Warlock Tier Rankings (Part 1) in Dungeons and Dragons 5e

[@devin5201]

Vampire: You will be under my command. Feylock: No u.

[@nutterbutter9069]

oh man, take that check to a Strahd campaign and cash it

[@devin5201]

@@nutterbutter9069 now that I think about it, do vamps have charm protection of any kind? I mean it'd be thematic like in death their minds have become warped and whatevs somethin like that.

[@nutterbutter9069]

@@devin5201 As far as I'm aware they do not - they've got legendary resistance which is pretty standard (and a pretty beefy +9 bonus to charisma saving throws), but no charm resistances or immunities

[@lockwoan01]

Roll well enough, and it will be you who has charmed the vampire, especially if their attempt fails (or if the DM's like - "Okay, let's see what happens.")

[@realafan888]

When you're a GOOLock and you take the Actor feat, listen to someone speak for a minute and use one Way Telephathy mimicing their voice inside their own head to give them ideas as if they thought of it.

[@booskie4316]

I'd allow it with consistent deception checks.

[@GuardDogEvents]

*takes note for a bbeg

[@Ellebeeby]

Literally came here to post this :')

[@BittyVids]

If I hear my own voice in my head I wouldn’t recognize it.

[@ikaemos]

I recently played with a goolock who used it basically like Suggestion, by mimicking other people's "inside voice"... And it worked like 6 times in a row, but only because his Deception rolls were stellar. It was paired with the rest of the party doing conventional social checks, so he acted like a force multiplier, nudging NPCs to "just hear them out, what's the worse that could happen?" etc.

[@Exisist5151]

For great old one: Tasha’s hideous laughter or hold person could both be really good ways to lead into the create thrall ability just in two turns for combat.

[@MsKeylas]

@@morganpetros9635 And THAT is Why GOO lock is at the very least an A if not An S

[@keeganmbg6999]

@@MsKeylas I feel they are too Campaign dependent to be an S. But they are a high B low A in my opinion. In the right campaign they are an S though.

[@MsKeylas]

@@keeganmbg6999 That I can agree with. But Dungeon dudes really underestimate goo locks. My dm decided at one point to make an evil campaigh(well kind of evil, it turned out more practical not goody goody) . I created flying tiefling goo lock and we were playing in Menzoberranzan. ANd at one point needed to get into one of lesser homes, but it had hired gnoll mercs which prevented us from just getting there(we didnt want to make a fuss while coudl give chance to accuse us and get us problems) . well at one of times we were in a tavern there. And I saw leader of those mercs. Gnoll Barbarian , drinking with his crew. I Decided to fuck around with his brains, and just couple of times put in his head thought'' I Want to take a bath''. or ''I REAAALY want to take a bath'' At first he was confused, then started getting creeped out and angry. and after some time snapped , tried to attack owners of tavern for supposedly drugging him , and got promptly put down with whole his crew by the Menzo guards. So through creative brainfuckery, I managed to get eliminated group of enemies which were in a way of party I was in.

[@sharp_iodine2737]

@@MsKeylas This is amazing. It might not be Suggestion but if you pass the deception checks the target should think it's their own thoughts. Even if you fail, repeatedly doing it to dumb enemies produces fun outcomes like this.

[@MsKeylas]

@@sharp_iodine2737 exactly, besides pure mechanical you can or you can't. It is worth considering logics, and common sense

[@Swelephant_]

Even with “Create Thrall” being reclassified as “Create Friend” (which by the way I love) you could still sneak into the home of a sleeping public official, create a friend out of them, and psychically run a town/city/country from the shadows with political favors. And you could use lower rank officials to pull strings so you can brush shoulders with higher rank officials and climb that ladder of chaos.

[@yeshayahzaner6960]

That would be awesome for a political intrigue campaign

[@asherandai1000]

My first thought was when the party starts to turn against you because of your pact requirements, you can wait till they are asleep and make them your friends again. A bit more confrontational I admit, but I like when the players don't always have to be on the same page and can have conflicts with each other and what they want... Until you make them want what you want with this ability xD

[@Swelephant_]

@@asherandai1000 I like your think (sort of, that being your first thought is terrifying). Problem is you can only have “Create Friend” active on one party at a time meaning the chances of them piecing together that your bewitching party members are pretty high, especially if you keep switching up best friend.

[@asherandai1000]

@@Swelephant_ True. But at least you have an ally when they turn against you ;) And it was my first thought because sleep is the first thing that springs to mind when I think of the incapacitated condition. Dunno if that makes you more comfortable with me or less comfortable xD

[@Swelephant_]

@@asherandai1000 totally comfortable with you...mostly because my character probably won’t be asleep around your lvl 14 Warlock XD

[@coreygardner9803]

With the new fairy UA race, you could be a pact of the chain archfey warlock with a sprite familiar. Your patron is your body double

[@OfficialChannelForMe]

Or you could ride a pseudodragon

[@aldoushuxley5953]

@@OfficialChannelForMe not big enough I think

[@digifreak90]

@@OfficialChannelForMe Sadly no, Pseudodragons are Tiny size, the UA Fairy Race are Small, meaning they're larger than Pseudodragons by a fair bit.

[@deadseven3474]

@@digifreak90 From the way they described the fairy race, it made it sound like they were smaller than gnomes but bigger than sprites/pixies.

[@digifreak90]

@@deadseven3474 Yes, but their size category is still small, which is larger than the Pseudodragon's category of Tiny.

[@fraidnaught9067]

A Feypact Warlock in a high-stakes game of Three Dragon Ante, "Let's continue this hand *IN THE SHADOW REALM!* "

[@FireTalon24]

How dare you make me want to play Pact of the Archfey.

[@francescopassero8369]

@@FireTalon24 I've been playing one for a year, currently level 10, and I'll tell you that the powers of the Fey Court rivals with that of the greatest fiends!

[@randomlygeneratedname]

Wait a minute did you actually make me want to play feylock

[@obsidiandragon1385]

... fudge I don't know if I want my Kobold to be pact of the Fiend or Pact of the Fey and Fey is looking good

[@antone.6003]

So ready to hear them talk about hexblade in the next part, so that we can finally hear about polearm master again

[@jcdenton2187]

I hate that feat because of how much attention it gets 😆

[@asherandai1000]

Please no... anything but polearm master...

[@PUNishment777]

@@asherandai1000 LUCKY😈

[@asherandai1000]

@@PUNishment777 Still a million times better then polearm master! In every way xD

[@maxdixonman]

Elven accuracy is op with hexblade

[@d6HitDice]

I’ve always hated that warlocks don’t automatically get the expanded spell list like every other class with an expanded spell list. I’ve changed this in my games pretty much since day 1

[@rclammo]

Totally agree. They are already HEAVILY balanced by the fact they have pact slots so the extreme limitations on spells known has never made sense to me especially now that Tasha's includes Subclass Spells known for Sorcerer as well.

[@d6HitDice]

@@rclammo exactly! I have never had an issue giving them more options to use their two spell slots with. It makes it feel much better

[@InquisitorThomas]

Plus they Decided against adding of Spell Versatility from the Unearthed Arcana that allowed you to swap out a single spell for another during a long rest, which made my time as a Warlock so much better because I could actually pick niche spells.

[@The_mekboy_you_deserve]

Same here, I really think they should make them as bonus spells and not choosable spells, Warlocks if I remember correctly get only 12 spells and 4 cantrips

[@GunnerM60]

I know so many people that use this incredibly popular 🏠 rule. I agree it's not game breaking, and just adds a lot more versatility to the Warlock just to have more spells when you have so few slots.

[@omok2]

I feel like The Great Old One is a name trap that a lot of newer players fall for, people see that and immediately are "enthralled" by the idea of cthulu mythos.

[@Dinodudematt]

Archfey warlocks: "So my patron calls himself the Traveler..."

[@TheReaver1234]

Let chaos reign

[@joelrobinson5457]

Let light reign

[@Hoodspidey1]

Wait you mean gozer the gozarion?

[@goldenglaive8078]

As a warlock main, I've been waiting for this since day 1! Can't wait to watch!

[@rukathekid7853]

a user with Yu Narukami as a profile pic says they're a Warlock main, now that's cool!

[@P-diddykong]

I have a question for you since you are a Warlock main. Would you agree that the Genie Warlock is incredibly strong? I am playing a Warlock for the first time and on paper it looks like the Genie Warlock is far better than the other Warlocks

[@PrestonWillis]

Same. Hex blade warlock is the only class I’ve played so far and even though I feel my character isn’t as near as strong as the others in my party I still love it. Warlocks all the way!

[@aldoushuxley5953]

@@P-diddykong not better than hexblade, but the two are far better than all others.

[@aldoushuxley5953]

@@PrestonWillis that is a great choice for a first character :) All warlocks are short rest dependant and may be better or worse depending on your DM. But warlocks certainly are not weaker than other classes :) I advice learning by doing, but if you want tips for making your hexblade stronger, let me know

[@macromondo8026]

I always loved the Fiend Warlock for it's Flavor, i like the idea of a "Banker from Hell" Patron that it's essentially a fiend that gives it's mortals a tiny fraction of it's power for the Warlock to nurture and grow, essentially when they die the Patron gets back the power they lended the Warlock "plus interests" (i.e: He lend your character the power of a Level 1 Warlock, upon dying you return the power of a level 10+Warlock after all the effort it took you to nurture that power and make it your own), i just find that whole dynamic a cool way to explain that Fiend growing stronger than other demons around it with every Warlock they "bless", besides it's an "Insurance Plan" (if something steals/seals away their power they are gonna get a huge boon when their last Warlock dies and gain some power back anyway)

[@corsaircaruso471]

Oh, that’s wonderful. That reminds me of a devil I made years ago who created infernal offspring and essentially did the same with them. Gave each a tiny part of his soul, which they grew and developed over the course of their life, and then reclaimed the increased power when they died. This works as a terrific way of making even an initial loss (a good warlock who undermines your evil plans) end up as a net win in the end.

[@erusean8492]

Imagine making a pact with an otherworldly cthulhu aberration just so you can make some friends

[@gortab]

The Dark Delirium power for the pact of the archfey reminds me alot of scene in Princess and the Frog where Dr. Facilier tries tempting Tiana into giving him back the tailisman. He casts an illusion where she's turned back into a human, she gets to see the restaurant she was working towards owning, reminds her of all people who doubted her, etc.

[@kitcobb6046]

Ooooooo I like that. I’m surprised we don’t have any sort of voodoo warlock yet.

[@bigbugabuu]

Tulok the barbarian made a build of the good dr facilier

[@PrestonWillis]

You guys should make a video series where you make low tier classes C and D and edit them until the class is an S tier

[@Teaandephemery]

Such a great idea. There are lots of excellent homebrews out there that keep the feel of, for example, Oath of the Crown, but turn them into really powerful yet balanced options.

[@Dani_77709]

Great idea!

[@JosephSmith-lm4ri]

"This is probably the most combat focused build for a warlock" Hexblade: "are you sure about that?"

[@tompadfoot3065]

I had a Bardlock that used it to distract his enemies by projecting commercial jingles into their heads lol

[@asheronwindspear552]

Ok now I'll believe that Warlock's are inherently evil. 🤣

[@MsKeylas]

@@asheronwindspear552 not all warlocks just goo ones,and not evil,just liking to fuck brains of others xddd

[@johngleeman8347]

Bardlock is my favorite multiclass in 5e.

[@troyterry5759]

Bardlock: 1-877-Kars-4-Kids... Enemy: NOOOOO! I surrender already!

[@aaronhumphrey2009]

Fiendish. Truly Evil Incarnate.. " When I'm thru with them , they beg for the mercy of swift execution..."- Warlock Interrogator with the Advertising Invocation..

[@geoffdewitt6845]

"Create Thrall" is one of the biggest misnomers in the PHB; it's right up there with "Find Traps." :)

[@johngleeman8347]

Hard to be more misleading. XD

[@Lich-x2g]

@@johngleeman8347 chill touch

[@watcher314159]

The Warlock, as well as the Bard and Cleric, is one of a very few classes in this edition that is strong and adaptable enough to let you play just about any character concept, perhaps with a little refluffing. It's just great.

[@KnicKnac]

My favorite pact got an "A" on this list. Been waiting to see how the Warlock subclasses stack up on each other. Great video.

[@SymbioteMullet]

You guys have turned my opinion of the archfey pact right around. I thought it was the weakest of the phb warlock subclasses, but i am revising that view now. And this is why i like watching the Dudes! Learning is good!

[@thanesgames9685]

Making up to 4 enemies fear you for a turn is pretty useful right out of the gate.

[@troyterry5759]

I liked the analysis as well, but even if it were the absolute worst mechanically, I couldn't help myself. Feylocks have so much flavor and roleplay potential, I simply *have* to play them.

[@obsidiandragon1385]

@@troyterry5759 one thing I always struggle with is figuring out why my patron made the pack with me but with archfey it was super easy my patron wants names and I collect them

[@piedpiper1185]

Dark Delirium aka 'Dormammu, I've come to bargain!'

[@Hollyclown]

Man, we’re gonna need a main class tier list after all of these.

[@petercarlson2680]

💯

[@Mattluke23]

Heresy

[@Safaridor]

We both know the top of the tier list is multiclassing.

[@TheeGrumpy]

At least a recap of S and D for each class.

[@MadnessOpus]

In no particular order: S: Paladin, Cleric, Wizard, Bard A: Artificer, Druid B: Fighter, Rogue, Barbarian, Warlock B/C: Sorcerer (CS, AM, DS and SM are A, DB, WM and SS are C.) C: Ranger D: Monk

[@superj1010]

I'm currently DM'ing my mom playing a Drow GOOlock. Gotta say, those freebies from the racial traits really help.

[@emmanuelflorez5321]

Wait, you are DMing who?

[@dyciefisk2535]

@@emmanuelflorez5321 Great Old One

[@Indomakio]

@@dyciefisk2535 that's a bit hard to call your mother

[@superj1010]

@@emmanuelflorez5321 My mom. It's a family DnD game.

[@dynestis2875]

@@superj1010 oh dude I somehow became excited for being part of your family!

[@TonyCrenshawsLatte]

I'm playing a Fathomless Warlock in Rime of the Frostmaiden campaign, and I'm having an absolute blast (pun not originally intended). Warlocks have the most amazing flavor in all of 5e.

[@jacobyspurnger8488]

Warlocks are really great because they can be so drastically different depending on your patron, boon and evocations. You can be a great weapon master, a pet class, a blaster caster or even a powerful psychic/telepath. About the using telepathy to control people, you're more likely to drive your target entirely insane and have them start swinging at everyone around them than to convince them to attack their allies and defend their enemies.

[@itzybitzyspyder]

Detect thoughts coupled with the level 1 old one telepathy is an incredible synergy.

[@ethanhorn6093]

I think Archfey is a bit more situational than you gave them credit for... but I absolutely LOVE the flavor of them. An Archfey Warlock was the first character I played for 5e and I have a profound special place in my heart for it because of that. A lot of people see the characters or think of them as being fey like themselves and I don't necessarily agree with that interpretation. That character I played was a Human woodsman, who in what he convinced himself was an act of love unintentionally killed a young fey being who was the daughter of an Archfey. The Archfey absolutely lost their mind and murdered most of the woodsman's family, burned half of his village, and then killed the woodsman by ripping out his heart, and then brought him back to life and gave him the assignment that he must take an enchanted acorn (which the Archfey used to bring the woodsman back to life, it is acting as his heart) somewhere (anywhere) and plant it (plant himself in a hole) so that their daughter can be reborn. Basically he was alive to die and give his life so that the Archfey's daughter could be reborn. He was an intensely violent character and not at all the capricious smiley fey creature the book tries to sell the concept of. The Fiend though is ostensibly the best of the three core subclasses. But Archfey has a special place in my heart.

[@bcaiko]

Kelly loves fire because he himself is so deliciously spicy.

[@rael7298]

Absolutely flamin

[@heathmorris6100]

Phantasmal force is my fav spell in the game. Being able to play mind games with your enemies and have it actually deal damage in a fight is sooo much fun. I had a kobold wizard that would use it to try and manipulate people by making them see angels or gods or even demons and devils. these specters would speak to them, attack them, position themselves behind people, or even guide them

[@KingYejob]

Warlock is my favorite class, and i have been waiting for warlock rankings for a while. so excited for part 2

[@ZeakaXorrFitchus]

Ditto, it's been such a long wait watching them go through the classes alphabetically.

[@arkyark8]

Thanks for all of your amazing vids guys. I'm especially loving these subclass tier ranking vids. Having only recently made a return to D&D after not playing in many years, I'm devouring everything 5th edition. Your vids really have helped me with getting to know the flavour of each subclass. I am SO looking forward to seeing you both break down the WIZARD class. I too was first drawn to this class way back when I was 13 yo and started reading the Forgotten Realms (FR) novel "Spellfire". Having started with the original 1st edition FR "Grey Box" I became obsessed with creating characters and stories linking them, sometimes with great campaigns in mind. In the tradition of Elminster and Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun, I created my own great, long-lived wizard. Over the decades I have always enjoyed rewriting this character into a new D&D edition (with the exception of 4th...as a FR fan can you say traumatic!?). Thank you once again for all of your great work. All the way from Australia, with gratitude :)

[@Mattluke23]

Another great episode, guys. Dungeon Dudes is such an amazing resource for DMs and players-especially new ones. I am regularly sending my players links to these videos to help them better understand how D&D 5e works and how to get the most out of the experience of playing the game. Kelly and Monty, thank you for providing such cogent and articulate assessment once again!

[@troyterry5759]

I love my feylocks! A good feylock is basically a professional pain in the butt. Charming, engaging, flighty, and just occasionally psychotically cruel.

[@draconicdruid8908]

Ever since they started this series I've been waiting to hear their opinion on the Fiend. My warlock of Zuggtmoy is so happy, especially with Candlekeep releasing today.

[@gradyelliott7594]

Finally someone's not sleeping on the Archfey Warlock.

[@roberttschaefer]

Very difficult to rank Warlock subs by the patron, when the pact choices are so radically different.

[@MsKeylas]

Btw good point actually . You have to give each subclass 3 rankings (or more) for each patron-pact combo

[@willieoelkers5568]

Don't forget the Invocations. Lots of customization potential there, too.

[@TainakaRicchan]

Sending on a warlock is really amazing, when you get your DM to alow "1 short rest per hour" on downtime days.

[@maid_of_heart3261]

Yes, but warlocks have an invocation that gives them Sending at will, so are you gonna take the spell directly or are you gonna take Far Scribe?

[@Z0M8ZGAM3R]

With the Great Old One, I've always seen as the 'Awakened Mind' ability as having the freedom/flexibility of determining what you sound like, as since it is all in their head, you can decide how it sounds. What that translates to is when combined with Mask of Many Faces, it allows for an easier way to pass yourself off as someone else prior to taking up the Actor feat. If you take that as well, then you could possibly become anyone.

[@iselreads2908]

I like the thematics for the GOO, but the 1st and 6th level abilities never seemed enough for me so I homebrewed a revised version of those traits. I made the 1st level ability so that you can use a bonus action to let the creatures respond, and the range increases by an additional 30 feet when you hit certain levels. Other ability, I essentially gave it an Unarmored Defense using Dex + Cha. The idea being that your patrons power and sensitivity to the minds around you bolstering your ability to dodge out of harms way.

[@johnkelley7194]

I really like that. Much better than RAW.

[@kyoukishi7153]

Guys... GOO Kenku so the masses can also hear the great chtulu’s word... such bliss

[@willmena96]

Man, I love Kelly's shirt... I mean, warlocks are so cool! One of my favorite classes to work as a DM

[@asherandai1000]

As a player I have a love/hate relationship with the flavour of warlocks. They're my favourite class that I never want to play. I love everything about them, but I'm too worried about the character I design getting shafted by their patron and either forced to do something they don't want to do, or losing their pact.

[@MsKeylas]

@@asherandai1000 patron may not even know about warlocks existance,or it could be benevolent patron,or he may not care. So you don't need to be afraid of being forced to do something against your will. Especially if you choose a patron who already has similar worldview as you

[@asherandai1000]

@@MsKeylas That's a bit difficult cause I like to make characters that don't entirely know what is going on. I have a conquest Paladin I'm playing at the moment that didn't know who his god was (didn't realise it was a god speaking to him). He knows now, but that was a reveal that came later. My previous character had assassins after them, but didn't know who was sending them. Just to give an idea of what I mean by that. It's fun for me to try and figure things out, and to see where someone else might take my idea. I had different ideas for the god and source of assassins then the DMs came up with.

[@MsKeylas]

@@asherandai1000 I understand, but that doesn't by any means that you will be forced to do something. Especially if you discuss with dm and set a list of no-no you would be uncomfortable as a player

[@NovaDragon97]

When I was a kid I had the Yu-Gi-Oh card “Dark Eradicator Warlock” which was Dark Magician when he was far older. I cherished that thing until I lost it. When I started playing World of Warcraft I naturally *had* to play Warlock. I *love* pet classes. And now that I play D&D, I love Warlock for its unparalleled customizability and that sweet, sweet Eldritch Blast. Absolutely my favorite fantasy class.

[@spearhead2054]

I'm playing as an Archfey-lock and struggled a bit since it falls flat in combat. I often don't know what to do or my spells - aside Eldritch Blast - are mostly useless. I am still very new to DnD but you gave me a lot of insight into the class and how I might rearrange some things.

[@-POISON-]

Really looking forward to part 2. The only Warlock I played was a pact of the blade hexblade glaivelock. Absolutely loved it.

[@necogreendragon]

My first warlock was an archfey pact and I loved it I was so sneaky and devious. I love warlocks in general. So much fun.

[@MaldraediorG]

Awakened Mind is simply another way of talking to a creature. The fact that they don't know for certain who is talking just gives you options for how to leverage your existing social skills. If you tell Kent to go stand outside his professor's home but don't go inside, you might be able to persuade him to do so. But Jerry is his close personal friend. Kent is going to go inside that house, and he is going to end up with popcorn lung.

[@michaelwilson2470]

Awesome reference it was a stroke of Real Genius

[@ZeakaXorrFitchus]

My very first character was a fiend warlock, and is still my favorite character ever. I played him as a curious learner type, who failed out of a wizard school for lacking the intellect to become a wizard. On his last day at school he accidentally freed a powerful devil trapped in the school, and was rewarded by the devil with the magic he had always wanted.

[@thomashearne4670]

An important aspect is that they are a spell casting class that uses their charisma modifier. So you can send them in to parlay or negotiate effectively, and if it's a trap, fireball. They are just as useful in social encounters as they are in combat encounters which makes them extremely versatile.

[@lord6617]

y'all are the only people I've heard talking about warlock subclasses that actually *gets* the archfey warlock. You even get that they effectively get 1 more spell than other warlocks per short rest with their level 1 ability. Well done.

[@basementmadetapes]

Hurl Through Hell is maybe my fave ability period in 5e. Ghost Rider shit.

[@pocketmonster1088]

Just yeet the BBEG into Hell

[@sqoo5]

If you get a crit it doubles the damage too, same as a smite would. Quite strong.

[@basementmadetapes]

@@sqoo5 yeah. Depending on how your game plays crits. I'm in three different games w three different crit rules, but I hear u

[@cthulwho8197]

Hurl Through Hell isn't part of the attack, unlike Smite. You Crit with the Hit, roll damage for that attack and then Hurl them through Hell which does its own damage. There's no to hit roll with Hurl, so it can't Critical.

[@basementmadetapes]

@@cthulwho8197 Yeah but I'm just saying I like it...cuz it's fun

[@sokesamurai]

I was thinking the Awakened Mind would also be great for communicating to creatures that can't speak your language and might help make more friends instead of enemies.

[@InquisitorThomas]

True, but also there’s an argument that speaking using Telepathy can be seen as potentially scary especially if the creature thinks you’re infiltrating their mind.

[@johnkelley7194]

It is a fantastic method of doing so. All it takes is a persuasion check to help ease their fears. Used it when dealing with a race our wizard could understand, but not speak to.

[@davidtrindle9828]

I think y’all should do a separate warlock tier list for the pacts. I feel like the pact choice is just as much part of the warlock’s “subclass” as the choice of patron is, because it is a major factor in determining what class features they get as they progress in level.

[@semconteudo391]

in my opinion warlocks should receive the spells from the subclass spell list for free

[@alvinleonardo1263]

You are not wrong... literally every other class that gets extra spells does it, even the NEW sorcerer subclasses

[@MythicMachina]

@@alvinleonardo1263 I always homebrewed it that Warlocks get thier spells like every other damn class, and Sorcerers get custom extended spell lists for their subclasses. sure, they have more options, but they still have to choose to spend their resources on those options.

[@MsKeylas]

@@MythicMachina same. It is unfair to warlocks forcing them to choose when their spell list and spell allotment are lower than others anyways

[@TranquilReindeer98]

Can't wait for them to talk about my current character's subclass next episode (Celestial)

[@The_Murder_Party]

or my favorite -lock, hexlock.

[@derekcook8354]

My character is a Celestial Warlock as well, we’ll see how they rank it.

[@GunnerM60]

I'm also a Lightlock so I want next episode too!

[@noahmehringer29]

Calling it now, Hexblade S-tier, Celestial A-tier (great support, and a good high-level combat medic, especially if your combo-ed with a cleric/druid)

[@GunnerM60]

@@noahmehringer29 I hope Celestial is an "A" too. ▶Lvl 6 Radiant Soul is the "meh" feature of the Lighlock, especially since you only get access to Guiding Bolt from the expanded list, & Sacred Flame cantrip that benefits from the extra CHA mod damage. ▶Lvl 10 Celestial Resistance granting temporary hit points to you & 5 creatures EVERY REST is incredible! ▶Lvl 14 Searing Vengeance brings you back life @ half health & deals radiant damage to any foes within 30ft of you. That's helpful! ▶Healing Light Dice Pool: It's a better Spare the Dying. Bonus Action casting, 60 ft range, & heals health instead of stabilizing @ 0.

[@ticozayas6430]

Fathomless and hexblade are my two favorite warlock subclasses excited to see part 2

[@obsidiandragon1385]

the archfey 14th level ability is Tsukuyomi and it is awesome

[@johncollins7631]

I would humbly request that while you are doing the Warlock in this series you should also consider covering the Pact Boon variants as they are also quite important to a Warlock build and can also be used to elevate most Patron bonuses with the right synergy. Keep up the good work guys, love you both.

[@dnddetective]

Everyone always overlooks two things about Fey Presence. 1) Nobody knows you are doing it. It doesn't say it reveals you are doing this and it is not a spell. 2) This makes it actually useful in a pinch in social situations where you are near someone. Suddenly they are charmed by you for the next 6 seconds. Maybe just long enough to convince them to do something useful.

[@schwann145]

One round isn't long enough to convince anyone to do anything *and* have them actually do it. That's the weakness.

[@rclammo]

I think DM's get this wrong. I tried to use it this exact way and was told "Are you sure you want to do that? They will know you attempted some sort of mind control magic on them if you fail." I was a new player so I believed the DM but I think the precedent of Friends & Charm Person shows that Charm effects will specify if someone knows a charm was attempted.

[@dnddetective]

@@rclammo Correct. 6 seconds is enough time to tell them "my friends you don't want to be here. Drop your weapons and flee from this place." The charm or frightening is enough to convince them in that moment that it isn't worth it for them to be there. They have no reason to doubt their decision because they don't know they were under any effect. It is not like Friends. The duration of charm in this case doesn't matter because it never compelled them by itself to do what you say. it just influenced that all important initial decision (in this case to drop their weapons and flee). But even if the charm lasted for a minute it wouldn't matter because technically all it does is give you advantage on checks to influence them (which you already got).

[@LeatherRebel75]

I've just recently started playing a fiend pact warlock, and I'm really excited to dive into all the flavor and fun this character has to offer.

[@matthewhironymous837]

My first 5E character was a dwarf great old one warlock. My favorite movement was in Hoard of the Dragon Queen, i used control fire and my weekend mind to convince a group of kobalds, sucessful deception roles, that Tiamat was speaking to them and that the Human cult members had blashephmied and needed to be destroyed. The chaos that followed made it easy to rescue the prisoners

[@TH3MIN3R3000]

I really like the warlock class in D&D. In fact, my first ever character was a Warlock. Maybe a little complicated for a first character, but I had fun.

My DM used Hurl Through Hell against my 7th level character last week. After hitting her with three eldritch blasts. Painful! :)

[@deadseven3474]

Oh my god, I was planning on doing that to one of my players soon! Sounds like you survived though.

[@sequintakeover]

I’m playing a celestial pact warlock in a curse of strahd campaign and I’m so excited for the next installment of this to see what you guys think of the celestial pact warlock!!

[@lordzaboem]

21:20 Yes, Hadar is a Great Old One. It's a living star in the Forgotten Realms setting -- which I guess would actually mean it's part of Realm Space. Anyway, it is in the FR Wiki. My cleric had a brush with Hadar which resulted in her Acolyte Warlock feat.

[@MythsMana]

Rn I'm playing a drow fiend warlock, he made his pact by freeing a devil prisoner while escaping from the underdark because he was considered "too weak" the devil offered him power if he'd set her free. This devil happened to be Fierna and she was captured by demand of Lolth to turn the tides of the devil/demon war. I think its neat so far.

[@anonymousvampirepirate5016]

Yes my favorite class has arrived! Great breakdown of the video and some awesome points made. Hoping we get an updated invocation, and talent combo breakdown for warlocks in the future! So many great updates for the class have been coming out. Nice work.

[@softjao123]

Mental prison into hurl through hell is a bonkers combo

[@Superevilfrog]

Hurl through hell is so much fun. I have a fiendish pact of the Blade who happened to get his hands on a Vorpal Greatsword and a belt of Frost Giant Strength. He also has lifedrinker. Eldritch Smite + Hurl Through Hell does an average of 104 damage. Plus they get to go sit in the 7th layer of hell and think about happen just happened. (my normal action on the following turn is to hold my action and attack when the target returns. Unless there some healing to be done.) I have yet to use that combination on a crit, but the extra dice on the weapon and smite would bring it up to an average of 138. High level Warlocks are fun.

[@cuniving7831]

I was in a campaign where I ran a great old one pact to a David attenbrough like entity that wanted me to observe and record everything. We were in the underdark for almost all the campaign, very intrigue/politics heavy, and using the great old one abilities and my familiar I was super useful to the party.

[@DHTheAlaskan]

I love that concept.

[@AC-eb7kt]

Looking forward to playing a fiend warlock in drakkenheim. So excited for the book!

[@systemphilosophy4321]

I don't know much about Warlock so this is great guide. Thank you men.

[@shiranuiprestonsaga8867]

Alright time to talk about why Fiend warlock is actually S tier

[@morden279]

My Fiend Warlock actually ended up screwing her patron near the end of the campaign and imprisoned him inside a magic necklace she found in session 4. Still retained her powers with no commitments. That's S Tier, my friend.

[@noahmehringer29]

It's probably the best blaster Warlock of the whole selection with its spells. I'd say battlefield control would go to the Fathomless with its tentacles (though the Archfey can give a run for the money unless your dealing with creatures immune to charm or fright). Also Elemental Adept and Meta-magic Adept (Transmute/Empowered) can shore up the weaknesses of the Fire damage being commonly resisted/immune.

[@DaDunge]

It's not, It's not on the same tier as the Hexblade or genie warlocks.

[@JoviaI1]

@@noahmehringer29 Just wait for the Undead warlock to come out.

[@noahmehringer29]

@@JoviaI1 As long as they don't nerf it it could be another candidate for a bladelock as well if you change your weapon damage to necrotic and use the Spirit-Shroud Spell to bump the damage.

[@olivermeloche2042]

as a longtime player of an Archfey warlock, who loves the flavour of the character, your overestimating it by quite a bit.

[@reloadpsi]

"Excellent choice, Adam." If you get the reference... you have my deepest sympathies and condolences.

[@MystraRavenwind]

I kinda am debating making an archfey warlock that either pretends to be a druid or is convinced that they are one. I love the explainations you give of each subclass.

[@32Loveless50]

Running a Celestial Warlock in one of the games i play in, and it is quite a good healer/support :)

[@DieDieNacho]

I'm a Celestial Warlock, pact of the blade, and I'm planning on dipping into Divine Soul Sorcerer for that extra flavor.

[@eldritch0golem698]

same here though Im planing 3 level of warrior (rune knight) cuse I wanna out paladin the paladin.

[@DieDieNacho]

@@eldritch0golem698 Oh that's sweet, you'll get that action surge as well!

[@0num4]

Your subclass rankings are my favorite weekly videos, at this point. Dig.

[@GodOf-Hammers]

Dark Delirium basically transports you both into the matrix, and you are agent smith

[@ashleyien1222]

"Best friend, worst friend." Warlocks are interesting for sure. I haven't seen many warlocks in play. A Fey patron one in a game and Wrath in Shadows. I'm curious to see how the other ones will be rated.

[@CivilWarMan]

GOO Warlock is S tier for people who want to play a Kenku but still be able to talk at the table.

[@thecactusman17]

GOO works for a LOT of unusual build ideas and thematic concepts. Never had any issues with players using Awakened Mind except that many players miss the "one way" element and assume they can hold conversations telepathically with normal humanoids. It's an easy thing to correct. In truth, the limitations of AM lead to even more creative uses than replacing the Suggestion spell.

[@shaniamonde7341]

I think I would like to use the non-consentual one way telepethy ability of the GOO Warlock to just scream into the skull of anyone who tries to attack me ... try to get a good shot off at me with a consistant banshee wail in your head!

[@stars1941]

I've been looking at dipping into Warlock for my paladins, so this is fantastic!

[@aldoushuxley5953]

Hexblade 2 -> only need cha (and only str 15 for plate), shield spell with short rest spell slots, HBC for much more damage and more crits for smites, a solution to your lack of ranged damage and of course your choice of invocations (esp. darkness+devils sight) My favourites are Oathbreaker (or Dragonborn + Conquest + Dragon Fear) 8/ Hexblade 12 and Vengeance 6/ Hexblade 14. Always start Paladin, get one or two levels in Hexblade, finish your Paladin levels, and then invest into hexblade again

[@stars1941]

@@aldoushuxley5953 thank you so much for your advice, it really helps! I'm definitely looking at Hexblade for my Oathbreaker Paladin, it seems very thematically appropriate and looks like the synergy is very good! My other campaign actually focuses more on rp, so I was contemplating in dipping into Archfey with my Ancients Paladin just to get a little variety in what I can do

[@aldoushuxley5953]

@@stars1941 you are welcome. Beware though, that oathbreaker is DM dependant, as it is a "evil" subclass (I don't think it is too much stronger, neither do the dungeon dudes, but in terms of flavour you might have to reinterpret some of your commands) I played my oathbreaker hexblade as someone, who was once an evil paladin to a cult (worshipping my patron, the raven queen). I got disillusioned, betrayed my oath, and ran away from the cult. All the other players also had connections to the cult, and that was how I joined them.

[@aldoushuxley5953]

@@stars1941 Also, if you have a wizard in your party, ask them to get the animate dead spell (or even become a necromancer). Sadly, unlike in the UA, warlocks did not get animate dead in Tashas. This might even play into your roleplaying if you have a cleric in the party. You may be someone with great spiritual and obscure knowledge, and may view the dead differently from the others. "All of us are sinners, I am liberating people from the hells I served by raising them" or even "What is a skeleton but a sack of meat, it is the soul, that makes the human. I am but a pupeteer, nothing is holy, nothing is forbidden"

[@aldoushuxley5953]

@@stars1941 the archfey dip is also very cool. Another multiclass with the archfey you might be interested in is archfey + glamour bard (for fey presence + mantle of majesty)

[@collinwillmot3386]

Kelly, I'm really digging that shirt, great video as always! I've been considering playing Warlock for the first time in years, might multiclass into that from Inquisitive Rogue. Thanks for the great content guys!

[@mikegould6590]

Thanks to the introduction of the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer, I'll never look back at the Great Old One Warlock. All the same flavour with exponentially greater spell slots.

[@aldoushuxley5953]

also the fathomless warlock. Krakens, Aboleths, Elder Brains... all have tentacles and are appropriate for both

[@InquisitorThomas]

Or Just take the Telepathic Feat or Play a Kalashtar and play a Warlock Subclass that hasn’t been cannibalized into absolute irrelevance.

[@noahmehringer29]

Or multi-class for extra flavor. Either Great-Old One or the Fathomless would work for the Aberrant Mind.

[@idontevenknow9758]

I went with the great old one and I’ve been having a ton of fun with it. I decided to use my awakened mind to talk to animals by having them use bark one for yes or two for no. I’m also trying to make an alliance with the ravens in the game and talking to them this way. It’s been a blast for the rp aspect too with playing out as the characters assume I’m just a typical warlock with a demon but we made it a thing where they have no idea how powerful my patron is and it’s been really fun for the party.

[@get2burning]

I feel like these reviews needed to include the pact choices factored in as well as there's such an impact aside from the patron

[@Robert-iu4bx]

Looking forward to part 2 - especially intesterested in your thoughts on Genie or Fathomless

[@TimeturnerJ]

I'm going to be playing an Archfey Warlock, and I'm so excited! :D She's going to be an Earth Genasi hailing from the Feywilds, and this way, she can keep that connection and those properties. I'm going to have so much fun with all the fae charms!

[@troyterry5759]

With you on that charms action! For low levels, both sleep and faerie fire can be devastating in combat.

[@zachp1262]

Hey DDudes, you guys are awesome. Keep up the good work. I just recently finished Dungeons of Drakkenheim and the finale inspired me to fill in a big plot whole in my homebrew campaign with a reflavored Sibriex. Thank you both.

[@itsmeIsaSilverberg]

You guys seem so comfortable with balancing 😁 I think you might love turning subclasses into S Tier

[@MokembeOak]

AYO I WAS LITERALLY LOOKING FOR THE WARLOCK VERSION OF THIS SERIS YESTERDAY LETS GOOOOOO

[@mattfitzgerald7836]

"It's pact with features". Pun level - Fiendish :)

[@quintinsmyth5172]

Been waiting for this guy's thanks so much. I love seeing your insight because of your experience

[@jf_kein_k8590]

Combine the GOO telepathy with Invisibility/Minor Illusion and you could mess with people like Sidious did in Episode 9. Or scare them with an eerie whispering voice like Voldemort in Deathly Hallows part 2.

[@troyterry5759]

A goolock who has access to a target several days running can likely drive him half-mad with that telepathy. Assuming the goolock himself can keep focused!

[@aaronhumphrey2009]

Add some Unseen Servants to add ghostly clatter..Thuameturgy to rumble the ground..Prestigitation for foul sulfurous odors..

[@heyfell4301]

We once had a Fiend Warlock. He was imortal, because we didn't know in the time that Temporary Hit Points don't stack, so he always had a ton of them. But even being this much powerful, he almost died, like.. one hundred and twenty times.. because his patron was Zariel, and he didn't know the difference between Demons and Devils, so.. he called Zariel a demon several times without knowing how screwed up he was.

[@juliotavares3638]

I really never imagine using the archfey in that way, maybe this is a interesting choice to pick

[@MythicMachina]

What it's like to be under the pact of these subclasses: Feind- Constantly fighting against your patron to keep the power and your soul in your hands. Great Old One- just barley haning onto your sanity as you learn things no mortal should know. Archfey- fairy gave me a GoPro and told me to go be a dick to people.

[@houstonfloyd9282]

It's not suggestion but it can freak out someone that doesn't know you can do it and if that person just speaks all thier thoughts out loud then you can eventually convince that specific person that your voice is god

[@jAfr0Thunder86]

Nice video guys! I think when you've done all the subclasses you NEED to do a Warlock Pact video too. It doesn't matter if you rank it like you do the sub classes, but you should *definitely* go over certain synergies or complemtary circumstances that arise from various pacts.

[@jorgegarcia-yj6cn]

I want to see what you think about the genie warlock