“`markdown ## Introduction The Warlock class in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) stands out for its unique blend of spellcasting versatility and mystical features known as Eldritch Invocations. These invocations provide Warlocks with powerful customization options, allowing them to mold their characters into formidable spellcasters, combat specialists, or masters of cunning and deception. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore some of the best warlock invocations available, categorized by level and requirements. Whether you’re a novice Warlock just starting your journey or a seasoned player seeking to refine your character’s abilities, this article will serve as your roadmap to unlocking the arcane potential of your Warlock. Additionally, we’ll delve into the Eldritch Adept feat, a new development in 5e that offers even more flexibility in enhancing your character’s magical prowess. ## Table of Contents 1. [Introduction](#introduction) 2. [Table of Contents](#table-of-contents) 3. [Disclaimer](#disclaimer) 4. [Eldritch Invocations](#eldritch-invocations) – [Level 1](#level-1) – [Level 3 (Requires Pact Boon)](#level-3-requires-pact-boon) – [Level 5](#level-5) – [Level 7](#level-7) – [Level 9](#level-9) – [Level 12](#level-12) – [Level 15](#level-15) 5. [The Eldritch Adept Feat](#the-eldritch-adept-feat) – [Trending Now](#trending-now) ## Disclaimer While this guide aims to offer insights into the best invocations available to Warlocks in 5e, it’s important to remember that the effectiveness of each invocation can vary significantly depending on the campaign setting, party composition, and game master’s rules. Players should always tailor their choices to align with their character’s background, personal preferences, and story development. The suggested invocations are based on the general consensus of the player community and theoretical game mechanics analysis. However, the best choice always depends on the individual player’s vision for their character’s role within a campaign. ## Eldritch Invocations ### Level 1 At Level 1, Warlocks have access to foundational invocations that set the stage for their future development. “Agonizing Blast” is often considered essential for any Warlock, enhancing the Eldritch Blast cantrip with your Charisma modifier, making it a powerful damage dealer throughout your progression. This invocation ensures that even at higher levels, your reliable go-to spell grows with your character. “Beguiling Influence” is another notable choice, granting proficiency in Deception and Persuasion skills. This invocation is ideal for those who prefer social interactions and intrigue. These skills can open many doors and create new opportunities within the narrative, allowing Warlocks to contribute beyond combat scenarios. Lastly, consider “Devil’s Sight,” which allows you to see in magical darkness. This invocation is invaluable in campaigns with frequent dark environments or when combined with the “Darkness” spell for tactical advantage. ### Level 3 (Requires Pact Boon) Upon reaching Level 3, Warlocks choose a Pact Boon, unlocking new invocation options tailored to their pact. If you’ve chosen the Pact of the Chain, “Voice of the Chain Master” extends your senses through your familiar, offering increased versatility and reconnaissance opportunities. This is perfect for gathering information or setting traps for enemies. For those who favor the Pact of the Blade, “Improved Pact Weapon” enhances your combat capabilities by allowing your pact weapon to serve as a spellcasting focus and granting a bonus to attack and damage rolls. Lastly, Pact of the Tome Warlocks might choose “Book of Ancient Secrets” to gain additional ritual spells. This option broadens your spellcasting repertoire significantly, providing invaluable utility spells at minimal cost. ### Level 5 Reaching Level 5 unlocks even more powerful invocations that can significantly enhance your abilities in and out of combat. “Thirsting Blade” lets Pact of the Blade Warlocks attack twice during their action, making them more formidable in melee combat and on par with other martial classes. “Misty Visions,” which allows you to cast “Silent Image” at will, is perfect for creative players who use illusions for distraction, deception, or even psychological warfare. For those looking to enhance their survivability, “Fiendish Vigor” grants temporary hit points on demand, giving you a tangible buffer against incoming damage and increasing your endurance in prolonged battles. ### Level 7 At Level 7, Warlocks gain access to invocations that further amplify their thematic presence and effectiveness. “Trickster’s Escape” allows you to apply “Freedom of Movement” on yourself once per day without expending a spell slot, ensuring you aren’t hindered by difficult terrain or grapples. “Tomes of Deception,” though unofficial but inspired invocation popular among homebrew communities, builds on “Beguiling Influence” by adding another layer of skill utility. This expansion can include additional illusions or misdirection spells, giving Warlocks an edge in complex scenarios or negotiations. Additionally, “Bewitching Whispers” allows casting “Compulsion” once per day, offering control over battlefield dynamics and an extra layer of strategy. ### Level 9 Building your Warlock to Level 9 opens further potential with invocations like “Sculptor of Flesh,” allowing you to cast “Polymorph” once per day. This is not only versatile for combat by transforming enemies into harmless creatures or yourself into robust beasts but can also be used creatively in role-play situations. “Eldritch Sight” is another option, allowing you to cast “Detect Magic” at will. The ability to identify magical auras without expending resources is hugely advantageous in settings rife with magical items or hidden threats. Lastly, “Gift of the Depths” grants a swimming speed and the ability to breathe underwater, making it essential for ocean-based or aquatic campaigns where mobility and survival are critical. ### Level 12 Upon reaching Level 12, Warlocks can choose from even more specialized invocations. “Ascendant Step,” which lets you cast “Levitate” on yourself at will, offers strategic mobility both in exploration and combat. This invocation can help you access unreachable areas or gain vantage in battles. “Otherworldly Leap,” granting you the ability to cast “Jump” on yourself at will, is perfect for those with an affinity for movement and creative problem-solving. It can be leveraged in numerous scenarios, such as reaching high places or evading combatants. For players invested in enhancing their combat tactics, “Lifedrinker” adds necrotic damage to your melee attacks with the pact weapon, providing both versatility and increased damage output in melee skirmishes. ### Level 15 Reaching Level 15 grants access to some of the most powerful invocations available. “Shroud of Shadow” allows you to cast “Invisibility” at will, providing Warlocks unparalleled capabilities in stealth and ambush scenarios. This opens various strategic opportunities without expending valuable spell slots. “Chains of Carceri” is available to Warlocks who have chosen the Great Old One patron, permitting them to cast “Hold Monster” at will against particular targets. This is powerful for locking down key threats in combat and avoiding dangerous situations. An alternative for maintaining battlefield control is “Witch Sight,” which reveals the true form of any shapechanger or creature concealed by illusion. This can effectively counter deceptive enemies and uncover hidden dangers. ## The Eldritch Adept Feat Introduced in recent 5e updates, the Eldritch Adept feat provides characters with the opportunity to select an extra invocation, offering Warlocks additional flexibility in customizing their abilities according to campaign needs. This feat is a strategic choice for multiclass characters or players seeking to expand their Warlock capabilities without advancing a level. Eldritch Adept allows a non-Warlock character access to a single invocation, greatly broadening the scope of class customization in the game. This expansion has become particularly popular in trending discussions among players looking to augment their characters with a taste of the Warlock’s arcane prowess. It is crucial to carefully select invocations that complement your existing skills and class features, such as choosing invocations that enhance mobility for a rogue or those that improve spellcasting options for a sorcerer. ### Trending Now In current online discussions and player feedback, the Eldritch Adept feat is gaining notable attention, especially among those exploring multiclass synergy and thematic character builds. Players appreciate its flexibility as a customization tool, providing more narrative depth and strategic options. In particular, Warlocks multiclassing with martial classes such as Paladin or Fighter find value in expanding their spellcasting toolkit with utility-focused invocations. The ability to mix and match features across classes while maintaining a coherent character theme remains a captivating aspect of 5e’s design. Online communities and forums are abundant with tales of players creatively integrating invocations into innovative builds, offering inspiration for every player looking to conceptualize their unique Warlock experience. If you are interested in exploring a character build that addresses both combat prowess and cunning spell usage, now might be the perfect time to experiment with this feat’s potential. ## Next Steps Below is a summary table of the key invocations discussed in this article, organized by level and highlighting their benefits: “`html
| Level | Invocation | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Agonizing Blast | Adds Charisma modifier to Eldritch Blast damage |
| 1 | Beguiling Influence | Gain proficiency in Deception and Persuasion |
| 1 | Devil’s Sight | See in magical and normal darkness |
| 3 | Voice of the Chain Master | Use familiar’s senses |
| 3 | Improved Pact Weapon | Bonus to attack/damage rolls, spellcasting focus |
| 3 | Book of Ancient Secrets | Gain ritual spells |
| 5 | Thirsting Blade | Attack twice with pact weapon |
| 5 | Misty Visions | Cast Silent Image at will |
| 5 | Fiendish Vigor | Gain temporary hit points at will |
| 7 | Trickster’s Escape | Cast Freedom of Movement once/day |
| 9 | Sculptor of Flesh | Cast Polymorph once/day |
| 9 | Eldritch Sight | Cast Detect Magic at will |
| 12 | Ascendant Step | Cast Levitate on yourself at will |
| 12 | Otherworldly Leap | Cast Jump on yourself at will |
| 15 | Shroud of Shadow | Cast Invisibility at will |
| 15 | Chains of Carceri | Cast Hold Monster at will |
“` This guide has explored the exciting array of invocations for Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, helping you chart your path to arcane mastery. Whether enhancing combat skills, delving into enchanting mysteries, or adapting to tactical challenges, your choices set the framework for a unique and dynamic character.
