The Death Domains damage bonuses can be significant for striking down threatening foes while still concentrating on other spells. Your email address will not be published. The most important part of any game is that you have fun. Bards lack the first-level value that other spellcasters provide in multiclassing, but theyre formidable in their own ways with more levels of investment. The Oath of the Watchers demands a Paladin to know the lore about otherworldly monsters, so the Lore Bard is a fine fit! Even though the bard's high-level spells will be delayed, they gain access to several unique paladin spells, all of which use Charisma and are therefore compatible. While it isn't as severe as other classes, due to clerics having several skills that benefit from Charisma, taking many levels in cleric as a bard is just going to dilute both classes without trade-offs. Warlocks are one of of the most popular classes in D&D 5e. Finally, Monk and Rogue are very mobile and like getting up in enemies faces, but are best when you dump a lot of levels into themotherwise, they are just squishy, which does not benefit an already vulnerable Warlock. High degree of customization through distinct Cleric subclasses. This character has a beguiling power as a Warlock that pairs well with the Paladins Aura of Conquest. Alternatively, you get another Metamagic option at Level 10, or you could spend more levels on Sorcerer to hoard even more spell slots. Better options exist for this concept, but if you want access to Cleric spells like Spirit Guardians in addition to melee attacks that are based on the quantity of damage on a single attack rather than spread-out damage with multiple attacks, this combination is ok. Youll get Warlock invocations and several smiting spells from the Hexblade Warlock. Id personally choose one or the other and not mix them, but its not bad. Acquire a tiny lamp or another small vessel that you can magically enter; you can rest while in the vessel. Undead creatures need to roll a Wisdom saving throw to attack you. Additionally, Warlocks will generally start the game with at least 13 points in Charisma, which automatically qualifies them to multiclass into Sorcerer. Making the best use of monk features requires Dexterity and Wisdom, as well as benefitting from a high Constitution. Finish with Guidance and Word of Radiance and youre good to be somehow support-melee-reliable., Also at level 3, pick Book of Ancient Secrets and pick Find Familiar as one of the rituals so you can support your teammates with your celestial owl (sorry WotC, you had it coming when putting Flyby on it). Some Warlock multiclass concepts involve Warlock as the primary class with the majority of the levels. Warlocks and Sorcerers pair well together for many reasons, so this is a powerful build. Guidance & help (as a bonus action)? Summary of subclass features: Gain a few spell options that Warlocks cant normally learn, but you dont automatically learn them. A master of menacing archery with an arcane twist. Paladins can also be good for Bards if there is enough room in the build to get Paladin auras. Divine Soul Sorcerer will net you the Favored by the Gods feature to reinforce your saving throws. Every class gives you different bonuses, but not all of them mesh well with the Warlocks playstyle. Sing me a tale of Bard multiclassing! Theres no way I can cover every combination for this subclass, but Ill share some favorites. Lets talk about Warlocks and how they can multiclass effectively. If you enjoyed this guide, share it with your friends! Summary of subclass features: Use spooky items as spellcasting focuses, and eventually enhance your spells by doing so. The Sorcerer multiclass can really be used with just about any Warlock subclass because the synergy of the two classes is just that strong. Ranger Multiclassing: Fun Concepts and Practical Guidance for D&D 5e , multiclassing requires minimum ability scores, read more about this build in Opals article, content on multiclassing in our other articles, class-level multiclassing combinations article. He brings fresh perspectives on game mechanics, group dynamics, and roleplaying insights for all TTRPG enthusiasts. This is a Multiclassing guide as a tool for beginners and seasoned players alike. For starters, each Patron grants the Warlock a unique expanded spell list. This is the multiclass path to having expertise in as many skills as you could possibly want. Warlocks and Sorcerers already blend well, and these two subclasses make thematic sense. However, Paladin auras are the real prize for Sorcerers. Most players dont foreshadow or roleplay their core class features anyway, so why should it be so difficult to justify what you gain from multiclassing? RELATED: 5 Reasons Why Paladins Are The Best Holy Characters In D&D (& 5 Why It's Clerics). However, this is part of the problem with their multiclass: they're similar, without much to complement one another. Im imagining The Devil Went Down to Georgia for the backstory. In addition, even a small amount of Metamagic can make a spellcaster more flexible. Combining the melee dominance of a Paladin with the unparalleled ranged damage of a Warlock is a potent mix. Pay to win! Put thirteen or fourteen points into Dexterity and Constitution, and go full force into Charisma with this combination. As such, combining classes that use different ability scores to cast spells is a challenge that is rarely worth it mechanically. The Hexblade thus benefits most from multiclassing into Paladin. Additionally, support is not a role that Warlock is well suited to play outside of the Celestial subclass, so there will be some friction between your Warlock and Cleric abilities. You can eventually pass your curse between creatures when they die. Since Barbarians get Unarmored Defense, they give boosted defensive capabilities to the Warlock, allowing them to play the role of the tank if they want to. You may have noticed that the characters stats are going to be ridiculously spread thin. This character has delved into elemental runes and made a pact with a Dao. You'll get 5 uses at a d6 each day. Wizards of the Coast LLC.Use, modification, and distribution of Wizards of the Coast's content is under theOpen Game License v 1.0aCopyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.Flutes Loot Privacy Policy. Published Dec 2, 2021 Some D&D multiclass builds can feel as like they were destined to merge two classes into an overpowered monster, like the Bard/Rogue build. Sorcerer and Warlock each have relatively few spells known at any given level, meaning fewer options than other multiclass combos. This combination offers excellent synergies if youre willing to pass up the more powerful spells of the eighth and ninth levels. 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The two Warlock levels are important for Invocations. Consider: College of Swords and Soulknife This combination will give you a Dexterity based melee combatant that can dish out the damage while remaining versatile in other situations. Bard is another great pickup for the Warlock, and yet another easy-to-pull-off multiclass since the two classes share a primary stat. Aside from optimization, multiclassing allows you to bring unique characters to life with outside-the-box specialties. Learn the Light and Sacred Flame cantrips. Multiclassing in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition has prerequisites that the character must reach before they can take a level in a second class. Making use of most of the druid's features requires either a high Wisdom score or many levels in druid, both of which undermine the effectiveness of the bard part of the multiclass. Your email address will not be published. If you go 50/50 Fiendpact Warlock and Lore Bard you can learn spells of any class and have them recharge on a short rest. That means a potential +5d8 radiant damage added to a melee attack if youre a powerful enough Warlock, no matter how many levels you have in Paladin. However, have in mind thats on you if your DM looks down on you for that.. You gain the usual Warlock dip benefits, like Eldritch Blast, Invocations, and additional spell slots. Paladin oaths must not be broken, but you broke yours when you died. Twilight is a decent theme for this character, too. Extra Attack. You are a divinely infused creature with celestial blood flowing in your veins. Warlock Multiclass: What Should I Multiclass With? Rangers dont get much above fifteenth level, freeing you up for multiclass dips for better features. You have made a pact with one thats on divine levels. Combat Multiclassing for Fighters Most of the fighting classes do a pretty good job of getting steadily better at violence as they gain levels, but multiclassing can let you exceed their usual limits. Multiclassing is a process wherein a character of one class starts taking levels in one (or more - people can get a little nuts about this stuff) additional classes. You get expertise from being a bard, get it again from being a rogue, and cunning action gets you even more mobility so that you can always have something to do in the middle of a combat. If they used their spellcasting primarily outside of combat, or emphasized spells without Concentration, they could still combine the two classes in useful ways. Would undead warlock/death cleric be good? I love the Conquest Paladin, so I appreciate multiclass ideas that feed into its fear tactics. The best option for your Warlock will be decided largely by the role you intend to play within your party, and the Patron you have chosen. Fighter Warlocks may want to consider taking the War Caster Feat to allow them to carry weapons or a shield while continuing to cast. Several of my recommendations are thematically cool or unusually unique to D&D. Flourishes will also boost the damage of your weapon attacks. Summary of subclass features: Use Bardic Inspiration for damage or defensive AC boosts. This build focuses mostly on being a successful Hexblade while investing half of your levels in strong multiclass supplements. Warlock features at level six arent worth it, but at level five you get the invocation for Pact of the Blade to essentially get Extra Attack. You are the animal whisperer because you gain a familiar from Pact of the Chain, at-will Speak with Animals with the Beast Speech invocation, and max healing in your familiars presence with the Gift of the Ever-Living Ones invocation. Regain hitpoints as a bonus action based on your Warlock level. This also makes a good skill monkey. All the latest gaming news, game reviews and trailers. Overall, multiclassing into Cleric improves areas Warlock is weak at rather than building on existing strengths. As the bolt approached her heart, her chest glowed a bright blue, and the shot bounced off her magical shield. In part, this is due to complementary spellcasting. Warlocks usually need to save them for big effects, so having more slots makes utility spells and damage or save-or-suck spells with only one target much better. With just one level in Warlock with The Hexblade patron, youll be able to attack with your finesse weapon using Charisma instead of Dexterity or Strength for your weapons attack and damage rolls. Flutes is a seasoned DM and improvisational performer. Hexblade Warlocks will synergize well with College of Swords Bards better than they will with College of Lore or College of Glamour. This will open doors to you that would normally be hidden or impassable, allowing you to find important stolen items, magic items worth stealing, kidnapped children, or any other noun that you seek. The Undead Warlock lacks medium armor and shields, but the Valor Bard can assist with that while gaining other support abilities and spells. You can find more content on multiclassing in our other articles, particularly our class-level multiclassing combinations article.var pd_tags=new Array;pd_tags["10977679-src"]="poll-oembed-simple"; I hope the article was fun/helpful! Step 3: A mini guide for the more popular options, explainations, pact choices, spell choices etc. Charm people into idolizing you for a while when you speak to a group and they unknowingly fail their Wisdom saves. It can also slow enemies and move them around. The exception would be if I have a fun concept or I want to focus on lower levels of play; after all, most campaigns end by level ten. I easily reimagine the Fiend Warlock as being psionic in nature, evidenced by its abilities that dont necessarily need to be tied to fiends. I cant say I recommend this build, but its kinda funny. Multiclassing can be useful for roleplaying as well, so its not merely for min-max-style players. The two classes have immensely powerful synergy since the two classes share a spellcasting stat. The Temporary Hp granted by fiend pact or Armor of Agathys combined with healing and/or vicious mockery from bard allows you to absorb some attacks yourself in a pinch. With almost a decade of D&D under my belt, Im excited to share my knowledge and help new people discover this incredible game! Hold Person/Monster, Banishment, and Mental Prison are great examples of spells that can really benefit from the feature. The biggest downside for multiclassing into Paladin is that Smite only works on melee weapons, so youll have to enter combat far more often than normal. Clerics run into a common problem for a bard multiclass: differing spellcasting ability scores. Genies Wrath is also a nice passive buff to damage with attacks, and it scales by Proficiency Bonus. Skip ahead to the portion of the article that interests you most by clicking the link below: Warlock Multiclassing Principles Archfey Celestial Fathomless Fiend Great Old One Genie Hexblade Undead Undying. It can capture the souls of fallen enemies to learn from them, perhaps informing their rituals and tales. In addition, ability scores provide a real barrier. Use an action and commit concentration to charm or frighten a creature for one minute as it becomes lost in an illusory reality. You also get a spell list with incredible utility and support spells, plus the extra spell slots to burn on them since youll want to be stingy with your Warlock spell slots. Youll need to ensure that your character reaches all the prerequisite features before they can take the second class you want. For a Glamour / Archfey Lock, your level split will depend on how far you expect the campaign to go. Notable Invocations are Misty Visions (cast Silent Image at will), Eldritch Sight (cast Detect Magic at will), Ghostly Gaze (x-ray vision with concentration), Tricksters Escape (cast Freedom of Movement without a spell slot), and Gift of the Depths (cast Water Breathing without expending a spell slot, and learn to swim). With that concept in mind, had thoughts of pairing the genie warlock with ranger, any thoughts? Could be fun. Perhaps your eloquence comes from a deal you made with a magical instrument to become a renowned storyteller, performer, and ambassador. Expertise in Stealth allows you to sneak about reliably. Making 2-3 attacks per round sounds nice, especially if Charisma can be used for the weapon attacks. Looking to make a Changeling female Glamour Bard/ Enchantment Wizard but wanting to throw in some damage based skills possibly rogue or ranger like. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If thats the multiclass split you want, I recommend settling for one or two damage cantrips that use attack rolls instead of saving throws. When choosing your Pact Boon, I highly recommend Tome to grab Shillelagh: basically a Hexblade Light, and technically, you can use the same staff as your arcane focus. NEXT: D&D: 10 Characters To Inspire Your Next Bard. Classes that already overlap with the Charisma focus will be premium. If you want six levels of Bard, youll gain the Mantle of Majesty feature to seduce people and take them out back to rob them as you command them to empty their pockets. A common bard multiclass is to cross them with a martial class in order to help them hold their own in combat. Im referencing the DMG p.268 for pricing and mechanics for firearms, gunpowder, and more. Multiclassing requirements In order to multiclass, you need to meet prerequisite requirements for both the artificer and your new class. . At a glance, the themes align, but the synergy is sparse. Some Sorcerer multiclass concepts involve Sorcerer as the primary class with the majority of the levels. Multiclassing is daunting for new players, but rewarding for experienced players. One extra HP per Sorcerer level is not bad either for a dip if you start with 16 CON. Fiends of the underworld would naturally try to sway you to the dark side because your soul may be worth more than the average mortal. After all, Wizard requires at least 13 in Intelligence before a character can take it as their second class, and an Orc Barbarian with 9 points in Intelligence will have quite a ways to go before theyre able to take their second class. Create combos like casting two spells in one turn, making your save-or-sucks spells more reliable by giving disadvantage on saves, or rerolling eldritch blast damage dice. As mentioned earlier, dipping one or two levels can be enough to justify multiclassing. Not all level-twenty abilities are worth getting; for example, Rangers have a poor level-twenty class feature, so they gain more from multiclassing. However, the real meat of the multiclass comes from how effectively the bard can use Divine Smite. Warlocks who want to multiclass into Bard will do best if they choose concurrent subclasses. Of all martial classes, the best one to take with the bard is the paladin. Your main weapon should be a polearm so you can utilize its reach property. Clerics also get subclasses at level one, so some of them will provide massive value for one level of investment. You can read more about this build in Opals article about it. Pouring levels into Sorcerer to gain more spell slots doesnt give you any good class features. Any foes depending on non-reach melee weapons will be unable to hit you unless they switch to ranged attacks. Several of my recommendations are thematically cool or unusually unique to D&D. Similar to the Warlock, Sorcerers get their subclass at level one. For example, if you are a Cleric multiclassing as a Rogue, youll need a Wisdom score of 13 or higher, and a Dexterity score of 13 or higher. Bards spell list has tons of good utility and healing options. Heavy armor will be better than the usual Hexblade medium armor, plus you get a shield. No character will have more or better skill proficiencies than the bard and rogue multiclass, with two separate sources of Expertise not to mention the powerful Jack Of All Trades ability. What are you trying to achieve? This concept was kindly shared by a comment from MadnessOpus: One combination that I would like to point out is Celestial Warlock 14/Draconic Bloodline 6 (with Gold/Brass/Red Ancestor for fire damage: I REALLY, really hope they will update the list with Fizbans Gem Dragons so this could work with Crystal and radiant damage somehow? Ill now go through each Bard subclass to list ideas for multiclassing. However, you can always choose your favorite class or a class that is more representative of your characters roleplay. A few options to consider: Expertise Continue with Recommended Cookies. Melee weapons will be unable to hit you unless they switch to ranged attacks having expertise in allows. If they choose concurrent subclasses used with just about any Warlock subclass because the synergy of the two classes immensely... Even a small amount of Metamagic can make a spellcaster more flexible Favored by the Gods to. 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