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We explain why the Warlock might be the easiest class to play in Baldur’s Gate 3 but the worst and why its spell combo is overrated.
One of the most popular and simplest classes in BG3 is often overrated and weak compared to others, and that’s the Warlock. The main appeal of the Warlock is pressing two buttons repeatedly: Hex and Eldritch Blast. Players assumed this combination is overpowered because it debuffs enemies, triggers extra damage, and doesn’t use a spell slot. However, the Charisma-based Warlock fails in raw damage, class utility, mobility, and simplicity. Simply put, there’s zero reason to play a Warlock compared to other classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, and here’s why.
The Warlock has a weak spell selection, bonus action utility, weapon/armor proficiency, and weak subclass choices, and the Pact of the Blade boon was nerfed. Moreover, if you want to lean into Charisma to influence dialogue, there are better options with the Bard. Lastly, you figure multiclassing the build will solve the problem, but then you wonder why you aren’t just playing a Sorcerer to level 11 for Disintegration. You should stick with the Sorcerer because outside of Eldritch Blast cantrip, inside and outside of combat performance is terrible.
Why the Warlock is the Worst Class in Baldur’s Gate 3
Warlock is the worst class in BG3 because it has no unique feature that makes it better than another class. Here are 10 reasons why the Warlock is the worst class in Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Spell Selection: limited spells compared to the Wizard, and you can’t replace them without a respec using Withers and Gold.
- Learned Spells: Unlike the Wizard, you cannot learn spells with gold, requiring you to horde spells.
- Spell Slots: You have the least amount of spell slots of any primary spellcasters, so expect to use only Eldritch Blast or a long rest after every encounter.
- Bonus Action: Your bonus action utility is relegated to Hex and Misty Step. Meanwhile, the Sorcerer is firing off two fireballs in one turn with Metamagic.
- Combo: The Warlock’s main Hex/Eldritch Blast combo can produce about 50 damage with one action per turn, while the Paladin can produce 70 with one attack.
- Extra Attack: Classes with Extra Attack all outperform Warlock’s damage and can retain range without needing spellcasting.
- Proficiency: The Walrock has limited armor and weapon proficiency, which makes you wonder who would play a Warlock in Light Armor.
- Subclasses: The Warlock subclass choices are weak and don’t give any ultra-powerful bonus like the Sorcerer.
- Pact Boon: the Pact of the Blade used to work amazingly but was nerfed, giving you little impact on this choice.
- Eldritch Invocations: if you plan on using clothing, you’ll need either Mage Armour or use Invocations to boost AC passively.
Warlock Compared to Fighter
If you compare the Warlock to a Fighter in simplicity, you’d expect similar combat performance for a player’s level of knowledge. However, that is not the case with a Fighter capable of attacking 14 times one turn one. Comparitively to the Warlock producing three attacks with Haste and Bloodlust Elixir triggered. Let’s examine a Warlock turn one vs. a Fighter at max level.
| Warlock Actions | Fighter Actions |
|---|---|
| Bonus Action – Hex | Attack (action 1) |
| Action – Eldritch Blast | Attack (action 1 extra attack) |
| Action – Eldritch Blast (via Bloodlust Proc) | Attack (action 1 improved extra attack) |
| Action – Eldritch Blast (via Haste) | Attack (action 2 via Bloodlust proc) |
| Attack (action 2 extra attack) | |
| Attack (action 2 improved extra attack) | |
| Attack (action 3 via Haste pre-buff) | |
| Attack (action 3 extra attack) | |
| Attack (action 3 improved extra attack) | |
| Attack (action 4 via action surge Fighter class action) | |
| Attack (action 4 extra attack) | |
| Attack (action 4 improved extra attack) | |
| Attack (via Great Weapon Master Bonus Action) | |
| Attack (via gloves of Martial Exertion) |
With almost zero knowledge of BG3 and without requiring multiclassing or complex spells, the Fighter destroys the Warlock in terms of simplicity. Not to mention every attack doing 30+ damage or more when optimized, the Fighter shines at every level. This comparison gives you an idea of how weak the Warlock is in combat when compared to the less flashy Fighter.
Warlock Compared to Sorcerer
While most players choose to multiclass a Warlock into a Sorcerer, they lose out on gaining Flight and Disintegrate with almost zero upside. The Sorcerer at level 11 gains their Level 6 spells, which you should take Disintegrate. This is the most powerful single target spell in BG3, dealing 50-100 force damage. However, the best part of the Sorcerer is you can use Twinned Metamagic and hit two targets rather than one! Meanwhile, the Warlock cast a meager Eldritch Blast combo resulting in 50 damage. The Sorcerer can easily triple the Warlock’s damage with one action, but that’s not all!
Using Metamagic, you can follow up a two-target Disintegrate with a Quickened Spell using a bonus action to cast a spell. Therefore, you can fire off two disintegrate beams that deal with 100-200 damage, then a fireball in one turn. This can result in an additional 200-300 extra damage if the Fireball hits multiple targets and is upcast to level 5. Or, you can play the Warlock and deal 50 damage per turn with your weak combo, your choice.
Warlock Compared to Bard
Since the Warlock is a Charsima-based ability score class, they must be good at influencing dialogue, right? Let’s assume the answer is yes, why would anyone pick a Warlock over a Bard? You wouldn’t because the Bard gains Bardic Inspiration, Jack of All Trades, additional profienceny bonuses, and a greater-sized spell book. So, Warlock Charisma, which you assume is good for speaking, is less optional than a Bard. And, unlike the Warlock, the Bard gains extra attack and more skill proficiencies, allowing them to dual crossbow and play at range.
Who Should Play a Warlock
The only performance-based reason to play a Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 is to save on long rest supplies because of your cantrip-focused build with Eldritch Blast. Outside of this, you are much weaker in every aspect of BG3 than any other class. Weak spell selection, terrible bonus action utility, and noodle damage in comparison to any extra attack class. Stop if you’re a D&D5e player lecturing everyone about how and why the Warlock is the best. It doesn’t work in Baldur’s Gate 3.
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