The Fear Sorlock - D&D Shadow Sorcerer Character Build 5E - Hound of Ill-Omen Combos

[@WanderingRagabond]

It's an interesting concept and build, and I sure appreciate a strong theme. However, there's one problem that this character can run into: enemies immune to Frightened. Shadow Sorcerers are amazing debuffers, it's worth grabbing alternatives beyond Maximilian's Earthen Grasp. Blindness/Deafness would impose disadvantage on an enemy's attack rolls, while also giving your party advantage on their attack rolls against it. It upcasts very well, too. Slow would be great to use against spellcasters and groups of speedy enemies, and it can even combo with your Fireball on subsequent turns. While you're concentrating on those non-fear spells, you can still use your actions to Eldritch Blast enemies who aren't immune in order to impose Frightened on them.

[@WallyDM]

You are 100% right on point with this. Thank you for the comments. I did get the opportunity to play this character and while I did enjoy playing them, I was missing the utility of having other spells to throw into the mix. Blindness/Deafness and Slow are fantastic additions. Some great advice here, thank you for sharing. Cheers!

[@ADarkassassin]

your advice for spell casting is slightly off RAW "A spell cast with a bonus Action is especially swift. You must use a bonus Action on Your Turn to cast the spell, provided that you haven't already taken a bonus Action this turn. You can't cast another spell during the same turn, except for a cantrip with a Casting Time of 1 Action." this means even a quickened cantrip still locks you into a cantrip as an action because it's still a spell, this rule applies regardless of when you use the bonus action on your turn.

[@WallyDM]

Aw, snap. Well done Rain, I totally missed this clause of the Quickened Metamagic. Thank you for pointing it out for us. Cheers!

[@phillipheaton9832]

My favorite Pact, by far, is Pact of the Tome. All Warlocks suffer from a lack of spells and adding 34 rituals helps a lot. My three favorites are Leomund's Tiny Hut, Water Breathing and Phantom Steed. The only exception is for Hexblade, who should take Pact of the Blade, assuming it isn't just a dip.

[@WallyDM]

Those are some of my favorite rituals as well. 34 rituals, yep, I'm sold on that Pact of the Tome! Thanks for watching Phillip. Cheers!

[@G-Blockster]

I'd toyed with a Hexblade who took Pact of the Chain for the familiar's help action to give advantage on spells targeting Armor Class to more than double the chance for spell critical hits. But I ended up going the route demonstrated on this video, with the exception of using the Archfey.

[@Cleptomancer]

I ran a similar build with a Dragonborn & Dragon fear. It was indeed a good choice not to get too much fear. I found targeting different saves with my spells like intelligence and charisma worked way better especially with hound of ill Omen.

[@xvader9445]

I needed something like this. I am a Level 3 Archfey, Pact of the Chain

[@WallyDM]

Nice! Shadow Sorcerer the rest of the way then. :-) Cheers!

[@xvader9445]

Actually after Lvl 4, I want the ASI and Phantasmal Force spell to start attacking INT on BBEGs

[@G-Blockster]

I love the flavor of the Archfey; my hope is that the next update will improve Fey Presence to be more on par with the Undead's Form of Dread. More uses equal to the Proficiency Modifier per rest would be a great starting point.

[@G-Blockster]

Nice job. My solution was similar: Variant Drow Half-Elf for the extra drow spells, with Shadow Sorcerer 16/ Archfey Warlock 2/ Bard 2. I chose to double down on the debuffs, charms, fear, darkness, and cold spells -- and the Bard's Cure Wounds. And there were still plenty of slots for a few illusions and damage dealing spells, too.

[@WallyDM]

Thank you. Looks like you and I were definitely in the same line of thinking on this build. This one is definitely a favorite. Thank you for watching, cheers!

[@kahwigulum]

I love these sorts of builds. I made something similar with a Dragonborn Warlock who used the Dragon Fear feat to great effect. The problem with stuff like this, however, is that any good-aligned character in your party is not going to want to attack an enemy who is afraid of them, as that would make them a sadist at least or a psychopathic murderer at worst, let alone adventure with someone who is ambiguously undead.

[@kahwigulum]

I also think you're misinterpreting the rules on two attacks with Eldritch Blast (or at least I hope I'm not). You must be level 5 in the class that is casting the spell (in this case it's a warlock spell for you) to cast two beams, not a level 5 character overall.

[@WallyDM]

I've never contemplated that before. Hmm. Interesting.

[@WallyDM]

Nope, I'm definitely correct on this one. All cantrips scale in accordance with the total level of the character regardless of multiclassing. For cantrips, I like that this happens this way.

[@kahwigulum]

@@WallyDM I'd that's true then okay, but it feels weird that a level 1 warlock / level 4 barbarian (for example, or even fighter) is as good a warlock as a level 5 warlock.

[@WallyDM]

@@kahwigulum Yep, it's true. A Warlock 1 / Barbarian 2 with Eldritch Blast will also have the 2 rays. The same with a Firebolt cantrip, they would go from 1d8 to 2d8 at level 5. However, the Warlock gets Eldritch Invocations at higher Warlock levels that allow them to modify their Eldritch Blasts. With these they can add modifiers to increase damage, push targets backwards or knock them prone. So, theoretically, the Warlock Level 5 will have better Eldritch Blasts than a Warlock 1/Barb 4, but they both still have the two blasts. Hope this helps!

[@VladdViever]

For an undead Patron, I think it could be cool if you wanted to do a Ravnica themed campaign to select maybe a member of the Obzedat who managed to escape from Kaya's assassination and is in hiding . For a non Ravnica setting, I'd say it'd be sweet if it was a mummy lord. Perhaps while grave robbing the mummy awakened and the patronage is some sort of curse on the tomb, or perhaps the mummy allowed you to escape in exchange for servitude.

[@WallyDM]

I like that you came right at me with the Ravnica ideas, because that is what I was thinking as well. My first thought was Karlov, of the Ghost Council (Uncle Karl). But, I put more thought into it and now I think Brago, King Eternal makes more sense. He needs my character to start plotting his revenge against Kaya. But now, you have me thinking about mummies. In fact, I'm gonna tweet about that. We need to use mummies more in D&D. Period. Lol. Thank you for watching my video, I appreciate it!

[@samuelbroad11]

nice, mummies are ace

[@air3jordan]

McBeth and Anax aren't by chance references to the 5 time PDGA World Championship disc golfer Paul McBeth and his signature driver the Anax?? If so, I am beyond excited to have gotten that reference!

[@WallyDM]

Awww yeah! Well done. Yep, that's it. I play a lot of disc golf and the Anax is one of my favorite discs.

[@EkkusuHayate]

I am actually working on Kenku Shadow Sorcerer build and I was going to make more typical Sorclock blaster build. However I think I will take some inspiration from your build (for example I will change hexblade to Undead) and go with a patron being an ancient amalgamation of Kenku spirits pushing my character to find a way to lift Kenku's curse. Not as optimal as Aasimar, but I now I cannot et the image of Kenku Sorcerer emanating the crow spirits, being the extension of dreams and desires of his ancestors, viewing himself as a beacon of hope for his people (in his eyes and for his flock), and absolute menace for everyone else.

[@greatmoustache8731]

Flavor wise, I'd totally change the hound to a cat or panther =P Fun character, enjoy your character builds as always!

[@WallyDM]

Inspired by your idea of cat or panther, I would love this to be a Displacer Beast! Oh man, would that be cool. Cheers, my friend!

[@R_o_o_k_i_n_g_t_o_n]

id go nightwalker and say that my aasimar from a very young age had his wings, hair, and eyes turn black ever since a weird shadowy marking appeared on his face seemingly coming from his left eye that had always been a pitch black even if minor illusions were cast to try and hide his eye (think the shadow marking from baldurs gate 3 paired with making the left eye pitch black using the heterochromia option) having led to him wearing a large eyepatch that has covered most of the left side of his face his entire life with him even growing his hair out to cover his eye his family found so unsightly. they even had his wings removed when they astarted to turn pitch black out of both fear of what it could mean and also out of contempt for what they saw as his tainted purity. basically they find out later that they were granted power by a nightwalker of the shadowfell who had gained intelligence and was simply drawn to the first thing it found with i actually like the idea that his nightwalker patron perhaps almost acts like a mother or big sister to him as they fell in love in a maternal way with him when they first saw him shortly after he had been born and that the power they granted him was something they did as a method to help keep him safe that backfired causing his family to hate him with him only first learning the truth shortly into his adult life just after he gets forced out from his family as the revenant never left him but out of shame for the pain she caused, always hid herself from him until when he started adventuring after being exiled from his family, he ended up in a situation she HAD to reveal herself in or let him die and the fun story of him being confused and angry somewhat but mostly at this point apathetic to most things including the possibility this nightwalker is evil and trying to trick him leading him to basically almost just accepting her and what she says as the truth not because he believes her necessarily but because he doesnt care if things go bad and she kills or uses him.

[@R_o_o_k_i_n_g_t_o_n]

also since he's a angel that uses pure shadow magic, you should change his name to bezaliel which is the name of the angel of shadow from the christian mythos about the fall as bezaliel was one of the 200 angels who supposedly fell and followed samael who would later become known as lucifer in his rebellion against god

[@R_o_o_k_i_n_g_t_o_n]

also i would haveta go for the thematic enemies around spell instead of fireball... for me the maxamillians grasp is the closest i can resonably go to jumping overboard on the theme for usefulness in combat and thats only cause you can rp that to be making a giant hand outta shadow or at least using your shadowmagic which coats the ground and uses it as a sturdy foundation to support its movement and action which still feels shadowmagicy enough for me.

[@R_o_o_k_i_n_g_t_o_n]

beyond that 100% agree tha fear aint needed since literally at level 2 there is MORE than enough fear sources that dont force them to run outta sight of you.

[@R_o_o_k_i_n_g_t_o_n]

also as a sidenote, the hound of ill omen could cannonically be the nighwalker you formed a pact with with the reasoning behind they dont help you till your 6th level is because perhaps you could have some other entity who is connected to the shadowfell be the reason that a lot of the shadow energy you both had was taken but of course, as they used it, perhaps the energy they had stolen was returning to you little by little and that could even be a fun storyline for the group to deal with is the ever present pursuer which could be an almost eldtritch style enitity chasing you for the energy of you and your nightwalker companion and perhaps last time you slipped through their grasp only thanks to your nightwalkers intervetion which was exactly what it wanted anyways in order to take both of your energy most effectively with now your group of new found friends will have to help protect your from this mysterious entity that wishes to capture you and permanently take your energy this time by absorbing yours and your nightwalkers souls into itself :D

[@WallyDM]

Some great ideas and stories here! Thank you very much for submitting. I enjoyed the read-through. Cheers!

[@archmage_of_the_aether]

In defense of Fireball: that 20' radius area of effect will cram and spill into available space if fired in a smaller space... 4/3π r³ when r=20 gives about 33000 cubic feet, so if you throw a Fireball down a 10' x 10' corridor, it will fill 33 squares. Better than Fear!

[@WallyDM]

That equation looks legit. You had me with the pi symbol, lol. Thank you for doing the maths for us. Fireball it is! Cheers, Michael!

[@ign1zshun]

I’ve already committed to lvl 1 Shadow Sorc start but I wanna be this kind of caster control with Fear style stuff. Maybe during my thirst for knowledge I end up stumbling across some eldritch history and become “intrigued” 😈

[@WallyDM]

Sounds like the perfect plan! :-) How goes it? Have you found your patron of fear yet?

[@ign1zshun]

@@WallyDM the character got the axe due to a no multiclass rule :(

[@WallyDM]

@@ign1zshun Awww, bummer. 😞

[@MrsGRock82]

I play a lvl9 shadow sorcerer, tiefling, with the warlock initiate so i could have access to warlock spells. But ive been a little lacking since this is my first character ever and i made some uninformed decisions. Now I am thinking of doing a dip into warlock. But I’m not sure how to go about it. My charisma was maxed immediately and my intimidation is +9 so I do love the fear aspect. Would it be worth it to take lvl 10 sorcerer for the 3rd metamagic or go ahead and dip warlock 1 to add scary. (Form of dread is what I’m looking forward to)

[@WallyDM]

How much do you currently use meta magic? Is there a third you've been wanting to get as soon as possible? If so, go for level 10 sorcerer. Otherwise, A dip into warlock might be warranted. Getting abilities like the Form of Dread and Hex. I like having fear effects earlier as most monsters have a better chance of making the save the higher level you get. Not sure if this helps or not, but... good luck!

[@FlutesLoot]

I love the game's newer options to use the frightened condition.

[@WallyDM]

Newer options? tell me more. :-)

[@FlutesLoot]

@@WallyDM oh I think you featured them (maybe Xanathar's isn't so new anymore haha). I really like the new Undead Warlock, though.

[@ColtNomad]

So I'm thinking about a build similar to this using the MotM Winter Eladrin. I'm thinking the "undead" patron is actually the Queen of Air and Darkness from the Unseelie Court. I am just trying to find a fit that gets me all the Fey stuff while playing the build I'd want.

[@dinen5000]

ive been playing/planning almost this exact build lmao, starter sorc first though to get hound online asap since my dm is letting me take bestow curse at 5th level as one of my third level spells

[@dinen5000]

fallen aasimar feature is carrying my frightening so far

[@WallyDM]

Nice! Aasimar are so good. One of my favorite races, for sure.

[@WallyDM]

Good plan. How are you enjoying the build so far?

[@dinen5000]

@@WallyDM its going great, still at 4th level right now so we're not really at the point the build is online, I've been 99% a touch spell Sorcerer, or using saving throw spells in melee range for the flavor of a sorta anti-midas going mostly necrotic damage. at 4th lvl i took the Shadow Touched feat for Inflict Wounds which is my #1 spell right now

[@captainbaker1735]

Thoughts on having a character like Dark Danny from Danny Phantom being the patron?

[@WallyDM]

That would be interesting, for sure! When I first read this I thought you were asking how I would build Dark Danny. With just a tad bit of research into the character, I was thinking Shadar-kai Horizon Walker Ranger. But yeah, back to your question, I think the patron would be interesting, for sure. Cheers!

[@VladdViever]

And of course with the father fall. XD

[@WallyDM]

I could talk to you all day about Feather Fall. But, of course, you already know that, lol!

[@johnnikyecole9114]

Coffeelock is the game breaker and you need a PC that doesn't need to take a full rest or sleep at all... I personally don't like the coffeelock but love the sorlock. I go for hexblade and shadow sorcerer. But I always go hexblade it's a bit of a mem at my table

[@WallyDM]

Coffeelock! That's the term I was trying to remember. Thank you. And yes, I'm not a fan of the coffeelock either, which makes the Sorlock a-okay in my book too. :-) And, I've never done a hexblade build before. It's definitely on my list for the near future. Thank you for watching. Cheers!

[@ExpressDunlop]

its a shadow sorcerer uide and u talk about warlock

[@WallyDM]

Yep. The two levels in warlock give us the best version of Shadow Sorcerer in this build. :-)

[@ExpressDunlop]

@@WallyDM we're doing a changeling "one shot" i wanted to do something different than rogue/hunter so i went shadow sorcerer but the warlock undead thing is tough to bring in that world.

[@WallyDM]

@@ExpressDunlop understandable, for sure. If you are allowed a feat, you could take Magic Initiate to get some of the Warlock spells I suggested. But, if all else, simply fast forward through the two levels of Warlock and concentrate on just the sorcerer levels. Let me know if you need help with any decisions in particular. Cheers Randi!