Warlock is one of the best DPS and social classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, but there are plenty of different ways this class can be built. The choice of an eldritch entity, fiend, or archfey as a patron is only one of the crucial decisions to be made. As with any build, some choices are a matter of personal preference and depend upon your playstyle. Other build choices are objectively better when it comes to achieving certain goals. This Warlock build focuses on DPS and temporary HP gain while dabbling a bit in other areas and maintaining excellent roleplaying potential, making it one of the best Warlock class builds in Baldur’s Gate 3.
The Best Warlock Class Build in Baldur’s Gate 3
Keeping the focus on DPS means steering away from some of the class’s more colorful build options, but that doesn’t mean the best Warlock class build is boring by any stretch. Here are the first steps to get started on the journey to magical greatness in Larian Studios’ RPG masterpiece.
Race Choices
Drow is a solid Race pick for Warlock. Drow Weapon Training isn’t a big deal, since the player will be focused on spellcasting far more than martial skills, but it doesn’t hurt. Fey Ancestry prevents the player from being magically put to sleep and grants some protection against being Charmed. That reduces the odds of this potent spellcaster being put out of commission by enemy spells, which is always nice. Faerie Fire and Darkness, the Drow’s Racial Spells, both rely on Charisma, which is the Warlock’s strong suit. The Drow’s subraces are for roleplaying purposes only, making no mechanical difference, so pick whatever you like. Drow isn’t an essential pick for the best Warlock class build, but it’s a great one.
Best Subclass
Warlocks get access to three subclasses during character creation. The choice of subclass makes a substantial difference as the character levels up. All three Warlock subclasses (Archfey, The Fiend, and The Great Old One) are viable, but this build focuses on The Fiend. At Level 1 this subclass grants Dark One’s Blessing, which gives the Warlock Charisma mod + level temporary HP whenever you reduce a hostile enemy to 0 HP. Keeping the Warlock on their feet is essential for churning out damage each turn, and Dark One’s Blessing makes sure that happens.
Background, Skills, and Other Features
Sage and Acolyte are probably the best two Backgrounds when making the best Warlock class build. Sage might have the edge for the Arcana and History skills, but the player won’t go wrong either way. There will be plenty of opportunities to dabble in magical mysteries throughout the campaign, and those skills make sure the player is prepared. As for Attributes, the player should take the following distribution:
- Strength: 8
- Dexterity: 13
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 13
- Wisdom: 10
- Charisma: 17
There’s some flexibility in spell choice during character creation. We recommend Burning Hands and Armor of Agathys as Level 1 spells. The former provides reliable Fire-type DPS, while the latter does Cold damage and grants temporary HP, doubling down on the benefits of Dark One’s Blessing. As for Cantrips, every Warlock should be using Eldritch Blast. With its future upgrades, it’s just too good to pass on. The second Cantrip can be either Bone Chill or Blade Ward, depending on taste.
Class Progression
Making the right choices during character creation is only the beginning if you want the best Warlock class build. As the character levels up, the player will need to make a number of choices in terms of which spells, Feats, and other features to prioritize. It’s hard to make an unplayable build in Baldur’s Gate 3, but it’s easy to weaken one that could otherwise be great. For that reason, we recommend the following choices at each level.
- Level 2:
- Eldritch Invocations: Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast
- Level 3:
- Pact Boon: Pact of the Chain
- Level 4:
- Feat: Ability Improvement (Charisma and Intelligence)
- Level 5:
- Deepened Pact
- Eldritch Invocation: Sign of Ill Omen
- Level 6:
- Dark One’s Own Luck
- Level 7:
- Book of Ancient Secrets
- Level 8:
- Feat: War Caster
- Level 9:
- Eldritch Invocation: Minions of Chaos
- Level 10:
- Fiendish Resilience
- Level 11:
- Mystic Arcanum: Circle of Death
- Level 12:
- Eldritch Invocation: Lifedrinker
- Feat: Elemental Adept
As for the best spells to choose at each spell level, consider taking the following:
- Level 2: Cloud of Daggers and Scorching Ray
- Level 3: Hunger of Hadar and Vampiric Touch
- Level 4: Banishment and Blight
- Level 5: Hold Monster
Equipment
Magical staves, robes, and the like are the Warlock’s bread and butter. Heavy and medium armor interferes too much with the Warlock’s design, so it’s best to stay light and fast, keeping casting at the forefront. Warlock isn’t the easiest class for beginners or the best for survivability, so players need to stick to their strengths. Let the tanks do the tanking while you remain back, obliterating enemies with volleys of arcane force. The best Warlock class build is all about destruction, so get destroying.
