I'm thinking about a melee warlock for an upcoming campaign, but I'm struggling with all the different ways to build it, none of which seem ideal. The 2024 version might be just as good or even better than the 2014 version, but it's certainly not as simple. There are a lot of choices to make.
* Is it feasible to do it without a dip into a martial class? Without that dip (or multiple feats) you're limited to light armor, no shield, no weapon mastery, and no proficiency in Con saves. That's pretty brutal. If you start off fighter for just one level, you get all that and more. For roleplaying reasons, I'd rather not multiclass and especially rather not start a different class, but it feels really weak defensively without that one-level detour.
* Can you afford to dump Strength? Without a 13 in Str, you can't wield heavy weapons and are limited in multiclassing. But getting that 13 Str spreads your stats awfully thin.
* Is it crazy to think about dumping Charisma? You could use Str or Dex as your main stat and leave Cha fairly low, while focusing on spells that don't depend on Cha, like Armor of Agathys and Misty Step, and otherwise burn your spell slots otherwise on Eldritch Smite. That could work, but then why not just play an Eldritch Knight or whatever? It arguably defeats the point of playing a Warlock.
I'm kind of overwhelmed by all the different directions I could go. Anyone have any insight?
* Is it feasible to do it without a dip into a martial class? Without that dip (or multiple feats) you're limited to light armor, no shield, no weapon mastery, and no proficiency in Con saves. That's pretty brutal. If you start off fighter for just one level, you get all that and more. For roleplaying reasons, I'd rather not multiclass and especially rather not start a different class, but it feels really weak defensively without that one-level detour.
* Can you afford to dump Strength? Without a 13 in Str, you can't wield heavy weapons and are limited in multiclassing. But getting that 13 Str spreads your stats awfully thin.
* Is it crazy to think about dumping Charisma? You could use Str or Dex as your main stat and leave Cha fairly low, while focusing on spells that don't depend on Cha, like Armor of Agathys and Misty Step, and otherwise burn your spell slots otherwise on Eldritch Smite. That could work, but then why not just play an Eldritch Knight or whatever? It arguably defeats the point of playing a Warlock.
I'm kind of overwhelmed by all the different directions I could go. Anyone have any insight?