Best Point Buy Build for Warlock in D&D 5e
Warlocks are elegant in their simplicity: they use CHA for everything, get short-rest spell slot recovery, and turn Eldritch Blast (a cantrip) into the best ranged attack in the game via Invocations. Point buy guarantees you start with CHA 15+ — the foundation of the entire class. This guide covers the stat allocation, the best races, and the critical Invocation choices that define the Warlock experience.
Why These Stats Matter for Warlock
CHA is everything. Eldritch Blast's damage doesn't scale with CHA, but Agonizing Blast (your first and almost-mandatory Invocation) adds your CHA modifier to each EB beam's damage. At CHA 18 (+4), each beam deals 1d10+4 force damage. At level 11, you fire 3 beams per action = 3×(5.5+4) = 28.5 average damage per action without spending resources. That's remarkable for a cantrip. Plus, your spells use CHA, your Pact Boon features use CHA, and if you're a Hexblade, your melee attacks use CHA.
CON 14 for concentration. Warlocks have few spell slots but powerful ones — Hunger of Hadar, Crown of Madness, Hypnotic Pattern. Maintaining concentration through damage is essential.
DEX 14 for AC in light armor (Warlock is light armor proficient) and Initiative. With Studded Leather (12 + DEX mod), DEX 14 gives AC 14. Hexblades who wear medium armor via their subclass need DEX 12 for Breastplate's cap.
The Hexblade exception: Hexblade Warlocks use CHA for melee attacks (Hex Warrior) and can wear medium armor. This means DEX can drop lower since you're in Breastplate. Put those points into CON instead.
Recommended Stat Priority
Spell save DC, Agonizing Blast damage, Hexblade melee attacks
Concentration, HP per level
AC in light armor, Initiative
Not needed for Warlock features
Not needed for Warlock features
Hexblade uses CHA for melee, making STR irrelevant
Sample Builds
Great Old One Blaster
Classic Warlock setup. CHA 15 → 17 with Half-Elf, → 18 at level 4. Agonizing Blast + Repelling Blast (push enemies 10ft on hit) for control and damage. GOO Pact Boons: Awakened Mind (telepathy), Entropic Ward (reaction disadvantage on attack).
Hexblade Melee Warlock
Hexblade uses CHA for melee attacks via Hex Warrior. Medium Armor proficiency means DEX doesn't matter — CON 15 → 16 with racial for more HP and survivability. Play as a CHA-based melee half-caster with medium armor and a longsword.
Fiend Warlock Tank
Fiend Warlock gains Dark One's Blessing (temp HP on kills) — the more you kill, the healthier you are. Standard stat spread, but this build prioritizes Dark One's Luck (add d10 to any ability check or saving throw) as a key Invocation. Fireball from Fiend expanded list.
Best Race Choices for Warlock
CHA +2 and two +1s (CON and DEX). Complete coverage of all three needed stats. Darkvision. Best Warlock race in 2014 rules.
CHA +2/INT +1. Hellish Rebuke adds a reaction damage option. Infernal Legacy spells (Hellish Rebuke, Darkness) are useful additions. Fiend Warlock + Tiefling is extremely thematic.
CHA +2/INT +1. Magic Resistance (advantage on spell saves) is exceptional when the enemy caster tries to dispel your concentration or target you with saves.
War Caster at level 1 for concentration. Or Actor feat for CHA utility. The free feat at level 1 changes the early game significantly.
Common Point Buy Mistakes for Warlock
Not taking Agonizing Blast as your first Invocation: This is a mandatory Invocation for almost every Warlock build. Adding your CHA modifier (+3 to +5 at various levels) to each Eldritch Blast beam means you're dealing significantly more damage with your cantrip. The only builds that skip it are melee Hexblades who rarely fire EB.
Misusing Hex: Hex is a bonus action concentration spell that marks a target for extra 1d6 necrotic damage per hit and gives disadvantage on one ability type. The mistake: casting it on the first round instead of using your round 1 action for Eldritch Blast and then casting Hex via Misty Visions (Invocation that makes Hex cost 0 Sorcery Points)... wait that's Sorcerer. Simply: cast Hex before combat if possible, or use it when you need the damage bonus. Don't let it drop and lose the concentration.
Forgetting that Eldritch Blast is your main damage source even at high levels: Unlike Wizards or Sorcerers who scale their spells, Warlocks use spell slots for impactful single-use effects (Hunger of Hadar, Scatter, Banishment) and Eldritch Blast for sustained damage. This is intentional and correct — don't try to upcast damage spells constantly.
Multiclassing Considerations
Warlock is the most popular multiclass dip in the game.
**Warlock 1-3 Dip from CHA classes**: Agonizing Blast + Repelling Blast (2 invocations) are available at Warlock 2 — CHA casters (Sorcerers, Bards, Paladins) love a 2-level Warlock dip for these.
**Sorlock (Sorcerer/Warlock)**: Convert Warlock short-rest slots to Sorcery Points. Gain Quicken Spell and Twinned Spell. Both classes use CHA. The "infinite" Sorlock uses short rests to max Sorcery Points continuously.
**Padlock (Paladin/Warlock)**: Both CHA-based. Paladin Smite + Warlock slots (higher level than Paladin slots at comparable levels). Hexblade Warlock + Paladin 6 is a premier melee build.
Subclass-Specific Stat Tweaks
**Great Old One**: Telepathy, Awakened Mind, Entropic Ward. Standard CHA focus. Excellent spells: Tasha's Hideous Laughter, Detect Thoughts, Clairvoyance.
**Fiend**: Dark One's Blessing (temp HP on kills) rewards aggressive play. Hurl Through Hell at level 14 is a powerful single-target nova. Fireball, Scorching Ray from expanded list.
**Archfey**: Fey Presence (action, Charm or Frighten creatures in 10ft). Misty Escape (reaction Invisibility when hit). More defensive/evasive playstyle. CHA primary still.
**Hexblade**: The most popular subclass. Hex Warrior lets you use CHA for one weapon's attack and damage, medium armor proficiency. With Pact of the Blade, you can make that a pact weapon. This is the only Warlock subclass where DEX can be dumped.
**Fathomless** (TCoE): Tentacle of the Deeps for bonus action ranged attacks. Oceanic Soul (cold resistance) and Guardian Coil for damage reduction. Standard CHA priority.
Warlock is one of the cleanest point buy classes because you optimize a single stat (CHA) and everything else falls into place. Half-Elf covers CHA, CON, and DEX in one racial package. Get CHA 15 at the start, 17 with racial, 18 at level 4, and you'll have a Warlock who consistently deals competitive damage without spending any resources.
Frequently Asked Questions — Warlock Point Buy
Why is Agonizing Blast mandatory for Warlock?
Should a Warlock take Pact of the Blade or Pact of the Tome?
How do Warlock spell slots work?
Is Warlock or Sorcerer better?
Can a Warlock be a tank?
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