D&D 5E Warlocks and Multiclassing

[Xeviat]

Actually, the Warlock has the same number of 6th through 9th level slots as the full casters (minus one 6th level slot). They get up to 4 5th level slots that regenerate on a short rest. I wasn't saying they get those slots ontop of the slots from the other class; I was saying that they regenerate their X number of Y level slots on a short rest, but their total slots would be equal to their total caster level.

Worst case, though, you're right, a 19 Warlock would gain a bunch of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th level slots for picking up 1 level of Wizard.

So is the consensus that the Warlock is fine for dips, but not splits in multiclassing?

 

[TwoSix]

So is the consensus that the Warlock is fine for dips, but not splits in multiclassing?

Probably. Although I don't know if there are a ton of recommended builds that are roughly an even split between two classes. EK7/Wizard13, maybe.

 

[Xeviat]

My issue is that a Wizard 11/Cleric9 is pretty decent at being a mystic theurge. I didn't consider a Warlock 19/Wizard 1 in my initial analysis.

 

[hejtmane]

Probably. Although I don't know if there are a ton of recommended builds that are roughly an even split between two classes. EK7/Wizard13, maybe.

I would say a 7ek/13 warlock works great because you can use int as a dump stat and only take buff spells from the EK side. They work find together and you can do EB + bow attack with 7th level war caster and add life drinker at 12 warlock if you go pact weapon.

Could go 8/12 if you need the asi

I would say EK is a solid multi class split with Warlock and not just a level dip

 

[famousringo]

Probably. Although I don't know if there are a ton of recommended builds that are roughly an even split between two classes. EK7/Wizard13, maybe.

Eldritch Knight is special like that. It's design always gives a nice goody every few levels that makes you want to keep advancing, even as a multiclass. That's one of the things I love about it. It encourages and rewards deep multiclass.

Rogue is pretty good like that, too. As long as you're attacking at all, there's always a better sneak attack a couple levels away.

And honestly, 10/10 caster multi classes aren't exactly bad, warlock or not. You could have just one level of caster and as long as your casting stat is strong, you've got a even odds of shutting down a Balor with Tasha's.

 

[Ancalagon]

I actually like the warlock more for multi classing when the mostly single class warlock starts as another class that doesn't have magic - say a few levels of fighter. Then, frustrated at his or her lack of power (or maybe just jealous of the wizard), the PC makes a pact with an unnatural being and gains eldritch power!!

It actually makes a lot *more* sense than some of the other multi-classes:

Tim The Enchanter: Ah, it feels great to be level 2!
Bob the Fighter: Yes, yes it does. And I have magic now
Tim: erm, how did that happen?

Let's consider Bob's answers shall we?

Bob: I'm now also a wizard!
Tim: What? I studied 10 years to become a wizard!? How did you learn that fast?
Bob: erm... I'm a quick learner?

Bob: I'm now also a sorcerer!
Tim: What, isn't that inborn? How did you acquire that?
Bob: Erm, late bloomer?

Kinda lame no?

However:

Bob: I found a greater power who granted me magic in exchange for my undying allegiance!
Tim: Oh so you are now a cleric? That's great! Well done Bob
Bob: erm yes. Yes I am.

 

[feartheminotaur]

I played a Sor(blade)lock for quite a while - War3/Sor12 when we stopped. Mechanically it worked well; the two low level pact magic slots were used for reaction spells (misty step and shield) or roleplay/interaction (charm person or detect thoughts).

It was what multiclassing should be: Giving up full class progression for a handful of useful features (armor, telepathy, EB, pact blade) to round out the character conceptually/mechanically/thematically.

As far as the 'character', the basic principle was like Alien: A chaos entity needed a conduit into the material plane, so face hugged some power into a neophyte, and after 3 levels of gestation, burst forth - leaving behind a link between the host (my PC) and its realm of origin (pure chaos) that manifested itself as Wild Magic. Bam Wild Mage Sorc. So, yeah, RP-wise, totally possible.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

I actually like the warlock more for multi classing when the mostly single class warlock starts as another class that doesn't have magic - say a few levels of fighter. Then, frustrated at his or her lack of power (or maybe just jealous of the wizard), the PC makes a pact with an unnatural being and gains eldritch power!!

It actually makes a lot *more* sense than some of the other multi-classes:

Tim The Enchanter: Ah, it feels great to be level 2!
Bob the Fighter: Yes, yes it does. And I have magic now
Tim: erm, how did that happen?

Let's consider Bob's answers shall we?

Bob: I'm now also a wizard!
Tim: What? I studied 10 years to become a wizard!? How did you learn that fast?
Bob: erm... I'm a quick learner?

Bob: I'm now also a sorcerer!
Tim: What, isn't that inborn? How did you acquire that?
Bob: Erm, late bloomer?

Kinda lame no?

However:

Bob: I found a greater power who granted me magic in exchange for my undying allegiance!
Tim: Oh so you are now a cleric? That's great! Well done Bob
Bob: erm yes. Yes I am.

While the above is amusing, you don't have to play multiclassing as a spontaneous decision. It could be that Bob is a Fighter 1/Wizard 1 because he's been studying magic for ten years, too. The fact that 5E forces you to declare one "class" at level 1 doesn't constrain your choices in play.

If you're planning to eventually be a Rogue 2/Bladesinger X, there is absolutely no reason you can't call yourself a Roguesinger from level 1. It's just that Roguesingers don't get magic until they get their "archetype" at level 3. ;-)

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

The concept is Monk/warlock with sailor background, pact of the blade.

Pact weapon is an auto-prof; but to use martial arts/FOB you need a monk weapon pact weapon.

Thematically, trident for this character is the perfect default pact weapon but not a monk weapon.

Tridents are mechanically the same as spears or quartrstaves (versatile d6/d8)...and both spears and tridents don't suffer underwater...

So why would a trident not qualify as a monk weapon? It's basically a spear mechanically with the martial quality for no real purpose. And tridents are IRL Kung fu weapons.

Or am I missing something?

 

[hejtmane]

The concept is Monk/warlock with sailor background, pact of the blade.

Pact weapon is an auto-prof; but to use martial arts/FOB you need a monk weapon pact weapon.

Thematically, trident for this character is the perfect default pact weapon but not a monk weapon.

Tridents are mechanically the same as spears or quartrstaves (versatile d6/d8)...and both spears and tridents don't suffer underwater...

So why would a trident not qualify as a monk weapon? It's basically a spear mechanically with the martial quality for no real purpose. And tridents are IRL Kung fu weapons.

Or am I missing something?

I would house rule that for a build since there is no real difference because of the concept