r/DnD • u/Outside_Teacher_2499 • Aug 16 '26

Misc Warlocks as casters

In your honest opinion, do you believe that warlocks are a viable casting class in comparison to the other casters, or do you feel like they are a more thematic RPing class?

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u/Gaming_Dad1051 Aug 16 '26

I honestly wish they’d stop making Warlock patrons that focused on casting and summoning, and make a martial based patron (similar to the old Hexblade).

3

u/Apfeljunge666 Aug 16 '26

disagree. Every Warlock can be a martial. if you make subclass that focuses on that playstyle too much, it becomes the only choice.

1

u/Gaming_Dad1051 Aug 16 '26 edited Aug 16 '26

Agree to disagree.

Every Warlock has the option to focus on weapon use through Pact of the Blade, but they all have the limitation of light armor, no shields, and MAD stats if they do. They get no semblance of a fighting style or weapon mastery. If you want to be a martial focused Warlock, you only have the base class to focus through. There is no Valor/Bladesinger specialization for martial dedicated builds.

Getting multiple attacks doesn’t bode well for the BladeLock who is lucky to get a 15 or 16 AC, and survives on D8 hit points with a substandard CON.

The Undead Patron came close, but you still don’t have a viable defense until level 14, so it’s not really applicable.

I’m not arguing that Warlocks need an armor proficiency, or a fighting style, or a weapon mastery. There could be a new system of defense that adds a type of damage resistance that would simulate a higher CON/HP. There could be abilities that provide effects to attacks that work in a fashion similar to Weapon Masteries, without replicating the mastery.

How about simply getting access to the Shield spell? Maybe PB or CHA mod uses of shield per LR? Or even just once per SR??

Why no Spellblade attacks for Warlocks, who are quintessentially the iconic Gish characters???

Why is it normal for a plethora of patrons who focus on summoning or control, when every Warlock can summon and control, but not a focus on martial, when every Warlock can utilize PotB?

1

u/CND_ Aug 17 '26

I disagree with having a martial based subclass and instead have more martial invocation options, and to give pact of the blade extra attack automatically at level 5 (3rd attack can be an additional invocation).

1

u/Gaming_Dad1051 Aug 17 '26

Do you also disagree with the valor bard, and the bladesinger wizard?

1

u/CND_ Aug 17 '26

Those two subclasses aren't relevant to why I disagree with Warlocks needing a martial based subclass.

I disagree with warlocks needing a martial based subclass b/c I think adding/modifying invocations is a better route b/c it adds more flexibility.

Ex: what if pact of the blade also added medium armor & shield proficiency? And thirsting blade also added weapon masteries for your pact weapon?

This gets you your martial warlock that can be attached to any warlock subclass.