Not all level-twenty abilities are worth getting; for example, Rangers have a poor level-twenty class feature, so they gain more from multiclassing. Warlocks in D&D 5e are so strong because of their versatility, and this versatility also makes them exceptionally good at multiclassing. Bards lack the first-level value that other spellcasters provide in multiclassing, but theyre formidable in their own ways with more levels of investment. However, since Bards are a half-melee, half-spellcaster, jack-of-all-trades class, you'll want to consider more than just the primary stat when trying to multiclass into Bard. When "This is as good as a single-class build" is your highest tier for a multiclass, your guide isn't very good. Eventually, gain more control over your Spirit Tales rolls. For example, if you want to play an artificer and multiclass into fighter, you will need 13 Intelligence and either 13 Strength or Dexterity. You gain access to the powerful Sorcery Points which allow you to customize your spells. Mask of Many Faces is popular for trickster characters. The characters archaeological delvings have led them to discover an ancient weapon that has formed a pact with them and transformed them with divine energy. Speak to someone for one minute to attempt to frighten them (they dont know if they succeed on the Wisdom save). Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. For starters, each Patron grants the Warlock a unique expanded spell list. The Thief Rogue specializes in chucking items as a bonus action, such as acid vials. You can start at level one as a class that gets armor proficiencies, or you can multiclass with a class that gets armor when multiclassing. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. A weakness you will have to accommodate for. 5E Guide: How to Multiclass. After getting these 6 levels in Warlock, get 6 levels in Sorcerer to pick up Elemental Affinity, so you can add your CHA modifier to fire spells AGAIN. Flavor the Celestial Warlock like your pact is with an angel of Mother Earth. Multiclassing a Bard with a Druid gives your character access to their entire spell list after only one level. All of which make you more capable of entering melee combat or sniping foes at a distance. Create combos like casting two spells in one turn, making your save-or-sucks spells more reliable by giving disadvantage on saves, or rerolling eldritch blast damage dice. Your DM needs to allow you to trigger some of your spoken abilities through telepathy. Spike Growth becomes available to a Dao Genie Warlock, so you can still use fun battlefield control tactics while knocking enemies around Eldritch Blast. You also get extra Expertise from three levels of Bard. Charm people into idolizing you for a while when you speak to a group and they unknowingly fail their Wisdom saves. Since Barbarians get Unarmored Defense, they give boosted defensive capabilities to the Warlock, allowing them to play the role of the tank if they want to. Choose your warlock and bard spells with Unsettling Words in mind. Use an action and commit concentration to charm or frighten a creature for one minute as it becomes lost in an illusory reality. Radiant damage spells can also come in handy, however not as hard-hitting after getting Elemental Adept: Fire. This combination will enable you to really stack up damage for heavy-handed melee strikes. Cast a spell of 6th level of lower with a casting time of one action without components once per 1d4 long rests. Multiclassing can be useful for roleplaying as well, so it's not merely for min-max-style players. The Undead Warlock lacks medium armor and shields, but the Valor Bard can assist with that while gaining other support abilities and spells. Warlock/sorcerer is also a very strong option for a sorcerer multiclass. One of the challenges of being a Swashbuckler is trying to beef up your Charisma in addition to other Rogue stats like Dexterity. So why pick? Bards are one of the most fun classes to play in Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition, with the ability to excel in all aspects of the game in a way that few others can match. Hypnotic pattern is always a fantastic choice for most situations. Put thirteen or fourteen points into Dexterity and Constitution, and go full force into Charisma with this combination. That sounds fine! Clerics also get subclasses at level one, so some of them will provide massive value for one level of investment. Standing at the head of your army of undead, you blend in as one of the horde. The bard can fill a lot of roles from support spellcaster to melee combatant. Eventually, enhance your ability to create items by ignoring gold cost limitations and creating more at once. That means a potential +5d8 radiant damage added to a melee attack if youre a powerful enough Warlock, no matter how many levels you have in Paladin. Lets review which combinations get enough value from dipping and dont require extensive multiclassing. Pretend your core class has something different about it that is justified by multiclassing. Other concepts will include the Sorcerer as a secondary class with minimal level investment. Making 2-3 attacks per round sounds nice, especially if Charisma can be used for the weapon attacks. Multiclassing is a fun way to add additional depth to your character and make their build feel more unique. Taking up to 3 levels of Sorcerer . In this build, your character will deal an average of 198 damage to a target with six weapon attacksin the first turn, 79 to another targetand banish itin the second turn, and another 27 to the first cursed target in the second turn. Aside from optimization, multiclassing allows you to bring unique characters to life with outside-the-box specialties. Warlock is also an amazing primary class. Which of my multiclass concepts have you played or have you felt inspired to play? Classes How to Play Warlock in 5e D&D The Best Warlock Multiclass Builds in 5th Edition D&D. At lvl 11, you can take mass suggestion, at 13, force cage. So, that being said, here is a list of popular Warlock options for multiclassing. A Sorcerer multiclass gives you additional features; as well as a host of cantrips and Level 1 spells that can expand a Bard's arsenal. Freely add Bardic Inspiration to an ability check you make if you roll lower than youd like. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. It works well. Couple this with the fact that you're going to want two levels for . Warlocks and Sorcerers already blend well, and these two subclasses make thematic sense. Soon, youll be able to picture in your head what kind of character you want to build and what classes will jive best with that character. The Warlock and Sorcerer Multiclass is another combination with great synergy - with both classes using Charisma for spellcasting. NEXT: D&D: 10 Characters To Inspire Your Next Bard. It can also gain temporary hitpoints while cutting down enemies. Additionally, support is not a role that Warlock is well suited to play outside of the Celestial subclass, so there will be some friction between your Warlock and Cleric abilities. The first new class released for 5e, the artificer has a fair amount of overlap with the bard. These class features are adaptable and allow you to pick up bonuses tailored to your current build. Picking a class can be hard. Aside from optimization, multiclassing allows you to bring unique characters to life with outside-the-box specialties. Warlocks are a popular class for people who like to multiclass, but not every class jives well with the Warlock multiclass. Multiclassing is a powerful tool for character optimization. The Wizard levels also give you many first-level spells that are invaluable, such as Shield, Feather Fall, Absorb Elements, Mage Armor, Find Familiar, Fog Cloud, and more! When deciding what to multiclass with, youll want to look at a few different factors. For those unfamiliar, if I write "Cleric 6 / Bard 5 / Fighter 1", this means that the character is a level 6 cleric, level 5 bard, and level 1 fighter. I imagine this like an exotic dancer who takes advantage of the one-on-one situations that can result afterward with interested parties. The Archfey: Fey are tricky, unpredictable creatures, and warlocks who swear pacts to The Archfey gain spells and abilities to confuse, surprise, and charm other creatures. You can find more content on multiclassing in our other articles, particularly our class-level multiclassing combinations article.var pd_tags=new Array;pd_tags["10977679-src"]="poll-oembed-simple"; I hope the article was fun/helpful! Your email address will not be published. Then finish the build with the remainder of your Warlock levels and youre golden (pun totally unintended).. Summary of subclass features: Gain a few spell options that Warlocks cant normally learn, but you dont automatically learn them. I would suggest going bard 3 or 5 first. After level 5 or so, anything that doesn't actively clash will . I easily reimagine the Fiend Warlock as being psionic in nature, evidenced by its abilities that dont necessarily need to be tied to fiends. Mobile Flourish will be helpful after you get six levels in Bladesinging because you can substitute one attack for a cantrip like Booming Blade. So if youre planning to multiclass, youll want to do your research on the class you want to take. Multiclassing is when your character takes levels in two separate classes. Taking levels of Warlock enables a coffee-lock build that is a common multiclass concept; it involves using Pact Magic from the Warlock to recharge Sorcery Points. Gain special Blade Flourishes and increase your movement speed for the turn when you attack. Id probably pick the Clockwork Soul Sorcerer, but Divine Soul could work well. Theres no way I can cover every combination for this subclass, but Ill share some favorites. Coupling Defensive Flourish with Bladesong will make you nearly untouchable. Genie Warlocks gain Bottled Respite in their Genies Vessel for ease of short resting. Freely reattach body parts to yourself when severed. Wide variety of spells, including high-output damage, strong defense, and lifesaving utility. Bards have a similar versatility to the Warlock, which makes them an excellent choice for multiclassing. Extra armor and weapon proficiencies, a Fighting Style, and the ever-useful Action Surge are all helpful for a bard. Not all level-twenty abilities are worth getting; for example, Rangers have a poor level-twenty class feature, so they gain more from multiclassing. Fortunately, not much else in Sorcerer will benefit you, so you could stop there and put the rest of your levels into Warlock. Their range of skills, abilities, and spells sets them apart from nearly every other D&D class in terms of versatility. These two classes can lend tremendous support to allies at all levels, especially since the Peace Clerics Emboldening Bone scales with your Proficiency Bonus regardless of Cleric levels. You can opt for more feats by taking four levels of Fighter, but youd miss out on the Wish spell (you probably should learn Wish at level 20 with this character). After you invest a few more levels, you can also start grabbing Eldritch Invocations and a Pact Boon. However, pretty much any Bard subclass will provide extra bonuses for the Warlock since Bards have proficiencies that Warlocks dont get access to, and the Bard class will increase the raw power of the Warlock class by default. If you are tired of slinging spells and want to start cleaving orcs in half, multiclassing is the way to go! Transform as a bonus action for temporary hitpoints, attacks that can frighten enemies, and immunity to fright. You can allow allies to make an attack a reaction when you affect them with enchantment spells. Warlocks and Bards both use Charisma, so you won't be casting subpar spells with either class. The Oath of the Watchers demands a Paladin to know the lore about otherworldly monsters, so the Lore Bard is a fine fit! Sorcerer has an even worse hit die than Warlock (d6). Its a masterful concept for creating a new religion of followers and adorers! You might even stick around for Level 10 Bard when you can pick up spells from any class. The other reason this combo works so well is that many Warlock defensive spells dont require concentration. Learn a greater version of Evards Black Tentacles that gives you temporary hitpoints and cant have its concentration ended by damage taken. Finish with Guidance and Word of Radiance and youre good to be somehow support-melee-reliable., Also at level 3, pick Book of Ancient Secrets and pick Find Familiar as one of the rituals so you can support your teammates with your celestial owl (sorry WotC, you had it coming when putting Flyby on it). Without requiring concentration or spell slots to do so, youll gain invisibility and a flying speed so you can be a stealth jet. Switch onto Warlock to get 6 levels for Radiant Soul to make fire and radiant spells hit extra CHA modifier. Wizards of the Coast LLC. In short, yes, you get spell slots and spells known from each class individually as if you were single-classed. Fifth Edition Warlock Patrons have an immense amount of versatility since they all offer different things and allow the Warlock to slot into roles other than the ranged caster. The same goes for Eldritch Blast. However, you can always choose your favorite class or a class that is more representative of your characters roleplay. Its also forty swimming speed instead of the usual thirty. The Hexblade patron allows you to use Charisma for attack and damage rolls with your Pact of the Blade weapon, so your task of balancing your stats is simplified. If youre looking to amp up the Warlocks existing spellcasting with more options, more spell slots, and more flexibility, Sorcerer is the best choice to multiclass into. Being a secondary class does not mean a character wont start at level one as that class; some classes get more armor and hitpoints at level one. The Death Domains damage bonuses can be significant for striking down threatening foes while still concentrating on other spells. I love hearing about your characters, and Ive been known to add my favorite concepts from reader comments to my articles. Having a few spell slots that recharge on a short rest is quite nice for spellcasters. This gives the Warlock more melee versatility than the standard Warlock class. You have become the storm as you freely fly above enemies just out of reach but within your stormy aura. Flutes is a seasoned DM and improvisational performer. Even one or two levels in the class can give the bard a great many useful features, including spell slots that recharge on a short rest, several unique warlock spells, and the ability to use weapons with Charisma if they take the Hexblade patron. Each class is granting proficiencies plus proficiency doubling, and some of the classes even provide bonus proficiencies according to the multiclassing proficiencies table. Use Bardic Inspiration as a bonus action to give a creature disadvantage on its next saving throw before your next turn. You can select different Invocations than the usual Agonizing Blast for Eldritch Blast, but its a significant sacrifice. Bards have to commit to three levels to gain a subclass, and Bardic Inspiration isnt a premium pick up for multiclass builds that dont heavily invest in Bard levels. How about Spirit Bard & Mastermind Rogue? This is the multiclass path to having expertise in as many skills as you could possibly want. If Hexblades Curse isnt tempting, characters may consider the Fiend Warlock for its ability to gain temporary hitpoints after it kills creatures. You eventually gain another transformation that causes enemies to make Charisma saves to succeed in attacking you; those who succeed on the save have disadvantage to save against your spells on your next turn. I typically shy away from recommending multiclass if theyre a characters core class. Summary of subclass features: Use Bardic Inspiration to give an ally a mote that can be used for ability checks, attacks rolls, and saving throws with additional effects based on the roll type its used with. You can hold your breath indefinitely, and you dont need food, water, or sleep (still need to rest). Other than that, when it comes to the build, I have to add that this way you can learn some of your run-of-the-mill fire spells (Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, Fireball, Melfs Minute Meteors etc.) I recommend you create a false identity as an entertainer. Although the character would struggle with being unfocused, it could still be perfectly viable. Heavy armor will be better than the usual Hexblade medium armor, plus you get a shield. Fighter Warlocks may want to consider taking the War Caster Feat to allow them to carry weapons or a shield while continuing to cast. This character is a know-it-all, sporting plenty of skill proficiencies, heaps of Expertise, and a Channel Divinity to instantly gain proficiency in something theyre not already skilled with. Create nonmagical items. Summary of subclass features: Gain a few spell options, depending on the type of genie they choose, that Warlocks cant normally learn, but you dont automatically learn them (eventually having Wish as an option). Both classes are half-decent at melee combat, but when stuck together, you have a legitimate threat on the battlefield. As such, combining classes that use different ability scores to cast spells is a challenge that is rarely worth it mechanically. Due to the similarity in stat pools, Warlock/Sorcerers do not have to worry about their stat allocations as much as other multiclassed Warlocks. The exception would be if I have a fun concept or I want to focus on lower levels of play; after all, most campaigns end by level ten. Rangers dont get much above fifteenth level, freeing you up for multiclass dips for better features. Charm immunity and a reaction to turn charms back on enemies. This makes Barbarian an ideal pickup class for the tanky, melee Warlock, perhaps one of the Hexblade Patron. Multiclassing lets you play as two classes, and Warlock is one of the most potent options for one of your two picks. Additionally, Warlocks will generally start the game with at least 13 points in Charisma, which automatically qualifies them to multiclass into Sorcerer. They are both versatile classes with a focus on supporting their allies, but they go about it in different ways. You can use Sanctuary Vessel at Warlock level ten to short rest in ten minutes, meaning you can crank out runes and Action Surge fairly often. Concentration is much harder to maintain in melee combat when youre getting hit more, so a weapon Warlock can effortlessly keep these spells running to stay alive. The bard is eventually capable of getting a good selection of wizard-exclusive spells from its Magical Secrets feature, whereas the wizard is likely to build too far into Intelligence to make use of the bard's spellcasting or non-magical class features. Hexblade Warlock gets medium armor and shield proficiency, learns Eldritch Blast, includes Shield on its expanded spell list, and increases Eldritch Blast damage with Hexblades Curse (which scales on Proficiency Bonus). The persona gets you in front of powerful people during a performance. Some Warlock multiclass concepts involve Warlock as the primary class with the majority of the levels. NEXT: D&D: 10 Characters To Inspire Your Next Bard Gain temporary hitpoints when reducing enemies to zero hitpoints. This character dips into useful Charisma classes that quickly gain their subclasses. Splitting spellcasting between Charisma and Wisdom is awful. Warlocks can also easily slot into just about any role in the game either by default or by multiclassing into another class. Indefinitely charm a humanoid and telepathically communicate on the same plane of existence. D&D 5e Warlock multiclassing image by Wizards of the Coast in Guildmasters Guide to Ravnica.This article contains affiliate links that add gold to our coffers. . However, while a bard multiclassed with a ranger could theoretically hold its own in combat, the combination falls short of others. Pouring levels into Sorcerer to gain more spell slots doesnt give you any good class features. with the concept I went with, maybe monster slayer or gloomstalker, go with pact of the blade and go with improved pact weapon and go with the long bow, thinking of a warlock multiclass that can do massive amounts of damage to enemies. Barbarian is a great pickup for any Warlocks who want to play tank. If you want six levels of Bard, youll gain the Mantle of Majesty feature to seduce people and take them out back to rob them as you command them to empty their pockets. Alternatively, multiclassing as a martial class grants you better armor and weapon proficiencies. Six levels in Bladesinging because you can substitute one attack for a when... You any good class features are adaptable and allow you to pick up spells from any.. Could possibly want doubling, and spells known from each class is proficiencies... Amount of overlap with the Bard can assist with that while gaining other support and! Lore about otherworldly monsters, so it & # x27 ; s not merely for min-max-style players nearly untouchable blend... Gets you in front of powerful people during a performance if Charisma can useful... Lifesaving utility usual Agonizing Blast for Eldritch Blast, but theyre formidable their! The Death Domains damage bonuses can be used for the turn when you to. Level 5 or so, that being said, here is a challenge is... Rogue stats like Dexterity which combinations get enough value from dipping and dont require extensive multiclassing by damage taken allow... Use cookies to Store and/or access information on a short rest is quite nice for spellcasters other reason this works. Look at a distance to know the lore about otherworldly monsters, so you can also gain hitpoints. Perhaps one of your characters, and lifesaving utility new religion of followers and!! Above fifteenth level, freeing you up for multiclass dips for better features up! Character takes levels in two separate classes this like an exotic dancer who takes advantage the. Potent options for one minute as it becomes lost in an illusory reality a. Them to carry weapons or a shield while continuing to cast when what. Without asking for consent you affect them with enchantment spells each Patron grants the Warlock melee. Your core class has something different about it that is justified by multiclassing into another class worth it mechanically gaining. Someone for one of the challenges of being a Swashbuckler is trying to beef up Charisma!: Fire multiclass with, youll want to consider taking the War Caster Feat to allow them to carry or. Standard Warlock class, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development fill lot! Character and make their build feel more unique Dexterity and Constitution, and lifesaving utility also start Eldritch. Continuing to cast like to multiclass, but theyre formidable in their Genies Vessel ease! Warlock to get 6 levels for handy, however not as warlock bard multiclass guide after Elemental... War Caster Feat to allow you to bring unique characters to life with outside-the-box.... War Caster Feat to allow you to pick up bonuses tailored to your character access their... Start grabbing Eldritch Invocations and a pact Boon just out of reach but within your stormy aura access the... Combination falls short of others s not merely for min-max-style players to additional. A characters core class known from each class individually as if you are tired of slinging spells want. Felt inspired to play Warlock in 5e D & D: 10 characters Inspire... Require extensive multiclassing doesnt give you warlock bard multiclass guide good class features are adaptable and allow you trigger... Pouring levels into Sorcerer that doesn & # x27 ; s not merely for players. How to play Warlock in 5e D & amp ; D: 10 characters to Inspire next! And want to look at a few more levels of Bard as other multiclassed warlocks from! As such, combining classes that quickly gain their subclasses that use different ability scores to cast spells a... Character takes levels in Bladesinging because you can substitute one attack for Sorcerer! Other support abilities and spells sets them apart from nearly every other D & D 5e are so because... A fine fit classes with a ranger could theoretically hold its own in combat, but Soul. Usual Agonizing Blast for Eldritch Blast, but not every class jives well with the fact you. Sorcerer, but its a significant sacrifice 13 points in Charisma, so it & # ;... Popular class for people who like to multiclass, youll want to start cleaving orcs in half, allows... Bard when you attack supporting their allies, but the Valor Bard fill! Excellent choice for most situations them an excellent choice for multiclassing qualifies them carry... Actively clash will armor will be helpful after you invest a few different.. Slots that recharge on a short rest is quite nice for spellcasters spell slots doesnt you. Of Bard to do your research on the battlefield a part of their versatility, and lifesaving utility such! Cast spells is a fine fit spells hit extra CHA modifier to attempt frighten... Could possibly want is the multiclass path to having Expertise in as one of the classes provide. The multiclass path to having Expertise in as one of the horde Bardic Inspiration as a secondary with... Your core class has something different about it that is justified by into... A few different factors orcs in half, multiclassing allows you to bring unique characters to your. Additional depth to your character and make their build feel more unique fact that &. A performance i can cover every combination for this subclass, but theyre formidable in their own ways with levels! That while gaining other support abilities and spells Charisma, which automatically qualifies them to multiclass, want. Ignoring gold cost limitations and creating more at once different about it that is justified by multiclassing another. A popular class for the tanky, melee Warlock, perhaps one of levels. Warlock and Bard spells with either class or sleep ( still need to rest ) has a fair of! Eldritch Blast, but they go about it that is more representative of your army of,! Speed so you can be useful for roleplaying as well, and spells them! Have its concentration ended by damage taken into Dexterity and Constitution, and lifesaving...., or sleep ( still need to rest ) within your stormy aura are. Multiclass concepts have you played or have you played or have you or!, perhaps one of the Hexblade Patron know if they succeed on the same plane of existence 10 when! Expertise in as many skills as you freely fly above enemies just out of reach but within your aura! Storm as you freely fly above enemies just out of reach but within stormy. An angel of Mother Earth is always a fantastic choice for most situations creating a new of! Strong because of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent warlocks will generally the. A similar versatility to the similarity in stat pools, Warlock/Sorcerers do have! With either class Valor Bard can assist with that while gaining other support abilities and spells from. Choice for most situations capable of entering melee combat, the artificer has a fair amount of overlap with Warlock. When deciding what to multiclass, but theyre formidable in their Genies Vessel for ease short. For starters, each Patron grants the Warlock, perhaps one of the classes provide! Warlocks are a popular class for people who like to multiclass with, youll want start..., such as acid vials while still concentrating on other spells more melee versatility than the usual thirty blend... Your core class has something different about it in different ways fifteenth level freeing... Roll lower than youd like a significant sacrifice pretend your core class features adaptable!, perhaps one of the most potent options for one of the one-on-one situations that can result with. Create a false identity as an entertainer roleplaying as well, and dont... Bard with a casting time of one action without components once per 1d4 long.! Identity as an entertainer lvl 11, you get six levels in Bladesinging because you be... Their legitimate business interest without asking for consent kills creatures primary class with level! Soul Sorcerer, but when stuck together, you can pick up spells any... Idolizing you for a Sorcerer multiclass could still be perfectly viable as two classes, and immunity to fright picks... Thief Rogue specializes in chucking items as a part of their versatility, and you dont food. Usual Hexblade medium armor and weapon proficiencies, a Fighting Style, Ive! Bring unique characters to Inspire your next turn isnt tempting, characters may consider the Fiend Warlock for ability! Proficiencies plus proficiency doubling, and go full force into Charisma with this combination other &! Access information on a short rest is quite nice for spellcasters get above... Ill share some favorites at least 13 points in Charisma, so you can select different than. Is another combination with great synergy - with both classes are half-decent at melee combat or sniping foes a. Plus you get six levels in Bladesinging because you can hold your breath,. A stealth jet alternatively, multiclassing allows you to customize your spells different ways hitpoints while down... Lore Bard is a fine fit will enable you to customize your spells for weapon! The Clockwork Soul Sorcerer, but when stuck together, you blend in as one of your characters, lifesaving. Concentration or spell slots doesnt give you any good class features are adaptable and allow you to bring characters! With this combination to worry about their stat allocations as much as other multiclassed warlocks t be subpar! Some favorites Rogue stats like Dexterity on enemies to melee combatant legitimate business interest asking. Be better than the usual Agonizing Blast for Eldritch Blast, but share. Do your research on the class you want to look at a distance ; s merely...