What’s Best to Multiclass with Warlock in D&D 5e?
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The Warlock in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a fascinating class, characterized by its unique Pact Magic system and reliance on a powerful otherworldly patron. This makes them inherently compelling, but also opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to multiclassing. So, what’s the best class to pair with a Warlock? The answer, like many things in D&D, depends on your desired playstyle, but some pairings consistently rise to the top. In short, Paladin, Sorcerer, and Bard are often considered the most synergistic options, each offering distinct advantages.
The Power of Charisma-Based Multiclassing
The first consideration when multiclassing with a Warlock is the importance of Charisma. Warlocks, Bards, Sorcerers, and Paladins all rely heavily on Charisma as their spellcasting ability. This means that you won’t be stretching your ability scores too thin, allowing you to maximize your effectiveness in your chosen roles. This synergy makes these classes naturally compatible for multiclassing.
Paladin: The Divine Warrior Warlock
The Paladin is a prime example of a powerful and versatile multiclass option for the Warlock, especially for those wanting a more melee-focused build. The Paladin brings heavy armor proficiency, martial weapon proficiency, and the Divine Smite feature. These additions offer significant boosts to a Warlock’s survivability and damage output. A Warlock/Paladin hybrid can function as a surprisingly effective tank, damage dealer, and even a capable healer. The ability to use Warlock spell slots for Divine Smite also creates a potent damage burst. However, a Strength score of 13 is required to even multiclass into Paladin, which may be prohibitive for some.
Sorcerer: The Spellcasting Powerhouse
Sorcerer is another incredibly popular choice for a Warlock multiclass, primarily because both classes are Charisma-based casters. Sorcerers bring Metamagic to the table, allowing you to modify spells in incredibly powerful ways. The combination of Eldritch Blast with Metamagic options like Quickened Spell or Twinned Spell can create an almost unstoppable damage-dealing engine. While Sorcerers typically have fewer spells known than other casters, the synergy with Warlock’s consistent damage output from Eldritch Blast means this limitation is less impactful. Additionally, the “coffee-lock” build, which uses Warlock Pact Magic slots to quickly recharge Sorcery Points, is a powerful tactic.
Bard: The Master of Versatility
The Bard provides a unique blend of support, utility, and offensive capabilities. Like Sorcerers, Bards are Charisma-based casters and are thus a natural fit for a Warlock multiclass. Bardic Inspiration can enhance your party’s combat capabilities, and the wide range of Bard spells adds a lot of flexibility. College of Lore Bards can expand the options even more by acquiring additional spells from other classes, including Warlock spells. A Warlock/Bard can be a superb face of the party while also providing potent offensive and support options.
Other Viable, But Less Common Options
While Paladin, Sorcerer, and Bard represent the most commonly seen and often strongest multiclass options for a warlock, a few other classes offer some benefits that could work for unique builds:
- Fighter: This option provides a more straight forward martial boost, giving you weapon and armor proficiency as well as Action Surge, which lets you take an extra action on your turn, essentially doubling any damage dealing output.
- Cleric: Multiclassing with Cleric is generally for a heavier armor proficiency, and potentially some Channel Divinity options. Cleric spells are generally based off of Wisdom so you will need to invest into a secondary stat in order to use them effectively.
- Rogue: A rogue dip can grant the benefits of sneak attack, a couple of warlock spells and proficiency in additional skills. This would make for a good combination with a Hexblade Warlock.
Classes to Avoid Multiclassing With
Not all class combinations work well. Certain classes rely on stats that don’t synergize with Warlocks, creating an awkward character who struggles to fulfill any specific role effectively. For example:
- Druid: Druids use Wisdom as their primary spellcasting ability, which clashes with the Warlock’s Charisma focus. You’d have to spread your ability scores too thin, making both classes less effective.
- Monk: Similar to Druids, Monks use Dexterity and Wisdom, making the stat distribution difficult. While the Hexblade dip is a popular strategy, most monk/warlock builds would not work well.
- Ranger: While similar to a paladin in certain ways, the ranger also uses wisdom for spell casting. The martial proficiencies could make a fighter dip more useful.
When to Multiclass
The decision on when to multiclass is crucial. Generally, Warlocks are strongest in their early levels because of their core features like Eldritch Blast and invocations. It is recommended to reach level 5 in Warlock, and preferably 9, before considering a multiclass to get your 5th level spells and more potent Invocations. Dipping too early may reduce the power of your base class too significantly. This allows you to establish your Warlock’s core identity before adding the complexities of another class.
Conclusion
The Warlock class in D&D 5e offers a variety of intriguing options for multiclassing, the most notable being the Paladin, Sorcerer, and Bard. These classes offer a variety of ways to enhance the warlock’s potential in both combat and out-of-combat encounters. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each class, you can craft a character that is both powerful and uniquely your own. Choosing to multiclass with any other class should be done with a specific goal in mind, and should only be done if it would enhance your character.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Warlock a good multiclass option?
Yes, Warlock is an excellent multiclass option, especially as its key features come online very early. A one-level dip can grant powerful cantrips like Eldritch Blast and specific invocations.
2. What are the primary benefits of multiclassing with Warlock?
The primary benefits include powerful cantrips, access to unique invocations, and the Pact Magic system, which provides spell slots that refresh on a short rest.
3. What is a “Coffee-lock” build?
A “Coffee-lock” build utilizes the Warlock’s Pact Magic to generate Sorcery Points for a Sorcerer. Warlock spell slots are recovered on a short rest and converted to sorcery points, allowing for more spell casting.
4. Is a Hexblade Warlock good for multiclassing?
Yes, the Hexblade is one of the best Warlock subclasses for multiclassing due to its ability to use Charisma for melee attacks, which greatly boosts the synergy of a martial multiclass.
5. Should I multiclass before level 5 as a Warlock?
It’s generally not recommended to multiclass before level 5, or preferably 9, in Warlock, as you want to secure your 3rd or 5th level pact magic spell slots as well as any key invocations.
6. How does multiclassing affect Warlock spell slots?
Multiclassing Warlocks does not allow you to convert spell slots with classes like Wizard or Sorcerer. You receive a separate pool of spell slots from each class. You may use any slot to cast any class of spell.
7. Why is Charisma important for Warlock multiclassing?
Charisma is the Warlock’s spellcasting ability, and multiclassing with other Charisma-based classes maximizes your effectiveness and minimizes the need to spread your ability scores too thin.
8. What are some less conventional Warlock multiclass options?
Some less conventional options include Fighter and Rogue, which can provide martial benefits. However, these are less common due to having less direct synergy than Charisma-based classes.
9. Can I multiclass into every class with Warlock?
While it is technically possible to multiclass into any class, it may not be the most effective way to build your character. Classes with opposing ability scores often lead to a suboptimal build.
10. Is Warlock Rogue a good multiclass?
Yes, a Rogue/Warlock multiclass, particularly with a Hexblade Warlock, can be effective. The added sneak attack damage and skills from Rogue can combine nicely with Warlock spell casting.
11. How do I choose which Warlock subclass to pick for a multiclass?
For a martial build, Hexblade is almost always the go-to pick for most players. For sorceror, genie, fiend, or undead can all offer additional power to a spell focused character.
12. What is the benefit of going Paladin/Warlock?
Paladin/Warlock is a powerful build for martial characters, combining melee prowess, heavy armor, divine smites, and spellcasting capabilities.
13. Can I make a tank with a warlock multiclass?
Yes, a Paladin/Warlock build is very powerful in filling this role by utilizing the Paladin’s armor proficiency and hit point increases and using the warlock as a secondary form of damage dealing.
14. Are there any invocations that make multiclassing better?
Yes, several invocations enhance multiclassing possibilities, such as Agonizing Blast for damage, Mask of Many Faces for social situations, or Eldritch Smite for melee damage.
15. Are there any feats that greatly benefit warlock multiclasses?
Yes, feats like War Caster (to maintain spellcasting), Spell Sniper (for range), and Resilient (to shore up saving throws) can be useful.