Warlocks are the second most popular spellcasting class to play inBaldur’s Gate 3, according to data released by Larian Studios, and it’s not hard to see why. Despite having only three subclasses available in the game, warlocks are a wonderfully versatile class that can also work brilliantly forBG3multiclass builds. Warlocks work a little differently from other magic users andparticular feats inBG3willhelp bring out the best in these charismatic casters.
What sets warlocks apart when playing them, compared to otherBG3spellcasters, is their limited number of spell slots. Unlike wizards, sorcerers, or even clerics, who will have a steady number of increasing slots each time they level up,warlocks will only have two spell slots for most of the game, until level 11, where they will gain a third. This means that playing as a warlock is a little more strategic, but with the right feats, any build using this versatile class will be more than ready to take on the Absolute.
10Actor - Expertise & Charisma
Boost For Dialogue Skill Checks
Warlocks are one of four classes inBG3that use Charisma as their spellcasting ability. Therefore, anything that gives this ability score a boost is always a good thing. Although it might seem like more of abard feat, Actor is a great choice for warlocks, especially when playing as one as the face of the party and interacting with NPCs. This is because, as well asincreasing the warlock’s Charisma score by one, Actor is also super helpful when it comes to dialogue checks.
What Is The Strongest Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Subclass?
Choosing a class in BG3 is a tough decision, but selecting a subclass can feel even harder. This is the strongest warlock subclass.
Actor grants expertise in Deception and Performance checks, which means that any checks for them will double the proficiency bonus. This is so useful for those looking to blur the truth a little bit while saving the world. It also allows other skills to be chosen for character creation in place of Deception, and I’ve found Arcana, History, or Investigation to be excellent options.
9Weapon Master - New Weapon Options
Use Four New Weapon Types
One of the great things about warlocks is their flexibility when it comes to play style, with them capable of fulfilling the roles of both spellcaster and frontline fighter if needed. Weapon Master is a great choice for the latter, asit opens up more weapon choices for a melee-based warlock. Whether playing as Wyll, the Dark Urge, or Tav, a warlock will be limited to simple weapons, which include daggers, handaxes, and shortbows.
Wyll has a unique passive ability called The Blade of Frontiers that allows him to use rapiers.
Weapon Master allows the warlock to choose four weapon types to gain proficiency in, opening up far more options when it comes to equipment. Great choices would be shortswords, scimitars, or if not playing as Wyll, rapiers, which areall finesse weapons. Weapon Master also lets the warlock increase either their Strength or Dexterity by one, with Dexterity being the best choice for a warlock.
8Mobile - Increase To Movement
Ignore Difficult Terrain & Avoid Opportunity Attacks
Mobile is a great all-around feat for any class as it will have different benefits depending on the party role that character fills. Firstly,Mobile increases a character’s movement speed by three meters/10 feet, allowing them to cover much more ground in combat. After that, Mobile has two more features that are useful for a warlock no matter how they are built.
For a more spell-focused character, Mobile: Evade Opportunity Attack will come in handy to escape from melee attacks, whichallows them to move away without provoking an attack of opportunity after making a melee attack on that target. Melee-focused warlocks will want to be able to move around the battlefield more easily and Mobile: Evade Difficult Terrain is perfect. With this passive feature, the warlock can ignore difficult terrain when using Dash, allowing them to reposition with ease.
7Moderately Armoured - New Armor Options
Increased AC From New Armor
At character creation, warlocks have proficiency with light armor, and although there are some fantastic options inBG3for light armor, giving them the Moderately Armoured feat is a good idea. As the name suggests, this featgrants the warlock proficiency in medium armor and shields. This not only opens up more armor options but gives the warlock some much-needed protection for when they are in the thick of the battle.
Unlike other spellcasters, warlocks are much more likely to be going toe to toe with the enemy and will benefit from the next AC that medium will grant them. Moderately Armoured alsoboosts the warlock’s Strength or Dexterity ability score by one, and I recommend choosing Dexterity. This will help not only with attack rolls when using a finesse weapon, but also with other vital rolls like initiative.
6Lucky - Gain Advantage & Force Enemy Rerolls
Make The Most Out Of Every Spell With Advantage
With their limited spell slots, warlocks need to make every spell count and there’s nothing worse than saving a spell for the right moment, only for it to miss. Lucky is a fantastic feat to avoid that frustration as it has some great features that are useful in and out of combat. With Lucky, the warlock willgain three Luck Points per long rest,which can be spent in a few different ways.
Firstly, the warlock cangive themselves advantage on attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checkswith the Reroll with Advantage reaction. Luck Points can be spent to make enemies reroll their attack rolls with the Reroll Attacker’s Die reaction. Even better, neither of these reactions uses up the warlock’s regular reaction, such as attacks of opportunity orHellish Rebukeeach turn when in combat.
5Spell Sniper - New Cantrip & Reduce Critical Threshold
Expand The Warlock’s Spell List & Increase The Odds Of A Crit
With their limited spell slots, warlocks rely on their cantrips a lot more than other magic users, like wizards, druids, or clerics. So having a feat that gives them a new cantrip for free is an obvious choice. Spell Sniper does just that, with the warlockable to learn one from a choice of six cantrips that need attack rolls.
The new cantrip will use the warlock’s Charisma as their spellcasting ability, even if that spell is not usually available for the class.
Of the six cantrips on offer,Ray of Frostis a great choice, as it not only deals cold damage, to add variety to the warlock’s repertoire but also reduces the target’s speed for one turn.Spell Sniper also reduces the number needed for a critical hit by one, which stacks with other items or features that also lower the threshold. TheElixir of Viciousnessis a great way for all classes to lower this or theDuellist’s Prerogativerapier for Wyll.
4Ritual Caster - Learn Two New Ritual Spells
Learn Useful New Spells That Don’t Require Spell Slots
With only two spell slots for most ofBG3, some of a warlock’s best spells are locked away in reserve until they are needed most. Ritual Caster is the perfect way to not only expand any warlock’s spell list but also have some great utility spells for them to use without taking away a precious spell slot. With Ritual Caster, the warlockcan learn two ritual spells from a list of six.
Most of the spells on the list are already available for warlocks to learn through their Eldritch Invocations, such asSpeak with Dead,Speak with Animals,Find Familiar,enhance leap, andDisguise Self. Ritual Caster offers the opportunity to still gain those spells if different invocations are chosen orchoose a new spell that the class would not normally gain.Longstrideris also available, and I’ve found it to be a great spell to cast on the entire party after each long rest to increase everyone’s movement speed.
3Durable - Better Short Rests & Constitution Boost
Get The Most Out Of A Key Warlock Feature
Like all spellcasters, warlocks tend to be on the squishier side when it comes to hit points, so any feat that helps in that regard is a good choice. Durable is great for warlocks as it not onlyhelps boost their Constitution by onebut also synergizes well with a key feature of their class. Because of this, Durable is a key feat choice when playing in a party with multiple warlocks, such as when playing multiplayer with friends.
How to Long (& Short) Rest in Baldur’s Gate 3
Rest is an essential part of adventuring in RPGs. In Baldur’s Gate 3, players can use Long and Short rests to replenish health and resources.
The main feature of Durable is that itallows the warlock to regain their full hit points every time they short rest, instead of half their hit point maximum. This works wonderfully with the warlock’s Pact Magic, which lets them regain all their spell slots on a short rest as well, allowing them to fully refresh twice per long rest. This will change the way the party approaches short and long rests, and make some long dungeon areas much easier to deal with.
2Magic Initiate - Learn Two New Cantrips & A Spell
Expand A Warlock’s Spell List With Help From Other Classes
Covering each of the six spellcasting classes, Magic Initiate is a group of feats that will open up more choices for a warlock. With one of the Magic Initiate feats chosen, they will be able tolearn two cantrips and a first-level spell from the spell list of another class. With this feat, the options for a warlock can really open up, depending on the role they are playing in the party.
As any spells chosen through Magic Initiate will keep the original class spellcasting ability, it is sensible to choose other Charisma-based classes such as bard or paladin. However, Magic Initiate alsooffers an opportunity to learn spells well outside a warlock’s usual range. ChoosingCure WoundsandGuidancefrom the cleric list to move into a support role, while a bard’sVicious MockeryandDissonant Whispersprovide new ways to inflict damage.
1War Caster - Advantage On Concentration Spells
Make The Most Out Of Powerful Spells
War Caster is a great feat for any spellcaster, but especially warlocks who have plenty of powerful spells that require concentration. Firstly, and most importantly, War Caster grants the warlockadvantage on all saving throws to maintain concentration. This means that there is less chance of a powerful spell dropping shortly after being cast and a precious spell slot being wasted.
Concentration checks are actually just Constitution saving throws and therefore benefit from any boost to that ability such as proficiency or items like theFlawed Helldusk Helmetwhich gives a +1.
War Caster also gives the warlock the ability to use the cantripShocking Graspas a reaction against enemies moving out of melee range. This in turn willprevent the target from using reactions for one turn, as well as dealing decent lightning damage. It’s important to remember that unless the warlock already hasshocking graspfrom another source inBaldur’s Gate 3, then they will only be able to use it as part of the feat.
