D&D 5E Making my player's warlock more fun!

[Olive]

A player in my recently started 5e game is feeling a little left behind by the action economy - pretty much everyone in the party (3rd level, all human, Fighter (BM), Cleric (War), Rogue (thief), Warlock (tome)) gets a second action in most combat situations except for him. HE's a bit limited and ends up casting Eldritch Blast almost all the time in combat.

I don't have his general spell list with me but any ideas? He's feeling a little lest behind...

 

[Dausuul]

A player in my recently started 5e game is feeling a little left behind by the action economy - pretty much everyone in the party (3rd level, all human, Fighter (BM), Cleric (War), Rogue (thief), Warlock (tome)) gets a second action in most combat situations except for him. HE's a bit limited and ends up casting Eldritch Blast almost all the time in combat.

I don't have his general spell list with me but any ideas? He's feeling a little lest behind...

What do you mean by "left behind?" Is it that he feels his combat prowess is inadequate, or he just wants more options?

Either way, there are two invocations I highly recommend: Agonizing Blast (pretty much a must-have for any warlock other than a bladelock), and Repelling Blast. The latter will open up a lot of tactical options, especially at 5th level when he can knock foes backward as much as 20 feet. He'll still be casting eldritch blast most of the time, but it'll be far more interesting.

For the rest... are you giving him enough chances for a short rest? According to the standard guidelines (6-8 encounters per day, with 2 short rests), he should be able to use a spell slot most encounters. That's about all he can reasonably expect. Versatility is not really a warlock strong point.

 

[Lanliss]

If you are playing RAW, maybe let him change out his spell list of he is not happy with it. Encourage him to pick more versatile spells this time around.

If you are willing to house rule a bit, ask him what it is he wants out of the warlock. Make some custom Invocations for him, to help capture what he wants. IMO a warlock is probably the most story driven class in the game. I think each Warlock should be unique, unless they are the same Pact and following the exact same Patron, not just a patron in the same area. This leaves a lot of space for discussion between DM and player, but I think it would be worth it, for the amount of investment it could lead to.

 

[abirdcall]

Everyone should only be getting 1 action, 1 bonus action, and 1 reaction per turn.

I think you need to give us more details. What is the rest of the party doing? What choices has the Warlock player made?

What are you doing outside of combat? How many shorts and encounters do you have per long rest?

Also, 3rd level is still the beginning of the game. Characters are still apprentices and levels go by fast. Things may change at 5th level when you pass the apprentice tier.

 

[Olive]

He's definitely getting lots of short rest chances. In fact I'm giving far too many short rests in general. With actions, it's mostly that he's not getting many bonus actions and everyone else is (Thief has two weapons, war priest and battle master get lots of options for their bonuses).

 

[Lanliss]

He's definitely getting lots of short rest chances. In fact I'm giving far too many short rests in general. With actions, it's mostly that he's not getting many bonus actions and everyone else is (Thief has two weapons, war priest and battle master get lots of options for their bonuses).

How does he keep up on damage, or out of combat things? If he is equal with the rest then it is a non-issue, where he feels like he is falling short, but is really just as effective as the rest without his bonus. If he is actually behind them, make up an invocation that lets him pick one cantrips (maybe ask him politely to not pick Eldritch blast) that he can cast as a bonus action for free. That should help, I think. Maybe...

 

[abirdcall]

He's definitely getting lots of short rest chances. In fact I'm giving far too many short rests in general. With actions, it's mostly that he's not getting many bonus actions and everyone else is (Thief has two weapons, war priest and battle master get lots of options for their bonuses).

What do you mean by 'lots of options'?

What has the Warlock player chosen for their options?

How much of the game is spent in combat?

 

[Dausuul]

Well, if he just wants bonus actions, there are some bonus-action spells available at his level: hex, expeditious retreat, and misty step. The first two will both grant multiple bonus actions (hex when he switches targets, expeditious retreat each round) per casting. There's also hellish rebuke, which gives him a reaction to blast a creature that hits him.

Either allow him to swap out a spell or two, or just let him do it when he levels up.

If he is actually behind them, make up an invocation that lets him pick one cantrips (maybe ask him politely to not pick Eldritch blast) that he can cast as a bonus action for free. That should help, I think. Maybe...

Mmm... I'd be careful with this. Keep in mind that the low levels (1-4) are kind of wonky. Dual wielding in particular is very potent at these levels; the rogue is likely a damage powerhouse right now. But at level 5, the warlock's damage output will double, while the rogue's will increase by a mere 1d6.

I recommend against tinkering with class balance until the party hits 5th.

 

[famousringo]

I know the feeling. I play a sorcerer without Quicken or any bonus action spells. Until I hit level 7, my only bonus action was dual wielding daggers when I got caught in melee, and a 1d4 offhand attack makes you wonder why you bother.

The signature warlock bonus action that he seems to be overlooking is Hex. A handy debuff for more than just damage, he can also use it to debuff the strength checks of a target before the fighter grapples them, for example. And a 2d6 offhand attack is a lot more impressive than what I was dishing out.

In addition to the spells Dausuul mentions, lots of tomelocks grab Shillelagh for a bonus action to help with the clobbering.

Otherwise, he can do what my character did and multiclass. Cunning Action is a fun pickup for just about anybody.

 

[Dausuul]

In addition to the spells Dausuul mentions, lots of tomelocks grab Shillelagh for a bonus action to help with the clobbering.

Hmm--hadn't thought of that. Good way to beef up your opportunity attacks. It's just a pity you can't combine it with Pact of the Blade.