Warlock FAQ
What are the main Warlock class features?
The 2014 Warlock's main features are an Otherworldly Patron, Pact Magic, Eldritch Invocations, a Pact Boon, Mystic Arcanum, and Eldritch Master. The Patron is the subclass, Pact Magic provides a small number of short-rest spell slots, Invocations provide modular magical abilities, and the Pact Boon adds a second major customization layer.
The Warlock is built from several modular systems. This makes the class highly customizable even before multiclassing or feats.
1st level: Otherworldly Patron
The Warlock chooses a Patron at 1st level.
The Patron grants subclass features at:
1st 6th 10th 14th
The exact abilities depend on the Patron.
1st level: Pact Magic
Pact Magic provides the Warlock's spell slots.
These slots:
- are few in number;
- are all the same level at a given Warlock level;
- automatically increase in level up to 5th;
- return after a short or long rest.
The Warlock knows a limited number of spells.
Charisma is the casting ability.
2nd level: Eldritch Invocations
Invocations provide modular supernatural abilities.
The Warlock learns more as levels increase.
Some have prerequisites.
Invocations can grant:
- improved cantrips;
- at-will spells;
- additional senses;
- defensive effects;
- Pact Boon improvements;
- social or exploration utility;
- weapon enhancements.
The ability to replace selected Invocations on level-up gives some long-term flexibility.
3rd level: Pact Boon
The original 2014 Pact Boons are:
- Pact of the Chain;
- Pact of the Blade;
- Pact of the Tome.
Later pre-2024 material adds Pact of the Talisman.
The Boon is not the subclass.
It is another customization system.
11th level onward: Mystic Arcanum
At 11th level, the Warlock gains a 6th-level Mystic Arcanum.
Later levels add:
13th → 7th-level Arcanum 15th → 8th-level Arcanum 17th → 9th-level Arcanum
Each selected Arcanum can normally be cast once without a spell slot and returns after a long rest.
These high-level spells do not use the short-rest Pact Magic slot system.
20th level: Eldritch Master
Eldritch Master lets the Warlock spend time entreating the Patron to restore expended Pact Magic spell slots.
After using the feature, it cannot be used again until after a long rest.
It is a high-level emergency Pact Magic recovery tool.
How the features work together
The Patron provides subclass identity.
Pact Magic creates short-rest burst casting.
Invocations provide repeatable custom abilities.
The Pact Boon defines a second major specialization.
Mystic Arcanum supplies high-level magic outside the normal Pact slot progression.
Eldritch Master provides late-game recovery.
The result is one of the game's most modular classes.