Warlock class icon: an otherworldly eye
Icon by Delapouite, CC BY 3.0

Warlock 5e class

Warlocks gain magic from a pact with a powerful patron. Their few spell slots always cast at their highest level and come back on a short rest, and Eldritch Invocations let them customize everything from Eldritch Blast to seeing in magical darkness.

Jump to: Playing a warlock · Warlock table · Class features · Otherworldly Patron options · What changed in 2024 · Common questions

Warlock at a glance

Hit die
d8
Hit points at 1st level
8 + Constitution modifier
Hit points per level after 1st
1d8 (or 5) + Constitution modifier
Saving throws
Wisdom, Charisma
Armor
Light armor
Weapons
Simple weapons
Tools
None
Skills
Choose 2 from Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, Religion
Spellcasting ability
Charisma (Pact Magic)
Subclass
Otherworldly Patron at 1st level

See the full warlock spell list

Planning ability scores? Try the point buy calculator or the 4d6 ability score roller. Multiclassing with another spellcaster? The multiclass spell slot calculator works out your combined slots.

What the warlock is good at

The warlock trades a big spell list for reliability. Pact Magic gives only a few spell slots (one at 1st level, two from 2nd, three from 11th and four from 17th), but every slot is your highest slot level (up to 5th) and they all come back on a short rest. From 11th level, Mystic Arcanum adds one spell each of 6th to 9th level that you can cast once per long rest.

Eldritch Blast is the warlock’s signature: a force cantrip that fires more beams as you level (two at 5th, three at 11th, four at 17th). Eldritch Invocations, from 2nd level, customize it and everything else: Agonizing Blast adds your Charisma modifier to its damage, Devil’s Sight lets you see in magical darkness, Mask of Many Faces gives you disguise self at will.

Choosing ability scores

Charisma first for spells and Eldritch Blast. Constitution second for hit points and concentration, then Dexterity for your light armor.

With the standard array: Charisma 15, Constitution 14, Dexterity 13. The point buy calculator shows the costs of other spreads.

Picking a patron and a pact

Your patron comes at 1st level in the 2014 rules (level 3 in 2024). The SRD’s Fiend grants temporary hit points whenever you drop a hostile creature to 0 hit points and adds fire spells like Fireball to your list. The Player’s Handbook adds the Archfey and the Great Old One; later books add the Celestial, Hexblade, Fathomless, Genie and Undead, among others.

At 3rd level the 2014 warlock picks a Pact Boon: Pact of the Chain (a better familiar, like an imp or pseudodragon), Pact of the Blade (a summoned weapon you’re proficient with) or Pact of the Tome (a Book of Shadows with three extra cantrips from any class). In 2024 these are invocations you can take from level 1.

Common beginner mistakes

  • Not asking for short rests. Your slots come back on a short rest; a warlock who never rests has one or two spells a day.
  • Skipping Agonizing Blast. If you cast Eldritch Blast most turns, this invocation adds your Charisma modifier to every beam.
  • Too many concentration spells. Hex and your big control spells all need concentration; you can only keep one going.
  • Spending slots on small spells. Every slot is your highest level, so a 1st-level spell cast at 5th level only makes sense if it scales well.

Warlock level progression

LevelProficiency bonusFeaturesCantrips KnownSpells KnownSpell SlotsSlot LevelInvocations Known
1st+2Otherworldly Patron, Pact Magic2211st—
2nd+2Eldritch Invocations2321st2
3rd+2Pact Boon2422nd2
4th+2Ability Score Improvement, Eldritch Versatility†3522nd2
5th+3—3623rd3
6th+3Otherworldly Patron feature3723rd3
7th+3—3824th4
8th+3Ability Score Improvement, Eldritch Versatility†3924th4
9th+4—31025th5
10th+4Otherworldly Patron feature41025th5
11th+4Mystic Arcanum (6th level)41135th5
12th+4Ability Score Improvement, Eldritch Versatility†41135th6
13th+5Mystic Arcanum (7th level)41235th6
14th+5Otherworldly Patron feature41235th6
15th+5Mystic Arcanum (8th level)41335th7
16th+5Ability Score Improvement, Eldritch Versatility†41335th7
17th+6Mystic Arcanum (9th level)41445th7
18th+6—41445th8
19th+6Ability Score Improvement, Eldritch Versatility†41545th8
20th+6Eldritch Master41545th8

† Optional class features from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, which the builder offers if your table uses them: Eldritch Versatility. They aren’t in the SRD, so their text isn’t on this page.

Warlock class features (2014 rules, SRD 5.1)

As a warlock, you gain the following class features. Each one shows the warlock level you gain it at; features chosen at a later level (like your otherworldly patron) add more as you go.

Otherworldly Patron

1st level

At 1st level, you have struck a bargain with an otherworldly being of your choice: the Archfey, the Fiend, or the Great Old One, each of which is detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 1st level and again at 6th, 10th, and 14th level.

Pact Magic

1st level

Your arcane research and the magic bestowed on you by your patron have given you facility with spells.

Cantrips

You know two cantrips of your choice from the warlock spell list. You learn additional warlock cantrips of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Warlock table.

Spell Slots

The Warlock table shows how many spell slots you have. The table also shows what the level of those slots is; all of your spell slots are the same level. To cast one of your warlock spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a spell slot. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a short or long rest.

For example, when you are 5th level, you have two 3rd-level spell slots. To cast the 1st-level spell thunderwave, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast it as a 3rd-level spell.

Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher

At 1st level, you know two 1st-level spells of your choice from the warlock spell list.

The Spells Known column of the Warlock table shows when you learn more warlock spells of your choice of 1st level and higher.

A spell you choose must be of a level no higher than what's shown in the table's Slot Level column for your level. When you reach 6th level, for example, you learn a new warlock spell, which can be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd level.

Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the warlock spells you know and replace it with another spell from the warlock spell list, which also must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

Spellcasting Ability

Charisma is your spellcasting ability for your warlock spells, so you use your Charisma whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Charisma modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a warlock spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier

Spellcasting Focus

You can use an arcane focus as a spellcasting focus for your warlock spells.

Eldritch Invocations

2nd level

In your study of occult lore, you have unearthed eldritch invocations, fragments of forbidden knowledge that imbue you with an abiding magical ability.

At 2nd level, you gain two eldritch invocations of your choice. Your invocation options are detailed at the end of the class description. When you gain certain warlock levels, you gain additional invocations of your choice, as shown in the Invocations Known column of the Warlock table.

Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the invocations you know and replace it with another invocation that you could learn at that level.

If an eldritch invocation has prerequisites, you must meet them to learn it. You can learn the invocation at the same time that you meet its prerequisites. A level prerequisite refers to your level in this class.

Agonizing Blast

Prerequisite: eldritch blast cantrip

When you cast eldritch blast, add your Charisma modifier to the damage it deals on a hit.

Armor of Shadows

You can cast mage armor on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.

Ascendant Step

Prerequisite: 9th level

You can cast levitate on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.

Beast Speech

You can cast speak with animals at will, without expending a spell slot.

Beguiling Influence

You gain proficiency in the Deception and Persuasion skills.

Bewitching Whispers

Prerequisite: 7th level

You can cast compulsion once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Book of Ancient Secrets

Prerequisite: Pact of the Tome feature

You can now inscribe magical rituals in your Book of Shadows. Choose two 1st-level spells that have the ritual tag from any class's spell list (the two needn't be from the same list). The spells appear in the book and don't count against the number of spells you know. With your Book of Shadows in hand, you can cast the chosen spells as rituals. You can't cast the spells except as rituals, unless you've learned them by some other means. You can also cast a warlock spell you know as a ritual if it has the ritual tag.

On your adventures, you can add other ritual spells to your Book of Shadows. When you find such a spell, you can add it to the book if the spell's level is equal to or less than half your warlock level (rounded up) and if you can spare the time to transcribe the spell. For each level of the spell, the transcription process takes 2 hours and costs 50 gp for the rare inks needed to inscribe it.

Chains of Carceri

Prerequisite: 15th level, Pact of the Chain feature

You can cast hold monster at will—targeting a celestial, fiend, or elemental—without expending a spell slot or material components. You must finish a long rest before you can use this invocation on the same creature again.

Devil's Sight

You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet.

Dreadful Word

Prerequisite: 7th level

You can cast confusion once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Eldritch Sight

You can cast detect magic at will, without expending a spell slot.

Eldritch Spear

Prerequisite: eldritch blast cantrip

When you cast eldritch blast, its range is 300 feet.

Eyes of the Rune Keeper

You can read all writing.

Fiendish Vigor

You can cast false life on yourself at will as a 1st-level spell, without expending a spell slot or material components.

Gaze of Two Minds

You can use your action to touch a willing humanoid and perceive through its senses until the end of your next turn. As long as the creature is on the same plane of existence as you, you can use your action on subsequent turns to maintain this connection, extending the duration until the end of your next turn. While perceiving through the other creature's senses, you benefit from any special senses possessed by that creature, and you are blinded and deafened to your own surroundings.

Lifedrinker

Prerequisite: 12th level, Pact of the Blade feature

When you hit a creature with your pact weapon, the creature takes extra necrotic damage equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum 1).

Mask of Many Faces

You can cast disguise self at will, without expending a spell slot.

Master of Myriad Forms

Prerequisite: 15th level

You can cast alter self at will, without expending a spell slot.

Minions of Chaos

Prerequisite: 9th level

You can cast conjure elemental once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Mire the Mind

Prerequisite: 5th level

You can cast slow once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Misty Visions

You can cast silent image at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.

One with Shadows

Prerequisite: 5th level

When you are in an area of dim light or darkness, you can use your action to become invisible until you move or take an action or a reaction.

Otherworldly Leap

Prerequisite: 9th level

You can cast jump on yourself at will, without expending a spell slot or material components.

Repelling Blast

Prerequisite: eldritch blast cantrip

When you hit a creature with eldritch blast, you can push the creature up to 10 feet away from you in a straight line.

Sculptor of Flesh

Prerequisite: 7th level

You can cast polymorph once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Sign of Ill Omen

Prerequisite: 5th level

You can cast bestow curse once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Thief of Five Fates

You can cast bane once using a warlock spell slot. You can't do so again until you finish a long rest.

Thirsting Blade

Prerequisite: 5th level, Pact of the Blade feature

You can attack with your pact weapon twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Visions of Distant Realms

Prerequisite: 15th level

You can cast arcane eye at will, without expending a spell slot.

Voice of the Chain Master

Prerequisite: Pact of the Chain feature

You can communicate telepathically with your familiar and perceive through your familiar's senses as long as you are on the same plane of existence.

Additionally, while perceiving through your familiar's senses, you can also speak through your familiar in your own voice, even if your familiar is normally incapable of speech.

Whispers of the Grave

Prerequisite: 9th level

You can cast speak with dead at will, without expending a spell slot.

Witch Sight

Prerequisite: 15th level

You can see the true form of any shapechanger or creature concealed by illusion or transmutation magic while the creature is within 30 feet of you and within line of sight.

Pact Boon

3rd level

At 3rd level, your otherworldly patron bestows a gift upon you for your loyal service. You gain one of the following features of your choice.

Pact of the Chain

You learn the find familiar spell and can cast it as a ritual. The spell doesn't count against your number of spells known.

When you cast the spell, you can choose one of the normal forms for your familiar or one of the following special forms: imp, pseudodragon, quasit, or sprite.

Additionally, when you take the Attack action, you can forgo one of your own attacks to allow your familiar to make one attack of its own with its reaction.

Pact of the Blade

You can use your action to create a pact weapon in your empty hand. You can choose the form that this melee weapon takes each time you create it. You are proficient with it while you wield it. This weapon counts as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

Your pact weapon disappears if it is more than 5 feet away from you for 1 minute or more. It also disappears if you use this feature again, if you dismiss the weapon (no action required), or if you die.

You can transform one magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual while you hold the weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of 1 hour, which can be done during a short rest. You can then dismiss the weapon, shunting it into an extradimensional space, and it appears whenever you create your pact weapon thereafter. You can't affect an artifact or a sentient weapon in this way. The weapon ceases being your pact weapon if you die, if you perform the 1-hour ritual on a different weapon, or if you use a 1-hour ritual to break your bond to it. The weapon appears at your feet if it is in the extradimensional space when the bond breaks.

Pact of the Tome

Your patron gives you a grimoire called a Book of Shadows. When you gain this feature, choose three cantrips from any class's spell list (the three needn't be from the same list). While the book is on your person, you can cast those cantrips at will. They don't count against your number of cantrips known. If they don't appear on the warlock spell list, they are nonetheless warlock spells for you.

If you lose your Book of Shadows, you can perform a 1-hour ceremony to receive a replacement from your patron. This ceremony can be performed during a short or long rest, and it destroys the previous book. The book turns to ash when you die.

Ability Score Improvement

4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 19th level

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Mystic Arcanum

11th, 13th, 15th and 17th level

At 11th level, your patron bestows upon you a magical secret called an arcanum. Choose one 6th-level spell from the warlock spell list as this arcanum.

You can cast your arcanum spell once without expending a spell slot. You must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

At higher levels, you gain more warlock spells of your choice that can be cast in this way: one 7th-level spell at 13th level, one 8th-level spell at 15th level, and one 9th-level spell at 17th level. You regain all uses of your Mystic Arcanum when you finish a long rest.

Eldritch Master

20th level

At 20th level, you can draw on your inner reserve of mystical power while entreating your patron to regain expended spell slots. You can spend 1 minute entreating your patron for aid to regain all your expended spell slots from your Pact Magic feature.

Once you regain spell slots with this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Otherworldly Patron options

The builder offers 10 subclasses for the warlock, and only shows the ones your build can take.

Official

Homebrew

The SRD includes one otherworldly patron in each edition, marked SRD above. The others are in the Player’s Handbook and later books, so this page gives their names only. The The Fiend page has its full text in both editions, a guide and what changed in 2024.

What changed in 2024

The 2024 Player’s Handbook revised the warlock, and the System Reference Document 5.2 has the new version. Here is the warlock side by side in both editions, and what changed, worked out from the two SRDs.

2014 rules (SRD 5.1)2024 rules (SRD 5.2)
Primary ability—Charisma
Hit died8d8
Saving throwsWisdom and CharismaWisdom and Charisma
SkillsChoose 2 from Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, ReligionChoose 2: Arcana, Deception, History, Intimidation, Investigation, Nature, or Religion
ArmorLight armorLight armor
WeaponsSimple weaponsSimple weapons
ToolsNoneNone
SubclassOtherworldly Patron at 1st levelWarlock subclass at level 3
SpellsKnows a set number of spells (2 at 1st level)Prepares spells: 2 at level 1, 15 at level 20
Cantrips at level 122

Features by level, 2014 and 2024

Level2014 features2024 features
1Otherworldly Patron, Pact MagicEldritch Invocations, Pact Magic
2Eldritch InvocationsMagical Cunning
3Pact BoonWarlock Subclass
4Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score Improvement
5——
6Otherworldly Patron featureSubclass feature
7——
8Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score Improvement
9—Contact Patron
10Otherworldly Patron featureSubclass feature
11Mystic Arcanum (6th level)Mystic Arcanum
12Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score Improvement
13Mystic Arcanum (7th level)Mystic Arcanum
14Otherworldly Patron featureSubclass feature
15Mystic Arcanum (8th level)Mystic Arcanum
16Ability Score ImprovementAbility Score Improvement
17Mystic Arcanum (9th level)Mystic Arcanum
18——
19Ability Score ImprovementEpic Boon
20Eldritch MasterEldritch Master

Warlock class features in the 2024 rules (SRD 5.2)

As a warlock, you gain these class features when you reach the listed Warlock levels. They are listed in level order.

Level 1: Eldritch Invocations

You have unearthed Eldritch Invocations, pieces of forbidden knowledge that imbue you with an abiding magical ability or other lessons. You gain one invocation of your choice, such as Pact of the Tome. Invocations are described in the "Eldritch Invocation Options" section later in this class's description.

Prerequisites. If an invocation has a prerequisite, you must meet it to learn that invocation. For example, if an invocation requires you to be a level 5+ Warlock, you can select the invocation once you reach Warlock level 5.

Replacing and Gaining Invocations. Whenever you gain a Warlock level, you can replace one of your invocations with another one for which you qualify. You can't replace an invocation if it's a prerequisite for another invocation that you have.

When you gain certain Warlock levels, you gain more invocations of your choice, as shown in the Invocations column of the Warlock Features table.

You can't pick the same invocation more than once unless its description says otherwise.

Level 1: Pact Magic

Through occult ceremony, you have formed a pact with a mysterious entity to gain magical powers.

The entity is a voice in the shadows—its identity unclear—but its boon to you is concrete: the ability to cast spells. See "Spells" for the rules on spellcasting.

The information below details how you use those rules with Warlock spells, which appear in the Warlock spell list later in the class's description.

Cantrips. You know two Warlock cantrips of your choice. Eldritch Blast and Prestidigitation are recommended.

Whenever you gain a Warlock level, you can replace one of your cantrips from this feature with another Warlock cantrip of your choice.

When you reach Warlock levels 4 and 10, you learn another Warlock cantrip of your choice, as shown in the Cantrips column of the Warlock Features table.

Spell Slots. The Warlock Features table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your Warlock spells of levels 1–5. The table also shows the level of those slots, all of which are the same level. You regain all expended Pact Magic spell slots when you finish a Short or Long Rest.

For example, when you're a level 5 Warlock, you have two level 3 spell slots. To cast the level 1 spell Charm Person, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast it as a level 3 spell.

Prepared Spells of Level 1+. You prepare the list of level 1+ spells that are available for you to cast with this feature. To start, choose two level 1 Warlock spells. Charm Person and Hex are recommended.

The number of spells on your list increases as you gain Warlock levels, as shown in the Prepared Spells column of the Warlock Features table. Whenever that number increases, choose additional Warlock spells until the number of spells on your list matches the number in the table. The chosen spells must be of a level no higher than what's shown in the table's Slot Level column for your level. When you reach level 6, for example, you learn a new Warlock spell, which can be of levels 1–3.

If another Warlock feature gives you spells that you always have prepared, those spells don't count against the number of spells you can prepare with this feature, but those spells otherwise count as Warlock spells for you.

Changing Your Prepared Spells. Whenever you gain a Warlock level, you can replace one spell on your list with another Warlock spell of an eligible level.

Spellcasting Ability. Charisma is the spellcasting ability for your Warlock spells.

Spellcasting Focus. You can use an Arcane Focus as a Spellcasting Focus for your Warlock spells.

Level 2: Magical Cunning

You can perform an esoteric rite for 1 minute. At the end of it, you regain expended Pact Magic spell slots but no more than a number equal to half your maximum (round up). Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a Long Rest.

Level 3: Warlock Subclass

You gain a Warlock subclass of your choice. The Fiend Patron subclass is detailed after this class's description. A subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Warlock levels. For the rest of your career, you gain each of your subclass's features that are of your Warlock level or lower.

Level 4: Ability Score Improvement

You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat (see "Feats") or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. You gain this feature again at Warlock levels 8, 12, and 16.

Level 9: Contact Patron

In the past, you usually contacted your patron through intermediaries. Now you can communicate directly; you always have the Contact Other Plane spell prepared. With this feature, you can cast the spell without expending a spell slot to contact your patron, and you automatically succeed on the spell's saving throw.

Once you cast the spell with this feature, you can't do so in this way again until you finish a Long Rest.

Level 11: Mystic Arcanum

Your patron grants you a magical secret called an arcanum. Choose one level 6 Warlock spell as this arcanum.

You can cast your arcanum spell once without expending a spell slot, and you must finish a Long Rest before you can cast it in this way again.

As shown in the Warlock Features table, you gain another Warlock spell of your choice that can be cast in this way when you reach Warlock levels 13 (level 7 spell), 15 (level 8 spell), and 17 (level 9 spell). You regain all uses of your Mystic Arcanum when you finish a Long Rest.

Whenever you gain a Warlock level, you can replace one of your arcanum spells with another Warlock spell of the same level.

Level 19: Epic Boon

You gain an Epic Boon feat (see "Feats") or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Fate is recommended.

Level 20: Eldritch Master

When you use your Magical Cunning feature, you regain all your expended Pact Magic spell slots.

Common questions

How many spell slots does a warlock get?

One at 1st level, two from 2nd to 10th, three from 11th to 16th and four from 17th. They’re all the same level: 1st at levels 1 and 2, rising to 5th at level 9.

Do warlock spell slots come back on a short rest?

Yes. You regain all expended Pact Magic slots when you finish a short or long rest.

How does Pact Magic work with multiclassing?

In the 2014 rules your Pact Magic slots stay separate from the Spellcasting slots of other classes, but you can use either kind to cast spells from either class. The multiclass spell slot calculator works it out.

What is the best warlock invocation?

For most warlocks, Agonizing Blast. After that, Devil’s Sight, Repelling Blast and Mask of Many Faces are popular picks.

What changed for the warlock in 2024?

Eldritch Invocations start at level 1 and the old pact boons are invocations (Pact of the Tome is one). Magical Cunning (level 2) recovers up to half your slots with a 1-minute rite once per long rest, spells are prepared, Contact Patron arrives at level 9, and the subclass moves to level 3.

The warlock compared with similar classes

ClassHow it compares
SorcererThe other Charisma arcane caster: many more slots per long rest, and Metamagic.
WizardThe most spells of any class, with slots that only return on a long rest (plus Arcane Recovery).
PaladinA Charisma warrior; a warlock level or two adds short-rest slots for smites.
BardA Charisma full caster focused on support rather than blasting.

How to build a warlock

Open the builder, choose the 2014 or 2024 rules on the first step, then pick Warlock as your class. It fills in your hit points, saving throws and proficiencies, then walks you through race, otherworldly patron, ability scores, background, skills, equipment and spells. Everything the rules can work out is computed for you: Armor Class from your armor, attack bonuses, spell save DC and every skill modifier.

Other classes: Artificer · Barbarian · Bard · Cleric · Druid · Fighter · Monk · Paladin · Ranger · Rogue · Sorcerer · Wizard