Warlock (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
The warlock is a playable character class
in the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
. It was introduced as a non-core base class in the supplemental book Complete Arcane
for the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons. In 4th edition, the warlock is a core class.
and wizards
, who approach arcane magic through their draconic lineage or a book of learned magic, a warlock invokes magic through their darkened soul. By harnessing their innate magical gift, warlocks can perform spell-like feats and abilities; since they are not users of true spells in the traditional sense, they can use their invocations while wearing light armor. Warlocks are often evil or chaotic in alignment.
Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons receive their abilities through the influence of some unearthly being such as a Demon or Fey
. They are either born with these powers or receive them through a fell pact, which turns their soul into a dark font of eldritch powers. Warlocks do not cast spells, but instead use spell-like abilities called "invocations", which represent the tapping of the power granted the warlock. The most important of these abilities is the "eldritch blast" which is the warlock's main offensive ability, firing a blast of magical energy at the target. The blast deals 1d6 damage at first level and improves by 1d6 at each odd-numbered level after first. The blast is a ranged touch attack requiring a standard action and is a spell-like ability. Warlocks also have other minor, non-invocation abilities as they progress in level: energy resistance, inhumanly tough skin, unnaturally fast healing, and the ability to force magical items to do their bidding, to name a few.
The major difference that Warlocks have from all other Dungeons & Dragons magic users is their ability to use their invocations "at will," without a limit on the number of times an invocation can be cast. In contrast, a wizard or sorcerer can cast a set number of spells every day from a wider selection of spells than a warlock. The Warlock has a caster level, not a spellcaster level, limiting prestige class choices. However, some newer releases such as Complete Mage
and Tome of Magic
have provided additional materials for Warlock characters to build upon.
Invocations come in four power levels: least, lesser, greater, and dark. There are three categories of invocations as well: blast shape invocations, which modify the range and area of effect of the eldritch blast, essence invocations, which grant effects or modify the damage type of the eldritch blast, and general invocations which provide utility abilities such as flight and invisibility.
The specific source of the warlock's power is defined as a Pact (with a non-divine supernatural entity or power), which affects at-will power options and makes certain powers more effective and provides a pact boon, an effect which is triggered whenever a cursed enemy is killed or incapacitated. There are six Pacts:
Tieflings, half-elves and humans make excellent warlocks in 4th edition. Warlocks can be very effective in an encounter. They use destructive arcane magic to excel in an adventuring party and can easily take out most foes before they get near enough to strike a single blow if all goes perfectly. Warlocks' arcane magic is not quite as versatile as a wizard's, however they are extremely effective at dealing damage to single targets. In 4th edition a warlock's role is striker, meaning they are designed to deal heavy damage while avoiding retaliation. Warlocks also have many exotic powers that have bonus effects; such as Eyebite which makes the warlock invisible for one turn if it hits. Many of the Warlock's powers allow them to move as part of an attack or to move in an unusual manner, such as flight or teleportation.
video game from Obsidian Entertainment
.
Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
in the Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
. It was introduced as a non-core base class in the supplemental book Complete Arcane
Complete Arcane
Complete Arcane is a supplemental rulebook for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. It expands upon and replaces an earlier soft-cover rulebook entitled Tome and Blood.-Contents:...
for the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons. In 4th edition, the warlock is a core class.
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)
Unlike sorcerersSorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)
The sorcerer is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A sorcerer is weak in melee combat, but a master of arcane magic, the most generally powerful form of D&D magic. Sorcerers' magical ability is innate rather than studied...
and wizards
Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)
The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...
, who approach arcane magic through their draconic lineage or a book of learned magic, a warlock invokes magic through their darkened soul. By harnessing their innate magical gift, warlocks can perform spell-like feats and abilities; since they are not users of true spells in the traditional sense, they can use their invocations while wearing light armor. Warlocks are often evil or chaotic in alignment.
Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons receive their abilities through the influence of some unearthly being such as a Demon or Fey
Fey (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, Fey is a type of creature, or "creature type". Fey are usually humanoid in form, and are typified as having supernatural abilities and a connection to nature or to some other force or place....
. They are either born with these powers or receive them through a fell pact, which turns their soul into a dark font of eldritch powers. Warlocks do not cast spells, but instead use spell-like abilities called "invocations", which represent the tapping of the power granted the warlock. The most important of these abilities is the "eldritch blast" which is the warlock's main offensive ability, firing a blast of magical energy at the target. The blast deals 1d6 damage at first level and improves by 1d6 at each odd-numbered level after first. The blast is a ranged touch attack requiring a standard action and is a spell-like ability. Warlocks also have other minor, non-invocation abilities as they progress in level: energy resistance, inhumanly tough skin, unnaturally fast healing, and the ability to force magical items to do their bidding, to name a few.
The major difference that Warlocks have from all other Dungeons & Dragons magic users is their ability to use their invocations "at will," without a limit on the number of times an invocation can be cast. In contrast, a wizard or sorcerer can cast a set number of spells every day from a wider selection of spells than a warlock. The Warlock has a caster level, not a spellcaster level, limiting prestige class choices. However, some newer releases such as Complete Mage
Complete Mage
Complete Mage is a supplemental rule book for the 3.5 edition of the Dungeons and Dragons role-playing game. It is effectively the sequel to Complete Arcane.-Contents:...
and Tome of Magic
Tome of Magic
The title was reused for a 3.5 Edition supplement published in 2006. The new Tome of Magic is devoted to new forms and styles of magic as a path to power...
have provided additional materials for Warlock characters to build upon.
Invocations come in four power levels: least, lesser, greater, and dark. There are three categories of invocations as well: blast shape invocations, which modify the range and area of effect of the eldritch blast, essence invocations, which grant effects or modify the damage type of the eldritch blast, and general invocations which provide utility abilities such as flight and invisibility.
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
In 4th edition, the warlock's powers are known as spells, and use the standard power system. The warlock has many different unique abilities, though a warlock's trademark ability is still Eldritch Blast. They can also deliver various effects through Warlock's Curse. The Warlock's other class features make them more accurate at ranged attacks when no ally is closer to their target and allow them to gain concealment whenever they move a sufficient distance. Almost all of the warlock's attack powers depend on charisma or constitution for accuracy and damage, with some powers gaining bonuses from intelligence.The specific source of the warlock's power is defined as a Pact (with a non-divine supernatural entity or power), which affects at-will power options and makes certain powers more effective and provides a pact boon, an effect which is triggered whenever a cursed enemy is killed or incapacitated. There are six Pacts:
- The Star Pact is made with an entity from the Far Realm or a star located near it. Star Pact warlocks can use either Constitution or Charisma for their attacks. There are also Star Pact spells which use Intelligence for attack rolls.
- The Fey Pact, forged with a power of the Feywild. Fey Pact warlocks use Charisma for their attacks.
- The Infernal Pact represents an agreement with a devil of the Nine Hells. Infernal Pact warlocks use Constitution for their attacks.
- The Dark Pact is made with powerful residents of the Underdark and the Abyss, and was presented in the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. Dark Pact warlocks use Charisma for their attacks.
- The Vestige Pact, presented in the Arcane Power supplement, represents an agreement with vestiges, arcane "echoes" of one-great individuals and powers.
- The Sorcerer-King Pact is included in the Dark SunDark SunDark Sun is a Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting featuring the fictional desert world of Athas. The original Dark Sun Boxed Set campaign setting was released in 1991....
Campaign Setting. This pact is made with a Sorcerer-King of Athas. Sorcerer-King Pact warlocks can use either Constitution or Charisma for their attacks. - The Gloom Pact is made with creatures of Shadowfell
Tieflings, half-elves and humans make excellent warlocks in 4th edition. Warlocks can be very effective in an encounter. They use destructive arcane magic to excel in an adventuring party and can easily take out most foes before they get near enough to strike a single blow if all goes perfectly. Warlocks' arcane magic is not quite as versatile as a wizard's, however they are extremely effective at dealing damage to single targets. In 4th edition a warlock's role is striker, meaning they are designed to deal heavy damage while avoiding retaliation. Warlocks also have many exotic powers that have bonus effects; such as Eyebite which makes the warlock invisible for one turn if it hits. Many of the Warlock's powers allow them to move as part of an attack or to move in an unusual manner, such as flight or teleportation.
Other media
Warlocks are now featured in the Neverwinter Nights 2Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2 is a computer role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Atari. It is the sequel to BioWare's Neverwinter Nights, based on the Dungeons & Dragons pencil and paper fantasy role-playing game...
video game from Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment is an American video game developer founded in 2003 after the disestablishment of Interplay Productions' Black Isle Studios, for PC and console systems...
.
- Magic of Dungeons & Dragons
- Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)The sorcerer is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A sorcerer is weak in melee combat, but a master of arcane magic, the most generally powerful form of D&D magic. Sorcerers' magical ability is innate rather than studied...
- Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.-Creative origins:...