Can a Warlock Cast Spells Through a Familiar? A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, a Warlock can, under specific circumstances, cast spells through their familiar in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This ability hinges on the interaction between the Find Familiar spell and the rules governing spell delivery via familiars. The key limitation is that only spells with a range of “Touch” can be delivered in this way. This adds a unique tactical dimension to the Warlock’s spellcasting, allowing for safer and more strategic deployment of certain spells.

Understanding the Mechanics: Touch Spells and Familiars

The core rule that governs spell delivery through a familiar states that when you cast a spell with a range of touch, your familiar can deliver the spell as if it had cast the spell. This is a powerful ability, but it comes with several caveats. The familiar must be within 100 feet of you, and it must use its reaction to deliver the spell when you cast it.

The critical aspect is the “Touch” range restriction. Spells with other ranges, such as “Self,” “Range,” or “Area,” cannot be delivered through the familiar. This significantly narrows down the list of eligible spells, but the strategic potential of those spells is still considerable.

The Pact of the Chain

Warlocks who choose the Pact of the Chain boon at level three gain access to enhanced familiars, making this tactic even more appealing. Chain familiars, such as the Imp, Pseudodragon, Quasit, and Sprite, offer unique abilities and resistances that make them more durable and versatile than the standard familiar options. These familiars can be invaluable for scouting, delivering touch spells, and even providing combat assistance in some situations.

Tactical Implications and Spell Selection

The ability to deliver touch spells through a familiar opens up a range of tactical possibilities for Warlocks. It allows them to deliver harmful touch spells from a safer distance, avoiding the need to get into melee range themselves. It also enables them to deliver beneficial touch spells to allies who might be difficult or dangerous to reach directly.

Examples of Touch Spells for Warlocks

While the Warlock spell list isn’t overflowing with touch spells, there are several notable options to consider:

• Shocking Grasp: This cantrip is a classic choice for delivering through a familiar. It deals lightning damage and prevents the target from taking reactions, making it useful for disengaging or hindering enemy spellcasters.

• Inflict Wounds: A more potent option, this spell deals necrotic damage and can be a devastating blow when delivered unexpectedly through a familiar.

• Other Considerations: While not explicitly on the Warlock spell list, options like “Symbol” and “Glyph of Warding” can be cast with the right prerequisites.

Limitations and Considerations

It’s essential to be aware of the limitations of this tactic. The familiar must be within 100 feet, and it must use its reaction, meaning it can’t take other reactions that turn. Furthermore, the familiar is vulnerable to attacks, and if it is killed, the spell is lost. Also, remember the familiar must have line of sight to the target to deliver the spell. If the target is behind total cover, the familiar cannot deliver the spell.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can a Warlock cast Eldritch Blast through a familiar?

No. Eldritch Blast has a range of 120 feet and does not qualify as a touch spell. Therefore, it cannot be cast through a familiar.

2. What familiars can Warlocks have?

Warlocks can have any familiar listed in the Find Familiar spell, including a bat, cat, frog, lizard, owl, rat, raven, or weasel. Warlocks with the Pact of the Chain can also choose an Imp, Pseudodragon, Quasit, or Sprite.

3. Can a Warlock have more than one familiar at a time?

No. The Find Familiar spell states that if you cast it while you already have a familiar, you instead cause it to adopt a new form.

4. Is the Imp the best Warlock familiar?

The Imp is often considered the optimal choice due to its Devil’s Sight, Magic Resistance, Invisibility, and Shapechanger abilities. However, the best familiar depends on the Warlock’s playstyle and the campaign setting. The Games Learning Society offers a wealth of resources for exploring different character builds and strategies.

5. Can you cast two cantrips in one turn, including one through your familiar?

Yes, you can cast two cantrips in one turn if you have a feature that allows it, such as the Action Surge feature of the Fighter. However, delivering a touch spell through your familiar uses its reaction, not its action.

6. Why do Warlocks only have a few spell slots?

Warlocks have a unique spellcasting system. They have fewer spell slots than other casters, but those slots are always cast at the highest level, and they regain them after a short rest. This allows them to cast more potent spells more frequently.

7. Can a Warlock change their familiar?

Yes. By recasting the Find Familiar spell, a Warlock can change their familiar’s form. Warlocks with Pact of the Chain can similarly shift their advanced familiar into a different form.

8. Can you Polymorph a Warlock’s familiar?

Yes, you can cast Polymorph on a familiar, but remember that you can only polymorph it into a creature of the same CR or less. Most familiars are CR 0.

9. Can wizards talk to their familiars?

Yes, you can communicate telepathically with your familiar and perceive through your familiar’s senses as long as you are on the same plane of existence.

10. Can a Bard have a familiar?

Yes, through Magic Initiate, Ritual Caster feats, or the Magical Secrets class feature.

11. Is the Hexblade the best Warlock subclass?

The Hexblade Warlock is a powerful and versatile subclass, particularly in melee combat. However, the “best” subclass depends on individual playstyle and party composition.

12. Are Warlock spells always upcast?

Yes, Warlock spells are always cast at the highest available spell slot level. This is a consequence of their unique spellcasting system and ensures their spells are always potent.

13. Does Investment of the Chain Master allow my familiar to take actions on its own?

Investment of the Chain Master doesn’t directly grant the familiar new actions. It primarily enhances their existing capabilities. However, the familiar can still take actions on its own turn, such as using the Help action or taking the Dodge action.

14. Can a Warlock see through their familiar’s eyes while delivering a touch spell?

Yes, while you are on the same plane of existence, you can perceive through your familiar’s senses. This can be useful for ensuring the touch spell is delivered effectively.

15. What happens if the Warlock loses concentration on a spell while their familiar is delivering it?

If the Warlock loses concentration on a spell while their familiar is in the process of delivering it, the spell fails. The familiar cannot complete the delivery if the Warlock is no longer maintaining concentration. The link between the Warlock and the familiar is crucial to the delivery of touch spells.

In conclusion, while the ability to cast spells through a familiar is limited to touch spells, it offers a significant tactical advantage for Warlocks, especially those with the Pact of the Chain. By carefully selecting their spells and utilizing their familiar effectively, Warlocks can become formidable spellcasters on the battlefield. The GamesLearningSociety.org website offers further resources on Warlock tactics and character optimization.