Summary

Warlocks are an unusual class in Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. They have several mechanically unique features. One of these is their short rest-focused Pact Magic spellcasting. However, another is that they get two major character-defining choices, rather than one. Warlocks get a subclass like any other class in their patron, which they take at first level. At third level, they also get a Pact Boon.

A D&D 5e warlock's Pact Boon is a unique piece of equipment their patron gives them. Each Pact Boon comes with abilities of its own that rewrite a warlock's playstyle. On top of that, a D&D warlock Pact unlocks a great many Eldritch Invocations that further shape a character's abilities throughout the campaign.

Updated August 22nd by Isaac Williams: Warlocks are one of D&D 5e's most modular classes, with far more choices for players to make than most other classes. This list has been updated to fit CBR's current formatting guidelines and to give even more information about the best warlock Pact Boons in D&D 5e.

RELATED: 15 Best Warlock Spells In D&D 5e, Ranked

5 Pact Of The Star Chain

A warlock empowered by the Elder Evil Hadar in DnD

The Unearthed Arcana Seeker D&D 5e warlock patron is unique. It's the only patron, either published or tested, to offer a new Pact Boon unavailable to other subclasses. Seeker warlocks could choose from the choices available to other classes, or they could get a Star Chain as their Pact Boon. The main use of the Star Chain is to learn the Augury spell and cast it as a ritual.

This supplements a warlock's limited spellcasting and can be useful in an adventuring day. The Star Chain can also give advantage on an Intelligence check once per short or long rest. These abilities aren't useless, but they aren't very impactful. In addition, the Star Chain came with no Eldritch Invocations to improve it. The D&D 5e Seeker warlock patron has never been published. With it, the idea of patron-specific warlock Pact Boons appears to have died as well.

4 Pact Of The Talisman

A magical talisman in DnD

Most warlock pacts in D&D 5e benefit the warlock only. The Pact of the Talisman is unique in that it gives an item that the warlock or another creature can use. The talisman can be carried or worn by another creature to gain its benefits. When a creature carrying the talisman fails an ability check, they can add a d4 to their role to turn it into a success a limited number of times per day.

D&D 5e warlock Eldritch Invocations can enhance this. One lets a creature also add d4s to their failed saving throws a few times a day. Others let the warlock and the person carrying their talisman teleport to one another or let the warlock damage enemies who attack the person with the talisman. Despite the Eldritch Invocations' utility, the D&D warlock's Pact of the Talisman is still somewhat underwhelming at base. It's a step down from its Unearthed Arcana version, which added a d4 to every ability check made without proficiency.

RELATED: Every Warlock Multiclass Combo In D&D 5e, Ranked

3 Pact Of The Blade

A warrior wielding a magic sword in DnD.

A warlock Pact of the Blade in D&D 5e gives the class a melee option. It provides a warlock with a magical melee weapon of any sort that they are automatically proficient with. It also unlocks Eldritch Invocations to make a warlock better at wielding this weapon. Options include Thirsting Blade's extra attack and Lifedrinker's bonus necrotic damage on each hit.

Many D&D 5e players consider Pact of the Blade one of the more underwhelming warlock pacts in D&D 5e. It needs a lot of Eldritch Invocations to be a worthwhile weapon. Even then, most warlocks just aren't very good melee fighters in D&D. The Hexblade patron is designed to work with the Pact of the Blade, making the warlock a better combatant. Even then, a Hexblade needs to use most of their Eldritch Invocations to keep up with more martial classes. A character with Pact of the Blade can't do much other than fight with weapons.

2 Pact Of The Chain

A Warlock Pact of the Chain familiar attacking in DnD 5e

Familiars are immensely useful in D&D 5e. They're another creature under a player's control. They can be used for scouting, to help characters with ability checks, or to deliver touch spells. A warlock's Pact of the Chain in D&D 5e unlocks an even better familiar. It expands the options available to include an Imp, Quasit, Pseudodragon, or Sprite. These all have abilities beyond the standard choices available through Find Familiar.

For instance, the Imp can turn invisible and has Magic Resistance. The Pseudodragon has a venomous sting that can knock enemies unconscious. In general, Pact of the Chain familiars are hardier, more dangerous, and more powerful than most conjured with Find Familiar. In addition, it unlocks a slew of Invocations. Some of these buff the warlock when they're near their familiar. Others expand the abilities available to a Pact of the Chain familiar. These Invocations can even give the familiar some combat potential.

RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: Every Pact of the Chain Warlock Familiar, Ranked

1 Pact Of The Tome

A wizard poring over a spellbook in DnD.

The most basic feature of the warlock's Pact of the Tome lets a character three additional cantrips. Warlocks already have one of the best combat cantrips in D&D with Eldritch Blast. As such, Pact of the Tome lets them focus on utility. There are no limits on the spell list these cantrips come from, with every class' spells available. Pact of the Tome is the most straightforward way to learn some of D&D 5e's best cantrips like Guidance.

A D&D 5e warlock's Pact of the Tome Eldritch Invocations provide even more utility. With Book of Ancient Secrets, a warlock can spend money to inscribe any ritual spell they find into their tome, from any spell list. Other Invocations remove a warlock's need to sleep or let other creatures write their names in the tome for benefits. The warlock Pact of the Tome in D&D 5e has a lot of miscellaneous benefits. These are on top of making a warlock one of the best utility spellcasters in the game.