Warlocks and Bonus Actions

[Ancalagon]

So

In most game, understanding and mastering the action economy is important. In 5e, part of this is doing something to get a bonus action. If your character does more stuff per round, he or she is probably more effective.

Different classes have different ways of doing this. The rogue has the excellent cunning action feature, or he could use an off-hand weapon to maximize the chance of landing a sneak attack. A monk can kick a lot of buttocks with bonus actions. A fighter can second wind, or she may have some battle master maneuvers she could do. A cleric has a few spells that use bonus actions, including the excellent spiritual weapon.

But... what is it for a warlock? Apart from casting Hex, or switching Hex to a new target... there's the spell misty step I suppose... anything else?

 

[5ekyu]

Expeditious retreat, far step, hex, magic stone, misty step, shadow blade...

But since your slots are limited... Kind of iffy

 

[Krachek]

Universal declaration of PC rights.
Article 1 : All pc have the right to enjoy the use of a bonus action at every round.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

The Maddening Hex invocation lets you deal psychic burst damage around a cursed target as a BA.
Cloak of Flies invocation can be activated as a bonus action.
Celestial Warlock get access to Flaming Sphere.

But yeah, turn after turn, there's not much to do as a BA for Warlocks.

 

[Vymair]

Not really, it's pretty much hex and misty step. I'm actually dropping Hex at 8th level as I found I haven't used it since 4th level or so as I have other spells I'd rather cast for concentration purposes. It's a hit to my damage, but I prefer the other spells for control reasons.

 

[Warpiglet]

Not really, it's pretty much hex and misty step. I'm actually dropping Hex at 8th level as I found I haven't used it since 4th level or so as I have other spells I'd rather cast for concentration purposes. It's a hit to my damage, but I prefer the other spells for control reasons.

I do not think hex is really worth a slot much of the time, unless you are into EB spam. That can be a lot of damage in a long combat. Honestly though, prior to 11th or 12th level I think it is WAY overrated vis a vis some of the bigger spells you can throw.

 

[akr71]

I feel strongly that Pact of the Blade should be able to summon their Pact Weapon as a Bonus Action. If someone were to play one at my table, I would allow it, but to date I have only DM'd for a Chainlock and (briefly) a Tomelock, so it has not been an issue.

Alas, we are discussing what warlocks can do with their Bonus Action, not what I would houserule, so I am contributing nothing to the present conversation.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Bladelock could duel wield (for small benefit).

Tomelock could pick up one or two BA cantrips from other classes.

There are some feats that can use BAs

But it's just down to the limited spell list really.

 

[Warpiglet]

Bladelock could duel wield (for small benefit).

Tomelock could pick up one or two BA cantrips from other classes.

There are some feats that can use BAs

But it's just down to the limited spell list really.

I am about to play my first non blade warlock (tome). Would you happen to know which cantrips would fit the bill? I guess I will start scouring the spell list and see what I find!

 

[jaelis]

Magic stone and shillelagh are the only bonus action cantrips. Magic stone doesn't make much sense here. Shillelagh can be useful, but it's only needed once per combat probably.

I suppose shillelagh plus polearm master could be interesting, but then what are you doing in combat so much?