Baldur’s Gate 3 offers players an incredible amount of freedom when it comes to creating and customizing your character.
With its intricate class system and seemingly endless multiclassing options, theorycrafting unique and powerful character builds is part of the fun. One of the most potent combinations discovered so far is the Warlock/Fighter multiclass build. This hybrid excels at dishing out high weapon and spell damage, controlling the battlefield, and can reset most of its resources after a short rest.
Let’s take an in-depth look at how to create the ultimate Warlock/Fighter in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Why Combine Warlock & Fighter
On the surface, Warlock and Fighter may seem like an odd pairing. Warlocks are mystical spellcasters who derive their magic from pacts with powerful entities, while Fighters are martial warriors honing their bodies and skills in combat.
However, when combined, these two classes perfectly complement each other and create a character that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
The key benefits of multiclassing Warlock and Fighter are:
- Extra Attack from both classes stack for a total of 3 attacks per turn
- Short rest spell slot and ability reset synergize extremely well
- Fighter armor/weapon proficiencies combined with Warlock ranged/magic options
- Warlock spells and Fighter maneuvers/action surge offer tremendous versatility
This multiclass build works so well because it takes the impressive magical damage potential of the Warlock and combines it with the Fighter’s martial prowess and utility. Let’s look at how to build this step-by-step.
Stats & Ability Score Distribution
When distributing ability points for a Warlock/Fighter, the priority stats are:
- Charisma (CHA) – This affects spell attack rolls, spell save DCs, and pact weapon damage. Get it to 20 ASAP.
- Dexterity (DEX) – Boosts AC, initiative, finesse weapons. 16 starting minimum.
- Constitution (CON) – Increases HP and concentration saves. 14 is good for early levels.
Strength can be dumped as pact weapons use Charisma instead. Mental stats like Intelligence and Wisdom aren’t too important either. Make sure to pick races and backgrounds that boost the key abilities.
Here’s an example point buy distribution:
- Strength: 12
- Dexterity: 16
- Constitution: 14
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 10
- Charisma: 16
Starting with 16s in DEX and CHA is ideal. CON at 14 gives you some extra durability. The remaining points go into Strength so you qualify for heavy armor.
Also see BG3 Mod Guide and ultimate multiclass guide.
Class Progression Path
When multiclassing Warlock and Fighter, you generally want to start with at least 1 level of Fighter first. This grants proficiency in heavy armor, shields, and martial weapons. All extremely useful for this build.
After dipping Fighter 1, focus on Warlock and get to level 3 as soon as possible. This unlocks 2nd level spells and your Pact Boon. Pact of the Blade is essential to make the most of this multiclass.
Once you have Pact of the Blade, you can switch back to Fighter for Extra Attack at level 5, then return to Warlock for your own Thirsting Blade Extra Attack at Warlock 5. From there it’s flexible – go for more Warlock spell slots and Mystic Arcanum or Fighter ASIs and improved combat abilities.
Here’s a sample progression for levels 1-8:
- Level 1: Fighter
- Levels 2-3: Warlock
- Levels 4-5: Fighter
- Levels 6-7: Warlock
- Level 8: Fighter
This provides a great base, though the levels after 8 can be adjusted based on your preference. The key is getting Extra Attack from both classes as soon as possible.
Warlock Features & Spells
The Warlock portion of this multiclass brings powerful offensive magic spells and invocations to the table. Here are some highlights:
- Eldritch Blast – The best damage cantrip in the game. Fires multiple beams eventually.
- Hex – Applies extra necrotic damage and debuffs enemies.
- Armor of Agathys – Temp HP and reflect damage to melee attackers.
- Hellish Rebuke – Deal fire damage to enemies who injure you.
For invocations, Agonizing Blast and Repelling Blast are must-haves to boost Eldritch Blast. Other useful choices include Devil’s Sight, Ascendant Step, or One with Shadows.
When selecting a patron, the Fiend is a good option for Temp HP on kills and fire spells, though the Genie or Fey could work as well.
Fighter Features & Combat Superiority
The bread and butter of the Fighter side comes from its Extra Attack feature and Battle Master subclass.
Battle Master provides special Combat Superiority dice that can be used to perform powerful maneuvers:
- Precision Attack – Add damage die to attack roll
- Disarming Attack – Knock weapon from enemy’s hands
- Menacing Attack – Frighten an enemy
- Distracting Strike – Next attack has advantage
Combining these maneuvers with Action Surge allows you to unleash devastating combos in key moments. Fighter also gives proficiencies to round out your martial capabilities.
Equipment & Weapons
With Pact of the Blade, you can summon any magical weapon to fight with and use Charisma for attack and damage rolls. This frees up your equipment choices quite a bit. Here are some recommendations:
Weapons
- Greatsword – Huge melee damage dice
- Longbow – Reliable ranged option
Armor
- Splint or Plate Armor – Take advantage of heavy armor perks
- Shield – Further boosts AC if you go Sword & Board
Miscellaneous
- Rod of the Pact Keeper – Boosts spell attack rolls and save DCs
- Pearl of Power – Recover expended spell slots
- Spellwrought Tattoo – Free 1st-level spells
Focus on boosting your combat stats and rounding out any weaknesses the build has. Magic weapons and Charisma boosting items are also very helpful.
Playing in Combat
When playing this build in combat, you have access to a versatile toolbox of spells, invocations, weapons attacks, and maneuvers to destroy your foes. Here are some tips:
- Lead with Eldritch Blast for range, swapping to your pact weapon when enemies close in
- Use Hex on big targets then focus them down quickly
- Open with Armor of Agathys for free retaliatory damage
- Disarm dangerous enemies using your Battle Master dice
- Action Surge when you need burst damage to drop a key target
- Utilize Repelling Blast to control the battlefield
- Cast defensive spells like Mirror Image to avoid damage
- Don’t forget Second Wind healing if you’re injured
Proper ability rotation is key. The short rest refresh combined with Arcane Recovery means you can use spells and abilities much more aggressively compared to traditional long rest classes.
The Strengths of the Warlock/Fighter
When played properly, a Warlock/Fighter is a force to be reckoned with. Here are some of the biggest strengths this multiclass has:
- Extremely high damage output from Eldritch Blast, weapons, and spells
- Resource refresh synergizes perfectly for non-stop aggression
- Ranged and melee capabilities with exceptional versatility
- Solid AC and decent HP from heavy armor and Fighter levels
- Powerful buffs, debuffs, and control from Warlock magic and Battle Master maneuvers
- Excellent action economy between Extra Attacks, Action Surge, and Quickening
This build can serve as a lethal damage dealer or battlefield controller. It has solutions for hordes of weak enemies as well as single strong foes. If you want a character that can unleash punishment from anywhere on the map and reset to do it all again in minutes, the Warlock/Fighter should be at the top of your list.
Conclusion
The Warlock/Fighter multiclass is one of the most deadly combinations in Baldur’s Gate 3. Blending ranged magical damage, melee martial prowess, control spells, and sheer versatility, this build can tackle just about any combat scenario effectively. Just as importantly, it exploits the short rest refresh mechanic brilliantly to ensure your best abilities are almost always available when you need them.
If you’re looking to create the ultimate magical warrior in Baldur’s Gate 3, I highly recommend giving the Warlock/Fighter a try. Let me know in the comments if you have any other tips or tricks for mastering this powerful multiclass!
