explorer's Guide to Wildemount considering it seems totally inspired by what Matthew Mercer and Travis Willingham have done in their second Critical Role campaign. _Uk'otoa!_

[@deluze86]

First of all, I greatly appreciate your content, and always look forward to the next video. Second of all, the bit (bit feels too lackluster but is the only term I can think of) about the Great Old One Warlock who stumbles upon an old tome, that gave me shivers. From a lowly DM to a true Bard, thank you for all the inspiration.

[@squashedeyeball]

25:57 Indeed... It takes an extraordinary being to grasp certain concepts. Ones which are defined as "Insanity" by most. Onward, to the mountains of madness! You did it again man. This had everything: Story telling, your own twists and improvements of some abilities, your role play input, the great methodical tiers. As with all your videos, this one one a complete, grand adventure.

[@felixrivera895]

For my homesetting I've reworked Eldritch Blast to behave uniquely based on each patron. If you aren't a warlock and have the spell through feats or otherwise you have to choose a patron for the purpose of the spell. Plus you like, have a minor pact for the sake of magic initiate?

[@tresvantehaynes9453]

I love the stories you made with each warlock.

[@volstad44]

Another great tale good bard. My good friend Germal was touched by what he called "The Old Man" ..... he was diffrent afterward, but we did not ask. We simply did what we could to keep him out of trouble. A gold peice to your coffers, and good days to you as always.

[@kook1201]

Warlocks are so fun, just on a role-playing way.

[@xselinisx]

While it still isn't official and doesn't look like it ever will be at this point. The Raven Queen Warlock Patron is by far my favorite. All of the features are just useful. And the 1st level feature is great for mutli classing with rogue for an unmatched perception skill.

[@anix712]

I've always LOVED The Raven Queen patron myself... except the level 14 ability. The Raven Queen abhors undeath, why on earth would she give her disciples a spell that specifically creates an undead if it kills someone? To fix that I created a homebrew feature that instead summons a flock of ravens to attack and blind foes in a sphere around you (It's basically Spirit Guardians with an added blind (ravens pecking at their eyes) to make it more equivalent to a 7th level spell like Finger of Death was).

[@Neutral_Tired]

Lucas I probably would flavour it as, rather than forcing the soul of the slain to reanimate the zombie, the raven queen puppeteers the body for you, so it isn’t quite undead

[@zacharygadzinski3147]

Not a D&D player but shouldn't a warlock pacted to the Raven Queen summon a giant raven. Summoning undead is an Orcus thing.

[@Jacob-nh9yv]

Lucas I’ve always interpreted the raven queen hates conscious reanimation. So for example if I were to try to restore someone’s like that’s a no no but if I were to make a zombie that is fine because it doesn’t think for itself.

[@Neutral_Tired]

@@Jacob-nh9yv No, she hates that probably more, because you're forcing someone else's soul back into their body to do your bidding, it's necromancy + slavery

[@adamxei9073]

The undying warlock would be immune to the effects of the spell dream. As they don't require sleep they won't have the nightmare and they will still get the benefits of the rest. Also I believe a vorpal blade has a dislimming effect on a critical.

[@level9drow856]

"Wouldst thou like the taste of butter? A pretty dress? Wouldst thou like to live deliciously?"

[@inhocsignovinces1419]

Awesome! The movie was great!

[@somekindofdude1130]

My head cannon says that “Patreons are just bored out of their mind and just want to interact with mortals especially the old ones” That’s why they make pacts and give powers. Exception the celestial warlocks which in my mind are just a “chosen one”.

[@theshadowcult]

Just like a lot of other youtube dnd presenters, you missed a significant change they made to hexblade when it was printed in the book, vs the ua version. The armour of hexes is absolutely shit now. It only works on a single attack per round now, not every attack. EDIT: forgot to say that i really like the video though, great work!

[@tituswise4131]

I am so glad that you did this video. Warlock have always been my favorite class.

[@KevShaw808]

I also house rule the spell list feature, and I also made the same mistake building my first Warlock. Great review of a fun class.

[@FallenBov]

I play an Old One Warlock/Tome, I use Awaken mind as his main way of communication because he is mute. His patron is a kind Old One, so he is very empathic and kind even if it is bizarre how he shows it. He is mostly support and a great distraction

[@cageybee7221]

also, the fiend spells don't give you fireball they give you flaming sphere, which when you have limited spell slots and cast them at higher than normal levels is actually really good because it allows you to damage enemies repeatedly over multiple turns with 1 spell slot expended.

[@shallendor]

I played a 1/2 elf GOO Warlock with the Time Lord Rassilon as my patron! Rassilon wanted his name known, so i became a spy that would always introduce "my friend Rassilon" and use my telepathic communication as the voice of "Rassilon"! The best way to spy for him, is too be thought of as crazy!

[@sketter1775]

Pro Tip: If you go Great Old One, consider taking the Actor feat. Listening to a creature for 1 minute lets you mimic their voices, and you gain advantage on deception/performance checks passing yourself off as a different person. Combine that with your telepathy, and you can consistently make people think someone else is talking to them. Great for a more social interaction-based campaign.

[@wavecycle]

Awakened Mind: one other use is a universal translator. Any creature that understands a language can understand your telepathic projection. You can then get them to reply with head + hand signals, or drawn images. By itself that is a really strong mostly RP feature, without the other benefits such as silent scouting messaging, or faking divine voices from the Great Tentacled One.

[@blackshard641]

Esper, your three capstone ideas are genius. Maybe they could be related to your Pact Boon. Tome: summon an avatar of your patron. Blade: become an avatar of your patron. Chain: become a patron. I can also see good reason not to limit it this way, though. Or perhaps the DM should be allowed to choose which capstone is most appropriate for the campaign. After all, giving away that power to choose does feel appropriate for a top tier Warlock. Personally, I am partial to the "become an avatar of your patron" capstone. It has the appropriate potential to be both incredibly powerful, and incredibly horrific -- totally on point thematically for the Warlock. The entire concept of the class is basically Faustian (as appropriately hinted at in the opening quote); as a Warlock, you made a dangerous, and quite possibly foolish arrangement with an otherworldly being that is vastly more powerful, and very likely more patient and cunning than you are. The benefit to you is obvious: your warlock powers. But the benefit to your patron should always be a source of anxiety and paranoia. How and when will your patron collect on the bargain? Or is it somehow secretly benefitting in ways you cannot imagine? Your capstone should feel like a fulfillment of the pact in an equally exciting and horrific way.

[@ilcuzzo12]

Nice work on the rogue and warlock. I'm a big fan of warlocks. I also loooove to multiclass paladin warlocks. Looking forward to the rest.

[@Boss-_]

14:37 - I had no idea it worked like that. I just skimmed that bit and assumed Warlocks knew the spells. Probably still gonna keep doing it anyway

[@boitata2617]

On the DM guide, when talking about the tiers of gaming, it is said that a warlock of level 17-20 could become some else patron, likely out of sheer arcane knowledge, I like this idea, because it also proves that the patron is more lake a master than the source of the power, justifying the warlock as a arcane caster.

[@Cuiasodo]

Two cool things about the Celestial Warlock: 1. Unlike a Cleric and a Paladin, because you don't have to prepare spells, you can always postpone the decision to use a slot for a heal spell or an offensive spell for when it gets down to the wire. True, you only have two slots, but you don't have to agonize over whether you want to prep lesser restoration on the off chance you or a friend gets stricken with a disease. You also always cast it at a higher max level after leveling up, which is nice 2. When paired with Pact of the Chain, you can also choose an eldrich invocation (the name escapes me) that gives you max possible healing if your familiar is within 100 feet of you. Your pool of healing hit-dice is always treated as rolling max possible outcome when used on yourself, which can make you a lot less squishy.

[@destroyerinazuma96]

One neat trick to "maximize" a warlock is to either multiclass (and not necessarly because of Eldritch Blast cheese, for RP opportunities too) or play a race with lots of innate spellcasting. Top dog being the Drow: by level 5 you have Dancing Lights at will, Faerie Fire 1/long rest, Darkness 1/long rest (Half-Drow can snatch those too), with Drow High Magic you get Detect Magic at will, Levitate 1/long rest and Dispel Magic 1/long rest. It's almost as if you had four extra spell slots, just "locked" into certain spells.

[@jamesadamsfl]

I notice a lot of people love the "you become a patron yourself" suggestion. Me personally, I prefer the idea of summoning up an avatar of your patron, like Elric of Melnibone calling forth the great hand of Arioch to smite his enemies. Great descriptions. My personal favorites are the Celestial and Hexblade pacts, though Archfey could be really fun if the DM is willing to lean into the kind of insanity that can come with it. Tasha's Cauldron did give us a new pact--Genie. Bummer it didn't come out in time for you to review it, but I doubt it could eclipse my personal favorites. Still, I'm a little surprised it took them so long to come up with the idea; it's a more obvious choice for a patron than Undying or Hexblade (which again, I love, but it's a little odd).

[@KingZolem]

My warlock didn't take Eldritch Blast as a non Hexblade/Pact of Blade. I keep my character's class secret for plot/roleplay reasons and they're pulling their hair out trying to figure out what jank build I am using. They don't even suspect that I'm a warlock just because I don't have Eldritch Blast. They also think I might be a fighter - wizard cross class because thanks to being a Mountain Dwarf I can just use medium armor and (select) martial weapons. Very fun. Also no training in Arcana and I RP that my Book of Shadows is some weird magic item that I got in a previous adventure before he joined the group (character was a replacement several levels in) that "lets me make knowledge checks". Another theory is that I am a cleric - wizard because I use a cleric cantrip, sacred flames. I haven't talked about needing a short rest every 10 minutes or after every fight too. Plenty to do with weapons and cantrips and the occasional other spell and I have enough spell slots that I can fake it between rests.

[@ckiris1990]

Absolutely love your class rankings!! I love your work and greatly appreciate the inspiration I get from your videos.

[@barefootbaymax9687]

The capstone idea of becoming a patron yourself or becoming an avatar of your patron is exactly how I play warlocks! Though the existing capstone is why I would never run a warlock to 20th level lol.

[@unknownvalor9755]

Imo the Hexblade with pact of the blade is pretty much a green lantern. Take your oath to the blade and create any weapon you can imagine. (Even restricted weapons like the elf double blade)

[@dannym2359]

the warlock I'm playing now is a Great Old One tomelock. He also hates that fact, as he wasn't given a lot of choice in the matter. His spells are mostly utility, but a few do some decent damage as well, like Sickening Radiance, which I have used to more or less crowd control an adult white dragon and do a massive amount of damage over the course of a few rounds on a large group of Yuan-ti. I took the devil's sight, improved tome for ritual casting, eldritch sight, Mire the mind for 1/day slow, ascendant step for at-will levitation, and eldritch smite for knocking things prone without a save. I don't get to do a lot of damage very often, but I make it so that enemies do a lot less or none at all. A group of 3 trolls went down in 2 rounds b/c of my ability to slow them. Also, don't forget that as a warlock, you can swap out a spell and an invocation each time you level, so if you get a spell you end up not liking, you can swap in out the next time you level

[@grobanlover292]

Please go through the invocations after this too!

[@ObservingLibertarian]

*Eldritch Blast alternatives which provide similar (or greater) damage output:* . *1).* Celestial and Undying light Warlocks can do just as much damage with Fire Bolt as Eldritch blast. Both automatically get their Charisma modifier as extra damage on attacks with Fire spells, and Fire Bolt, like Eldritch blast, also does 4d10 at 17'th level. The difference is - Fire Bolt hits only 1 target and it's only 1 attack as where Eldritch Blast can hit 1 or 4 different enemies. That also means Fire Bolt has but one attack roll, which may miss - as where Eldritch Blast makes 4 attack rolls and will likely hit more often as a result. . *2).* Archfey patron, pact of the blade, lifedrinker + thirsting blade + moon bow. Assuming a level 12 character with moderate Charisma and Dex of +4 each, this build will do 1d8 (longbow), +4 dex damage (longbow), +4 charisma damage (lifedrinker) x2 (thirsting blade). For a total of 2d8 + 16. Where it gets interesting is that this build makes for an excellent stealth sniper type of gameplay. You have fantastic movement options and Warlock has access to great stealth mechanics. That being the case, you should expect to routinely playing with advantage, and if you're going to have advantage on many of your attacks - there's no reason not to have the Sharpshooter feat which lets you take a -5 on the attack roll for an extra 10 damage. At which point, your damage shoots up to 2d8 + 36, assuming both attacks land. What's more, by using Moonbow, you can also choose to use a warlock spell slot to get an extra 2d8 PER level of the spell on that attack. That wasn't a typo, 2d8 per level of the spell slot used. . Assuming two hits at level 12, not using Sharpshooter, that's a minimum damage of 18, maximum of 32 and an average of 24. Compared to Eldritch blast at the same level, 1d10 + 4 charisma damage (agonizing blast) that's 3d10 + 12. Minimum damage 15, maximum damage 42 and average damage of 27. the above build is very comparable to Eldritch blast, ignoring the fact that I compared the two WITHOUT using Sharpshooter. If both attacks land, while using sharpshooter: 2d8 + 36 for a minimum of 38 damage, maximum of 52 and an average of 44. That would be situational to when you have advantage on the attack rolls, since you are taking a -5 penalty, still: it's effective when you do have advantage and that's available at level 12. . *3).* Polearm Master: Shillelagh wisdom build. If you should happen to be a worldly wise Warlock, because... reasons. You can Pick up the feats Magic Initiate and Polearm Master. Combine this with Patron of your choice and pact of the blade. Pick up the Shillelagh cantrip from Druid. When you use this feat to pick up Shillelagh cantrip in this way you can use your Wisdom modifier for the attack and damage rolls. Why you would want to do this instead of Strength is anyone's guess but hey - Druid has some useful spells and having access to a heal up your sleeve is never a bad thing. using a quarter staff as your pact weapon in this way you can combine lifedrinker and thirsting blade, which stacks with the bonus attack you get from Polearm Master. the result is someone who can attack 3 times per round at level 12. . Assuming a level 12 character with moderate Charisma and Wisdom modifiers of +4 each. That's 1d8 (Shillelagh) + 4 wisdom damage (Shillelagh), +4 Charisma damage (lifedrinker) x 2 (thirsting blade) + 1d4 (Polearm master) + 4 wisdom damage (Shillelagh), +4 Charisma damage (life drinker). The totals being 2d8 + 1d4 + 24. Minimum damage of 27, maximum damage of 44, average damage of 30. As compared to our standard Eldritch blast the same level which once again was 1d10 + 4 charisma damage (agonizing blast) per ray for 3d10 + 12 total. Minimum damage 15, maximum damage 42 and average damage of 27. . *4).* Polearm Master: second line fighter. Use the above build (pact of the blade, polearm master, thirsting blade, lifedrinker) except instead of using Shillelagh with a Quarterstaff and having a moderate Wisdom score - you simply go for strength here and skip the magic Initiate feat. Here you use with a Glaive or a Halberd, both of which have reach allowing you to take further advantage of your reach weapon and the polearm master feat to get opportunity attacks as reactions. Given the opportunity attacks and reach weapon, sentinel would be a remarkably handy feat to pick up as well: though be warned, if you DO your DM will have in game lvl 20 mercenaries hunt you down because sentinel is utterly and absolutely infuriating. . Assuming a level 12 character with moderate Charisma and Strength modifiers of +4 each. That's 1d10 (Glaive/Galberd) + 4 strength damage (Glaive/Galberd), +4 Charisma damage (lifedrinker) x 2 (thirsting blade) + 1d4 (Polearm master) + 4 strength damage (Glaive/Galberd), +4 Charisma damage (life drinker). The totals being 2d10 + 1d4 + 24. Minimum damage 27, maximum damage 48, average damage of 36. Slightly greater than the Shillelagh wisdom build due to using a d10 glaive or halberd, but also slightly less utility in that the Mage Initiate feat would have given you access to a Druid cantrip and spell.

[@joharr4406]

I've always wanted a dragon patron for a warlock, but when I used Pact of Undying I ended up making a Dracolich my patron who had lost track of his body and was using me because I made contact with its phylactery. I only play this class for story purposes anyway. Just a suggestion for anyone who still wants to try the subclass.

[@nessesaryschoolthing]

You could also argue that a Couatl is a dragon and go with Celestial. There really should be a dedicated dragon option considering they're such magically powerful creatures.

[@PlaneswalkerTARDIS]

I'm still surprised the Ravnica book didnt have it, since it would fit Nicol Bolas, Ugin, or Niv Mizzit as a patron.

[@camusreviews6877]

The Warlock build I’m running is suuuuper fun. It’s a Hexblade build around the grasp of hadar invocation and the polearm master feat. Eldritch blast pulls enemies 10ft closer. When an enemy enters your polearm range you make an opportunity attack. So from 20ft away you can eldritch blast to pull someone into your opportunity attack giving you 2d10+cha per turn from midrange, and that’s without expending spell slots or accounting for other invocations

[@ethanlocke3604]

I love the writing for the intros to each patron. And yeah I agree, the great old one warlock is so good flavorful, but the abilities are all situational or just not very good. That’s why I once played a hexblade warlock flavored as a great old one. He found the blade used by the great god Nyarlethotep

[@dabbingperson9236]

At my table we houserule that a warlock can just straight up change their spells on a long rest. It does slow down the game quite a bit but it does help with the crappy amount of spells known.

[@knightghaleon]

I agree with your ideas of the old one warlock. I've played an intelligence based one which helped with multi classing with wizard levels to make the character more fun. And you can mix it with psionic wizard for flavor

[@skavies2351]

Firebolt is a very good contender for top damage especially with a chain pact warlock simply because of the help action your familiar can do. Firebolt is 1 attack hit or miss made with advantage on all rounds starting on round 2, sometimes round 1 (if the familiar beats your init roll) vs eldritch blast which is separate rolls per bolt, so only the first is made with advantage, unless of course you waste round 1 casting darkness, and have devils' sight. For round 1, I like to do some sort of battle field control spell anyway, so round 2 the familiar's held action (if it went after me, or before as it can help someone else round 1 and me round 2) can be used to give my all or nothing firebolt advantage on the roll. This comes out fairly even with eldritch blast which does more but not as often, or it's got to wait until round 2 without casting a battlefield control spell (darkness is sort of a battlefield control spell, but it affects both sides mostly equally except for the warlock with devil's sight and you know dam well the gm will have more monsters with blind fighting if this is your go to combination, so it helps the enemies more than you).

[@patheronaetherson2860]

Proposition: Make Eldritch Blast a Warlock class feature, and make the damage type dependant upon the patron as follows: Archfey: Force Fiend: Fire Great Old One: Psychic Undying: Necrotic Celestial: Radiant Hexblade: Magical Bludgeoning, Piercing, or Slashing damage, but only one at a time, dependant upon how the blast is described (sling bullet for bludgeoning, bolt or bodkin arrow head for piercing, and broadhead arrow head for slashing)

I have to admit, I am with you on the level 20 thing Sir, I think all level 20 cap skills should be epic because you have made it all the way to the end. That said I have run level 20 campaigns and had a lot of fun doing it. Often times the PC's focused on Gaining a realm, followers and castle/tower of their own. It was actually a lot of fun playing level 20 and let us focus a lot more on role playing since combat was so crazy!

[@toshomni9478]

Fantastic video! Warlocks can get by just fine with other attack cantrips like Fire Bolt or Chill Touch if you take the time to plan your build. A nice DM might even let you reskin Eldritch Blast to fire or ice damage or whatever if you really want. Undying is probably my favorite of the patrons so far. I really enjoy it. I also would love for them to bring back the Talisman pact and maybe improve it a bit. I wouldn't just hand warlocks the ability to know their patron spells but once they get to level 14, yeah they should have that feature along with what they already get. Any problem with an arcane caster's underwhelming level 20 capstone can be fixed by alternatively letting them cast Wish without the risk of permanently losing the ability to cast it again. Instead consecutive failures could just have a sliding penalty to force you to wait a day, then a week, then a month, and then a year, then 5 years, then 10 years, etc., before you can attempt to make another wish if you get too greedy and unlucky. Probably also need a caveat to keep clever players from influencing their chance for successful future Wishes, causing that to fail automatically.

[@byronsmothers8064]

I found pairing chain pact with the celestial patron was highly effective, not only for self healing, but for putting touch spells around the field without ever moving.

[@smoore6461]

I always enjoyed Warlock. I was always one to play caster classes in Dungeons and Dragons. In White Wolf games (aside from my favorite White Wolf game of Mage the ascention so theres the caster again), I loved being a melee player, but in D&D, I loved platying a caster. I agree completely with leveling up to 20. I have leveled many characters up to 20, but none felt as good as starting at level 1 and investing the time and energy as making it to 20.

[@Darknight4434]

Actually on the DMG, they suggest that a 20th level warlock could become a patron himself, but they dont actually give any hints or ways on how this could be done Would you pass your master powers to your subjects? Would you be a new kind? Giving power allows you to get more power?

[@greanstreak04]

Fun fact! AD&D is also a term used in insurance coverage, Accidental Death and Dismemberment coverage. As a mechanic, I will get a check for $1,000 USD if my right thumb is cut off and can't be reattached. I already have a plan for the money if it ever happens. Let's just say that hitchhiking is involved...

[@ATinyWaffle]

If any spell caster has S tier Save Proficiencies, it's the sorcerer. Constitution Saves are SO important for maintaining concentration.

[@Lazycandle]

Kinda wish the other cantrips had as much customization feats as Eldritch blast then there’d be more of a cantrip caster

[@JayChampagne]

The best part of the Celestial Pact is that you can play an evil character in games that don't normally allow it. Just tell your DM, "Yes, he's an evil character, but he's not allowed to do evil things."

[@nicolasdiaz1542]

I had an idea where you can do that for the unearthed arcana Psion. One of the quirks of the Psion was having an imaginary friend and that you wouldn't do anything without it's approval. So you have a chaotic evil psion with a lawful good imaginary friend.

[@pierowmania2775]

@@nicolasdiaz1542 Isn't that basically a schizophrenic person?