D&D (2024) Can I get Armor of Agathys without being a Warlock?

[ECMO3]

Looking at the spell Armor of Agathys and wondering if it is possible to get it without taking a level in Warlock.

I don't see any way in the new 2024 rules, am I missing anything?

 

[Kurotowa]

Not without using pre-Revision material. Magic Initiate and the Bard features are limited to Cleric, Druid, or Wizard. Fey-Touched and Shadow-Touched are school specific, and abjuration isn't one of those schools.

And this is by design. It's an intentional balance feature. You can still do it with multi-classing, but that's a higher cost to pay.

 

[ECMO3]

Not without using pre-Revision material. Magic Initiate and the Bard features are limited to Cleric, Druid, or Wizard. Fey-Touched and Shadow-Touched are school specific, and abjuration isn't one of those schools.

And this is by design. It's an intentional balance feature. You can still do it with multi-classing, but that's a higher cost to pay.

Yeah that is what I thought. I can't think of any subclasses that get it either.

 

[FrogReaver]

I don’t think there’s any way to do so solely out of 2024 options. Maybe with something backward compatible it could be possible.

 

[Ashrym]

You might buy it as a scroll and use it as a 13th thief. 1st level spell scrolls are on the equipment. That's the only option off the top of my head.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Yeah that is what I thought. I can't think of any subclasses that get it either.

If your table allows older subclasses that were not re-printed in 2024 (which seems to the default), then Paladin Oath of Conquest can cast Armor of Agathys at level 3.

Mark of Warding Dwarf also can cast it if that sub-species is allowed at your table. Also Rune Shaper feat can cast it once per day if that feat is allowed at your table.

 

[Weiley31]

-Could always have it as a Faction/Renown reward if a character is part of a magic order or what not.

-Your spellcasters could come across a random scroll that has the spell on it, waiting to be used.

-Perhaps your Fighter comes across a magic weapon that possesses a version of the spell, and allows the wielder to cast it once per day or up to half your prof score once discovered or awakened.


To answer your question, yes there are "ways." You just have to commit some table blasphemy and tell rule lawyers to shut the heck up.

I know, I know, I hear all of you in the background yelling "That's not what TC meant" but hey, don't blame me. I can't help it that your DM sucks.

 

[LordEntrails]

Or you know, you could just let AoA be special to Warlocks. I wish more spells were totally unique to certain classes and sub classes.

 

[Mistwell]

Or you know, you could just let AoA be special to Warlocks. I wish more spells were totally unique to certain classes and sub classes.

I was happy with that 2024 change. Paladins, Rangers, Warlocks Bard and Sorcerers all have unique spells now that are difficult or impossible to obtain outside the class. Even for a lore bard.

 

[LordEntrails]

I was happy with that 2024 change. Paladins, Rangers, Warlocks Bard and Sorcerers all have unique spells now that are difficult or impossible to obtain outside the class. Even for a lore bard.

Haven't gotten 2024 yet, glad to learn this.