The 2024 Warlock is a spellcasting class that gains their abilities from an eldritch pact with a powerful being. Charisma fuels their blaster abilities, so they’ve plenty of utility in and out of combat. Plus, their unique spell mechanics make them an approachable yet varied class. This guide explains the new 2024 rules for the Warlock class in full.
Even with their mechanics tweaked, the Dungeons and Dragons Warlock remains one of the most popular DnD classes. If you want to build a Warlock from scratch, STOP reading here. Our Warlock 5e guide has all the information you need – this is simply a changelog of changes between the two versions of fifth edition.
2024 Warlock rules:
Hit points
| Hit dice | 1d8 per Warlock level |
| HP at first level | 8 + Constitution modifier |
| HP at higher levels | 1d8 (5) + Constitution modifier per Warlock level after first |
Proficiencies
Warlocks start out with proficiency in simple weapons and light armor. They can also choose two DnD skills. We’ve ranked how useful these will be:
| Skill | Tier | Reason |
| Arcana | C | Limited in-game uses, and you’re likely to dump your Int stat |
| Deception | A | Charisma-based and a great non-violent problem-solver |
| History | C | Limited in-game uses, and you’re likely to dump your Int stat |
| Intimidation | B | Another Charisma-based problem-solver, but a bit more situational |
| Investigation | B | Gives you some utility, but still relies on Int |
| Nature | C | Limited in-game uses, and you’re likely to dump your Int stat |
| Religion | D | An Int-based skill with even fewer applications than usual |
Pact Magic
Level: One
Pact Magic is the Warlock equivalent of spellcasting. You start out knowing two Warlock cantrips and two level-one spells. This table shows how these numbers will change as your Warlock levels up:
| Level | Cantrips | Prepared spells | Spell slots | Slot level |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 5 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 4 |
| 8 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 4 |
| 9 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 5 |
| 10 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| 12 | 4 | 11 | 3 | 5 |
| 13 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| 14 | 4 | 12 | 3 | 5 |
| 15 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| 16 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 5 |
| 17 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 5 |
| 18 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 5 |
| 19 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 5 |
| 20 | 4 | 15 | 4 | 5 |
Unlike the DnD 2024 Wizard or the DnD 2024 Sorcerer, the Warlock only ever has one type of spell slot. Regardless of the spell’s level, any spell they cast automatically uses the highest possible spell slot for that spell. Warlocks regain all spell slots on a short or long rest, and they can swap one spell and one cantrip when they gain a Warlock level.
Eldritch Invocations
Level: One
Eldritch Invocations are unique abilities that a Warlock unlocks as they level. At level one, you start with one known Eldritch Invocation.
As long as you meet the prerequisites, you can learn an Eldritch Invocation. You can also swap one of your current Invocations with a new one when you gain a Warlock level. You can’t choose the same Invocation twice (unless the rules say so), and you can’t replace any Invocation you know that’s a prerequisite for another of your Invocations.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook features 28 Eldritch Invocations:
| Invocations | Prerequisites | Summary |
| Agonizing Blast | Level two Warlock, damage-dealing Warlock cantrip | Add Charisma modifier to cantrip damage |
| Armor of Shadows | None | Cast Mage Armor without a spell slot |
| Ascendant Step | Level five Warlock | Cast Levitate without a spell slot |
| Devil’s Sight | Level two Warlock | See in non-magical darkness for 120ft |
| Devouring Blade | Level 12 Warlock, Thirsting Blade | Two extra attacks with Thirsting Blade instead of one |
| Eldritch Mind | None | Advantage on concentration saves |
| Eldritch Smite | Level five Warlock, Pact of the Blade | Deal extra force damage with a Pact Weapon |
| Eldritch Spear | Level two Warlock, damage-dealing Warlock cantrip with 10ft+ range | Increase cantrip range by 30 times your Warlock level |
| Fiendish Vigor | Level two Warlock | Cast False Life without a spell slot and gain the max possible temporary HP |
| Gaze of Two Minds | Level five Warlock | See and cast spells through another creature’s senses |
| Gift of the Depths | Level five Warlock | Breathe underwater, gain a swim speed, and cast Water Breathing without a spell slot |
| Gift of the Protectors | Level nine Warlock, Pact of the Tome | A number of creatures can regain one HP when they drop to zero HP |
| Investment of the Chain Master | Level five Warlock, Pact of the Chain | Find Familiar creature gains a fly or swim speed, can attack using your bonus action, and deals necrotic or radiant damage |
| Lessons of the First Ones | Level two Warlock | Gain an Origin feat |
| Lifedrinker | Level nine Warlock, Pact of the Blade | Deal extra necrotic, psychic, or radiant damage and roll one of your Hit Dice to regain HP |
| Mask of Many Faces | Level two Warlock | Cast Disguise Self without a spell slot |
| Master of Myriad Forms | Level five Warlock | Cast Alter Self without a spell slot |
| Misty Visions | Level two Warlock | Cast Silent Image without a spell slot |
| One with Shadows | Level five Warlock | Can cast Invisibility without a spell slot while in dim light or darkness |
| Otherworldly Leap | Level two Warlock | Cast Jump without a spell slot |
| Pact of the Blade | None | Conjure a Pact Weapon that adds your Charisma modifier to attack and damage rolls instead of Strength or Dexterity, and it deals necrotic, psychic, or radiant damage |
| Pact of the Chain | None | Cast Find Familiar without a spell slot and gain new forms for your familiar, who can replace one of your attacks with their own |
| Pact of the Tome | None | Gain a Book of Shadows with extra cantrips and ritual spells inside from any class spell list |
| Repelling Blast | Level two Warlock, damage-dealing Warlock cantrip that makes an attack roll | You can push Large or smaller creatures 10ft straight away from you |
| Thirsting Blade | Level five Warlock, Pact of the Blade | Pact Weapon gains the Extra Attack feature |
| Visions of Distant Realms | Level nine Warlock | Cast Arcane Eye without a spell slot |
| Whispers of the Grave | Level seven Warlock | Cast Speak with Dead without a spell slot |
| Witch Sight | Level 15 Warlock | Gain 30ft of Truesight |
What’s changed?
Compared with the 2014 rules, Warlocks can access far more Eldritch Invocations per level. This gives you more ways to tinker with an already extremely customizable Dungeons and Dragons class.
Notable Reworks include:
- Agonizing Blast, Repelling Blast, and Eldritch Spear are no longer limited to the Eldritch Blast cantrip.
- Fiendish Vigor always gives maximum healing.
- Gaze of Two Minds is now a bonus action, and you are no longer blinded, deafened, or unable to cast spells while using the feature.
- Lifedrinker can now deal Necrotic, Radiant, or Psychic damage and restore hitpoints.
- Witch Sight now grants Truesight up to 30 feet.
- Pact of the Blade is now a bonus action and no longer counts as a magical weapon. However, it can now deal Necrotic, Psychic or Radiant damage.
- Pact of the Chain no longer requires a ritual, and Find Familiar can be cast for free. New familiars include Skeleton, Slaad Tadpole, Sphinx of Wonder, Sprite, and Venomous Snake.
These reworks should motivate players to pick up some Invocations they ignored previously. With Warlock’s reputation so tied to the classic Agonizing + Repelling Blast combo, more invocations with potent effects could inspire players to try new combos.
Additionally, Devouring Blade and Lessons of the First Ones are entirely new options. Lessons of the First Ones has the potential to be quite disgusting if the feats synergize with the Invocations.
Since you can take the Invocation at every level, the Invocation gives away free feats, freeing the Warlock to pick Ability Score Improvement for stat bonuses. Particularly bold Warlocks could have 14 feats (and no other stat improvements) at the 20th level. Whether or not that’s a good idea is a tossup.
Magical Cunning
Level: Two
Magical Cunning lets a Warlock perform a one-minute rite once per long rest. After doing so, they regain expended Pact Magic spell slots, up to half their maximum (rounded up).
This newfound way to restore spell slots offsets one of the 2014 class’s biggest weaknesses. The 2024 Warlock can make their limited magical abilities stretch further, and they’re less likely to beg the party for a short rest every five minutes.
Warlock Subclass
Level: Three
At level three, your Warlock makes a pact with an Otherworldly Patron that grants them further power. This is when you choose the Warlock subclass you want to specialize in.
Below you’ll find a summary of the four options available in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. If you want more information on the many DnD Warlock Patrons available in the 2014 rules, head to the linked guide.
Archfey Warlock
An Archfey Warlock always has the following additional spells prepared. They don’t count towards the regular number of spells your Warlock knows.
| Warlock level | Spells |
| 3 | Calm Emotions, Faerie Fire, Misty Step, Phantasmal Force, Sleep |
| 5 | Blink, Plant Growth |
| 7 | Dominate Beast, Greater Invisibility |
| 9 | Dominate Person, Seeming |
At level three, Steps of the Fey allows Warlocks to cast Misty Step a number of times equal to their Charisma modifier without expending a spell slot. They regain all uses of this ability after a long rest.
Whenever an Archfey Warlock casts Misty Step, they can apply one of the following effects:
- Refreshing Step – After teleportation, you or a creature you can see within 10 feet of yourself gains 1d10 Temporary Hit Points.
- Taunting Step – Creatures within five feet of the space you just left must succeed in a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. If they fail, they have a disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you until the start of your next turn.
From level six, when you take damage, Misty Escape lets you cast Misty Step as a reaction. You’ll also get new Steps of the Fey options:
- Disappearing Step – You become invisible until your next turn begins or break invisibility by attacking, dealing damage, or casting a spell.
- Dreadful Step – Creatures within five feet of the space you left or the space you appear in (your choice) must succeed in a Wisdom saving throw or take 2d10 Psychic Damage.
At level 10, Beguiling Defenses means you’re immune to being charmed. Plus, after a creature you can see hits you with an attack roll, you can spend a reaction and half the incoming damage.
The attacker must pass a Wisdom save (against your spell save DC) or take psychic damage equal to the damage you take. You must finish a long rest or spend a Pact Magic spell slot before you can use this feature again.
Finally, the 14th-level Bewitching Magic feature lets Archfey Warlocks cast Misty Step for free whenever they cast an enchantment or illusion spell that costs an action and a spell slot.
Celestial Warlock
The additional spells a Celestial Warlock always has prepared are:
| Warlock level | Spells |
| 3 | Aid, Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt, Lesser Restoration, Light, Sacred Flame |
| 5 | Daylight, Revivify |
| 7 | Guardian of Faith, Wall of Fire |
| 9 | Greater Restoration, Summon Celestial |
The level-three Healing Light ability is a bonus action that lets you heal a creature you see within 60 feet. To do so, you spend d6s from a pool provided by this feature, equal to your Charisma modifier. You roll the die you choose to spend, and the total determines how much HP the target regains. A long rest will restore all spent d6s from your pool.
At level six, Radiant Soul means you’re resistant to radiant damage. Plus, once per turn, you can add your Charisma modifier to the damage for a spell that deals radiant or fire damage. This extra damage is only dealt to one of the spell’s targets.
From level 10, Celestial Resilience modifies your Magical Cunning ability. When you use Magical Cunning or finish a short or long rest, you gain temporary HP equal to your Warlock level plus your Charisma modifier. You can also choose up to five creatures you can see, and each gains temporary HP equal to half your Warlock level plus your Charisma modifier.
Finally, at level 14, there’s Searing Vengeance. When you or a friend within 60 feet is about to make a death save, you can restore HP equal to half the creature’s HP maximum and end the prone condition, if the target has it.
Additionally, every creature you choose within 30 feet of the original target takes 2d8 plus your Charisma modifier in radiant damage and becomes blinded until the end of the current turn. This ability can only be used once before you need a long rest.
Fiend Warlock
A Fiend Warlock always has these additional spells prepared:
| Warlock level | Spells |
| 3 | Burning Hands, Command, Scorching Ray, Suggestion |
| 5 | Fireball, Stinking Cloud |
| 7 | Fire Shield, Wall of Fire |
| 9 | Geas, Insect Plague |
Level-three Warlocks of this subclass get Dark One’s Blessing, meaning that when you or an ally within 10 feet brings an enemy to zero HP, you gain temporary HP equaling your Charisma modifier plus your Warlock level.
At level six, Dark One’s Own Luck lets you add 1d10 to an ability check or saving throw before seeing its result. This can be done a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier before you need to finish a long rest. However, you can only apply the effect once per roll.
The level-ten ability Fiendish Resilience makes you resistant to one DnD damage type (except force) of your choice. You can change the damage type whenever you finish a short or long rest.
The capstone for this subclass is Hurl Through Hell. Once per turn, when you hit a creature with an attack roll, you can force them to make a Charisma saving throw against your spell save DC. On a fail, the target takes 8d10 psychic damage (if it isn’t a Fiend), and it’s incapacitated until the end of your next turn.
Great Old One Warlock
As a Great Old One Warlock, your always-prepared extra spells are:
| Warlock level | Spells |
| 3 | Detect Thoughts, Dissonant Whispers, Phantasmal Force, Tasha’s Hideous Laughter |
| 5 | Clairvoyance, Hunger of Hadar |
| 7 | Confusion, Summon Aberration |
| 9 | Modify Memory, Telekinesis |
The level-three Awakened Mind ability lets you communicate telepathically with a creature you can see within 30 feet as a bonus action. After you activate Awakened Mind, you and your chosen creature can speak telepathically as long as you’re within a number of miles equal to your Charisma modifier. The connection lasts for minutes equal to your Warlock level.
Also at level three, Psychic Spells lets you change a Warlock spell’s damage type to psychic when you cast it. If you cast an enchantment or illusion Warlock spell, you don’t need to provide verbal or somatic components.
From level six, Clairvoyant Combat changes how Awakened Mind works. When you use Awakened Mind, you can force your target to make a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. If they fail, they have disadvantage on attack rolls against you, while you gain advantage on attack rolls against the target.
These effects last for the duration of Awakened Mind. Once you’ve used Clairvoyant Combat, you must finish a short or long rest or, alternatively, spend a Pact Magic spell slot before you can use it again.
The level-ten feature Eldritch Hex means you always have Hex prepared, and casting it also gives a target disadvantage on saving throws for a chosen ability. Another level-ten ability the Great Old One Warlock gains is Thought Shield, which prevents others from using telepathy or magic to read your thoughts. You’re also now resistant to psychic damage, and any creature that deals psychic damage to you takes that same amount of damage.
Last of all, at level 14, is Create Thrall. With this, you can cast a version of Summon Aberration which has a duration of one minute but doesn’t require concentration.
The Aberration also appears with temporary HP equal to your Warlock level plus your Charisma modifier. Any time this Aberration hits a creature targeted by your Hex spell, it deals extra psychic damage equal to the bonus damage of the spell.
Ability Score Improvement
Choose one of the following:
- +1 to two DnD stats
- +2 to one stat
- A DnD 2024 feat
Contact Patron
Level: Nine
Warlocks get Contact Patron, which lets them communicate directly with their Patron through the Contact Other Plane spell. You can cast the spell without expending a slot once per long rest, and the spell automatically succeeds in its saving throw.
Mystic Arcanum
Level: 11, 13, 15, 17
You can choose one level-six Warlock spell to become a Mystic Arcanum. This means you can cast it without a spell slot once per long rest. Any time you gain a Warlock level, you can replace an arcanum spell with another Warlock spell at the same level.
Epic Boon
Level: 19
In DnD 2024, every class is guaranteed an Epic Boon feat at the 19th level. You can check out our DnD 2024 feats guide to see what Epic Boons there are.
Eldritch Master
Level: 20
Eldritch Master means that, whenever you use Magical Cunning, you get all your Pact Magic spell slots back rather than just some.
For more on the recent rules changes, here’s how DnD 2024 backgrounds are different. Or, for help finishing your build, here’s all you need to know about DnD races.