How Many Spells Does a Warlock Get? A Comprehensive Guide
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The question of how many spells a warlock gets in D&D 5e is often met with confusion, particularly for newcomers to the class. Unlike other spellcasters, warlocks utilize a unique system called Pact Magic. This system dictates not only the number of spell slots they possess but also how those slots are used and refreshed. The answer isn’t a straightforward number of spells known like a wizard, but more about the number of spell slots and how they function. So, let’s break it down.
A level 1 warlock starts with 2 spell slots. These slots are always of the highest level available to the warlock, which at level 1, is 1st level. As the warlock levels up, the number of spell slots they have increases to a maximum of 4 spell slots, which are always of the highest level the warlock has access to. Importantly, these spell slots are not permanent; they are replenished on a short rest, rather than a long rest like many other spellcasting classes. This makes the warlock a potent caster between long rests, assuming sufficient short rest opportunities.
Furthermore, a warlock knows a limited number of spells from their chosen list of spells. However, the warlock also gains access to the Mystic Arcanum feature, allowing them to cast one spell each of 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th level once per long rest.
So, to be precise, a warlock gains a maximum of 4 spell slots that recover after short rests and a number of once-per-long-rest powerful spells called Mystic Arcanum. These spells, alongside cantrips, and the number of spells known, makes up the entire magical repertoire of a Warlock.
Understanding Pact Magic
Spell Slots vs. Spells Known
It’s essential to differentiate between spell slots and spells known. The number of spell slots dictates how many spells the warlock can cast before needing to take a short rest to recover them. They do not directly determine the number of different spells the warlock can learn or have access to. The spells known is a list of unique spells, from the warlock spell list, that the warlock has selected as part of its leveling process. A warlock can use any of its spell slots to cast a spell that it has prepared from its “spells known.”
Short Rest Refresh
The key characteristic of warlock spell slots is that they recharge on a short rest, which is a one-hour break, not a long rest which is 8-hours. This allows warlocks to cast a large number of spells between long rests, provided that there is sufficient downtime to take short rests. This differentiates the Warlock from other magic users that need 8 hour long rests to get their spell slots back.
The Significance of Spell Level
Warlock spell slots are always of the highest level available to the character. This means that a warlock doesn’t have a mix of low-level and high-level slots but instead casts all spells at the highest level they have access to, giving them a big bang for their buck. For example, at 5th level, the warlock has two 3rd-level spell slots, and any spell cast would use one of these slots. This includes spells that are normally 1st or 2nd level, which would be cast at 3rd level.
The Mystic Arcanum
Powerful Once-per-Day Spells
At higher levels, warlocks gain access to the Mystic Arcanum, a set of unique spells they can cast once per long rest. Starting at 11th level, they gain access to one 6th level spell, at 13th one 7th level spell, at 15th one 8th level spell and at 17th level, one 9th level spell.
Refreshed on Long Rest
These spells are incredibly powerful, are not part of the limited number of known spells, and provide the warlock with a very significant magical punch. Unlike Pact Magic spell slots, which refresh on a short rest, the Mystic Arcanum recharges after a long rest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many cantrips does a warlock get?
Warlocks start with 2 cantrips and can learn a maximum of 4 cantrips through leveling up within the warlock class. Additional cantrips can be gained through multi-classing, feats, or racial choices. Remember that cantrips are spells that can be cast at will and don’t require spell slots.
2. Can warlocks change cantrips?
No, once a cantrip is selected, it cannot be changed via the ‘spells known’ changes that can occur with 1st-level and higher spells. Therefore, choosing cantrips carefully is essential during character creation and leveling.
3. Is Eldritch Blast a cantrip?
Yes, Eldritch Blast is a cantrip that doesn’t expend a spell slot. It is a common choice for warlocks because its damage is quite impressive when upgraded through class features called invocations.
4. Can a warlock cast two cantrips in one turn?
Yes, you can cast multiple cantrips on your turn as long as you have actions available. For example, if you cast a spell of 1st-level or higher as a bonus action, you can still cast a cantrip as your action.
5. Do Warlocks get extra spells?
Warlock subclasses don’t grant free spells known directly but can expand the list of spells from which the warlock can choose.
6. Do warlocks get more than 2 spell slots?
Yes, while they start with 2 spell slots, a warlock can have a maximum of 4 spell slots at higher levels, but also gain access to the Mystic Arcanum, and 1 spell of 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th level each per long rest. These spell slots recharge after a short rest.
7. Do warlocks ever get a 3rd spell slot?
Yes, as they level up, Warlocks gain a 3rd and finally a 4th spell slot. At level 5 they have two 3rd-level spell slots, and all spells known are cast at that level.
8. Why do warlocks only have 4 spell slots?
Warlocks have a unique casting system focused on a small number of high-level spell slots that recharge on a short rest. This balances their power level, coupled with the strength of their cantrips, particularly with Eldritch Blast and Invocations.
9. Do Warlocks cast all spells at the highest level?
Yes, a unique aspect of the warlock class is that they always cast their spells at the highest spell level to which they have access.
10. Can I cast non-Warlock spells with Warlock spell slots?
Yes, you can use a warlock’s spell slots to cast spells that are not on the warlock spell list, but from a class that has been gained by multi-classing, or by other unique means such as spells obtained by feats.
11. Is Warlock a weak class?
No, Warlocks are generally not weak. Although they might seem to have less flexibility when compared to full casters such as a wizard, they have great staying power, utility, and the best damage cantrip in the game, which makes them well balanced.
12. Why play a Warlock 5e?
Warlocks are great for players who like to role-play and can be effective at social encounters due to their high charisma. They have a lot of character building options through invocations, and are very versatile characters.
13. What is the max spell level in 5e?
The maximum spell level in 5e is 9.
14. Is warlock a full caster?
No, Warlocks are not full, half, or third casters. They receive their magic from the Pact Magic Class feature and not from the Spellcasting Class Feature. Warlock levels do not contribute to caster levels of other spell casters should a player decide to multi-class.
15. How do Warlocks gain spells?
Warlocks gain spells through their Pact Magic, which is granted by their otherworldly patron, a fundamental part of their character concept, and by advancing their character level, gaining access to new spells from the warlock spell list.
In summary, while the exact number of spells a warlock can cast is limited by their available spell slots, their Pact Magic and Mystic Arcanum system allows them to be a powerful and consistent magic user, making the Warlock class quite versatile in D&D 5e. Understanding the nuances of short rests and spell slot management is crucial for maximizing the warlock’s potential.