Baldur's Gate 3 Warlock Pact of the Blade Changes
It’s safe to say that the Warlock is one of the more unique classes in D&D 5th Edition. A Spell User, the Warlock differs greatly from most other magic classes, and this also applies to BG3 as well. Instead of casting a wide range of spells, the Warlock instead mostly relies on their Eldritch Blast ability. So while most Warlocks choose to blast away at their foes from a safe distance, there are those that like to get up close and personal. The Pact of the Blade is perfect for characters such as this, and it appears that there have been substantial modifications to the way it works in BG3. Here’s everything that we know about the Warlock Pact of the Blade changes in Baldur’s Gate 3.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Warlock Pact of the Blade Changes Confirmed?
This new information comes from this recent interview with Nick Pechenin, the Lead System Designer on BG3. Of course, as the interview itself is in Italian, and we had to use Google to translate it into English, it’s very possible that something was lost in the translation. However, we’re fairly sure that most of what Nick is saying is correct.
Namely that, while the Warlock Hexblade subclass won’t be available at launch (though it is possible that it is going to be added as part of a later update or DLC), this doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to play a more martial-oriented Warlock in BG3. This comes with the modifications that Larian are looking to make to the Pact of the Blade. In particular, an extra weapon attack if you have chosen this Pact. There are likely to be more changes as well, but this change alone is going to make a martial Warlock a lot more viable than it was before. Of course, we’re going to see just how big this change is once Baldur’s Gate 3 has been released.
They are adding cha to hit / dmg, but it’s still not a great substitute. Glad thirsting blade wont be needed to free up an invocation, but unless they give an invocation that allows medium armor, or slaps that into pact of the blade, still gonna limit you to a dex pumped warlock unless you wanna get smacked around due to low AC.
While it doesn’t seem that Pact of the Blade will get medium armor proficiency (full game isn’t out, so maybe it still does get that proficiency as well), there are a number of options to secure that proficiency and boost your AC in other ways. You can play a githyanki (granting medium armor proficiency), you can multi-class into three levels of Bard and choose either the College of Valor or Swords (or multi-class into fighter or Paladin), or you could just take a feat. Fighting styles and other feats could also buff your AC, too. I’m looking forward to playing a Pact of the Blade and figuring out which choice is the best, but I definitely wouldn’t write it off as too weak to play.
…this is not a change at all. Pact of the Blade has always had an eldritch invocation that allows you to get extra attack. What makes Hexblade so strong is it allow you to use your charisma to attack instead of your strength or dexterity.