Point-based Pact Magic (5e Class Feature)

Point-based Pact Magic

This variant rule replaces the warlock's slot-based Pact Magic feature with a point-based feature, as described on the Dungeon Master's Guide. This variant enables a warlock to cast a spell on a lower level. It also alters the spellcasting potency scaling into more gradual scaling, especially between 9th and 17th level.

The point-based Pact Magic feature might be useful when creating warlock archetypes or Eldritch Invocations options, or granting Metamagic options to warlocks.

The Warlock: Point-based Pact Magic

Warlock Level	Spell Points	Max. Spell Level
1st	1	1st
2nd	2	1st
3rd	6	2nd
4th	6	2nd
5th	10	3rd
6th	10	3rd
7th	12	4th
8th	12	4th
9th	14	5th
10th	14	5th
11th	21	5th
12th	21	5th
13th	21	5th
14th	21	5th
15th	21	5th
16th	21	5th
17th	28	5th
18th	28	5th
19th	28	5th
20th	28	5th

Spell Points

You have a pool of spell points, which you use to cast a warlock spell of 1st level or higher, as indicated in the Point-based Pact Magic table at the right.

When you cast a warlock spell you know, you spend a number of spell points to create a spell slot of a given level, and then use that slot to cast a spell. You cannot reduce your spell point total to less than 0, and you regain all spent spell points when you finish a short rest or long rest.

The number of spell points you have to spend is based on your warlock level, as shown in the table below. Your warlock level also determines the maximum-level spell slot you can create, as indicated in the Pact Magic (Variant) table at the right.

Spell Slot Level	Spell Point Cost
1st	1
2nd	3
3rd	5
4th	6
5th	7

Eldritch Invocations

When an invocation enables you to cast a spell using a warlock spell slot, you can create a spell slot of level of your choice. The spell slot you create must be of a level equal to or higher than the spell you cast with the invocation.

Eldritch Master

The Eldritch Master feature now reads as follows:

You can spend 1 minute entreating your patron for aid to regain all spent spell points. Once you regain spell points with this feature, you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

Multiclassing: Point-based Pact Magic

This multiclassing option is applied when you multiclass warlock and other classes with the Spellcasting feature, as well as using point-based spellcasting variant rule from Dungeon Master's Guide.

If you have both the Spellcasting class feature and the Pact Magic class feature form the warlock class, you can use spell points you gain from the Pact Magic feature to cast spells you know or have prepared from classes with the Spellcasting class feature, and you can use the spell points you gain from the Spellcasting class feature to cast warlock spells you know. You must keep track of Spellcasting spell points and Pact Magic spell points separately.

Sample Warlock Otherworldly Patron: The Night Mistress

A sample warlock Otherworldly Patron option that uses the point-based Pact Magic variant rule is described at the separate page: The Night Mistress.

Eldritch Invocations

The sample invocations that uses the point-based Pact Magic variant rule are listed here:

Defier of Death

Prerequisite-12th level

If you drop to 0 hit points and are not killed outright, you can spend 4 spell points to drop to 1 hit point instead. Each time you use this invocation after the first, the spell points cost increased by 3. When you finish a short or long rest, the spell points cost resets to 4.

Eldritch Safeguard

When you are hit by an attack, you can use a reaction to spend a number of spell points, up to half your warlock level plus your Charisma modifier, rounded up (a minimum of 1). If you do so, the damage you take from the attack is reduced by a number equal to the amount of spell points spent this way.

Overchannelled Arcanum

Prerequisite-15th level

When you cast a warlock spell that deals damage, you can spend a number of spell points equal to four plus the level of spell you cast as a bonus action. If you do so, you deal maximum damage with that spell.

Overchannelled Pact Weapon

Prerequisite-Pact of the Blade

Once on your turn before you make a weapon attack with your pact weapon, you can spend a number of spell points, up to half your warlock level plus your Charisma modifier, rounded up (a minimum of 1). If the attack hits, you deal an extra damage with the attack equal to the amount of spell points spent this way.

Pragmatic Witchcraft

Prerequisite-Pact of the Tome

You learn one Metamagic option from the list available to the sorcerer class. While you have your Book of Shadows on your person, you can use this Metamagic option to a warlock spell you cast, and you spend your spell points instead of sorcery point to fuel your Metamagic.

If you have learned another Metamagic option from another source, you can use only one Metamagic option on a spell when you cast it, unless otherwise noted.

0.00

(0 votes)

---

Back to Main Page → 5e Homebrew → Character Options → Class Features