If you’re reading this, it’s likely that you’ve come looking for a different way to build a warlock. There are definitely enough Tiefling Hexblades out there, so why not build a different kind of fighter? The following guide is based on an 8th level Starlock build, named “Hightower”. You can check out his character sheet here: https://ddb.ac/characters/28187967/6m5ZGU
Also be sure to listen to our walk-through of this character in the podcast episode, Two Generations Talking D&D
The following steps will help you through the Dndbeyond.com character builder. If you don’t use this tool, ask yourself why not? We love it.
1. Choose a race that gets a Strength bonus.
We chose Goliath. With +2 to Str and proficiency with Athletics, it gave us what we wanted for our “fitness coach” character idea
2. Take the Warlock class, and choose Otherworldly patron.
We picked Celestial, and more specifically found the Empyrean to be just the sort of patron that someone obsessed with physical fitness would have. Take Nature (to find ingredients for supplements), and intimidation (because yelling at someone to get one more rep really does work)
For Invocations: Fiendish Vigor (We call it Heavenly Vigor), Armor of Shadows (we call it Glitter Armor), Gift of the Ever-Living Ones (let’s you regain max amount of HP from healing if familiar is near)
We also chose Pact of Chain so he could have a small bulldog familiar. He can cast spells through his familiar, so this makes it possible for the dog to go over and lick a party member to cast Cure Wounds, restoring maximum value or even Revivify on them (his dog collar is studded with requisite value of diamonds).
Choose some spells. This may vary depending what level you start out at, but get the basics: Booming Blade, Prestidigitation, Cure Wounds, Armor of Agathys, Expeditious Advance (retreat is for puny wizards). Check out the character sheet link above for our full spell list.
3. Point Buy abilities.
This gives the greatest customization while still remaining fair to the other players at the table. Str 15, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 8, Wis 8, Cha 10. Yes, that’s a low score for the casting ability, but most of the spells he’ll be casting are personal buffs rather than attacks. He’ll use his club for doing damage.
That will bring his stats to: Str 17, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 8, Wis 8, Cha 10
At 4th level, use your ASI to take Athlete, boosting Str to 18, and giving the character more "fitness" thematic flavor.
At 8th level, take War Caster feat to support Sculptor of Flesh Invocation, allowing you to swell into a Giant Ape sized fighter (add a giant ape stat block to your extras). For thematic purposes, this is the only thing he really ever turns into. We don’t imagine him exactly polymorphing into an ape, but rather hulking out into some ape-like huge form that still looks a bit like Hightower. Strength goes to 23, two fist attacks are at +9 each, and do 3d10+6 damage. Also your range attacks with rocks become super good too. Only in the most dire of situations might he consider becoming something smaller, and even then it would bring him great shame.
4. Custom Background: Bodybuilder.
Take acrobatics and survival. Gain the tool proficiency with herbalism kit (for making health supplements), and gain the language of Celestial (so he can talk with the boss). Borrow the background feature from Gladiator called “By Popular Demand”, but instead of the line that says “combat for entertainment”, it’s “feats of strength for entertainment”. Any chance to flex for and audience for fun (or money), he does. And then use the Guild Artisan Characteristics to reflect how much he loves to talk about health and fitness routines.
5. Keep equipment simple.
We chose a great club and a short sword. Add in a healer’s kit, a herbalism kit, and you’re done.
(Credit: Header image by @Tartan_Kiwi, who is open for commisions!)