Character customization is a huge part of Baldur’s Gate 3, and D&D. Through appearance and classes, you make a character that is unique and your own. Of all the classes in Baldur’s Gate 3, Warlock offers extended customization through its Eldritch Invocations.
Invocations are special abilities Warlocks choose as they level up, separate from subclasses and spells. Most Invocations grant spells outside the usual Warlock spell list, while others grant passive features to improve your character’s weaknesses. A max level Warlock in Baldur’s Gate 3 can learn 6 of the 19 Invocations. This list details the best ones you’ll want to consider for your spell-slinging Warlock.
10 Book Of Ancient Secrets
While this Invocation seems like it would be exclusive to the Pact of the Tome, any Warlock can acquire the Book of Ancient Secrets. This Invocation gives you three spells you can cast once each, per long rest, without expending a spell slot.
The first is Ray of Sickness, a first-level spell that can poison your enemy. The book grants a second first level spell in Chromatic Orb, letting you deal damage of your choice and leave a hazardous surface. Lastly, you gain a casting of Silence, preventing casters from using most of their spells within the silenced area. Most of these spells are on the weaker side compared to your best Warlock spells, but each one is an extra resource at your disposal.
9 Mask Of Many Faces
Disguising yourself as other people has a few benefits in Baldur’s Gate 3. With the Mask of Many Faces Invocation, you’re able to cast the Disguise Self spell at will. You can change your character to any of the playable races at any times.
The first benefit from this is through Speak With Dead: you can talk to corpses you’ve made since they won’t recognize you. Unlike the tabletop game, this spell is closer to shape-shifting than illusion. It can change your size, so it will also allow you to slip into those pesky crevices and small entrances. You can also use the spell to meet certain racial requirements, like transforming into a Githyanki to receive extra benefits from wielding the Githyanki Greatsword.
8 Life Drinker
Warlocks wishing to play a spell-and-blade combat style ought to choose Life Drinker when it becomes available at Warlock level 12. The Invocation adds necrotic damage to every weapon attack you land. The damage is equal to your Warlock’s Charisma bonus.
This Invocation is made for Warlocks with the Pact of the Blade. Mixed with a pact bound weapon, you’ll be getting you Charisma bonus added to damage twice. The only drawbacks are that necrotic resistance is somewhat common in your enemies, and you will be unable to multiclass your Warlock, since you need to reach Warlock level 12 to select it.
7 Beguiling Influence
Acquiring skills in Baldur’s Gate can be a bit of a struggle. If your class doesn’t provide an extra skill, the most common way to get more is through feats. Beguiling Influence lets Warlocks gain proficiency in both Persuasion and Deception. You can, and should get this at level two, so long as you’re not already proficient.
Warlocks should plan to take this and choose alternate skills at level one to branch out their versatility. Persuasion and Deception are very commonly used in most social interactions. With naturally high Charisma, Warlocks can be the face on any adventuring party.
6 Devil’s Sight
Darkvision prevents your character from flailing around in dark places where they’d be practically blind without it. Many races in Baldur’s Gate 3 start off with it, but some don’t. Devil’s Sight is great for both.
The Invocation grants your Warlock superior darkvision, doubling the usual distance where they can see. It also pierces magical darkness, letting you place down a dark cloud and fight while all others are blind. It will serve you well, but if you have darkvision already, it can be hard to justify.
5 Armor Of Shadows
Warlocks only have proficiency with Light Armor: the most minimal protection a character can wear. Since you need your strong Charisma, your Warlock’s Dexterity is unlikely to provide the same boost it would to a Rogue or Ranger. Instead, forgo Light Armor altogether and use Armor of Shadows.
Armor of Shadows provides unlimited casting of the Mage Armor spell, which boosts your base AC to 13 if you have no armor on. This won’t even expend a spell slot for Warlocks. Since Potent Magic Robes provide better benefits to spell casting than any Light Armor, this Invocation is a must-have.
4 Repelling Blast
Attacks that push are always extremely good in Baldur’s Gate 3. Combat is replete with long falls and ground hazards, some leading to instant death for the unfortunate. Agonizing Blast lets you make full use of them with ease.
Each eldritch ray from the cantrip gains the ability to push an enemy four and a half meters back. There is no save, but enemies that can’t be shoved are immune to the effect. Those enemies are few, so cast your foes down, and bring them to a sudden stop.
3 Mire The Mind
Mire the Mind is a spell-granting Invocation allowing Warlocks the use of Slow. Slow is a powerful third-level concentration spell and arguably the best debuff spell of its level. You target six foes in a wide area who become slowed if they fail their saving throws.
Slowed enemies are easier to hit, their movement is reduced, and their offense is limited to a single attack per round. The only issue with slow is that it gains no bonus for upcasting. Since Mire the Mind will consume a Warlock spell slot, some power may be wasted, but Slow is always powerful.
2 Agonizing Blast
For most Warlocks, the Eldritch Blast cantrip can be considered their basic attack. Dealing 1d10 force damage, it provides decent damage that is rarely resisted, and the number of rays you send out per casting increases with your character level. Eldritch Blast is made only better with the Agonizing Blast Invocation.
This Invocation adds the Warlock’s Charisma bonus as extra damage to each eldritch ray. Considering you get two rays at level five and three at 11, the damage boost brings the blast up to the level of a powerful two-handed weapon unmatched by other cantrips.
1 Minions Of Chaos
Summons in Baldur’s Gate 3 are far superior to their tabletop origins. You create an ally that lasts until a long rest, and you’re in no danger of losing control. You don’t even need to concentrate on them.
Minions of Chaos lets you cast Conjure Elemental with a Warlock spell slot. Elementals come in four varieties: fire, water, earth, and air. Each one is very powerful and a worthy ally to your adventuring party. You should absolutely take this Invocation, as it will add a powerful ally onto the field to dish out attacks, take blows from the enemy, and overall increase your chances of survival.