Quick Links
As a Warlock of the Undying, you have made a pact with a creature who has bested the very concept of death, achieving a lifespan and power that extends beyond that of the natural worlds inDungeons & Dragons. The Warlock of the Undying’s skill set revolves around imbuing themselves with foul, corrupted magic that mimics their patron’s lifespan, improving the warlock’s health and healing abilities throughout battle.
Though similar in flavor to the Warlock of the Undead, the undying can turn their magic onto their allies, protecting them from death and cheating the gods out of yet another soul. Let’s dive in to building the ultimate undying warlock.
Patron Ideas For An Undying Warlock
While some may choose to interpret the undying warlock’s patron as a being like a vampire or a lich, their patron may also simply be an immortal. This opens you to choosing or creating a patron beyond the scope of unlife, making creatures like monsters or demigods accessible.
Here are some ideas for patrons:
Naga
Naga are snake-like creatures that live forever.They were first created as immortal guardians by a humanoid species but now believe themselves to be the masters of all other creatures that inhabit their surroundings. They like to collect arcane knowledge.
Mummy Lord
Once the high priests of dark gods or sorcerers that ruled or commanded empires, Mummy lords are often sealed within their lairs. Though they have kept the memories and personality of their previous life,the mummy is almost certain to use the dark magic they were suffused with.
Szass Tam
Szass Tamis anextraordinary lich and one of the eight Zulkirs, or, Red Wizards, who governed the country ofThay. Tam was known to have a cold and infinite patience that he cultivated in his undeath, while also possessing the ability to treat his servants well should they serve him properly. Still,Tam enjoys plotting, scheming, and intrigue, often resulting in the deaths of said servants.
Iuz
Iuzis the half-fiend or son of Graz’zt and Iggwiv, a demon lord and a witch queen.He is a demigod and incorperates pain and suffering into his portfolio.
Death Knight
A death knight isoften created through dark rituals as punishment or amusement from the gods surrounding the death knight’s misdeeds in life.While most death knights were wicked individuals in life, some were granted a reprieve from their torment and blessed with life again, though this is not common.
Vlaakith
Vlaakith is theLich-Queen of the Githyanki, having achieved a state of deathlessness from study and magical interference. She has a pact with Tiamat and a red dragon for a consort.
Warlock Of The Undying Features Overview
At thefirst level, you’ll acquire a lengthy attribute that intends to serve as a buffing feature. While not particularly powerful, in the right circumstances, this can stop undead enemies in their tracks.
Among the Dead
This feature does not work for area-of-effects spellsand is, of course,completely situational to undead enemies.Be sure to ask your Dungeon Master about the prominence of the undead in any upcoming campaign to play this subclass feature effectively.
Atsixth level,your character can help their allies or themselves cheat death.
Defy Death
By the time you hittenth level,you no longer need to breathe, sleep, eat, or drink water.
Undying Nature
In addition to not having to be beholden to water or food,your character will now age at a slower rate.You become immune to being magically aged (a favorite tactic for the ghost) andyour body ages a single year for every ten years that go by.
This feature is ultimately for flavor, as your character still has to take long and short rests to regain hit points. This may be useful if you plan on taking watch during the night indefinitely.
By the time you reachfourteenth level,you gain the ability to gain back lost health.
Indestructible Life
You use abonus actionand regain hit points equal to1d8 + your warlock level, and can reattach any severed limbs. You regain this feature on a long or short rest.
The main draw of this feature is the regaining hit points, but the healing is ridiculously small compared to other classes at the fourteenth level. The Warlock of the Undying may need some homebrew at later levels to keep up with all the other classes in your party, but the damage you’ll deal with the spells your subclass provides will be adequate.
Best Ability Scores For Undying Warlock
Charismashould be your main concern, as it’s both your spellcasting modifier and a contributing factor to your spell save DC. A low Charisma will make your first feature easy to be steamrolled by very weak undead creatures, so ensure it’s high for that if nothing else.
Next, focus on yourConstitution, as yourhit point maximumrelies on your ability score there. Even with the acquisition of False Life at early levels, you should keep your Constitution high!Dexterityis next, especially with yourarmor classbeing derived it, andWisdomshould be fourth toassist your proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.
IntelligenceandStrengthcan be your dump stats.
Recommended Species For Undying Warlock
Half-Orc, Orc,andHill Dwarfwill add to your character’s survivability in combat, as will theGoliath’s Stone’s Endurance featureandLizardfolk’snatural armor class. As undying warlock seeks to give your spellcasting character a facsimile of resilience,choosing a race that provides you some resistance may also be helpful.
As such,satyr’sMagic Resistancemay assist you in staying upright while fighting mages and could helpgear you towards a backlining build. Aasimarmay also providea useful resistance to necrotic damage, especially if you’re playing an undying warlock in a necromantic setting.
Githyankigives you access toMage Hand, which is great, andMisty Stepas you level. You’ll also receiveresistance to psychicdamageatop theAstral Knowledgefeature. It may be worth it to stock up on those resistances and skill proficiencies!
Recommended Spells For Undying Warlock
The undying gives you spells to help you as you level, providing you withseveral ways to improve your hit point maximum and manipulate the vitality of those around you:
Legend Lore
Recommended Cantrips
Eldritch Blast and Chill Touch are essential for their power and adaptability.
Description
Eldritch Blast
Eldritch Blast will beyour warlock’s best cantrip.It levels with your character and does a consistent amount of damage when you hit with it.
Chill Touch
This cantrip does a small amount of necrotic damage, and may be thematic as well as useful should your spell slots run out. It also givesan undead target disadvantageon attacks against you, which will go very well with your first featureshould they succeed on the saving throw you impose.
Recommended Spells
These spells are more than just tricks; they’re your magical foundation.
Protection from Evil and Good
Armor of Agathys
Armor of Agathys will give you sometemporary hit pointsas well as deal some damage when it bursts. This works well with your healing abilities, providing you with some extra cushion in battle.
