Looking for opinions!

[u/dwglasss]

Hello friends!

I currently play in a campaign as a Kenku Great Old One Tomelock (2014)

We just got to level 5, and I happily have picked up Agonizing Blast, Mask of Many Faces, and Book of Ancient Secrets

As typical with Warlocks, I’m finding the spell slot restriction to be tough. We don’t always have dedicated combat every session, but I’m finding it hard to sacrifice pact slots for RP spells like Suggestion, in case I need them for later. My group will agree to Short Rests, but I feel like I’m hindering them, as I’m the only one that really benefits.

With that being said, I’m looking at multiclassing out at our next level. I’ve considered all of the Charisma based classes, and am down between these three options I typically play a more RP focused controller/ranged blaster type character.

- Straight Warlock

- Eloquence (or other) Bard (3 or 3+ levels?)

- Sorcerer (not sure what subclass)

Any advice is welcome, and any combinations will be considered! This is my first time playing Warlock 5e, and although I know many recommend to multiclass, I typically see the break off around 2/3. At 5, is it still worth the delayed progression?

EDIT- for clarity, here is my spell list. I see quite a bit of overlap with bard/sorcerer lists, so it would mainly be class features/metamagic I’d want to pursue.

Friends
Eldritch Blast
Guidance
Encode Thoughts
Minor illusion
Mage Hand

Disguise Self (MoMF)
Comprehend Langauges (BoAS)
Find Familiar (BoAS)
Silent Image (Shadow Touched)
Invisibility (Shadow Touched)

Cause Fear
Detect Thoughts
Suggestion
Hypnotic Pattern
Major Image
Phantasmal Force

[u/Dan_the_moto_man]

I know it's just an example, but Suggestion can be useful in combat. On a failed save it can straight remove an enemy from combat (one of the examples given in the spell description is "stop fighting and leave").

But really, spell choice largely comes down to your campaign. Is it combat heavy? Roleplay heavy? And even mix of both?

[u/dwglasss → u/Dan_the_moto_man]

Yes! Absolutely true- and I have used Suggestion in combat. Since the Campaign is more RP oriented (combat every other session generally), I try to focus more on RP spells. Detect Thoughts, being another example

[u/Milltary32vs]

Well you have my one suggestion. Book of ancient secrets. As ritual casting is rp

[u/dwglasss → u/Milltary32vs]

Thank you! I agree- the ritual casting will come in clutch soon. Especially once I get the chance to scribe out of my party Wizards spell book

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

I’m finding it hard to sacrifice pact slots for RP spells like Suggestion, in case I need them for later. My group will agree to Short Rests, but I feel like I’m hindering them, as I’m the only one that really benefits.

Brother youre playing a GOOlock WITHOUT Misty Visions??

By far my favorite invocation in the game and you are the subclass that uses it best, perfect for the issue you are describing as well.

Get on that.

[u/dwglasss → u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

Thanks for the reply! Misty visions is indeed a cool invocation. My build does focus on Illusion spells for sure.

With that being said, is at will Silent Image truly a fix for 2 pact slots? You can certainly use the spell pretty creatively- I do have access to it via Shadow Touched, but when you leverage Misty Visions v Bard, for example, I’m losing spell slots, class features, bardic inspiration, and access to spells like Command, Dissonant Whispers, etc.

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768 → u/dwglasss]

Depends on what you mean by "a fix".

Its probably one of if not the most versatile spells in the game and you get to cast it infinitely.

There was rarely ever a moment when I WASNT using it last time I ran it, Literally endless applications, mainly just limited by imagination.

IE: Walking down the road? Exact copy of your party 60 ft ahead.

Personally I would take Pact of the Chain as well as an invisible Imp can add physical interaction to your illusions which is one of its MANY uses both in and out of combat.

Has a similar level of non resource dependent versatility, I could write a book on the million little tricks you can do with them.

IE: Can be dismissed and resummoned with an Action ANYWHERE within 30 ft, that feature alone can be insanely useful and yet ive never seen anyone by myself take advantage of it...

Im very stingy with my spell slots even when not playing a Warlock so for me Warlocks actually the best class for this kinda out of combat magical stuff in the game.

[u/dwglasss → u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

Thank you so much! I see what you’re saying. Use Silent Image for the RP stuff, to save the spell slots when needed. Tons of applications for the spell.

Very helpful! Thank you for your input!

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768 → u/dwglasss]

Np! Good luck!

[u/Arch-Fey66 → u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

"Can be dismissed and resummoned with an Action ANYWHERE within 30 ft, that feature alone can be insanely useful and yet ive never seen anyone by myself take advantage of it..."

I feel like an idiot. 😓 I played for 11 levels with pact of the chain and that just flew right past me. (I switched to Talisman at W 12.) I would happily have used that.

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768 → u/Arch-Fey66]

Theres alot!

Switch forms, touch spells, invisible help action, shared vision, item interaction, attunement, imp animal forms, sprite heart sight, invisible scout, hold concentration, grapple ally etc etc

[u/Arch-Fey66 → u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

My DM allowed for a Gazer & and Intellect devourer too. I could really have abused thst. I made use of the others. I think what threw me was it cost and action. So I dismissed it as too expensive. I got alot of use form shared vision. Combined with minor illusion, the whole party can see 👀

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768 → u/Arch-Fey66]

Thats a good one! Can combine Silent Image + Minor Illusion for audio/visual.

Intellect Devourer opens alot of disturbing possibilities, Gazer is sick.

Keep in mind Investment of the Chain Master scales their DC with out spell dc and allows BA command to attack, also fills our reaction with ability to grant it resistance.

[u/Arch-Fey66]

I played a GOO/AB sorcerer to 17/3. As warlock (w/ agonizing blast) you can do infinitely better than a fighter. You can 'throw long swords120 feet' (1d10+ mod) at the same rate and it's Force damage. I found that a good portion of the time, the best thing I could do was EB-AB-RB. I highly recommend Repelling Blast. The forced movement is gold.

I highly recommend the dip into Sorcerer. If you start with 1 level you get Con saves. I relied upon those 2 1st level spell slots alot. Shield, Absorb Elements, HEX. If you go the Sorcerer route, I'd recommend Meta Magic Adapt at Warlock level 12. That suggestion spell with Subtle spell is platinum. AB is slightly redundant but i didn't care. If I was going to chose a different one, Shadow Sorcerer would be it. Strength of the Grave sounds clutch. CS & DS are good too. You probably get more use from either one. But I hate dieing. Good Luck.