D&D 5E (2014) Paladin warlock

[Ovarwa]

(Hmm. Typing on one computer, I get formatting, but not on this one. :/)

 

[mellored]

Interesting...I too really value ASIs and feats. The wait hurts, especially for two attacks. Just out of curiosity...why tome for combat? And why level 9 pal instead of 8?

You don't need 2 attacks if you take green flame blade or booming blade as one of your cantrips. That scales up no matter what your split.


And you really don't get anything out of blade.

 

[Ovarwa]

You don't need 2 attacks if you take green flame blade or booming blade as one of your cantrips. That scales up no matter what your split. And you really don't get anything out of blade.

Yeah on blade. And mostly yeah on gfb and bb. Although taking 3 attack cantrips (EB, Shil, gfb or bb) might be too many, depending on what other cantrips you might have wanted, especially since you do get a second attack from paladin. It's not a bad choice to have though. (Ignoring Shil *and* gfb/bb might be good too.) Or, do take both and if you want more cantrips later, there are ways. The new radiant warlock combines nicely with gfb. Pa11 becomes less interesting, etc. Second attack is generally less interesting for quite a few characters, given gfb and bb. I'm not sure that was a great design decision.

 

[agreenspan]

PLD12 / WLK 5 / FTR 3 is probably the best split for a char like this. Start with FTR 1 for CON save proficiency to help concentration, then go 3 WLK and 6 PLD.

Be a human to start polearm master and pact of the tome for shilellagh (CHA). Take Dueling and Defense Fighting Styles. Eventually pick up FTR 3 Champion for 19-20 crits and Action Surge.

By taking oath of vengeance, you'll get Haste at PLD 9, which you can cast with your WLK pact magic slots.

Your action economy with haste will be 3x normal attack (1d8), 1x bonus (1d4) and 1x reaction a turn using your CHA as your damage stat. Each attack will have an additional +1d8+2 bonus from fighting style and improved divine smite. You will have a minimum of 23 AC with plate and a shield defense fighting style and haste and all your saves will benefit from your CHA bonus.

When attacking with advantage you will have a 19% crit chance.

Your pact magic (2x lvl 3 slots), action surge, channel divinity and second wind will all come back each short rest.

You will have 3 WLK cantrips and 3 WLK invocations.