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In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Warlock is known to make a pact with a patron for powers and abilities. Here’s our BG3 Warlock class guide to help you out.
Warlock class and spells guide for Baldur’s Gate 3
The Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 seeks to rip out the souls of your foes and cast them into the fiery depths. They have several features that make them unique, aside from the fact that they get their magic from being bonded to a patron. Here are a few key Warlock features regardless of subclass:
- Warlock Spell Slots: Spell slots that recharge after a short rest; spell slots are always at the highest available level.
- Spellcasting Modifier: Charisma
- Saving Throw Proficiency: Wisdom, Charisma
- Armor Proficiency: Light
- Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapon Proficiency
Related: Best Warlock spells and cantrips in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3)
Best Warlock Subclasses: The Fiend, The Old One, The Archfey
There are a few distinctions between these three Warlock subclasses. They aren’t as decipherable as other subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3, but they still have their distinctions, especially as you level up. But here are the differences at level one during character creation.
- The Fiend
- Dark One’s Blessing: A passive ability where when you get an enemy’s hit points to 0, you gain hit points based off of your Charisma Modifier + level hit points.
- Two Spells: Armor of Agathys, Arms of Hadar
- The Great Old One
- Mortal Reminder: When you land a Critical Hit on a creature, them and any nearby enemies are Frightened until the end of their next turn.
- Two Spells: Dissonant Whispers, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter
- The Archfey
- Fey Presence: An Action that can Charm or Frighten nearby enemies.
- Two Spells: Faerie Fire, Sleep
As you level up, you’ll continue to get spells specific to your Warlock subclass. You’ll also choose a pact boon, which is unique to Warlocks. Here are the spells you’ll unlock at each level for each Warlock subclass:
- The Fiend
- Level 3: Blindness, Scorching Ray
- Level 5: Fireball, Stinking Cloud
- Level 7: Wall of Fire, Fire Shield
- Level 9: Cone of Cold, Flame Strike
- The Great Old One
- Level 3: Detect Thoughts, Phantasmal Force
- Level 5: Bestow Curse, Slow
- Level 7: Dominate Beast, Evard’s Black Tentacles
- Level 9: Dominate Person, Telekinesis
- The Archfey
- Level 3: Calm Emotions, Phantasmal Force
- Level 5: Blink, Plant Growth
- Level 7: Dominate Beast, Greater Invisibility
- Level 9: Dominate Person, Seeming
Cantrips
The Warlock subclass in Baldur’s Gate 3 has eight cantrips available. You’re allowed to pick two during character creation. The two that I recommend picking first are Eldritch Blast and Chill Touch. Eldritch Blast is the quintessential Warlock cantrip and Chill Touch works great when you or your enemies get too close.
| Cantrips | Effects |
| Blade Ward | Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from weapon attacks. |
| Chill Touch | Deals 1d8 Necrotic damage; target cannot regen HP; Undead creatures are disadvantaged when it comes to attack rolls. |
| Eldritch Blast | Deals 1d10 Force damage. |
| Friends | Enchant a non-hostile creature to gain an advantage on Charisma checks against it. |
| Mage Hand | Conjures a spectral hand that can manipulate and interact with objects. |
| Minor Illusion | Creates an illusion that compels creatures to investigate. |
| Poison Spray | Deals 1d12 Poison damage. |
| True Strike | Gives you an advantage on attack rolls vs. a target. |
Spells
The Warlock class in Baldur’s Gate 3 has 10 spells available at first, including the two from your subclass. While some spellcasters know many spells and can prepare certain ones, Warlocks can only pick a few to learn and always have prepared.
I recommend picking Hex because you can make your target have a disadvantage to a certain type of ability check. Witch Bolt, Hellish Rebuke, and Protection from Evil and Good are also great. You’re allowed to learn two during character creation from the ten available, but here are the eight that are open to all Warlocks no matter your subclass:
| Spells | Effects |
| Burning Hands | Ignites anything flammable; deals 3d6 Fire damage. |
| Charm Person | Charms humanoids |
| Command | Target cannot move or act. |
| Expeditious Retreat | Dash becomes a bonus action; move at an incredible pace. |
| Hellish Rebuke | Deal 2d10 Fire damage on the next opponent who damages you. |
| Hex | Deals an additional 1d6 Necrotic damage to a creature when you hit it with an attack; the creature also has a disadvantage against an ability check of your choosing. |
| Protection from Evil and Good | Target cannot be charmed or frightened; enemies that attack the target do so at a disadvantage. |
| Witch Bolt | Deals 1d12 Lightning damage; links you to the target; lightning arc can be activated each turn. |
Warlock skills and abilities
Certain skills here will be active depending on your character’s background. In general, however, you should see the following for the Warlock class (you can pick up to two):
- Arcana – The knowledge of magic; interacting with enchanted items or powerful spells.
- Deception – Manipulating truth and misleading others.
- History – Everything you know about Faerûn’s past, allowing you to recognize notable names and unusual items.
- Intimidation – Threaten others using speech; force others to do your will.
- Investigation – Extracting information from objects or people.
- Nature – Expertise when it comes to flora, fauna, and the primal rhythms of the world around you.
- Religion – Knowledge of deities, domains, clergy, and holy rites.
Regarding your ability choices, Charisma should be your primary stat allocation. This stat is what’s used for the Warlock class’ spellcasting ability in Baldur’s Gate 3. I also like to assign points to Dexterity and Constitution. You can also assign a bonus +2 and +1, so I’ve given the +2 to Charisma and +1 to Dexterity.
With everything decided, you’re ready to start Baldur’s Gate 3 with your ready-for-anything Warlock. If you need help fine-tuning Wyll, the Warlock companion, we’ve got you covered.
