Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock The Great Old One Build Guide

Unlock the arcane secrets of the Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3, where power comes at a price. Whether you pledge allegiance to The Fiend, The Great Old One, or The Archfey, mastering this unique class means navigating the delicate balance between devastating spellcasting and martial prowess. With the iconic Eldritch Blast at your fingertips and a range of versatile builds at your disposal, our comprehensive guide will equip you with everything you need to dominate the battlefield and charm your way through conversations. Embrace your pact and unleash your potential!

Best race for Warlock

When selecting the best race for a Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3, several options stand out due to their beneficial racial traits and synergy with the Warlock class. Among the top contenders are the Drow, who offer superior darkvision and advantages on saving throws, making them highly adept in navigating challenging environments and resisting charm effects. Another strong contender is the Tiefling, particularly the Zariel subrace, which grants access to valuable racial spells like Thaumaturgy and enhances fire resistance through Hellish Resistance, making them resilient against elemental attacks. Additionally, the Githyanki provide medium armor proficiency and astral knowledge, allowing for enhanced versatility in both combat and skill usage. While personal preference plays a role, these races significantly enhance the Warlock’s capabilities, ensuring a formidable and adaptable character. Ultimately, the choice depends on how you plan to utilize your Warlock’s abilities and strengths.

In the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3, the developers have removed exclusive racial bonuses. From now on, when choosing a race, you can add 2 and 1 bonuses to any stat you’d like. Despite this, some racial abilities come in handy for certain classes.

1. Tiefling – each subrace innately knows a different, useful spell.
2. Drow – dark elves at level 3 and level 5 gain access to useful spells: Faerie Fire and Darkness. They also have Darkvision.

Ability Points

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Ability Points are crucial for optimizing your Warlock build. The primary focus should be on Charisma, as it directly influences spellcasting effectiveness and damage output. A recommended distribution includes a Charisma score of 16 or higher, followed by Constitution and Dexterity to enhance survivability and combat capabilities. For example, a typical allocation might look like this: Strength 8, Dexterity 14-16, Constitution 14-16, Intelligence 8-10, Wisdom 10, and Charisma 16. This setup not only maximizes spell potency but also ensures that the Warlock can withstand damage while maintaining versatility in various encounters.

When distributing stat points for a Warlock, prioritizeCharisma. Your secondary stats should be:

1. Constitution – it will grant some extra hit points and help with passing concentration checks.
2. Dexterity – high Dex will increase your Armor Class when wearing light armor.

Best background for Warlock

Choosing the right background for your Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 can significantly impact your gameplay experience. A background such as “Guild Artisan” offers practical benefits like proficiency in tools and languages, which can aid in exploration and social interactions. Alternatively, backgrounds like “Outlander” provide survival skills and knowledge of wilderness areas, enhancing your character’s adaptability outside urban environments. Each background brings unique advantages; for instance, “Noble” could grant additional charm and persuasion capabilities due to higher social standing, while “Sage” would offer expertise in arcana and history, supporting your arcane prowess. Ultimately, the best background depends on your playstyle preferences and the role you envision for your Warlock within the game. By carefully selecting a background aligned with your strategy, you can optimize your character’s development and performance throughout the campaign.

Among all available backgrounds, Warlocks can especially benefit from:

1. Charlatan – grants proficiency in Deception and Sleight of Hand, nicely complementing a high Dexterity build.
2. Criminal – just as useful as Charlatan, though granting Stealth instead of Sleight of Hand.

Eldritch Invocations

Eldritch Invocations are specialized abilities that enhance the Warlock’s spellcasting capabilities in Baldur’s Gate 3. At various levels, such as 2, 5, 7, and 12, Warlocks can select additional Eldritch Invocations, granting them diverse passive effects that customize their gameplay experience. Examples include Armor of Shadows, which allows casting Mage Armor without expending a spell slot, and Beguiling Influence, which confers proficiency in Deception and Persuasion. Other notable choices include Agonizing Blast, which increases the damage dealt by Eldritch Blast, and Repelling Blast, which knocks enemies backward, adding strategic depth to the Warlock’s arsenal. These selections provide immense flexibility, enabling each Warlock to tailor their build according to specific needs and preferences.

The Warlock’s class ability, available from Level 2 onwards. They gain bonuses thanks to the pact they made. Among available invocations we especially recommend:

1. Agonizing Blast – Damage dealt by the Eldritch Blast cantrip is increased by the Warlock’s Charisma modifier.
2. Repelling Blast – creatures hit with Eldritch Blast are pushed back by 3 meters. Nicely synergises with the previous invocation.
3. Mask of Many Faces – lets you cast Disguise Self without using a spell slot.
4. Devil’s Sight – lets the Warlock see up to 24 meters in regular or magical darkness. Especially useful to races without innate Darkvision, such as Humans.

Pact boon

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Warlocks gain the opportunity to choose a Pact Boon at level 3, offering distinct advantages based on the chosen alignment. There are three primary Pact Boons: Pact of the Chain, Pact of the Blade, and Pact of the Tome.

Pact of the Chain

This boon allows Warlocks to summon a familiar, granting additional support during battles. The familiar serves as a distraction or scout, enhancing the Warlock’s overall combat strategy.

Pact of the Blade

By opting for this boon, Warlocks can summon a magical pact weapon that utilizes their Spellcasting Ability Modifier for attack rolls. This significantly enhances their melee capabilities, enabling them to perform multiple attacks per turn.

Pact of the Tome

Choosing this boon enables Warlocks to acquire powerful cantrips such as Guidance, Vicious Mockery, and Thorn Whip without using spell slots. Additionally, it allows them to learn three spells they wouldn’t otherwise be able to cast once per long rest, providing substantial magical versatility. Each Pact Boon offers unique benefits that cater to different playstyles, allowing Warlocks to tailor their abilities according to their preferred combat strategies. By selecting one of these boons, players can significantly enhance their character’s effectiveness within the game world.

At Level 3, the Warlock receives a boon from their benefactor, granting additional abilities.

1. Pact of the Chain – the Warlock gains the ability to summon a Familiar, which can take one of several forms: an imp, a quasit or an animal. Each has different traits and can help you in combat. The familiar’s form can be freely modified.
2. Pact of the Blade – the Warlock can summon a chosen melee weapon as an action. It can be drawn or hidden, but must be equipped by the Warlock. The Warlock is always proficient in using it.
3. Pact of the Tome – the Warlock receives a special grimoire from their patron. It lets them learn three Cantrips from any class. Having this book, the Warlock can cast these cantrips at will.

Best spells

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Warlocks possess a unique spellcasting ability that allows them to wield some of the most powerful spells in the game. Eldritch Blast stands out as the quintessential cantrip, dealing significant damage without consuming spell slots, making it a staple for any Warlock build. Other top-tier spells include Circle of Death, which unleashes devastating area damage, and Fireball, known for its explosive impact and versatility. Additionally, spells like Hex enhance damage output while providing strategic advantages in combat. With a mix of offensive and defensive options, Warlocks can effectively control the battlefield and adapt to various challenges, solidifying their role as formidable spellcasters in the game.

The Warlock has few spell slots, though it’s compensated by how these slots are always the highest available level. Additionally, Warlocks restore their spell slots on short rests, while most other casters require long rests.

Here are a few interesting cantrips and spells. You’ll find the full list on the Best Warlock spells page in our guide.

Cantrips:

1. Eldritch Blast – the Warlock’s signature cantrip, dealing a huge 1d10 damage. The damage scales as you level up, while the Agonizing Blast invocation makes it an extremely formidable attack.
2. Chill Touch – 1d8 damage and an additional effect preventing your foes from restoring health.
3. Minor Illusion – creates an illusory object to distract nearby creatures.

Spells:

1. Armor of Agathys – the Warlock gains 5 AC and deals 5 cold damage to each enemy who attacks them in melee.
2. Hex – the target receives 1d6 damage, takes bonus damage on subsequent attacks and has disadvantageon selected ability rolls.
3. Arms of Hadar – the target takes 2d6necrotic damage and can no longer use reactions.
4. Expeditious Retreat – the caster can Dash as a bonus action.
5. Protection from Evil and Good – protects the target from fiends, fey, celestials, aberrations and elementals. These types of enemies can no longer charm, frighten or possess the target. They also have disadvantage on attacks against the target.
6. Witch Bolt – the target takes 1d12 damage. Every turn, the caster can remotely trigger the arc connecting them to the target to deal 1d12 damage again.
7. Misty Step – a Level 2 spell which lets the caster teleport to a chosen, visible location.
8. Hold Person – paralyzes a humanoid target, preventing them from moving or taking actions.
9. Hunger of Hadar – a Level 3 spell which creates a nightmarish sphere. Creatures inside the sphere take 2d6 damage. Ending a turn inside the sphere deals another 2d6 damage. The sphere counts as difficult terrain and all creatures within are blinded until they leave it.

Best subclass for Warlock

Choosing the right subclass for your Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 is crucial for maximizing your character’s versatility and effectiveness. Among the three main subclasses—The Fiend, The Great Old One, and The Archfey—the Fiend stands out as a popular choice due to its ability to grant temporary hit points upon killing enemies, enhancing survivability. The Great Old One offers mind manipulation capabilities, ideal for those who prefer controlling enemy behavior. Meanwhile, The Archfey provides enchantment-like effects, perfect for players seeking to charm and manipulate allies and foes alike. Each subclass brings unique benefits, so selecting one depends on your preferred playstyle and strategic approach to combat and role-playing elements within the game.

Warlock Subclasses are defined by the being they’ve made a pact with. Each mighty patron grants other abilities and exclusive spells.

The Fiend – the character has made a pact with an evil Fiend from another plane of existence. The Dark One’s Blessing ability lets the Warlock restore hit points, equal to their Charisma modifier, whenever they reduce an enemy to 0 HP. This subclass’ exclusive spells include:

1. Burning Hands – deals 3d6 fire damage.
2. Command – forces the target to stop, get closer, run away, go prone or drop their weapon.

The Great Old One – the character has made a pact with an ancient eldritch being. The Mortal Reminder ability frightens nearby enemies for a turn whenever the Warlock crits. This subclass’ exclusive spells include:

1. Dissonant Whispers – frightens the target for 2 turns and deals 3d6 damage.
2. Phantasmal Force – a Level 2 spell which creates an illusion in the target’s mind, dealing 1d6 damage every turn for 10 turns.

Archfey – the character has made a pact with a powerful Fey, gaining abilities revolving around crowd control and status ailments. Fey Presence is an action forcing nearby creatures to make a Wisdom saving throw. If failed, the creature is charmed or frightened. Available later on, Misty Escape lets the Warlock become invisible after being hit and cast the Misty Step spell. This subclass’ exclusive spells include:

1. Faerie Fire – reveals hidden enemies and grants advantage on attacks against affected foes.
2. Phantasmal Force – the target’s mind has an illusion implanted in it, dealing 1d6 physical damage each turn (spell lasts for up to 10 turns). When the affected target receives damage from a different source, the Phantasmal Force damage type also changes. Similarly to the previous spell, it requires maintaining concentration.

Best build for Warlock

The best build for a Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 focuses on maximizing the potential of their unique abilities and spells. Prioritizing Charisma as the primary ability score is crucial, as it directly influences spellcasting effectiveness and damage output. The Fiend subclass is highly recommended for its survivability benefits, granting temporary hit points upon defeating enemies. Players should select Eldritch Blast as their primary cantrip due to its exceptional range and damage, complemented by Agonizing Blast to enhance its power. Additionally, choosing the Pact of the Chain allows for strategic use of a familiar in combat. This combination not only ensures versatility in both ranged and melee situations but also enhances the Warlock’s role in party dynamics through effective crowd control and utility spells.

Here’s an example of a Warlock build, to sum up all knowledge provided on this page:

1. Race: Drow
2. Subclass: The Great Old One
3. Background: Charlatan
4. Ability Scores: Charisma around 16, Constitution and Dexterity around 14, Intelligence around 13/12, Wisdom and Strength around 10/8.

What are the best Eldritch Invocations for a Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, selecting the right Eldritch Invocations is crucial for maximizing your Warlock’s potential. Here are the top Eldritch Invocations to consider:

Best Eldritch Invocations

Level 2

• Agonizing Blast: This invocation allows you to add your Charisma modifier to the damage of your Eldritch Blast cantrip, significantly boosting your damage output as you gain more beams at higher levels.
• Repelling Blast: Grants the ability to push enemies hit by your Eldritch Blast back by 4.5 meters, which can be strategically used to push foes off ledges or into hazardous terrain.

Level 5

• Armor of Shadows: Enables you to cast Mage Armor on yourself at will without expending a spell slot, enhancing your survivability by increasing your Armor Class.
• Mire the Mind: Allows you to cast Slow using a Warlock spell slot, providing crowd control options against multiple enemies.

Level 7

• Book of Ancient Secrets: This invocation lets you inscribe magical rituals in your Book of Shadows, expanding your spell options without using your limited Warlock spell slots.

Level 9

• Minions of Chaos: Grants the ability to cast Conjure Elemental with a Warlock spell slot, summoning a powerful ally to aid you in combat.

Level 12

• Lifedrinker: Adds necrotic damage equal to your Charisma modifier to your melee attacks, making it invaluable for melee-focused Warlocks.

These invocations not only enhance your combat effectiveness but also provide utility and crowd control options, making them essential choices for any Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Which Eldritch Invocations are best for a beginner Warlock

For beginner Warlocks in Baldur’s Gate 3, choosing the right Eldritch Invocations can significantly enhance gameplay and make the class easier to manage. Here are the best Eldritch Invocations to consider for new players:

Recommended Eldritch Invocations for Beginners

Level 2

• Agonizing Blast: This is a must-have for any Warlock, as it allows you to add your Charisma modifier to the damage of your Eldritch Blast cantrip. This boosts your damage output significantly, especially as you gain more beams at higher levels.
• Repelling Blast: This invocation grants you the ability to push enemies hit by your Eldritch Blast back by 4.5 meters. It adds a strategic element to combat, allowing you to control the battlefield by pushing foes into hazardous areas or off ledges.

Level 5

• Armor of Shadows: This invocation lets you cast Mage Armor on yourself at will without using a spell slot. It increases your Armor Class, making you tougher in combat, which is crucial for survival as a caster.

These invocations provide a solid foundation for any beginner Warlock, enhancing both offensive capabilities and survivability while keeping gameplay straightforward and manageable. As you become more comfortable with the class, you can explore additional invocations that offer more complex abilities and strategies.