Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Solo Warlock Build

This solo guide focuses on the key aspects of a Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3), intended to play solo without companions.

Best BG3 Solo Warlock Build

This build page has been updated for the patch 6 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Best Solo Warlock Build Guide

Warlocks in Baldur’s Gate 3 are masters of eldritch power, forging pacts with otherworldly beings for forbidden magic. They aren’t your typical spellcasters. They rely on charisma, not intelligence for their spellcasting modifier. In addition, Warlocks have light armour proficiency and simple weapon proficiency allowing for flexible build options. This solo Warlock build will focus on cloth-wearing spellcasting at range because it provides great damage while maintaining high survivability.

We’ve crafted this solo build focusing on achieving top performance in combat, particularly for those interested in playing solo and on Honour Mode difficulty. Thus, we will use multiclassing gaining the spell-casting power of the Sorcerer and the bonus action utility of the Rogue. Let’s delve into how to effectively utilize the optimal Baldur’s Gate 3 Solo Warlock Build!

Solo Warlock Build Features

The following list presents all the essential solo Warlock Build Mechanics and Features in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Primary Ability: Charisma
  • Saving Throw: Charisma and Wisdom
  • Subclass: Fiend
  • Armor Proficiency: Light Armour
  • Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapons, and Shields
  • Preferred Armor: Clothing
  • Preferred Weapon: Quarterstaff
  • Spell Slots: Recharge spell slots on short rest.
  • Dark One’s Blessing: Kill enemies grants you temporary HP.
  • Eldritch Invocations: Adds effect to Eldritch Blast.
  • Sorcerer Multiclass: obtain metamagic and amplify spells
  • Draconic Bloodline Subclass: Gain resistance and deal more damage with specific elemental types.
  • Draconic Resilience Armour Class:  When you aren’t wearing armor, your Base AC increases to 13.
  • Draconic Resilience Hit Points: Your Hit Point maximum increases by 1 for each Sorcerer level. 
  • Dragon Ancestry Brass: Spells that deal with Fire damage are more powerful starting at level 6.
  • Dragon Ancestor: Allows you to specialize in draconic ancestry.
  • Rogue Thief Subclass: grants Bonus Action and resistance to falling damage.
  • Advantage: gain an additional dice roll d20 if you strike while hidden.
  • Sneak AttackDeal additional damage while having an advantage.
  • Fast Hands: You gain an extra Bonus action.

How to Play the Warlock Solo in Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 can be played solo by either opting to disregard companions or recruiting them and later dismissing them to your camp. Although playing a Warlock build solo presents a challenging experience, it is possible to complete the entire game solo.

Below are some general tips on how to play the best Warlock build in BG3 Solo:

  1. Stealth: Start combat in stealth if possible to trigger the Surprise status effect.
  2. Side Quest: Complete as many side-quests as possible to reach levels 5 and 9 where your power boosts.
  3. Summons: Do side quests to obtain summons and permanent bonuses like Scratch and Necromancy of Thay in Act 1.
  4. Resources: Make sure every turn you are spending your bonus and action and don’t let any resource go unspent.
  5. Loot Everything: You will need a lot of gold to buy consumables, potions, and spell scrolls so loot and sell constantly.
  6. Crafting: Elixirs and potions are vital (potion of speed/elixir of bloodlust), and you need to purchase materials when trading for crafting.
  7. Eldritch Blast: Rely on cantrip damage due to limited spell slots at lower levels.
  8. Illithid Powers: While it can come with an altered appearance, the powers are powerful and can help you.
  9. Bloodlust: This is the most powerful elixir giving you an extra action for kills and lasts until a long rest.
  10. Persuasion: Try to avoid combat through dialogue if possible.

Character Creation

Race

BG3 Best solo Warlock Race
High Half-Elf

High Half-Elf is the best race choice for the solo Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 because you gain an extra Cantrip, Fey Ancestry, Darkvision, and Shield Proficiency.  A secondary choice is the Human because you gain increased carrying capacity, skill proficiency, and shield proficiency as well. A third choice would be Wood Half-Elf because you gain everything a High Half-Elf does minus a free cantrip in exchange for the highest movement speed in BG3.

Here is the best race choice for a solo Warlock build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  1. High Half-Elf
  2. Human
  3. Wood Half-Elf

Ability Score

BG3 Best Ability Score Solo Warlock Build

The Best Ability Score for a solo Warlock Build is 17 Charisma, 16 Dexterity, and 15 Constitution. Charisma will determine your spellcasting modifier, spell damage, and chance of landing an attack. Dexterity determines your combat order and also provides Armour Class (AC) when in cloth. Contitution will determine health and concentration saving throws.

Below is the best ability score for a solo Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3:

  • Strength – 8
  • Dexterity – 16
  • Constitution – 15
  • Intelligence – 8
  • Wisdom – 8
  • Charisma – 17
Morror of Loss Stolen Vigour Permanent Bonus on Sorcerer class with max stat - Baldur's Gate 3

This selection assumes you will take the Ability Improvement feat at level 6 to land on even numbers for Charisma and Constitution. Your second feat will be +2 to Charisma obtaining 20. This is the max score without gear or bonuses. However, you can push your Charisma to 24 with a Birthright helmet and Mirror of Loss bonus. Make sure to check out our Permanent bonus guide on how you can boost your ability score through quests.

Background & Skills

The best Background for a solo Warlock is Charlatan because it gives proficiency in Deception and Sleight of Hand. Sleight of hand in particular is helpful when playing solo, while Deception is strong due to our high charisma score.  Backgrounds in Baldur’s Gate 3 are a way to represent your character’s backstory and give them some starting skills and abilities.

The two best skills to select in character creatures are intimidation and Investigation. Intimidation allows you to bypass combat and investigation helps discover secrets in the open world.

Best Solo Warlock Build – Level Progression in Baldur’s Gate 3

Level 1

BG3 Best solo Warlock Build Character Creator

At level one, you should follow our character creation steps. Select the correct background, raceskills, and ability score focusing on Charisma and Dexterity. You want to equip a quarterstaff and shield while wearing clothes. You won’t obtain Mages Armour so expect your Armour Class (AC) to be low until level 3. At that point, you take the Draconic Dragon Sorcerer subclass which grants 13 AC passively without wearing armour.

Level 1 for the Warlock unlocks a massive amount of selections, here’s what we recommend and why:

Subclass Selection
  • The Fiend: Gain access to Dark One’s Blessing which killing enemies grants you grants you temporary HP. This helps with survivability and makes a strong Warlock subclass.
  • Armour of Agathys (subclass spell): Gain 5 temporary hit points and deal 5 Cold damage to any creature that hits you with a melee attack. use this when you expect to take damage and need to survive. You can cast outside of combat, but it will use a precious spell slot.
  • Arms of Hadar (subclass spell): Summon dark tendrils and deal Necrotic damage to enemies in an area centered on the caster, preventing them from taking Reactions. Not that useful for spell-only area-based damage applications.
Cantrip Selection
  • Eldritch Blast: 1d10 force damage via an 18-meter beam. This is the best cantrip in the game and what we use primarily for damage.  Remember Cantrips do not use spell slots, and Warlocks in particular have very few, so Cantrips and free spells are mostly what we will use for damage this being number one.
  • Mage Hand: conjures a spectral hand that can interact with objects. This is a helpful non-combat cantrip while exploring.
Spells Selection
  • Hex Spell: Curse a creature so it takes additional damage whenever you attack it and inflict Disadvantage on Ability Checks with an Ability of your choosing. This spell helps do damage and it can be used as a bonus action. So you can combo this spell with Eldritch Blast and that’s the main offensive gameplay loop of the class.
  • Hellish Rebuke: This is a reaction base spell meaning, you can use it when someone attacks you without using an action. Make sure to hit the passives tab on your character’s menu and request “ask.” The reason is, that you don’t want to use this spell on a target with 1 health since spell slots are low.
Warlock Gameplay and Priorities

The premise of the best solo Warlock build is combining Hex and Eldritch Blast repeatedly. Hex can debuff the target and use a bonus action while Eldritch Blast uses an action. Therefore, you generally debuff with Hex first and select the attribute that you want to weak (constitution, dexterity), then follow up with Eldritch Blast. If you kill a target, you can re-cast Hex again without consuming a spell slot similar to the Hunter and Marked Target.

While this combination doesn’t appear strong initially, it doesn’t require you to constantly long rest like other spellcasters. Moreover, Eldritch Blast gains additional beams of damage at levels 5 and 10. Finally, multiple gearsets amplify your damage and you can expect great bursts from this basic combination throughout the entirety of BG3. Last tip, make sure to use Elixir of Bloodlust outside of combat before tough fights. This will trigger an additional action upon a kill. Since you are playing solo, this will always happen and you can combine it with haste or a potion of speed. Thus, you can have 3 actions per turn!

Solo Warlock Progression

Your overall priority with this build is the following:

Level 2

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 2

At level 2, the solo Warlock learns one new spell and picks two Eldritch Invocation choices. Below is our recommendation at this level.

  • Command: Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground, or drop its weapon.
  • Agonizing Blast (class feature): When you cast Eldritch Blast, add your Charisma Modifier to the damage it deals, unless it is negative.
  • Repelling Blast (class feature): When you hit a creature with Eldritch Blast, you can push the creature up to 4.5 m away from you.

The Command spell is a powerful control spell. You can pick different types of crowd control effects on each usage of this spell. The two most effective are Grovel and Drop. Grovel has a chance to knock enemies prone and stun them for a turn. This essentially skips their turn and is very helpful against high-damage dealers. Drop makes the enemy drop their weapon. You can use this and pick up the weapon immediately following and completely negate a weapon user. This is very helpful early on when fighting Githyanki Fighters who seemly do endless amounts of attacks per turn.

The next choice selection is Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast. Both of these aid your Eldritch Blast cantrip. Agonizing adds more damage based on how much Charisma you have. Repelling Blast gives you a knockback effect that can be toggled on or off. Use this to knock enemies off ledges or peel them off of you if melee attackers are on top of you.

Warlock Armour Class

Lastly, your Warlock’s AC will be low, but next-level Draconic Bloodline will grant 13 AC passively while wearing clothes. This bonus plus 16 Dexterity, plus a shield will give you 18 AC! This is as much as any heavy armour user in Act 1 which will help avoid attacks. This is while selecting Half-Elf or Human is critical for the overall build.

Level 3

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 3

At Level 3, we want to multiclass this Warlock to the Sorcerer. The primary reason is, we have enough power from the Warlock via Hex and Eldritch Blast. We want to expand our spell selection and obtain Metamagic. Metamagic, specifically quickened, allows you to use a bonus action to cast a spell. This is why we will eventually take another multiclass selection, Rogue and Thief. With this combination, you gain two bonus actions and can use action and bonus action to cast spells. This gives you more firepower and survival than simply staying with the class fully.

To multiclass this solo Warlock build, select the + sign in the upper right of the leveling screen. Select the Sorcerer class which unlocks your subclass, spells, and cantrips. Below are our suggestions:

Sorcerer Unlocks
  • Friends: Gain Advantage on Charisma Checks against a non-hostile creature. Helpful outside of combat during questing.
  • Light: Infuse an object with an aura of light. This cantrip is helpful while exploring dark areas.
  • Minor Illusion: Create an illusion that compels nearby creatures to investigate. You can use this to manipulate guards or create distractions prior to combat.
  • Blade Ward or Firebolt: depending on your racial choice, pick Blade Ward for defensive if High Half-Elf or Firebolt if not.
  • Chromatic Orb: Hurl a sphere of energy. It deals 3~24 Elemental damage of choice and possibly creates a surface on impact.
  • Shield: When you are about to be hit by an enemy, use your Reaction to increase your Armour Class by 5. Critical for survival boosting your survivability with a reaction when attacked.
  • Draconic Resilience Armour Class:  When you aren’t wearing armour, your Base Armour Class increases to 13.
  • Draconic Resilience Hit Points: Your Hit Point maximum increases by 1 for each Sorcerer level. 
  • Dragon Ancestry Brass: Fire is the damage type associated with your dragon ancestor. At the 6th level, spells that deal with Fire damage are more powerful, and you can become Resistant to Fire damage.
  • Sleep (Ancestry Spell): Put creatures into a magical slumber. Select targets up to a combined 24 Hit Points. Low-level crowd control.
Gameplay Changes to Solo Warlock

The main additional benefits to your Sorcerer multiclass at this level are Draconic AC (13 passively), Shield, and Chromatic Orb. The shield spell is triggered via the reactions tab, and you want to select “ask” so you only use a spell slot during critical moments. This spell dramatically increases your survivability for a turn, and for extra survivability, you can combine it with Mirror Image. We won’t be selecting the spell to learn, however, you can obtain scrolls and stockpile them for difficult fights.

Chromatic Orb is a very powerful spell because you can select the specific element you want to use. This is helpful when facing constructs that are weak to lighting or using cold to knock enemies prone. Chromatic Orb is considered a single target, so next level we unlock metamagic and a powerful combination with this spell!

Continue to use Hex + Eldritch Blast for your primary damage source. Experiment with Chromatic Orb, but always leave 1 Sorcerer slot (blue, purple is warlock) for a Shield reaction.

Level 4

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 4

With our second level into the Sorcerer, we unlock metamagic and can make two selections. Metamagic is a Sorcerer class feature that gives you a new resource called Sorcerery points. You can use these points and create different effects on spells. With this best solo Warlock build, we will end up with 6 Sorcerer points (one per level taken). This is helpful to know because the most powerful metamagic spell is Quickened, learned next level. Quickend costs 3 Sorcerery points but allows you to use a bonus action, rather than an action, for spell casting. This gives you more raw damage than a traditional Warlock for this reason. Below are our recommended selections at level 4:

  • Magic Missile: Shoot 3 magical darts, each dealing 2∼5 Force damage. They always hit their target.
  • Metamagic Twinned: Spells that only target 1 creature can target an additional creature. Cost 1 sorcery point per spell level, cantrips are 1.
  • Metamagic Distant: Extends the range of a spell by 50%. Melee spells are increased to Range: 9 m / 30 ft. Cost 1 sorcery point.
Solo Warlock Gameplay Changes

With the additions of metamagic and Magic Missile, you can now Twinned single target spells.  This includes Command, Chromatic Orb, and Firebolt cantrip at this point.  The best use of this is Command for crowd control on two targets or Chromatic Orb for two uses of it.  You can click the icon and it will light up single-target spells if you are confused.  My favorite combination is using Cold Chromatic Orb with Twinned Metamagic. This is likely to stun with a prone status effect while doing damage as well.

Magic Missile can be helpful because it bends around objects and has a 100% chance of landing. This spell is also force, similar to Eldritch Blast, and is useful when targets only need to take one damage. You can “upcast” this spell with higher-level spell slots and shoot more objects.

Level 5

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 5

At level 5, we unlock one additional spell and another metamagic selection.

  • Scorching Ray: Hurl 3 rays of fire. Each ray deals 2∼12 Fire damage.
  • Metamagic Quickened Spell: Spells that take an Action take a Bonus action instead.

Quickened Spell allows you to cast a spell with a bonus action rather than an action. The downside of Quickened Spell is it requires 3 Sorcerery points. At this level, you can either use Twinned or Quickened per long rest. However, at the following level, you can use them together for an insanely powerful turn. Double cast a single target spell, then activate Quickened and cast a Fireball all on turn one. The switch to Hex and Eldritch Blast combination for powerful and simple damage!

At this level, you should feel very powerful. A couple more to get to obtain powerful spells, before we swap to Rogue and Thief for additional bonus action and utility.

Level 6

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 6

At level 6, we unlock our first feat, one new cantrip, and one new spell. Below are our recommendations:

  • Bone Chill: Prevent the target from healing until your next turn. An undead target receives Disadvantage on Attack Rolls. Useful to prevent targets from healing.
  • Misty Step (spell selection): Instantly teleport to an unoccupied space within an 18m range that you can see. This spell stands out as one of the most effective defensive options, especially in the early stages of the game. It provides a reliable teleportation ability precisely when you need it the most. Additionally, casting Misty Step only demands a bonus action, leaving your main action free to cast a high-powered spell, granting you the tactical advantage of swift mobility while conserving valuable spell slots.
  • Ability Improvement: +1 to Charisma and +1 to Constitution. You should now be at 18 Charisma and 16 Constitution, boosting your damage and health.

Consider Misty Step the most important change here. You can use spell slots and bonus action for movement. The trick to using this is, making sure you know if your character will move forward without provoking an opportunity attack. Simply place the circle where you want to move, and make sure to glance at your character first. They tend to run into trouble.

Level 7

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 7

At level 7, select Fireball: Shoot a bright flame from your fingers that explodes upon contact, torching everything in the vicinity for 8d6 Fire damage in a 4-meter radius. This is our massive area-based damage spell and one of the best in the game. You can now combo Fireball with Chromatic Orb using Quickened Magic. The downside to this is, that you will be required to take long rest frequently. So, open up heavy on damage turn one with this combination then switch to Hex + Eldritch Blast when drained of spell slots or sorcery points.

Level 8

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 8

At level 6, you want to select Counterspell: Nullify another creature’s spell as a reaction. The spell must be 3rd level or lower. If it is higher, you must succeed in a Check to nullify it, the difficulty of which is based on the spell’s Level. This is an amazing spell because it’s a reaction, meaning it doesn’t cost an action. You can shut down a fellow spell caster, but be careful you don’t want to use all your spell slots.

Now, you should have both Shield and Counterspell which give you incredible survivability to negate or avoid incoming damage. This will be our last Sorcerer level because we want to gain additional bonus action with the Rogue and Thief subclass.

Level 9

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 9

At level 9, we suggest switching to the Rogue class. To do this, simply click the + sign with two access for multiclass. Select your class then a popup will appear on what you can select. The reason we want to use the Rogue is mainly for the Thief subclass and an additional feat with a four-level investment. Below is what you unlock at level 1:

  • Skill: Acrobatics (both expertise and proficiency)
  • Sneak Attack (Ranged & Melee): Deal an additional to an enemy you have Advantage against. Attack/Save: Ranged Attack Recharge: Once per turn. To gain an Advantage, you need to be hiding or that enemy to be engaged with another in 1.5 meters.
Baldur's Gate 3 Sneak Attack Proc

This level will seem to lack luster because you gain weapon-based sneak attack damage. However, stick with it, having two bonus actions is worth it at the end game.

Level 10

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 10

With a second-level investment into the Rogue, you unlock additional bonus action utility skills below:

  • Cunning Action Hide: Hide from enemies by succeeding Stealth checks. Stick to the dark and avoid enemy sightlines. Attacking or casting a spell will reveal your location.
  • Cunning Action Dash: Cover more distance this turn: double your Movement Speed.
  • Cunning Action Disengage: Retreat safely: moving won’t provoke Opportunity Attacks.

These additional bonus action utility items are incredibly useful for mobility and hiding. Next level, the solo Warlock will get another bonus action per turn making it much more likely to use these frequently. Specifically, Hide or Dash should be used to end a turn in stealth or out of the enemy’s line of sight.

Level 11

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 11

With a third-level investment into Rogue, we unlock a subclass selection. The Thief is the best due to a bonus action. Below is what you unlock with this selection:

  • Fast Hands (Level 3): Gain an additional bonus action.
  • Second-Story Work (Level 3): You’ve mastered the art of falling and gaining Resistance to Falling damage.

The Fast Hands passives ensure that bonus actions like Hex, Misty Step, Metamagic Quickend, Potions, and Cunning Hide don’t deplete this resource. Aim to utilize both your actions and bonus actions at every turn, if possible. Additionally, we recommend consistently attempting to conclude your turn in a concealed location using Cunning Hide if you have a bonus action. Even with nearby enemies, there’s a chance of success in this check, allowing you to remain hidden. This triggers Advantage when you attack, resulting in extra sneak damage.

Level 12

BG3 Best Solo Warlock Build Level 12

Take another level into the Rogue to gain +2 Charisma with ability improvement feat. You should now be at 20, which can be raised to 24. Below we will share our best gear recommendations.

Best Gear for Baldur’s Gate 3 Solo Warlock Build

In Games like Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll explore the world, loot chests and your enemies’ dead bodies, and complete quests and all those activities can reward you with useful items, potionsarmourweapons, scrolls, and much more. There are three Acts in BG3, and Best Baldur’s Gate 3 solo Warlock Build Guide includes suggested sets and alternatives for Act 1 and Act 3.

Beginner: Starting the Game

BG3 Melf’s First Staff
Baldur's Gate 3 The Protecty Sparkswall
BG3 Disintegrating Night Walkers boots

Here’s the best beginner gear, items, and equipment for the best Solo Warlock Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear SlotBest Gear ItemEffect
HeadCirclet of BlastingFree Scorching Ray
Cape
ChestThe Protecty Sparkswall+1 Spell Saves
GlovesGloves of Cinder and SizzleFree Scorching Ray
BootsDisintegrating Night WalkersMobility & Misty Step
NecklaceAmulet of Misty StepFree Misty Step
RingFetish of Callarduran SmoothhandsFree Invisibility
RingRing of Absolute ForceFree Thunderwave
Weapon 1 Main HandMelf’s First StaffFree Acid Arrow
Weapon 1 Off-HandAdamantine Shield +2 AC (Half-Elf or Human)
Weapon 2 RangedBow of Awareness+1 Initiative

Advanced: Endgame

BG3 Markoheshkir Legendary Quarterstaff
Potent Robe - Baldur's Gate 3 - BG3
Birthright - Baldur's Gate 3

Here’s the best endgame Act 3 gear, items, and equipment for solo Warlock Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear SlotBest Gear ItemEffect
HeadBirthright+2 Charisma
CapeCloak of the Weave+1 Spell Save & Roll
ChestPotent RobeAbility Mod to Cantrip
GlovesQuickspell GlovesCantrips Bonus Action
BootsHelldusk BootsCannot be Moved
NecklaceAmulet of Greater Health23 Constitution
RingKiller’s SweetheartAuto Critical
RingCrypt Lord RingFree Create Undead
Weapon 1 Main HandMarkoheshkirFree Spells, +1 Roll
Weapon 1 Off-HandViconia’s Walking Fortress3 AC, Reflect Spell
Weapon 2 RangedGontr MaelFree Haste Spell

Best Consumables, Potions, and Items

Elixir of Bloodlust - Baldur's Gate 3
BG3 Potion of Speed
BG3 Elixir of Battlemage's Power

The following list represents the best individual use consumable items that will aid in our Best Solo Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Build:

Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Solo Warlock Build Summary

Subclass

  • Fiend (Warlock)
  • Draconic Bloodline (Sorcerer)
  • Thief (Rogue)

Armor: Cloth

Weapons: Quarterstaff & Shield

Background: Charlatan

Race – High Half-Elf

Ability Score

  • Strength – 8
  • Dexterity – 16
  • Constitution – 15
  • Intelligence – 8
  • Wisdom – 8
  • Charisma – 17

Solo Warlock Level Progression

  • Level 1 – Fiend Subclass
  • Level 2 – Agonizing & Repelling Blast
  • Level 3 – Multiclass Sorcerer
  • Level 4 – Metamagic Twinned & Distance
  • Level 5 – Metamagic Quickened
  • Level 6 – +1 Charisma & +1 Constitution
  • Level 7 – Fireball
  • Level 8 – Counterspell
  • Level 9 – Multiclass to Rogue
  • Level 10 – Cunning Actions
  • Level 11 – Thief Subclass
  • Level 12 – +2 Charisma

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