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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ECMO3" data-source="post: 9597448" data-attributes="member: 7030563">16 Con is not doable using Standard Array, but 16 Con is not doable on a Fighter either using Standard Array.  Both Warlock and Fighter get a 13 Con (before bonuses) on Standard Array using the 2024 rules.  If we are forced to use Standard Array, the most durable class is not Warlock, nor a Fighter.On point buy it is totally doable.  That said I would not have a 16 Charisma on point buy, I would dump Charisma.   Here is how I would do point buy:S12 D16 C16 I8 W14 CH8There is no reason to have any Charisma at all on this build.  You could argue for a higher strength and a lower Wisdom, or a 16 Wisdom and an 8 Strength, but anything at all in Charisma or Intelligence is a waste IMO for this particular exercise.I would get an attack Cantrip for dealing with swarms (probably Firebolt), but I would get it through Magic Initiate and put it on Wisdom.That is 11 hps as a base Warlock with a 16 Con, add one more hp for Dwarf and it is 12 then add 5 temp hit points for using the first pact slot immediately when he wakes up on Armor of Agathys and it is 17 total hit points  until he takes damage or takes another long rest.  A Dwarf Fighter with tough and 16 Constitution starts the day with 16, one less.Shield is one free use use plus one more use per short rest (assuming you spend your first pact slot on AOA).Second Wind is similar - 2 uses plus one more use per short rest .... and I think Shield compares pretty well with second Wind in how many hit points it will "provide".The Warlock also has a familiar to apply disadvantage (Quasit), won't be attacked as often and can situationally position his familiar for cover to improve AC.Also you need to be in Heavy Armor to have a significantly better AC even without the Shield spell and if you are in heavy armor with a 16 Con then you are sacrificing Dexterity (initiative) or Wisdom (Wisdom saves) both of which are significant when it comes to durability.  The Warlock I am talking about is based on a 16 Dex and Con can still have a good Wisdom because they do not need a high strength.People keep saying Fighter and Barbarian, but they are underestimating the effectiveness of Shield spell in terms of your hit point budget.  TBH I think an optimized Paladin, Cleric and maybe even Ranger would be better than Fighter or Barbarian in most campaigns because of this (having spell slots to cast shield), although none of them have the combination of features a Warlock has at 1st level.It is all very situational, but IMO a Warlock, played intelligently, will be more durable because their tools better enable it.  Considering the tools at their disposal, I think it will be in favor of the Warlock more than it will be in favor of any other class at first level.At 2nd level the Warlock is not even in consideration I don't think.  Multiple classes are better if you are going through this exercise at 2nd level, including as someone else noted Rogue with Cunning action.  Also a Fighter at 2nd level can use an action to dodge and then use action surge to attack.</blockquote>

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