Can Warlocks Learn Any Healing Spells? A Deep Dive into Warlock Healing in D&D 5e
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer is: Yes, Warlocks can learn healing spells, but their options are more limited compared to classes like Clerics or Paladins. The availability of healing spells to Warlocks largely depends on their chosen Otherworldly Patron, specifically if they are a Celestial Warlock.
Warlocks are primarily known for their potent damage-dealing spells and unique invocations. However, the Celestial Patron offers a notable exception, granting access to a selection of healing spells and a unique healing ability, making them a viable option for players who want to contribute to the party’s survivability. Beyond the Celestial Patron, Warlocks can explore other avenues to gain healing capabilities, albeit with more limited options and potentially requiring multi-classing or feats.
Warlock Healing: Beyond the Basics
Unlike Clerics or Paladins, who are primarily designed as healers, Warlocks must deliberately choose options that provide healing. Let’s explore these options in detail:
The Celestial Warlock: A Beacon of Healing Light
The Celestial Warlock subclass is the most direct route to healing. This subclass grants access to the following:
- Expanded Spell List: Celestial Warlocks gain access to healing spells like Cure Wounds (at level 1). This significantly boosts their ability to provide immediate healing to allies.
- Healing Light: This is a unique ability that allows the Celestial Warlock to expend dice to heal creatures. These dice recharge after a long rest, providing a valuable resource for out-of-combat healing or topping off allies during combat.
These features make Celestial Warlocks well-suited to fill a support role in a party, albeit with a slightly different playstyle than traditional healers.
Feats and Multi-classing: Expanding Healing Options
Warlocks who are not Celestial Warlocks aren’t entirely without recourse when it comes to healing. They can pursue other options, although these require a greater investment of character resources:
- Healer Feat: This feat allows a character to use a healer’s kit to restore hit points to creatures. While not a spell, it’s a reliable source of healing, especially between encounters.
- Magic Initiate Feat: This feat allows a character to learn two cantrips and one 1st-level spell from another class’s spell list. A Warlock could choose this feat and select Healing Word from the Bard or Cleric spell list.
- Multi-classing: Dipping into another class, such as Cleric or Paladin, can grant access to healing spells and abilities. However, this comes at the cost of delaying Warlock class features and spell progression. A single level dip into cleric can be incredibly effective though.
Temporary Hit Points: A Warlock’s Defense
While not direct healing, temporary hit points (THP) are a crucial aspect of a Warlock’s defensive capabilities. Spells like Armor of Agathys can provide a significant buffer of temporary hit points, allowing Warlocks to withstand damage and protect themselves.
Potions and Magical Items
Warlocks, like any other class, can benefit from using healing potions and magical items that provide healing effects. These can supplement their limited healing abilities and provide additional options for keeping the party healthy.
Warlock Healing: A Matter of Priorities
Ultimately, whether a Warlock focuses on healing depends on the player’s preferences and the party’s needs. Celestial Warlocks can effectively fulfill a hybrid role of damage dealer and healer, while other Warlocks can supplement their healing with feats, multi-classing, or reliance on temporary hit points and potions. It all comes down to strategic character building and teamwork. Keep your game play in mind while selecting your character’s statistics. The information on the Games Learning Society website can help with making an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Warlock Healing
Here are some frequently asked questions about Warlock healing, providing more specific answers and insights:
1. Can Warlocks learn Healing Word?
No, Healing Word is not a standard Warlock spell, even for Celestial Warlocks. To access it, a Warlock would need to take the Magic Initiate feat (choosing Bard or Cleric) or multi-class into a class that has access to Healing Word, such as Cleric or Divine Soul Sorcerer.
2. Can a Celestial Warlock be a primary healer?
While Celestial Warlocks have healing abilities, they are typically not as potent healers as dedicated Clerics or Paladins. They can provide valuable healing and support, but the party should not rely on them as the sole source of healing.
3. Can Warlocks learn Cure Wounds?
Yes, Celestial Warlocks automatically learn Cure Wounds as part of their expanded spell list. This is a significant boost to their healing capabilities.
4. How does the Celestial Warlock’s Healing Light ability work?
The Healing Light ability allows a Celestial Warlock to expend dice (starting as 1d6, increasing with level) to heal a creature within 60 feet. This ability can be used as a bonus action, making it efficient in combat. The number of dice available resets after a long rest.
5. Can a Warlock use a healing potion as a bonus action?
The rules regarding potion use are sometimes houseruled. Generally, drinking a potion requires an action. There are feats and abilities that can change this, allowing a character to administer a potion as a bonus action, but it’s not a standard option for Warlocks.
6. What is the best feat for a non-Celestial Warlock who wants to heal?
The Healer feat is a strong choice, as it provides a reliable source of healing between encounters. Magic Initiate is also a good option if you want access to specific healing spells like Healing Word.
7. Is it worth multi-classing a Warlock just for healing?
It depends on your build and priorities. Multi-classing can provide access to more potent healing spells and abilities, but it also delays Warlock class features. A single-level dip into Cleric can be very effective, granting access to healing spells and potentially heavy armor proficiency. Weigh the pros and cons carefully.
8. Can Warlocks use scrolls of healing spells?
Yes, Warlocks can use scrolls of healing spells, provided they meet the requirements to cast the spell (e.g., being able to read the scroll). However, using a scroll consumes it, so it’s not a sustainable source of healing.
9. Do any Invocations grant healing abilities?
No, there are no Eldritch Invocations that directly grant healing abilities. Invocations primarily focus on enhancing Eldritch Blast, providing utility, or granting access to specific spells.
10. Are there any magical items that are particularly good for Warlock healers?
Items that boost spellcasting ability (Charisma) are always beneficial. Also, items that grant additional spell slots or healing effects can supplement a Warlock’s limited healing abilities.
11. Can a Hexblade Warlock heal themselves?
A Hexblade warlock can heal themself once per short rest when dropping their cursed target to 0 HP. Apart from that, Warlock’s usual way of beefing up is through temporary HP, like through Armor of Agathys.
12. Can Warlocks learn other spells besides the spells on the Warlock spell list?
As a Warlock, you learn your spells through your Pact Magic which is granted to you by your Otherworldly Patron . You learn new spells by advancing your character level and you only have accsess to spells from the warlock’s spell list. As a warlock you don’t require a spellbook. However, if you multiclass to gain the ability to learn spells of a different list.
13. Can a warlock use a wizard spell?
The multiclass rules for any spellcaster and warlocks is pretty simple, you treat them separately for learning spells/preparing spells (warlocks are learned and don’t need preparing, wizard spells are prepared from those learned), and can use the spell slots interchangeably to cast any spell you know or have prepared.
14. Are Warlocks full spellcasters?
Warlocks are now half casters, but what they’re replacing was really a pseudo full caster; okay so 5e warlock maxed out at four 5th-level slots, but if you could fit in two or three short rests that’s actually a huge amount of high level spell casting.
15. What is the best warlock subclass?
Dungeons & Dragons: All Warlock Subclasses, Ranked From Least To Most Powerful 1 Genie.
Ultimately, Warlocks can contribute to the party’s healing, especially Celestial Warlocks. However, they are not primarily healers, and their healing capabilities should be considered a supplement to their other strengths. Don’t forget to explore resources like the GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights on character building and game strategies.