Article-At-A-Glance
- The True Demonbinder[1] offers unique demonic powers for unparalleled battlefield control and versatility.
- Warlock build maximizes Eldritch Blast’s potential, blending ranged and melee combat tactics.
- Enhances survivability with strategic defenses against common threats, boosting longevity in battles.
- Role-playing ties abilities to compelling narratives of power, control, and moral dilemmas.
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At Level 1, this character is a formidable Lolth-Touched Dark Elf Warlock with an Eldritch Blast capable of dealing 1d6 damage. The build is focused on using beguiling influences and dealing damage from a distance. The focus is on staying observant with bonuses to Bluff and Knowledge(The Planes), and utilizing the Beguiling Influence invocation, which boosts social interaction skills, making them a smooth talker in perilous situations.
Stat Block Level 1:
Unnamed Warlock: male, Lolth-Touched Dark Elf Warlock 1; CR 1; Medium Humanoid (Elf); HD 1d6+5; hp 11; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +0; Grp +2; Atk Rapier +2 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or Hand Crossbow +2 ranged (1d4/19-20); Full Atk Rapier +2 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or Hand Crossbow +2 ranged (1d4/19-20); SA Eldritch Blast; SQ Detect Magic, Darkvision 60 ft., Immunity to Sleep, Warding, Beguiling Influence; AL Chaotic Evil; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +0; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Bluff +8, Knowledge (The Planes) +8, Sense Motive +4; At Home in the Deep.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Eldritch Blast 1d6.
Possessions: Rapier, Hand Crossbow, Chain Shirt.
At level 5, this Warlock/Demonbinder build combines a mix of offensive and defensive capabilities. With Eldritch Blast reaching 3d6 and possessing the ability to shape it into an Eldritch Glaive for melee, the character excels in both ranged and melee combat. With the Cha boost, Deceive Item ability, and DR 1/Cold Iron, the character can withstand moderate magical threats.
Stat Block Level 5:
Unnamed: male, Lolth-Touched Dark Elf Warlock 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 5d6+25; hp 42; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +3; Grp +5; Atk Eldritch Blast +5 ranged touch (3d6) or Rapier +5 melee (1d6/18-20); Full Atk Eldritch Blast +5 ranged touch (3d6) or Rapier +5 melee (1d6/18-20); SA Eldritch Blast, Eldritch Glaive; SQ DR 1/Cold Iron, Detect Magic, Deceive Item; AL chaotic neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +4; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Bluff 4 (+9), Knowledge (The Planes) 8 (+8), Sense Motive 4 (+4); Weapon Finesse.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Eldritch Glaive allows using Eldritch Blast in melee as a reach weapon, benefiting from Weapon Finesse for accuracy.
Possessions: Rapier, Hand Crossbow, Chainshirt.
This character is a Lolth-Touched Dark Elf, combining the powers of a Warlock and a Demonbinder. At level 10, they wield an almost fully empowered Eldritch Blast (5d6 damage) and can shape it into an Eldritch Glaive for powerful melee engagement. The build also provides resistance to electricity, the ability to walk unseen, and the power to bind demons for additional abilities. This warlock’s strategy involves battlefield control using Darkness and support abilities such as Flee the Scene for tactical positioning.
Stat Block Level 10:
Name: Undetermined, male, Lolth-Touched Dark Elf Warlock 5/Demonbinder 5; CR 10; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 10d6+20; hp 60; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +7; Grp +9; Atk Eldritch Glaive +9 melee touch (5d6) or Rapier +7 melee (1d6/18-20); Full Atk Eldritch Glaive +9 melee touch (5d6) or Rapier +7 melee (1d6/18-20); SA Eldritch Blast, Demonbind; SQ Deceive Item, Detect Magic, Electricity Resistance 10, Immunity to Poison, Walk Unseen; AL Chaotic Evil; SV Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +5; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 23.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Bluff 4, Knowledge (The Planes) 8, Sense Motive 4; Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast), Darkstalker, Mortalbane, Weapon Finesse.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Eldritch Blast 5d6, Damnation Points, Ability to bind demons enhancing combat and spellcasting.
Possessions: +1 Rapier, Masterwork Hand Crossbow, Chainshirt.
Binding demons and using a variety of powerful skills are the main goals of this Warlock and Demonbinder build. The character can discharge a strong 7d6 Eldritch Blast and turn it into an Eldritch Glaive for close combat when they reach level 15. The character can react quickly in combat by using Improved Initiative. They can also withstand many magical threats because they possess a variety of resistances, including immunity to poisons and electrical damage.
Stat Block Level 15:
Unnamed Character: male, Lolth-Touched Dark Elf Warlock 10/Demonbinder 5; CR 15; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 10d6 plus 5d4 plus 40; hp 102; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 19, touch 13, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +10; Grp +12; Atk Eldritch Glaive +15 melee touch (7d6) or Rapier +12 melee (1d6+2); Full Atk Eldritch Glaive +15/+10 melee touch (7d6) or Rapier +12/+7 melee (1d6+2); SA Eldritch Blast 7d6, Eldritch Glaive; SQ Immunity to poison, immunity to electricity, DR 6/Good, SR 20, Detect Magic, Walk Unseen, Flee the Scene, Voracious Dispelling; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +9, Will +8; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Bluff +4, Knowledge (The Planes) +8, Sense Motive +4; At Home in the Deep, Weapon Finesse, Darkstalker, Mortalbane, Weapon Focus (Eldritch Blast), Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Eldritch Glaive (melee touch attack), Damnation Points (bind demons), Wall of Perilous Flames (create a damaging barrier).
Possessions: Rapier, Hand Crossbow, Chainshirt.
At level 20, this Warlock-Demonbinder excels in combining the potent eldritch abilities of the Warlock with the binding powers of the Demonbinder class. With a significant Eldritch Blast of 8d6 damage shaped into melee weapon form, formidable resistances to electricity and poison, and a host of powerful invocations such as Utterdark Blast and Retributive Invisibility, this character is a versatile force on the battlefield. Notably, they possess the ability to bind mighty demons, harnessing their abilities while maintaining massive melee prowess.
Stat Block Level 20:
Unnamed Character: male, Lolth-Touched Dark Elf Warlock 10/Demonbinder 10; CR 20; Medium humanoid (elf); HD 11d6+9d4+105; hp 177; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 20; Base Atk +15; Grp +17; Atk +19 melee (Eldritch Glaive 8d6 touch) or +15 ranged (Hand Crossbow); Full Atk +19/+14/+9 melee (Eldritch Glaive 8d6 touch) or +15/+10/+5 ranged (Hand Crossbow); SA Eldritch Blast, Demonbinding; SQ Damage Reduction 2/Cold Iron, Good alignment, energy resistances, various immunities, darkness invocation; AL Chaotic Evil; SV Fort +16, Ref +9, Will +13; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 20.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Bluff 4, Knowledge (The Planes) 8, Sense Motive 4; At Home in the Deep, Weapon Finesse, Darkstalker, Mortalbane, Weapon Focus (Eldritch Blast), Improved Initiative, Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Damnation Points, Demonbind, Fiendish Resilience, Vitriolic Blast, Flee the Scene, Walk Unseen, Voracious Dispelling, Retributive Invisibility.
Possessions: Rapier, Hand Crossbow, Chainshirt.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Establish your foundational warlock abilities with Eldritch Blast reaching 3d6. Gain utility via Beguiling Influence and Baleful Utterance. Improve combat finesse with Weapon Finesse, ensuring your melee attacks have an edge. Preserve your autonomy as you deceptively manipulate magical items with Deceive Item.
- Levels 6-10: Begin your journey as a Demonbinder, binding demons and accruing Damnation Points. At this stage, you can aggressively control the battlefield with abilities like Flee the Scene and Walk Unseen. Achieve protection from evil with DR 4/Good and amplify your damage output with Eldritch Blast reaching 5d6, taking advantage of feats like Mortalbane for extra punch.
- Levels 11-15: Solidify your defense with increased DR 6/Good while acquiring immunities to Poison and Electricity. Unlock tremendous destructive potential with Vitriolic Blast and Wall of Perilous Flames. Garb yourself with improved reaction times with Improved Initiative, enabling you to act swiftly in battle.
- Levels 16-20: Maximize your warlock prowess with Eldritch Blast peaking at 8d6. Harness the power of Noxious and Utterdark Blast for devastating effects. Utilize Retributive Invisibility to strike from the shadows. Complete your evolution with Energy Resistance 5 and tweaks to your damnation with abilities like Fiendish Resilience.
Core Abilities and Features
Mastering Demonic Powers
The True Demonbinder[1] isn’t your typical Warlock. By reaching level 6 and taking the Demonbinder class, you gain the ability to bind demons and channel their terrifying powers. Imagine wielding the skills of a Dretch and even a Balor, amplifying your combat prowess and battlefield control. These powers complement the traditional Warlock abilities, offering a dangerous combination of infernal magic and versatile combat techniques.
Shaping the Eldritch Blast
The backbone of any Warlock is the Eldritch Blast, and this build takes it to impressive heights. By level 20, your Eldritch Blast will hit 8d6 damage. Coupled with the ability to shape it into a polearm via Eldritch Glaive, you engage in both ranged and melee combat effectively. This flexibility in attacking range, combined with Weapon Focus and Ability Focus feats, ensures that every blast is exceptionally devastating.
Beyond Traditional Resistances
Resiliency against common threats is crucial, and this build delivers. With damage reductions, immunity to electricity, and poison, you’re better equipped for prolonged engagements. Fiendish Resilience and Energy Resistance enhance your survivability even further. These defensive advantages mean that while you’re dishing out damage, you can also withstand a barrage, ensuring longevity in fierce battles.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Masterwork Rapier | Provides a small bonus to attack rolls, fitting for a finesse weapon. |
| L6-10 | Ring of Protection +2 | Boosts AC, offering important protection during mid-level encounters. |
| L11-15 | Cloak of Resistance +3 | Increases all saving throws, crucial for resisting spells and abilities. |
| L16-20 | Amulet of Health +4 | Boosts Constitution for increased hit points and resilience, essential for late-stage battles. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In the tight confines of a dungeon, utilize Eldritch Glaive to attack with reach. Use Darkness to obscure pathways, and then capitalize on sneaky foes with Flee the Scene for repositioning, ensuring tactical advantage is maintained.
- Open Fields:
- Here, mobility is king. The ability to fly allows for control of combat flow. Use Eldritch Blast to chip enemies from afar and strategically retreat using Walk Unseen to avoid detection and strike with surprise from new angles.
- Ambushes:
- Darkstalker makes surprises a forte. Use your talents in stealth to set up ambushes. When the trap is sprung, an Eldritch Glaive attack from flanking positions ensures maximum damage output, thanks to Weapon Finesse improving your accuracy.
- Defensive Stands:
- Maximize staying power with your high Con and DR. Position yourself as a bulwark using Energy Resistance and Fiendish Resilience to tank hits as allies position. Utilize Eldritch Blast to wear down foes at range.
- Urban Encounters:
- In the chaotic cityscape, manipulate terrain with Darkness and surprise enemies using Retributive Invisibility to vanish after attacks. Pursue fleeing enemies with vigorous use of Damnation Points for ample spell-like abilities.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Hit Points due to low Hit Die and focus on CHA over CON. | Utilize ‘Fiendish Resilience’ for fast healing and ‘Retributive Invisibility’ to avoid direct combat. |
| Limited Weapon Proficiency restricting to basic weapons like a Rapier or Hand Crossbow. | Focus on ‘Eldritch Glaive’ which allows the use of melee touch attacks, bypassing armor. |
| Weak against Blinding effects, which can nullify ranged attacks. | Pair with allies who have ‘Blind-Fight’ or gain access to ‘True Seeing’ through teamwork or items. |
| High dependency on Charisma for spellcasting power, sensitive to ability damage. | Equip items like ‘Cloak of Charisma’ to offset potential reduction, and use ‘Restoration’ spells to heal ability damage quickly. |
| Poor Reflex Save, vulnerable to area effects like Fireball. | Position yourself using ‘Flee the Scene’ to escape hazardous areas. Consider ‘Evasion’ feat if multiclassing with Rogue is possible. |
| Weak against Good-aligned damage and weapons. | Invest in obtaining ‘Protection from Good’ to mitigate incoming damage, or use positioning to avoid direct attacks. |
| Limited utility in areas neutralizing magic, like antimagic fields. | Rely on mundane equipment like ‘Rapier’ and the ‘Hand Crossbow’ or seek refuge until magic can be utilized again. |
Roleplaying
Opportunities
Embody the alien mystique of a Lolth-touched dark elf, a creature born from the shadows of the Underdark. Your connection to demons through the True Demonbinder[1] path grants you unique opportunities to interact with both fiends and mortals in the campaign world. Harness your high Charisma and Bluff skills to sway others, whether through intimidation or persuasion. Your role as a covenant leader or a broker of infernal deals places you in a position where you influence events in ways that typical warlocks wouldn’t dare.
Reflect on your character’s internal struggle and ambitions. Are you seeking ultimate power, or are you trying to escape the demon’s grasp you’ve become bound to? Use your Damnation Points and the ability to Demonbind as narrative hooks. Perhaps each demon you bind increases the inner turmoil, making each bargain a step closer to damnation.
Themes
Thematically, embody the dichotomy between freedom and bondage. As a Demonbinder, the powers you wield are not entirely your own, representing a pact that clouds your every decision. Your character may grapple with themes of control, both of their powers and their destiny. Intensify this theme by driving stories that emphasize choices of moral compromise and the price of power.
Wielding both darkness and demonic might, your presence should evoke fear and respect. Use the raw elements of the Underdark and the infernal as motifs in your interactions. The vastness of power you hold as a Warlock-Demonbinder, while a source of strength, should also be portrayed as a constant reminder of your precarious balance between destruction and salvation. This juxtaposition enhances the roleplay experience, adding layers to interactions with companions and foes alike.
FAQ
How do I effectively use a Demonbinder in combat?
A Demonbinder excels in manipulating the battlefield using its demon-binding abilities. Leverage ‘Fleet the Scene’ for strategic repositioning, then hit hard with ‘Eldritch Blast’. Shape shifts, like ‘Eldritch Glaive’, to maintain versatile attacks in both melee and range. Your focus should be on controlling the battle flow and supporting allies with your infernal powers.
What are the main advantages of playing as a Demonbinder?
As a Demonbinder, you wield the thrilling power to bind demons and channel their strengths. This class combines Warlock’s ranged spells with potent melee capabilities. Your ability to control and strategize on the battlefield increases with spells like ‘Walk Unseen’. Resiliency perks like immunity to electricity and poison aid your survivability.
What feats are recommended for a Demonbinder build?
Consider ‘Weapon Focus’ and ‘Ability Focus’ to boost your attack efficiency. ‘Improved Initiative’ helps you act swiftly with your powerful spells. Feats like ‘Mortalbane’ provide extra damage to your ‘Eldritch Blast’, enhancing your offensive capabilities. Focus on maximizing your infernal arsenal while maintaining a strategic edge.
Are there specific scenarios where a Demonbinder shines?
In confined spaces, ‘Eldritch Glaive’ allows reach attacks to dominate dungeons. With flight, open fields become playgrounds for evasion and strategic assaults. Use darkness in urban encounters to obscure and ambush, ensuring your Demonbinder thrives. Prepare different strategies to adapt to various environments.
Can you roleplay a Demonbinder with a compelling story arc?
Absolutely. Unfold narratives of power struggles and inner turmoil through your demon-binding pact. Explore moral dilemmas with each bound demon, like a tightrope between power and damnation. Use high Charisma and skills to influence allies and foes alike. This depth enriches your journey and interactions in the game.
Join us at Stellar Dragons!
Try a Demonbinder in your next game and see the thrill for yourself. Is the Demonbinder the best build in D&D 3.5? Join our discussion on the Stellar Dragons Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Warlock – True Demonbinder – D&D 3.5 ( True Demonbinder )
Categories: D&D 3.5 Character Builds, D&D 3.5 Warlock Builds
True Demonbinder
The three warlocks took step after step into the deepest parts of the sewers. Their attention observant of their surroundings as they reach edthe thoroughly unexplored regions within. The stone different, a subtle difference, made to fit the style of the sewers themselves, but without question constructed long after the originals.
They reached a place the surface dwellers didn’t know about. It was at a time, an undiscovered entrance to the underdark, now linked with the sewers. There, a beautiful dark elf woman with gigantic leathery wings sat on a rock above the dark pit which led down in the realm without lights.
–“You sure took your time”. The woman says with a vicious smile.
–“You know how hard it is to gather the whole coven”. The dark man in armor said in reply, a backwards toward his companions.
–“Yes, I know, but turns out, you all took just enough time to piss off our master”. Her smile turned to that of a snarl.
–“What do you mean?”
Her eyes flicked to a form behind them, the woman simply pointed gingerly into the dark.
Race
Lolth-Touched Dark Elf
Class
Warlock 10/Demonbinder 10(3 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 14/Dex 14/Con 20/Int 10/Wis 10/Cha 20
Skills
Bluff 4, Knowledge(The Planes) 8, Sense Motive 4
Equipment
A Rapier, a Hand Crossbow, a Chainshirt.
Goal
You can bind demons to gain some of their powers, from a lowly Dretch to a mighty Balor, all the while still having full access to your warlock powers, an almost fully leveled Eldritch Blast, which you can shape into a polearm you can use in melee(which still uses touch attacks) for tremendous damage, able to fly, use Darkness to control the battlefield and wade into melee like very few warlocks would dare.
| Level | Class | HD | Feat | Special |
| 1 | Warlock | 11 | At Home in the Deep | Eldritch Blast 1d6, Beguiling Influence |
| 2 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | Detect Magic, Baleful Utterance |
| 3 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | Weapon Finesse | Eldritch Blast 2d6, DR 1/Cold Iron |
| 4 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | Deceive Item, Eldritch Glaive, +1 Cha |
| 5 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | Eldritch Blast 3d6 |
| 6 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | Darkstalker | Damnation Points, Demonbind |
| 7 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | – | DR 2/Good, Flee the Scene |
| 8 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | – | Resistance 5 Electricity, Eldritch Blast 4d6, +1 Cha |
| 9 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | Mortalbane | Walk Unseen |
| 10 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | – | Resistance 10 Electricity, Eldritch Blast 5d6 |
| 11 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | – | DR 4/Good, Voracious Dispelling |
| 12 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | Weapon Focus(Eldritch Blast) | Immunity to Poison, Eldritch Blast 6d6, Vitriolic Blast, +1 Cha |
| 13 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | – | – |
| 14 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | – | Immunity to Electricity, Wall of Perilous Flames |
| 15 | Demonbinder | 1d4+5 | Improved Initiative | DR 6/Good, Eldritch Blast 7d6 |
| 16 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | Noxious Blast, +1 Cha |
| 17 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | DR 2/Cold Iron, Utterdark Blast |
| 18 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | Ability Focus(Eldritch Blast) | Eldritch Blast 8d6, Fiendish Resilience |
| 19 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | Retributive Invisibility |
| 20 | Warlock | 1d6+5 | – | Energy Resistance 5, +1 Cha |
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