Top Warlock Class Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is regarded as one of the most beginner-friendly spellcaster options available, delivering robust power despite its limited spell slots. This class compensates for fewer castings with its formidable Cantrip and an outstanding selection of crowd control spells, making it a favorite among players.

The most effective Warlock builds in BG3 leverage these strengths, typically beginning with a chosen subclass known as a Patron. The Great Old One, in particular, is an excellent entry point for new players due to its compelling spells and unique characteristics.

Updated January 1, 2025 by Erik Petrovich: Entering 2025, Baldur’s Gate 3 holds its position as an iconic and widely played RPG. For those unfamiliar with Dungeons and Dragons or the turn-based RPG style, understanding what constitutes an optimal BG3 Warlock build can be challenging. This guide aims to clarify the intricacies of the Warlock class in order to help players make informed decisions based on their leveling strategies. Recent updates provide clearer explanations of various Warlock mechanics and a comprehensive walkthrough for leveling up the Great Old One Warlock build in BG3.

Warlock Class Introduction & Overview

Understanding the Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Class

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Warlock Playstyle & Signature Abilities

“Bound by a pact to an all-powerful patron, warlocks trade their loyalty for supernatural abilities and unique magic.”

Warlocks are spellcasters fueled by external forces—typically a Patron, who may be a powerful entity or deity. They possess a variety of potent spells focused primarily on control and mind manipulation, along with the iconic Eldritch Blast cantrip, which forms the backbone of their damage-dealing capabilities.

This cantrip is also a key reason why Warlocks are popular multiclass candidates for other classes. Despite having fewer spell slots, Warlocks enjoy rapid replenishment of their slots after short or long rests—a feature that allows for sustained casting in comparison to other spellcasters.

Although their versatility trails behind that of Wizards and Sorcerers, Warlocks boast unique, otherworldly abilities that many casters envy, reinforcing their niche within the game.

Warlock Class Proficiencies and Skills

When creating your Warlock in BG3, you will encounter various Class Proficiencies with specific skill choices. These include unique Armor, Weapon, and Saving Throw proficiencies which set the Warlock apart from other classes. Note that once character creation concludes, you cannot modify these proficiencies without starting over.

Proficiency Type	Proficiencies Granted/Choices Offered
Warlock Armor Proficiencies	Light Armor
Warlock Weapon Proficiencies	Simple Weapons
Warlock Saving Throws	Charisma Wisdom
Warlock Skill Proficiency Choices	Choose three skills from the following: Arcana Deception History Intimidation Investigation Nature Religion

Exploring Warlock Subclasses

Baldur’s Gate 3 offers three unique Warlock Patrons (subclasses), each with its own features and abilities. As you progress through levels in a chosen subclass, you unlock further specialized skills to enhance your gameplay.

It’s worth noting that you can change your chosen Warlock subclass by conversing with Withers; however, doing so resets you to Level 1, necessitating a fresh build from the ground up. For those seeking the most viable Warlock build in BG3, the Great Old One is the superior choice.

Subclass Name	Base Spec Features	Special Spec Proficiencies	Base Spells & Abilities
The Archfey	Fey Presence: Charm or Frighten nearby enemies; recharges after a Short Rest Grants always-prepared Archfey spells Later levels yield additional illusion spells	N/A	Faerie Fire Sleep
The Fiend	Dark One’s Blessing: Temporary HP on enemy defeat Grants always-prepared Fiend spells Later abilities to enhance damage resistance	N/A	Burning Hands Command
The Great Old One	Mortal Reminder: Frighten enemies on critical hits Grants always-prepared Great Old One spells Gains control spells to manipulate combat effectively	N/A	Dissonant Whispers Tasha’s Hideous Laughter

Warlock Class Features: Level Progression

The maximum level achievable in Baldur’s Gate 3 is Level 12, with each level providing new features for your Warlock. Starting from the basics of the class at Level 1, players will gain additional Feat choices, spells, abilities, and subclass features as they progress.

The following table showcases what players can expect to unlock at each level while navigating their Warlock journey:

Class Feature	Proficiency Bonus
Warlock Level 1	Spellcasting Warlock Spell Slots: 1 Subclass choice	+2
Warlock Level 2	2 Eldritch Invocations Warlock Spell Slots: 2	+2
Warlock Level 3	Pact Boon choice	+2
Warlock Level 4	Feat choice	+2
Warlock Level 5	1 Eldritch Invocation (2 total) Deepened Pact Boon	+3
Warlock Level 6	Subclass feature	+3
Warlock Level 7	1 Eldritch Invocation (3 total)	+3
Warlock Level 8	Feat choice	+3
Warlock Level 9	1 Eldritch Invocation (4 total)	+4
Warlock Level 10	Subclass feature	+4
Warlock Level 11	Mystic Arcanum: Choose 1 additional Level 6 Spell Warlock Spell Slots: 3	+4
Warlock Level 12	1 Eldritch Invocation (5 total) Feat choice	+4

Warlock Spell Slots & Known Spells: Level Overview

Cantrips Known	Total Spell Slots	Known Spells
Warlock Level 1	2	1
Warlock Level 2	2	2
Warlock Level 3	2	2
Warlock Level 4	3	2
Warlock Level 5	3	2
Warlock Level 6	3	2
Warlock Level 7	3	2
Warlock Level 8	3	2
Warlock Level 9	3	2
Warlock Level 10	4	2
Warlock Level 11	4	3
Warlock Level 12	4	3

BG3 Warlock Subclass Choice – Great Old One

Overview of the Great Old One Subclass

Baldurs Gate 3 Best Build Warlock Class Guide Character Creation

Why the Great Old One is the Optimal BG3 Warlock Subclass

“Warlocks bound to Eldritch beings in the Far Realms work toward inscrutable goals, gaining strange powers over entropy and the mind.”

The Great Old One subclass is celebrated among the best Warlock builds due to its exceptional access to impactful control spells that can change the tide of battle. By forming a pact with the Great Old One, players unlock the Mortal Reminder passive, enhancing their ability to frighten foes upon critical hits.

Starting at Level 1, Great Old Ones grant spells like Tasha’s Hideous Laughter or Dissonant Whispers, and players gain additional potent spells such as Detect Thoughts and Phantasmal Force by Level 3. Emphasizing spellcasting is crucial, so typically, this subclass engages in combat from a distance.

This subclass slightly surpasses The Fiend due to its stronger battlefield control capabilities, while its differences with The Archfey lie mainly in flavor rather than function, as both excel in battlefield management.

Great Old One Subclass Features: Progression Overview

Your subclass choice governs the unique skills you can access, starting from Level 1. To maximize your BG3 experience as a Warlock, select the Great Old One subclass during character creation.

Great Old One Warlock Level 1	Mortal Reminder Passive Ability: Critical Hits induce Frightening effects on nearby enemies.
Great Old One Warlock Level 6	Entropic Ward Reaction: Grant disadvantage to a triggering attacker; gain advantage against them if their attack fails.
Great Old One Warlock Level 10	Thought Shield: Psychic Resistance Passive Ability: Grants resistance to psychic damage. Thought Shield: Psychic Reflection Passive Ability: Reflects damage taken from psychic attacks back to the attacker.

Optimal BG3 Warlock Build Character Creation Choices

Race, Background, Proficiencies, Feats, and Stats

Ideal Race for BG3 Warlock: Githyanki

The Githyanki stand out as a formidable race choice for various classes, including the Warlock. This race provides powerful racial spells at Levels one, three, and five, alongside an ability known as Astral Knowledge, which grants proficiency in relevant skills that harmonize splendidly with the Warlock’s high Charisma attribute.

Their enhancements include an improved version of Mage Hand at Level 1, the ability to boost allies’ jump distances at Level 3, and the Misty Step skill at Level 5—each of these abilities amplifying the Warlock’s overall utility. Additionally, Githyanki access light and medium armor proficiencies not usually available to Warlocks, boosting their defensive capabilities.

This comprehensive package makes Githyanki an outstanding choice that hard to overlook compared to less effective alternatives.

Optimal Warlock Backgrounds: Sage or Guild Artisan

The Sage background grants proficiency in Arcana and History, facilitating checks that can trigger Inspiration during key events tied to magical knowledge or historical context within the game. However, since both of these checks rely on Intelligence—a stat that Warlocks typically do not prioritize—this background may not yield as substantial benefits as desired.

In contrast, the Guild Artisan background may cater more to dialogue-heavy playstyles if you find yourself engaging in conversations often.

Both options are beneficial, but the Sage background offers more opportunities for generating Inspiration in specific scenarios.

Best Warlock Skill Proficiencies: Deception and Insight

Warlocks can select two skills from a list of seven at character creation, although options may vary based on the chosen background. Selecting Deception and Insight should be a priority, as Deception aids in dialogue interactions while Insight checks can reveal NPCs’ truthfulness. If Insight is already covered due to background choices, consider substituting it with Arcana, History, or Investigation, depending on your thematic preference.

Top Eldritch Invocations: Agonizing Blast & Repelling Blast

Upon reaching Level 2, Warlocks gain access to two Eldritch Invocations that provide various passive and active skills. Although limited options are available at this stage, players can select two potent invocations: Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast, which are particularly influential on the Warlock’s iconic cantrip, Eldritch Blast.

Agonizing Blast significantly boosts Eldritch Blast’s damage by adding the Warlock’s Charisma modifier to each hit, which becomes increasingly formidable at higher levels when players can cast multiple blasts in a single action.

Conversely, Repelling Blast enhances crowd control dynamics, allowing the Warlock to push targets in the opposite direction by 4.5m after being hit. Positioning yourself strategically helps use this ability effectively against foes near ledges or cliffs.

Recommended Feats: Alert, War Caster, and Spell Sniper

Alert: +5 to Initiative and immunity from surprise.
War Caster: Enhances Concentration and allows casting Shocking Grasp as a reaction against foes.
Spell Sniper: Lowers the threshold for spell critical hits and introduces an additional Cantrip.

Optimal Ability Scores & Stat Distribution

For the best BG3 Warlock build, prioritize Charisma, followed by Constitution and Dexterity as your secondary attributes.

Charisma serves as the primary stat for many of the Great Old One Warlock’s spells, while Constitution and Dexterity enhance survivability and combat effectiveness. Conversely, Wisdom, Strength, and Intelligence are not critical for this build.

STR	DEX	WITH	INT	ALREADY	NO
Base	10	16	14	8	10	16
Modifier	0	+3	+2	-1	0	+3

Optimal BG3 Warlock Leveling Choices

Best Warlock Choices at Each Level

Baldurs Gate 3 Vlaakith Warlock Tiefling Leveling

In Baldur’s Gate 3, while not all classes have abundant leveling choices, Warlocks present a unique scenario due to their ability to refresh spell slots after short rests and their reliance on versatile Cantrips empowered by Eldritch Invocations.

In Act 1 (Levels 1-5), you’ll make critical choices like selecting your subclass (Great Old One), learning three cantrips (don’t overlook Eldritch Blast), acquiring some initial spells, and choosing your first two Eldritch Invocations.
In Act 2 (Levels 6-9), players can unlock an additional two Eldritch Invocations and mid-tier spells for further effectiveness.
By Act 3 (Level 10-12), players can gain another cantrip and additional powerful spells to enhance their combat strategy.

Make every level count by selecting spells, invocations, and feats that accentuate your Warlock’s unique strengths. The following table outlines ideal choices at each level that synergize effectively with the Great Old One build.

Class Level	Choices & Recommendations
Level 1	Subclass Choice: Great Old One Cantrip Choices: Eldritch Blast, Mage Hand Level 1 Spells: Hex, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
Level 2	Eldritch Invocations: Repelling Blast and Agonizing Blast Level 2 Spells: Armor of Agathys
Level 3	Level 3 Spells: Cloud of Daggers
Level 4	Feat Choice: Alert or War Caster Cantrip Choice: Guidance Level 4 Spells: Misty Step
Level 5	Eldritch Invocation Choice: Armor of Shadows Level 5 Spells: Hunger of Hadar
Level 6	Level 6 Spells: Counterspell or Hypnotic Pattern
Level 7	Eldritch Invocation Choice: Mire the Mind Level 7 Spells: Evard’s Black Tentacles
Level 8	Feat Choice: Alert or War Caster (whichever wasn’t already selected) Level 8 Spells: Dominate Beast or Banishment
Level 9	Eldritch Invocation Choice: Minions of Chaos Level 9 Spells: Telekinesis
Level 10	Cantrip Choice: Friends Level 10 Spells: Dominate Person
Level 11	Level 11 Spells: Eyebite or Flesh to Stone
Level 12	Feat Choice: Spell Sniper or Ability Improvement Eldritch Invocation Choice: Dreadful Word Level 12 Spells: Eyebite or Arcane Gate

Best Companions & Party Composition for Warlock Builds

Ideal Companions for Great Old One Warlock Builds

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Companion	Class/Specialization	Party Role	Unique Attributes
Shadowheart	Cleric	Support	Resistant to Charms and Sleep effects, capable of hybrid damage and support spells.
Karlach	Barbarian	Melee Damage	Exceptional damage output with buffed Rage and access to Soul Coin bonuses.
Astarion	Rogue	Melee Damage/Utility	Skilled lockpicker and capable of delivering high-damage sneak attacks.

The ideal companions for a Warlock party in BG3 are Shadowheart for healing support, Karlach as a melee powerhouse, and Astarion for versatile melee damage and utility. While you can adjust your companions’ classes, these three bring strong default skills that complement the Warlock’s talents effectively.

Shadowheart: A Trickery Cleric who blends damage and support fluidly, meshing well with the playstyle of a Circle of the Moon Druid.
Karlach: Best suited for the Berserker subclass, she can deliver significant melee damage while receiving ample support for healing and dispelling.
Astarion: Best as a Thief subclass, he excels in exploring hidden areas and setting up complicated combat strategies with stealth.

If bonding with a specific character is important, you can respec them for an optimal Warlock class via Withers, allowing you to maintain your narrative while ensuring balanced party dynamics.

Top Equipment for Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Builds

Acquiring Optimal Gear Across All Acts

This section identifies the top gear for Great Old One Warlocks throughout all three game Acts. Keep in mind that many early items maintain their effectiveness well into later stages of the game.

Items with bold names: New options unique to that Act, which may replace older gear.
Unbolded items: These may be obtained earlier in the game but remain valuable throughout later Acts.

Best Great Old One Warlock Items & Equipment: Act 1

Name	Effect	Location
Head	+1 to Spell Save DC when Obscured	Sold by Omeluum, after completing his brief questline
Cloak	Deathstalker Mantle	Grants Expertise in Stealth Wearer becomes invisible for two turns upon killing an enemy	Available to Dark Urge origin characters after Alfira joins the camp.
Chest	Resistance to Cold damage	Found in the secret vault of the Druid Grove
Gloves	+2 to AC while unarmored or without a shield	Looted from the hidden cellar in the Blighted Village
Boots	Grants the Click Heels bonus action, imposing disadvantage on incoming Opportunity Attacks while increasing movement distance.	Purchased from Thulla in the Myconid Colony of the Underdark
Neck	Restores Spell Slots	Available from Omeluum in the Myconid Colony
Ring 1	+1 to AC and Saving Throws	Obtained by stealing the Druid Idol in the Emerald Grove for Mol
Ring 2	+1 to AC and Saving Throws on damage dealt with Cantrips	Drops from guards near Creche Y’llek in Rosymorn Monastery
Main Weapon	Grants 2 Lightning Charges upon spell damage	Quest Reward from “Rescue The Grand Duke”in Waukeen’s Rest
Offhand	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best Great Old One Warlock Items & Equipment: Act 2

Name	Effect	Location
Head	+1 to Spell Save DC +1 to Initiative	Sold by Lann Tarv in Moonrise Towers
Cloak	Cloak of Protection	+1 to AC and saving throws.	Purchased from Quartermaster Talli in Last Light Inn
Chest	Cantrips deal additional damage equal to CHA modifier Grants temporary HP equal to CHA mod each turn +1 AC	Complete the Rescue The Tieflings quest without any casualties in Acts 1 or 2.
Gloves	+2 to AC while unarmored or without a shield	Looted in the hidden cellar of the Blighted Village (Act 1)
Boots	Grants the Click Heels bonus action, imposing disadvantage on incoming Opportunity Attacks while increasing movement distance.	Purchased from Thulla in Myconid Colony in the Underdark (Act 1)
Neck	Grants an additional Spell Slot restoration charge	Drops from The Warden of Moonrise Towers
Ring 1	Ring of Mental Inhibition	Enemies failing a Saving Throw against your attacks receive Mental Fatigue, worsening their next saves.	Located in a chest within the House in Deep Shadows
Ring 2	Following a kill, the next attack is a guaranteed Critical Hit, usable once per Long Rest.	Found after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar
Main Weapon	Grants 2 Lightning Charges upon spell damage	Reward for “Rescue The Grand Duke”in Waukeen’s Rest (Act 1)
Offhand	N/A	N/A	N/A

Best Great Old One Warlock Items & Equipment: Act 3

Name	Effect	Location
Head	+2 Charisma (up to a max of 22)	Available from the projection of Lorroakan in Sorcerous Sundries
Cloak	Cloak of Displacement	Disadvantage on incoming attacks until damage is taken	Purchased from Entharl Danthelon in Wyrm’s Crossing
Chest	Cantrips deal extra damage equal to the CHA modifier Grants temporary HP equal to CHA mod at the start of each turn +1 AC	Complete the Rescue The Tieflings quest without any losses (Acts 1 and 2)
Gloves	Interchange bonus actions as actions once per short rest	Purchased from the front desk projection at Sorcerous Sundries in the Lower City
Boots	Grants the Click Heels bonus action, imposing disadvantage on incoming Opportunity Attacks while increasing movement distance.	Purchased from Thulla in Myconid Colony in the Underdark (Act 1)
Neck	Restores an additional Arcane Spell Slot charge	Drops from The Warden of Moonrise Towers (Act 2)
Ring 1	Ring of Mental Inhibition	Enemies failing a Saving Throw against your attacks gain Mental Fatigue, further penalizing their saving throws.	Found in a chest within the House in Deep Shadows (Act 2)
Ring 2	The next attack after a kill is an automatic Critical Hit, usable once per Long Rest.	Discovered after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar (Act 2)
Main Weapon	+1 to Spell Save DC and Spell Attacks Negate the spell slot cost of the next spell.	Interact with the “Below”symbol on the lower level of Ramazith’s Tower.
Offhand	N/A	N/A	N/A

Top Multiclass Options for BG3 Warlocks

Enhancing Your Build with Multiclass Combinations

Players can begin multiclassing starting at Level 2. Select the “Add Class”button in the level-up overview to choose any class available in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Bard Multiclass – Warlock 10/Bard 2

Given that Warlocks are Charisma-based casters, multiclassing with Bard greatly improves dialogue interactions and offers unique crowd-control spells. Allocating just one level to Bard enhances a Warlock’s support capabilities through Song of Rest and Bardic Inspiration abilities.

Two levels grant the Jack of All Trades feature, enabling Expertise in two more skills—essential for increased effectiveness in dialogue challenges.

Song of Rest allows the party to recover HP in between short rests, refreshing limited Warlock spell slots, while Bardic Inspiration provides valuable support to allies. Thus, multi-classing as a Bard allows your Warlock to focus on crowd control and spell efficacy, positioning them as a supportive spellcaster rather than a front-line fighter.

Sorcerer Multiclass – Warlock 9/Sorcerer 3

Choosing to invest three levels into the Sorcerer class also enhances the Warlock’s potential, granting access to the Metamagic system and extra spellcasting charges, which significantly improve Eldritch Blast’s damage output.

With Metamagic, Warlocks can employ powerful abilities like Quickened Spell and Twinned Spell, bolstering spell damage and doubling potential attack casts, thereby maximizing damage output.

Moreover, both classes rely on Charisma, allowing players to focus on one primary attribute without worrying about distribution into others. As a Sorcerer, selecting the Draconic Bloodline subclass is ideal, as it provides additional HP and improves Unarmored AC to 13—upgrading survivability while delivering consistent offensive capabilities.

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