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InBaldur’s Gate 3, the Warlock class is widely considered to be theeasiest caster to learn and play, but that doesn’t mean it’s not powerful. Warlocks don’t have as many spell slots as other spellcasters, but they make up for that with an incredibly powerful Cantrip and access to some of the game’s best control spells.
The best Warlock builds inBG3take advantage of these class strengths. Typically,Baldur’s Gate 3builds are based on a subclass, which takes the form ofa Patron for Warlocks. The Great Old One brings useful spells and lots of class flavor, making it the prime choice for players looking to get started on the right foot with the Warlock class.
Updated July 17, 2025 by Erik Petrovich:With the release of ofPatch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3, Warlock builds have gained another subclass option to choose from: the Hexblade. Though this new subclass offers a new way to play this class, the best BG3 Warlock build that takes advantage of the class' strengths the most uses the Great Old One pact. As you journey through Baldur’s Gate 3, the best Warlock builds can benefit greatly from picking up a few permanent buffs. Though these often require you to go out of your way, the best permanent buffs can grant powerful stat upgrades and new abilities that push the best Warlock build to its limits. This guide has been updated to include brief information on the new Hexblade Warlock subclass, as well as a new section that covers the best Warlock permanent buffs and stat upgrades that are worth hunting down.
Warlock Class Introduction & Overview
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Class, Explained
“Bound by a pact to an all-powerful patron, warlocks trade their loyalty for supernatural abilities and unique magic.”
Warlock Playstyle & Signature Abilities
Warlocks are spellcasters whose power is derived from an external power, usually a Patron Devil or other powerful, enigmatic being. The class has access to a number of powerful spells, mostly themed around control and the powers beyond comprehension, as well as the uniqueEldritch Blast cantripthat is the basis of the majority of Warlocks' damage output.
It’s this cantrip that is almost solely responsible for the Warlock being such a popular multiclass option for other classes.
Though Warlocks only have afew spell slotsfor the majority of the game, these slots uniquely refresh with either a Short or Long Rest. It doesn’t mean BG3 Warlock builds can be totally carefree when it comes to slinging spells in combat, but it does keep Warlocks going longer than classes that fully rely on their Spell Slots, no matter how many are available.
Though Warlocks might not have the versatility of the Wizard, nor the metamagics of the Sorcerer, they do haveaccess to unique otherworldly powersthat are the envy of the other spellcaster classes.
Base Warlock Class Proficiencies: Armor, Weapons, Saving Throws, & Skill Choices
When you first start creating your Warlock Build, BG3 offers a selection of basic Class Proficiencies, and a choice of three Warlock Skill Proficiencies.
In addition to Armor, Weapon, and Saving Throw proficiencies that vary for each class, the pool of Skills you can choose from are different for each class. These cannot be changed once you get past character creation without resetting your build.
All Warlock Subclasses
There are a total of threeBG3Patrons (subclasses) Warlock players can try out, each of which focuses on different aspects of the class, and offers a selection of unique skills, proficiencies, and other features. As you level up in one of theseBG3Warlock subclasses, you will gain more abilities that are unique to your subclass choice.
Your choice of Warlock subclass can be changed by speaking with Withers, but you will start at Level 1 and have to make your BG3 Warlock build from scratch.
Though this chart displays information for all subclasses, if you want to make best Warlock buildBG3has to offer, you should go for the Great Old One.
(new with Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8)
Warlock Class Features – Level By Level
The max level inBaldur’s Gate 3is Level 12, and most of the time, each level you gain will grant something new for your Warlock build. On character creation you gain the basics for the Warlock class, then steadily gain Feat Choices, new spells and abilities, subclass features, and increase your Proficiency Bonus.
This chart displays everything you’re able to expect to get at each Level-Up as a Warlock in yourBaldur’s Gate 3journey.
+2
+3
+4
2
1
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BG3 Warlock Subclass Choice – Great Old One
Overview Of BG3 Warlock Great Old One Subclass
“Warlocks bound to Eldritch beings in the Far Realms work toward inscrutable goals, gaining strange powers over entropy and the mind.”
What Makes The Great Old One the Best BG3 Warlock Subclass?
The Great Old One Warlock is one of thebest Warlock buildsbecause of its access topowerful, battle-turning control spellsthat complement the class spell list. By binding oneself to a pact with the Great Old One, Warlocksgain the Mortal Reminder passive,which makes enemies Frightened on crits.
At Level 1, The Great Old One gives Warlocks access toTasha’s Hideous Laughter or Dissonant Whispers, and then at Level 3, they can use Detect Thoughts and Phantasmal Force. Playing as a Great Old One Warlock means committing nearly entirely to being a spellcaster, so only engage in combat from a distance.
The Great Old One eeks ahead of The Fiend because of itsmore battle-influential spells. Compared to The Archfey, many differences between the two patrons are mostly aesthetic as they both can control combat very well.
Great Old One Subclass Features – Level By Level
In addition to everything you unlock while leveling as a Warlock, your Subclass also determines what you unlock at certain levels. As a Warlock, you can select a subclass at Level 1, in the character creation menu.
For the purposes of this guide to theBG3best Warlock build, choose the Great Old One when prompted to choose a Subclass.
BG3 Warlock Build Race, Background, Proficiency, Feats, & Stat Choices
Best BG3 Warlock Race: Githyanki
The Githyanki area powerful race option for a number of classesthanks to itspowerful racial spellsgranted at levels one, three, and five, as well as the Astral Knowledge ability. Astral Knowledge grants the Warlock proficiency in one ability’s related skills, which pairs extremely well with the Warlock’s innately high Charisma.
With this Githyanki racial ability, which recharges once every long rest, Warlocks have little trouble getting the results they want out of dialogue dice rolls.
The Githyanki give Warlocks an improved Mage Hand from level 1, the ability to improve party member’s Jump distance at Level 3, and the Misty Step skill at Level 5 – three extremely useful abilities. Githyanki also give Warlocks armor proficiencies the class wouldn’t normally have access to, namely light and medium armor, to further improve their defensive capabilities.
It’s really an all-in-one race that’s hard to pass up in favor of another, weaker option.
Best Warlock Backgrounds in BG3: Sage or Guild Artisan
The Sage background grants proficiency forArcana and History checks, and will typically trigger Inspiration when the Warlock engages in the magical elements of the world (like getting to Lorroakan’s tower), or figuring out the historical significance of places in the world.
This tends to complement a Warlock’s own RP choices during dialogues, but they are both Intelligence checks, an Ability Score that Warlocks don’t generally put a lot of points into. This can hinder their effectiveness, but on the other hand, having Advantage on these rolls can be much handier than a simple bonus.
However, if you are more prone to engaging in dialogues inBG3, theGuild Artisan background might be a better fit. This background grants proficiency in Insight and Persuasion, and tends to trigger inspiration when making items, repairing areas in the world, or identifying and engaging with artifacts.
Both backgrounds are a good fit for Warlocks, but of the two, the Sage background may be easier to earn Inspiration with.
Best BG3 Warlock Skill Proficiency Choices: Deception and Insight
Warlocks get to choose two skills from a list of seven, but depending on which background you choose, some may not be available. This is because those skills are already given proficiency by the Background.
Going with a Sage takes Arcana and History out of the options, leaving five left, while being a Guild Artisan leaves six choices, as Insight will already be covered.
Either way, be sure to haveDeception and Insightfirst and foremost. Deception is great for dialogues, and Insight is incredibly useful for determining NPC truthfulness. If Insight is already covered, then replace it with Arcana, History, or Investigation, depending on what you want your Warlock to be good at.
Best BG3 Eldritch Invocations: Agonizing Blast & Repelling Blast
At Level 2, all Warlocks get to choose two Eldritch Invocations, unique abilities that can grant passive or active skills. At Level 2, only a few Eldritch Invocations are available to choose from, but as Warlocks level up more powerful options become available.
Even from this starting point, though, Warlocks can pick up two incredibly powerful passives:Agonizing Blast, and Repelling Blast, both of which empower the Warlock’s iconic cantrip Eldritch Blast.
Eldritch Blast isthe Warlock’s bread and butter, and Agonizing Blast outright increases the damage of Eldritch Blast by the Warlock’s Charisma modifier. This affects each hit, so at later levels when Warlocks get two or three Eldritch Blast beams with each cast, it becomes a seriously powerful spell.
Repelling Blast, on the other hand, doesn’t improve the damage of Eldritch Blast. Instead, it gives it the ability to push targets by 4.5m in the opposite direction they are hit. Be sure to position the Warlock correctly so that enemies hit can be reliably pushed off of ledges and into chasms practically for free.
Best Warlock Ability Scores & Stat Distribution
To create the bestBG3Warlock build, we recommend putting the majority of points into your Charisma, followed by Constitution and Dexterity.
The primary stat for most Great Old One Warlock spells and abilities inBG3is Charisma, but Constitution and Dexterity should follow closely behind for survivability and secondary combat bonuses.
Wisdom, Strength, and Intelligence are not essential for the Great Old One Warlock build.
16
14
-1
Best BG3 Warlock Leveling Choices
Best Warlock Spells, Feats, & Other Choices At Every Level
InBaldur’s Gate 3, some classes don’t have many choices to make while leveling thanks to the lack of spells, like the Rogue or Monk. Warlocks are not like other spellcasters inBG3because they have limited spell slots that refresh every short rest instead of long one, and are mostly reliant on Cantrips which can be empowered with Eldritch Invocations.
Warlocks have something to do every time they level up, but limited spell slots makes it important to make the right selections. This table displays recommendedBG3Warlock build choices for every level that synergize well with theBG3Great Old One Warlock build, including a number of powerful CC and debuffing offensive spells, Eldritch Invocations that empower you or grant new abilities, and Feats that will help your effectiveness as a ranged spellcaster.
Cleric
Support
Difficult to CC (Charm & Sleep), hybrid Damage and Support spells
Melee damage
Buffed Rage & access to Soul Coin damage buffs
Rogue
Melee Damage/Utility
Lockpicking is incredibly useful outside of Combat, and Sneak Attacks can be deadly
The best Warlock companions inBG3are Shadowheart as the healer of the party, Karlach as the melee tank, and Astarion as a melee damage-dealer and out-of-combat Lockpicker.
Though you’re able to change the class and specialization of any of your companions, these three come with strong pre-determined class and spec combos to balance out your Warlock party composition.
If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Warlock companion classes listed above. This way, you won’t miss out on that character’s questline, and you won’t have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.
Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Build Equipment
Get The Best BG3 Warlock Gear In All Three Acts
This section covers the best equipment for Great Old One Warlocks in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.
Sold by Omeluum, after completing his brief questline
Deathstalker Mantle
Only available to Dark Urge origin characters, after Alfira joins the camp
Looted from the secret vault of the Druid Grove
Looted in the hidden cellar of the Blighted Village
Purchased from Thulla in the Myconid Colony of the Underdark
Drops from guards just outside Creche Y’llek in Rosymorn Monastery
Potent Robe
Finish the Rescue The Tieflings quest without losing anyone throughout Act 1 or 2
Bracers of Defence
Looted in the hidden cellar of the Blighted Village (Act 1)
Boots Of Speed
Purchased from Thulla in the Myconid Colony of the Underdark (Act 1)
Found in a chest in the House in Deep Shadows
Killer’s Sweetheart
Found on the ground after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar
The Spellsparkler
Reward for “Rescue The Grand Duke” in Waukeen’s Rest (Act 1)
Purchased from the projection of Lorroakan in Sorcerous Sundries
Finish the Rescue The Tieflings quest without losing anyone (Act 1 and 2)
Quickspell Gloves
Purchased from front desk projection at Sorcerous Sundries in the Lower City
Ring of Mental Inhibition
Found in a chest in the House in Deep Shadows (Act 2)
Found on the ground after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar (Act 2)
Markoheshkir
Reach the lower level of Ramazith’s Tower – where players meet Lorroakan – and interact with the “Below” symbol
N/A
Best BG3 Warlock Build Consumables & Permanent Buffs
InBaldur’s Gate 3, Warlock builds can be enhanced further with the use of specific consumables. Certain potions, like the Ellixir of Battlemage’s Power, will grant combat-oriented bonuses for this best Warlock build, while others, like the Potion of Arcane Cultivation, will make it easier to cast more spells more often by restoring Spell Slots.
If you spot any of these useful Warlock consumables as world loot or enemy loot, in trader inventories, or otherwise, be sure to pick them up and store them in a bag for later use.
Consumable Effects
Potion of Angelic Reprieve
Equivalent to a Short Rest, and restores all Level 1 and 2 Spell Slots. Must sleep for two turns to activate the effect.
Potion of Angelic Slumber
Equivalent to a Long Rest, and restores all Spell Slots. Must sleep for two turns to activate the effect.
Elixirs of Arcane Cultivation
Four types, each granting an additional Level 1 (standard), Level 2 (Greater), Level 3 (Superior), or Level 4 (Supreme) Spell Slot.
Ellixir of Battlemage’s Power
Grants Arcane Acuity for 3 turns, increasing your chance to hit with spell attack rolls by +3, +3, then +1 each active turn (or until you take damage)
Potion of Speed
Grants Hastened for 3 turns, increasing AC by 2 and granting Advantage on DEX saving throws and an additional Action, and increases movement by 30ft.
Best BG3 Warlock Build Permanent Buffs
ThroughoutBG3you will find numerous ways to permanently increase your stats, gain permanent passive bonuses, or otherwise grant your character a permanent buff. To push the bestBG3Warlock Great Old One builds to the next level, keep an eye out for these five best Warlock permanent buffs as you adventure through the Sword Coast and beyond:
Auntie Ethel’s Hair
Grants +1 to any Ability Score of your choice
Must complete Mayrina’s quest in Act 1, but don’t kill Auntie Ethel. When she reaches low HP, she will offer to be spared. Accept her deal and you will gain Auntie Ethel’s Hair.
Awakened
All Illithid Powers now cost 1 Bonus Action instead of an Action
You must succeed all three Saving Throws inside the Githyanki Creche’s Zaith’isk to get this buff.
You may also absorb this skill when playing as Laezel by passing a DC 30 Arcana check (which will usually require a nat 20 roll) to take the power for your own.
The Tharchiate Codex
Once per Long Rest, gain 20 Temporary HP
Find and read “The Tharchiate Codex” within the Sorcerous Vault, which can only be accessed via Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur’s Gate City. You must use the Remove Curse spell to read it.
Mirror of Loss
Grants +2 to one Ability Score of your choice
Find the Mirror of Loss in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace within the House of Grief, found toward the end of Act 2.
Either offer the Necromancy of Thay (and the buff it grants) or pass a DC 25 Religion check to get +2 to any ability score of your choice.
Forbidden Knowledge
+1 to Wisdom checks and Saving Throws
You must find the Necromancy of Thay and successfully complete all three Wisdom checks to decipher its first page to get this buff.
Best BG3 Warlock Multiclass Choices
Maximize Your BG3 Warlock Build With Complimentary Warlock Multiclass Options
Players can choose to Multiclass beginning at Level 2. Look for the “Add Class” button on the top right of the level up overview menu – this will open up a new menu where players can choose one of any other class inBaldur’s Gate 3when selected.
Bard Multiclass – Warlock 10/Bard 2
The Warlock, being aCharisma-based caster, tends to do very well when it comes to rolling dice in conversations and crowd controlling enemies. Though speccing into Bard doesn’t necessarily improve the Warlock’s damage output, by putting just one point into this class, a Warlock can provide even more utility to the party through theSong of Rest and Bardic Inspirationabilities.
Two levels grants the Jack of All Trades feature, which grants the player Expertise in two additional skills – perfect for dialogue checks.
Song of Rest gives an extra short rest, which gives the Warlock another way to refresh their limited spell slots, while Bardic Inspiration can be used for some useful support skills. Multiclassing as a Bard and a Warlock makes CC a key part of the character’s spell list, so plan to stand back and set up plays for allies rather than getting involved in the fighting first-hand.
ensure this character is the party’s “main” character to take advantage of its strong dialogue skills.
Sorcerer Multiclass – Warlock 9/Sorcerer 3
By putting three levels into the Sorcerer class as a Warlock, players unlock the powerful Metamagic system and two charges, which can greatly improve the class' ability to deal damage withEldritch Blast.
Metamagic lets Warlocks use Quickened Spell and Twinned Spell to great effect, adding additional Eldritch Blast casts or damage, and opening up the potential for a Warlock to double-cast spells like Haste.
Additionally, both classes rely on Charisma, and can both take advantage of a player’s high CHA stat without forcing them to invest in others. Three levels in Sorcerer lets players choose a Sorcerer subclass.
In this case, the best option is theDraconic Bloodline, because it adds HP and increases Unarmored AC to 13. Many multiclass options grant additional armor proficiencies, but not the Sorcerer.
