Summary
Warlocks are the third-most-popular class choice for players ofBaldur’s Gate 3,and for a good reason. They have a focus on charisma, which makes them ideal party leaders and communicators, and they gain access to some truly impressive magical abilities. Core among those are the spells and features that warlocks get from their subclass, whether they choose to be the agent of adastardly fiend, a sinister fey, or a Lovecraftian great old one.
Each subclass provides some fun abilities, but they are not equal in power level. Players looking to make the strongest warlock possible will need to considerwhich subclass they want to go with early on since it is decided at level one, and some of the strongest abilities these subclasses get are unlocked in the early levels of the game. While some of the iconic overpowered warlock subclasses fromDungeons & Dragons, such as the Hexblade, are not present, these reworked versions of classic warlock patrons still grant some strong boons.
Baldur’s Gate 3: The Best Sorlock Multiclass Build
The “Sorlock” is a Baldur’s Gate 3 build that utilizes both Charisma-based casters. It can quickly gain Sorcerer Points even during a short rest.
Comparing The Warlock’s Expanded Spell Lists
Adding Spells From Other Classes
Unlike other spellcasters, warlocks don’t gain additional spells that remain prepared based on their subclass; rather, theyadd spells from other class liststo the warlock spell list so players can choose them if they wish.Each subclass grants access to two new spells of spell levels one through five, so comparing their utility and damage is an easy way to gauge the strength of these options. Warlocks don’t get that many spells, so the ones they pick have to be good.
The archfey has probably the least useful spells overall. Withoptions likecalm emotions,dominate beast, andseeming, there are some real duds on this list. They do getsleepat first level, which can be good early on, but it falls off by mid-game. Their few good options, such asPlant Growthand greater invisibility, can be topped by spells already on the warlock list, likeHunger of Hadarordarknesswhen paired withdevil’s sight.
The fiend mostly profits from blasting spells like scorching ray, fireball, and flame strike, but it also has access to some nice control options with command and blindness.
It’s a closer race between the fiend and great old one subclasses, which get a few powerful options players will want to take. The fiend mostly profits from blasting spells likescorching ray,fireball, andflame strike, but it also has access to some nice control options withcommandandblindness. The great old one, meanwhile, starts off strong withdissonant whispersandtasha’s hideous laughter, but fumbles withphantasmal forceandbestow curse. It still has some really strong stuff at high levels,but overall, the fiend gets more consistently useful options.
Early Abilities Are Most Important For Front-Loaded Classes
Going For Critical Hits
Some classes inBaldur’s Gate 3and inD&Dare considered “front-loaded,” meaning they get all their best stuff at early levels. This makes thempopular choices for multiclassing, andit makes their first-level abilities the most important in determining their usefulness. In this case, the great old one has a clear victory with Mortal Reminder. Mortal Reminder is a passive feature that allows warlocks to frighten enemies upon getting a critical hit.
10 Best Warlock Spells In D&D 5e You’ll Definitely Want To Try
Warlock has one of the most expansive spell lists in D&D 5e; not all of the spells are made equal, so spell choice will be crucial in any campaign.
The frightened condition inBG3is debilitating, and being able to inflict it constantly is great.Warlocks can easily build their play style around fishing for critical hits, with feats likespell snipercombined witheldritch blast, and the plethora of weapons that extend critical hit chance. What’s more is that players have advantage on attacks against frightened creatures, meaning great old one warlocks can easily set up a chain of critical hits against their targets.
It’s an ability that offers much more constant use than the archfey alternative, Fey Presence. This ability can also inflict frightened, but it requires close range and an action to use,has a saving throw, so enemies can avoid being affected, and it can only be used once per short rest.Mortal Reminder is also useful throughout the whole game, unlike the fiend ability Dark One’s Blessing, which grants temporary hit points upon a successful kill. This temp HP is not much, and the existence of the potent robe inAct 2renders it obsolete.
Higher Level Subclass Abilities Aren’t As Impactful
Becoming Immune To Being Charmed
The abilities these subclasses grant at higher levels aren’t nearly as integral to their play styles as earlier features, making them feel more like icing on an already-baked cake. Still, a few of them stand out as either niche but cool, or exceptionally useless. Starting with the latter,the archfey tenth-level ability is Beguiling Defense, which makes them immune to being charmed. Charm is not a common condition inBG3, and immunity to it is niche at best.
Fiends get Dark One’s Own Luck at the same level, which lets warlocks add 1d10 to an ability check once per short rest.
More useful is Misty Escape, which lets archfey warlocks teleport away and turn invisible upon taking damage. Still, an ability that only works when a character takes damage is not ideal. Fiends getDark One’s Own Luck at the same level, which lets warlocks add 1d10 to an ability checkonceper short rest. This won’t always make a difference, but it has use as pseudo-bardic inspiration. Fiends also gain resistance to one damage type of their choice at the 10th level, but given how easy it is to make damage resistance potions by Act 3, this ability is pretty lackluster.
The great old one’s later features have the most utility. They can make an attack that is about to hit them have disadvantage and possibly miss, and it gives their next attack roll advantage, providing synergy with their earlier Mortal Reminder ability.Their 10th-level feature grants psychic resistance, which is worse than the Fiend’s more adaptable resistance option, but it also gives them the ability to retaliate against creatures that deal psychic damage. This is actually useful in Act 3 with all the mind flayer enemies.
Final Ranking Of The Subclasses
The Fiend, The Great Old One, Or The Archfey
All in all,it is fair to say that the archfey warlock is absolutely the weakest of the three options. Other than a few of its spell choices, it really has nothing to offer that can’t be done better by one of the other two subclasses. It’s a shame since the archery has neat lore and flavor, but it lacks the power to back it up.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Warlock Multiclass Build
Tome Warlocks multiclassed with College of Lore Bards are powerful in Baldur’s Gate 3. They have a huge spell selection and fast spell slots.
The other two options are both very strong, and the choice of which to use will likely come down to whether players want to be a long-range or short-range warlock. For those who want to take the Pact of the Blade and fight on the front lines, the great old one has more helpful features. The fiend is better as a blaster and long-range spellcaster, given its powerful extended spell list. Either way, warlock is one of the most powerful classes in the game, andtaking this class is a deal players shouldn’t pass up inBaldur’s Gate 3.
