Warlock class and spells guide

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The Warlock is out to corrupt and annihilate your enemies in Baldur’s Gate 3. One of many spellcasting classes, the Warlock is known to make a pact with a patron for powers and abilities. Here’s our Warlock class guide to help you out.

Note: For more information, check out our Baldur’s Gate 3 guides and features hub as well as our character creation guide.

Baldur’s Gate 3: Warlock class and spells guide

The Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 seeks to rip out the souls of your foes and cast them into the fiery depths. Here are its features regardless of subclass:

• Warlock Spell Slots: Spell slots that recharge after a short rest; spell slots are always at the highest available level.
• Saving Throw Proficiency: Wisdom, Charisma
• Armor Proficiency: Light
• Simple Weapon Proficiency

Note: Each time the Warlock class levels up, it gains HP based on its Constitution stat plus a d8 (8-sided) dice roll.

Subclasses: The Fiend, The Old One, The Archfey

There are a few distinctions between these three Warlock subclasses. They aren’t as decipherable as other subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3, but they still have their distinctions, especially as you level up. But here are the differences at level one during character creation.

• The Fiend
  • Dark One’s Blessing: A passive ability where when you get an enemy’s hit points to 0, you gain hit points based off of your Charisma Modifier + level hit points.
  • Two Spells: Armor of Agathys, Arms of Hadar
• The Great Old One
  • Mortal Reminder: When you land a Critical Hit on a creature, them and any nearby enemies are Frightened until the end of their next turn.
  • Two Spells: Dissonant Whispers, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
• The Archfey
  • Fey Presence: An Action that can Charm or Frighten nearby enemies.
  • Two Spells: Faerie Fire, Sleep

Cantrips

The Warlock subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 has eight cantrips available. You’re allowed to pick two during character creation:

Note: I’m partial when it comes to Chill Touch and Eldritch Blast (the latter is the quintessential Warlock cantrip).

Spells

The Warlock subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 has 10 spells available, including the two from your subclass. While some spellcasters know many spells and can prepare certain ones, Warlocks can only pick a few to learn and always have prepared. You’re allowed to learn two during character creation from the ten available, but here are the eight that are open to all Warlocks no matter your subclass:

Note: My ideal pick here is Hex. For the second spell, it’s up to you whether you want to go with Burning Hands, Witch Bolt. Hex is just too good to pass up due to the extra damage and debuff.

Warlock skills and abilities

Certain skills here will be active depending on your character’s background. In general, however, you should see the following for the Warlock class (you can pick up to two):

• Arcana – The knowledge of magic; interacting with enchanted items or powerful spells.
• Deception – Manipulating truth and misleading others.
• History – Everything you know about Faerûn’s past, allowing you to recognize notable names and unusual items.
• Intimidation – Threaten others using speech; force others to do your will.
• Investigation – Extracting information from objects or people.
• Nature – Expertise when it comes to flora, fauna, and the primal rhythms of the world around you.
• Religion – Knowledge of deities, domains, clergy, and holy rites.

Regarding your ability choices, Charisma should be your primary stat allocation. This stat is what’s used for the Warlock class’ spellcasting ability in Baldur’s Gate 3. I also like to assign points into Dexterity and Constitution. You can also assign a bonus +2 and +1, so I’ve given the +2 to Charisma and +1 to Dexterity.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is available on Steam.