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

[Mistwell]

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

There are three class spell lists which are relatively easy for other classes to obtain: Druid, Cleric and Wizard. These roughly represent Primal, Divine and Arcane spell sources. All half or full spellcasting classes outside of those three have unique spells.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Today, no, but Aberrant Sorcery Sorcerer gets some warlock spells (Arms of Hador, Hunger of Hadar) and Dissonant Whispers, a bard spell, so it seems possible that there will be a cold-based subclass with it, but I have no idea on what that would be (Winter Domain Cleric, Tundra Stalker Ranger, or Elsa--I mean Ice Sorcery Sorcerer are all possible if a little farfetched).

 

[Ashrym]

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

Yeah, the cleric, druid, and wizard spells are the standard lists for magic while the other lists are practically off limits.

A player might access a few of the spells with feats like fey touched, shadow touched, or aberrant dragonmark but those are limited.

Other spells might be accessible through thematic subclasses.

 

[ECMO3]

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.

Well it can be special for Warlocks, but all that really means is my Dance Bard is going to have a Warlock level (actually two levels because Agonizing Blast-Truestrike is unique to Warlocks too).

 

[Kurotowa]

Well it can be special for Warlocks, but all that really means is my Dance Bard is going to have a Warlock level (actually two levels because Agonizing Blast-Truestrike is unique to Warlocks too).

And I'm okay with that. Most really oddball 5e character build ideas fall into the "possible at a high cost in feats or multiclassing" column rather than being outright impossible. About the only thing you can't do is combine high level features from multiple classes, just because you cap out at 20th level.

Are most of these things a good idea? Not unless you're in a really low challenge campaign where everyone's aiming for a lower power level. One out of ten of these multiclass builds has a specific synergy that gets you equal or greater power to just playing a single class, and the other nine are a mess of conflicting and non-complimentary features. But if the DM allows, you have the freedom to make those characters without needing special rules hacks.

 

[ECMO3]

And I'm okay with that. Most really oddball 5e character build ideas fall into the "possible at a high cost in feats or multiclassing" column rather than being outright impossible. About the only thing you can't do is combine high level features from multiple classes, just because you cap out at 20th level.

Are most of these things a good idea? Not unless you're in a really low challenge campaign where everyone's aiming for a lower power level. One out of ten of these multiclass builds has a specific synergy that gets you equal or greater power to just playing a single class, and the other nine are a mess of conflicting and non-complimentary features. But if the DM allows, you have the freedom to make those characters without needing special rules hacks.

I think that depends on the single class you are talking about. Most multiclass builds outpace non-casters I think, more like 9 in 10.

 

[LordEntrails]

Well it can be special for Warlocks, but all that really means is my Dance Bard is going to have a Warlock level (actually two levels because Agonizing Blast-Truestrike is unique to Warlocks too).

You do you and have fun.
I don't enjoy single level dips like that because I think it's cheesy. But that's at my table, not yours.

edit: in general this is because I think optimizing is not enjoyable. Been there, done that. All it does it make the DM increase the difficulty of the encounters which means the other PCs have to optimize as well just to keep up. Even if they would rather build a character for a theme or roleplaying, now they can't. i.e. one players choice to optimize for combat affects everyone at the table.

 

[Kurotowa]

I think that depends on the single class you are talking about. Most multiclass builds outpace non-casters I think, more like 9 in 10.

That was true of 2014-5e because most of the higher level martial class features were flat out bad, and so it was far better to multiclass out and get the core kit of two classes than keep going in one. I don't know if that's still true in Revised 5e.

They've clearly made an attempt at fixing the problem and make sticking with a martial class into the higher levels more worthwhile. A successful attempt? We won't know that until the community gets enough actual play experience with it. Give it six month... no, the campaigns have to not just start but reach high level. Give it a year. Then we'll have a better idea.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

Is this the new rules exploit? I read something earlier about Armor of Agathys being rechargeable due to a change in language regarding temporary hot points.

 

[Kurotowa]

Is this the new rules exploit? I read something earlier about Armor of Agathys being rechargeable due to a change in language regarding temporary hot points.

It's not an exploit if it's an intended change.