D&D 5E Is the Warlock the Best Class?

[gyor]

That depends on how you define best. For a mix of power and versitility I'd say Bard and Druid. Next up Wizards. Then Warlocks.

Sorcerers Origins are almost seperate classes with couple of shared mechanics, so what it's best at depends on origin.

 

[TwoSix]

This is a pretty common grievance with the Warlock, but honestly, if you find the Eldritch Blast spam boring, then don’t build an Eldritch Blast warlock. There are so many other viable ways to play a warlock, if you think the class is nothing but blasting, you’re not looking hard enough. Also, if Eldritch Blast spam warlock is boring, what does that say about Fighters?

And realistically, if you want to do Eldritch Blast spam, just take 2 levels of warlock and then build out the rest with bard or sorcerer. You'll have EB spam plus a stronger chassis.

Don't go full warlock unless you're going to take advantage of the auto-scaling spells or have several invocations you want to use heavily.

 

[gyor]

Warlocks can be one of the best classes, or one of the worst. It depends almost entirely on whether you get the expected number of short rests or not. No other class is so dependent on the short rest mechanic, although monks come close.

If you get at least 2 short rests per long rest, warlocks are both powerful and fun. If you don't, they are both underpowered and dull.

Warlocks are the single most swingy in effectiveness, the more short rests the better the get.

 

[Rhianni32]

Yes, it is.

Agreed. Just straight and to the point, yes warlock is best.
Our group has tried looking and debating it but always comes back to this.

 

[DND_Reborn]

And realistically, if you want to do Eldritch Blast spam, just take 2 levels of warlock and then build out the rest with bard or sorcerer. You'll have EB spam plus a stronger chassis.

Don't go full warlock unless you're going to take advantage of the auto-scaling spells or have several invocations you want to use heavily.

This was exactly the path I was going for one of my next two characters in our next campaign. Two levels of warlock and then sorcerer for the rest of it... with maybe a dip into rogue for a level or two...

 

[Charlaquin]

Warlocks are the single most swingy in effectiveness, the more short rests the better the get.

It’s worry talking to the DM about. The warlock is balanced around the assumption of the 6-encounter, two short rest adventuring day, which means they should be able to use about one non-cantrip spell per encounter (until higher levels). If you’re thinking of playing a Warlock and you know your DM doesn’t design their adventures that way, ask if you can change it to one spell slot that recovers with a 10-minute ritual, or 6 spell slots per day.

EDIT: And really, this goes for any class abilities that you get two of and recover on a short rest. Arcane Archer’s shots are another good example. If you know your DM doesn’t give many opportunities for short rests, talk to them about it and see if you can make it a single-use that recovers with a 10-minute ritual or 6 per day. Or 3 per day for 1/short rest abilities.

 

[Rhianni32]

Based upon the reactions warlocks get when they interact with people in town and they discover the warlocks are devil worshippers, have evil talking weapons or speak to great old ones in their head... not even close.

Must be an interesting campaign setting that everyone automatically hates the fey and celestial warlocks.

 

[TwoSix]

Must be an interesting campaign setting that everyone automatically hates the fey and celestial warlocks.

Well, smart warlocks make sure to take off the "I'M A WARLOCK" sign around their neck before entering towns.

 

[Dausuul]

It’s worry talking to the DM about. The warlock is balanced around the assumption of the 6-encounter, two short rest adventuring day, which means they should be able to use about one non-cantrip spell per encounter (until higher levels). If you’re thinking of playing a Warlock and you know your DM doesn’t design their adventures that way, ask if you can change it to one spell slot that recovers with a 10-minute ritual, or 6 spell slots per day.

Another option is to switch to having short rests take 5 minutes, but you're only allowed two per long rest. That's what I do in my campaigns these days, and it works very nicely.

 

[Charlaquin]

Another option is to switch to having short rests take 5 minutes, but you're only allowed two per long rest. That's what I do in my campaigns these days, and it works very nicely.

That’s another good option.