Belgians do many things well, but they are especially good at creating chocolate and computer video games. The release of Baldur’s Gate 3 is a very important event for the gaming industry without exaggeration.
A turn-based role-playing game based on the rules of the 5th edition of D&D, it has won the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people. Freedom of choice, non-linear plot and a huge number of classes and races for characters await you inside the Larian Studios project. In this guide, we will take a close look at the warlock class in BG3: magic, spells, levels, subclasses and build.
Table of Content
- Warlock Class Overview
- Warlock Class Playstyle
- Warlock Class Features
- Warlock Class Progression
- Level 1
- Level 2
- Level 3
- Level 4
- Level 5
- Level 6
- Level 7
- Level 8
- Level 9
- Level 10
- Level 11
- Level 12
- BG3 Warlock Subclasses
- The Fiend
- The Great Old One
- The Archfey
- Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Build
- Conclusion
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Warlock Class Overview
Image: Larian Studios
According to the lore, warlocks do not need to spend half their lives studying spells, they do not get power from birth, but make a deal with a powerful patron who gives them the ability to cast spells in exchange for service. The same fate befell the companion Will, who once met the demoness Mizora. Patrons can be of different races, not only demons, depending on this, the warlock receives unique bonuses, abilities and, of course, spells. But more on that later in the guide in the section on subclasses.
Warlock, like everyone who possesses magic in the game, has a limited number of spell slots per "day", which can only be restored after a long rest in the camp. However, this class can cast very powerful spells almost immediately, which others cannot boast of. There will be no imbalance, such abilities have a limitation — there are few of them.
Another feature of warlocks is Eldritch Invocations. These are permanent effects that enhance spells, abilities and characteristics of the warlock. Enhancements are closely related to the chosen patron and play style. For example, you have collected a warlock support, then choose supporting invocations that can enhance allies. In the role of a damager, abilities should enhance personal damage.
Warlock Class Playstyle
Image: Larian Studios
Always remember that magic classes should stand as far away from enemies as possible and fight at a distance, because they have less health and defense than warriors, paladins, barbarians and other classes designed for close combat.
The main characteristics for pumping a warlock are wisdom and charisma, this affects the power of spells.
In addition to Eldritch Invocations, warlocks have the ability Pact Boon — additional magical bonuses. There are 3 enhancements in total, but you need to choose 1.
- Summoning a familiar, who can turn into an animal, imp, or quasit.
- Creation of a blade. Creates a new magical weapon or enhances yours;
- Grimoire. The patron will give you a book, with the help of which you can use the spells Guidance, Vicious Mockery and Thorn Whip.
Warlock Class Features
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Main characteristics: Charisma.
Saving throws: Wisdom, Charisma.
Charisma, as we said earlier, affects the strength and accuracy of the warlock’s spells. Of course, this characteristic is important in social parties and the higher the indicator, the more successful you will pass checks for deception or intimidation.
Wisdom determines the warlock’s resistance to the influence of other magic and effects, as well as his ability to understand and analyze the surrounding world during research.
Skills with proficiency: Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, Religion.
Weapons: simple: dagger, staff, light crossbow.
Armor: light.
Health calculation formula: 5 + constitution modifier for each warlock level.
Warlock Class Progression
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In Baldur’s Gate 3, the warlock, like other classes, receives various improvements when leveling up from 1 to 12. We briefly described what to expect for the warlock at each of these levels.
Level 1
- You will receive a spell slot of level 1 for the warlock class;
- You need to choose a subclass and your patron: The Fiend, The Great Old One, The Archfey.
- Get 2 cantrips of your choice. We recommend taking Eldritch Blast. As the game progresses, this spell can become your main weapon, with the help of the warlock’s power it is easy to pump it up.
- Choice of two Spells available.
Level 2
From this point on, the spells that you have already chosen begin to improve.
- Choose 2 Eldritch Invocations. If you use the Eldritch Blast focus, then take Agonising Blast.
- Focus improvement.
- Choose another spell.
Level 3
- Pact Boon appears, as we said earlier, you need to choose 1 of 3: Pact of the Chain, Pact of the Blade, Pact of the Tome.
- You will receive a spell slot of level 2.
- Choice of one skill, depends on the subclass.
Level 4
- You need to choose 1 Feat, you can pump up charisma, master a new type of weapon and even musical instruments.
- Another cantrip appears.
Level 5
- Your patron is pleased with your service and enhances your Pact Boon, now it is Deepened Pact. Depending on the chosen ability, the warlock gains different bonuses. For example, for the familiar it is Extra Attack.
- Strong enhancement of witchcraft, now class spells are much better.
- Unlocked spell slot of level 3.
- Subclass Features.
Level 6
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- Choose another spell of level 3.
- Subclass Features.
Level 7
- Unlocked spell slot of level 4.
- New spells to choose from!
- Eldritch Invocation is back on the air — choose 1 enhancement.
- Subclass Feature.
Level 8
- Choose a Feat. If you did not improve your charisma earlier, then do it now, for example, with Ability Improvement, Actor or Performer. But if you have already somehow miraculously scored 18-20 points of charisma, then you do not need to, give priority to other abilities.
- New spells.
Level 9
- Improvement of the warlock’s abilities.
- Unlocked spell slot of level 5.
- Another choice of Eldritch Invocation.
- Subclass Feature.
- You can learn the spell of level 5 Hold Monster.
Level 10
Mainly enhancement of all witchcraft spells, but Eldritch Blast, unlike other spells, does not get a bonus to damage but an additional shot. Now you can release 3 lightning bolts at three enemies or all at one target — this is very powerful.
- Enhancement of Invocation Agonising Blast and Repelling Blast, if you chose them.
- Subclass Feature.
Level 11
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- Now 3 spells of level 5 are available.
- Choose 1 witchcraft spell to study.
Your patron is again pleased with your achievements and generously rewards Mystic Arcanum. You need to choose 1 spell of level 6, the choice depends on which subclass you chose. Here is a brief overview of all the spells:
- Circle of Death. Deals large area damage with necrotic energy to all creatures within a radius of 18 meters. This is a good spell for fighting groups of enemies, especially if they have a vulnerability to necrotic damage. Naturally, the undead are immune to this. Be careful not to hurt your allies.
- Arcane Gate. Creates two portals connected to each other within sight, through which you and your allies can move. Allows you to avoid collisions with enemies and reach hard-to-reach places. Requires concentration.
- Eyebite. Allows you to choose one creature within sight and impose one of three effects on it: sleep, fear, or disease. Requires concentration.
- Flesh to Stone. You can try to turn a creature into stone. If the target fails a constitution saving throw, it becomes stunned and the body begins to petrify. A failed throw 3 times in a row completely turns the creature into stone and it is considered dead. Requires concentration.
- Create Undead. Summon undead from the corpses of humanoids. Available types for summoning: ghoul, mummy, or vampire. You can summon up to 3 undead. The creatures will obey your orders and fight on your side.
Level 12
The last available level of the character in the game.
- Choose a Feat.
- 1 spell Eldritch Invocation of your choice.
BG3 Warlock Subclasses
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Let’s decide which subclass you like best and will meet your expectations from role-playing parties.
The Fiend
Are you looking for power and might? Then the subclass The Fiend is what you need. Such a warlock plunges headlong into the world of the forces of the underworld, gaining access to powerful combat spells. Your aggression will become a weapon thanks to the ability Dark One’s Blessing, which gives temporary points to HP for killing enemies.
The Great Old One
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For those who prefer to win by cunning and manipulation. Your patrons will be powerful and creepy creatures from the Far Realms. Thanks to the passive ability Mortal Reminder, your enemies will lose the gift of speech, will be immobilized, if the warlock inflicts a critical hit. For such characters, it is typical to use spells that affect the minds of enemies: Dissonant Whispers, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter. You will play with the creature’s mind, as if it were a game of chess. Be confident, you are always one step ahead of the enemy.
The Archfey
Deception and creativity are your friends. The fey are patrons who teach magic of their kingdom and the skill of charming and intimidating enemies.
Here you become a master of illusions and cunning, as the fey endowed you with creating deceptive images and using fey magic to charm and intimidate enemies. The passive ability Fey Presence allows you to intimidate and charm creatures with advantage. Be an unpredictable warlock who treats enemies like a puppeteer with toys.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Build
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Creating a perfect warlock in BG3 is not an easy process, you need to take into account a lot of things: race, skills, subclass, background. How good that you read our guide to this point and already know about his magical abilities, now let’s figure out the settings of characteristics and go ahead, conquer the universe of Larian!
Races for the warlock:
- Mephistopheles Tieflings;
- Drow;
- Half-elves.
This is the best choice, because all 3 races give a bonus to charisma, Tiefling and Half-elves +2, and drow +1.
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The mephistopheles tieflings race is perfect if you want to get infernal abilities: Darkvision and Hellish Resistance, the latter will protect you from fire, you will receive only half the damage. Mephistopheles Tieflings can create a blade Flame Blade, the damage of this weapon depends on the level of Charisma, and the warlock should always have a lot of it. Gray imps have in stock and a spell with the same mechanics — Burning Hands.
Drow have racial proficiency in several types of weapons: rapiers, short swords and hand crossbows. An underground elf warlock has a larger type of weapon than other warlocks and does not spend a skill on mastering it when pumping up to level 4.
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Drow have excellent night vision, because of this they move faster in areas without sunlight. Thanks to the ability Fey Ancestry, your warlock will have an advantage on saving throws from Charmed, most often used in dialogues. You cannot be put to sleep, this is a very strong advantage in any battle.
Half-elves, like drow, expand the list of available weapons: halberds, glaives, pikes, spears. Also, like underground elves, they have Fey Ancestry and night vision, but not excellent.
Best subclass: The Fiend or The Archfey.
- The Fiend: Turn your warlock into a vessel of demonic power, enhancing offensive spells and gaining additional bonuses for destroying enemies.
- The Archfey: Choose this subclass if you want to specialize in deception and control, using fey magic to create illusions and manipulate enemies.
Skills: Arcana and Deception.
Background: Charlatan, Sage.
Conclusion
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Raise your staff up! Now you know a lot about warlocks and are ready for battles! Remember, choosing a class is just the beginning of the journey. Don’t be afraid to experiment with spells, focuses and strategies. Let your warlock become a unique and unpredictable enemy for anyone who dares to stand in your way.
Write in the comments which magical class you like more and share tips on pumping. And if you want to learn more about other classes, don’t forget to check out our other guides! The world of BG3 is full of mysteries and secrets, but together with you we can reveal all its secrets. Forward, to magic and adventure!
Main image: Larian Studios
