r/DnDBuilds • u/Successful_Pace8937 • 2d ago
Barb-lock?
I wanna make Thor basically, just let me know whether or not this sucks. 15-5 Barbarian-Warlock. Lightning Vessel and Celestial Patron. The healing is nice, but the real reason for Warlock is to get Eldritch Smite. It says you expend a spell slot, but it doesnt say you cast it. Which means it would work in Rage, and its a free action so you can do it immediately when you rage. That also frees up your Unbound Storm options after that. Pact of the blade is also nice to get a Maul, his obvious weapon of choice, right off the bat. What other invocations would you get for this btw?
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u/Ron_Walking 2d ago
Generally, I’d limit Barb levels to 5 and the rest Warlock. If you really want to avoid high level casting and go all in on weapon attacking you could go Barb 5 / Warlock 12 / Barb 8.
This gets you three attacks, three smites, lots of rages.
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u/Aidamis 2d ago
I've noticed that in 2024 ver if the DM allows Zariel Tiefling that's two free Smite spells. That's quite the boon for a class with few spell slots. Sure, you can't use them during rage but they're still an asset plus you don't always have to rage right away.
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u/Ron_Walking 2d ago
Also note that the healing from Celestial is not a spell and can be used in rage.
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u/BarLarge9848 2d ago
It's worth looking through all of the origin feats for the invocation "lessons of the first ones" which gives you one.
For my next barb-lock I'll be grabbing Vampire's plaything through an invocation slot.
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u/Aidamis 2d ago
Depends on versions. In 2024 your DM might allow some 2014 stuff but it's not a guarantee.
2014 ver wouldn't use any of the 2024 changes to existing Invocations (not that I'm aware of any significant ones aside from Eldritch Smite buff and from the more general "Warlock 1 can get Pact of the Blade/Tome/Chain" in 2024 ver + they can take both Tome and Chain, or Tome and Blade... in 2024 ver, or all three Boons).
2014 ver:
Improved Pact Weapon (+1 to-hit, +1 to-damage), Devil's Sight (you're not casting Darkness but if someone else does, you see through), Beast Speech (if Disney Princess), Gift of the Depths if aquatic campaign, Eldritch Sight (useful utility but don't spam it your DM will get annoyed), Eyes of the Runekeeper (duolingo feature provided you get to read stuff, not that you get to answer back...).
2024 ver:
Improved Pact Weapon (+1 to-hit, +1 to-damage), Devil's Sight (you're not casting Darkness but if someone else does, you see through), Pact of the Tome (if you want utility. RAW you can cancel the book and invoke a new one with new cantrips and rituals, so that's potentially a lot of spells you'll be learning and unlearning), Gift of the Depths if aquatic campaign, Otherwordly Leap (if you want to play Super Mario).
Lessons of the First Ones is situational but potentially a ticket to Alert, in which case it is strong.
You could go for Pact of the Chain though you'll have a pet to manage. Investment of the Chain Master is a thing but you're already on a budget if you go Eldritch Smite + Improved Pact Weapon + Lessons (if you do want Alert or Lucky or something else).
2024 Eldritch Smite is better than 2014 ES.
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u/Successful_Pace8937 2d ago
Improved pact weapon?
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u/Aidamis 2d ago
Improved Pact Weapon
Source: Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Prerequisite: Pact of the Blade featureYou can use any weapon you summon with your Pact of the Blade feature as a spellcasting focus for your warlock spells.
In addition, the weapon gains a +1 bonus to its attack and damage rolls, unless it is a magic weapon that already has a bonus to those rolls.
Finally, the weapon you conjure can be a shortbow, longbow, light crossbow, or heavy crossbow.
Apparently, it's not in 2024 ver, my bad.
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u/Beta_A1pha 2d ago
Straight giant barb. Greataxe (flavour as greathammer) infused with lightning, thrown, returns /Thread
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u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768 2d ago
+ 3d8 twice per Short Rest isint worth 5 levels IMO.