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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gadget" data-source="post: 7091053" data-attributes="member: 23716">While I think it is true that most builds can be 'viable' in 5e, and one can make a perfectly fine blade'lock depending on play style and other things, there do seem to be a couple of hang ups with the blade'lock design.  While many are perfectly happy playing a warlock that does not use or emphasize Eldritch Blast, the fact remains that a pure Bladelock is almost better off in some ways using the uber cantrip with the invocations that enhance it.  Having a weapon you can 'summon' that is magical after a certain level is nice and thematic and all, but the lack of armor and shield proficiency really do limit one in the melee department.  Having to spend invocations to keep the blade option viable would be Okay if there was a defensive invocation to help.  At will Mage Armor does not really cut it, and sort of pushes one towards a Dex build to help in the AC department.  It seems they need an Eldritch Blast equivalent cantrip for melee.That said, some racial features and fiend-pact features do enhance or compliment the blade'lock quite well.  And a lot of the invocations and features in the UA Hexblade is a 'take two' for the blade'lock.  There is an invocation there for better armor and such.</blockquote>