D&D 5E: Aasimar Warlock Explained
One of the criminally under-used races in DnD 5E, the Aasimar, was initially introduced in the Dungeon Master’s Guide as a mere example of new race-building. It was reintroduced shortly in Volo’s Guide to Monsters. This placement between books has made DnD players overlook the Aasimar 5E repeatedly. This also happens to be one of the more frequently banned races owing to their racial abilities, which are not as strong as other races.
Keeping all that aside, Aasimar is a race you should try roleplaying. It’s about time Aasimar DnD 5E made a comeback, and what better way to do just that than as a warlock? In this article, we will be exploring the possibilities of the Aasimar Warlock. But first, let’s understand a little more about Aasimars.
What is Aasimar?
A type of planetouched, human descendant race with a trace of otherworldly divine ancestry, the Aasimar closely resembles humans or half-elves. Usually seen as tall, handsome, and generally well-liked, some Aasimars possess unique appearance traits such as golden eyes or silver hair that symbolize their divine heritage.
Most of the Aasimar descend from one of the human-like Nomadic Eladrin of Arborea, who happen to be the animal-like guardinals of Elysium or the rather rare rilmani of the Outlands. Their celestial ancestry is represented by their appearance and supernatural ability. Owing to their heritage, Aasimars are mostly good, with a few rare evil ones. Some Aasimar 5E characters are blessed with wings, silver skin, or dog-like ears. They are known to put animals at ease.
What are Aasimar Classes?
Barring warlock, there are numerous other classes you can try out. Considering you have chosen the option of ‘Customizing Your Origin’ rules from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, here are some classes you may consider:
1. Artificer: With Healing Hands, you can take some pressure off yourself to select healing spells. Celestial Resistance provides damage resistances that this class can’t provide on its own. Moreover, Radiant Consumption is great for melee builds, and Radiant Soul offers temporary flight if you’re not on a level high enough to infuse Winged Boots.
2. Barbarian: A minor healing option, 2 damage resistances, and Darkvision offer a lot of things that Barbarians usually can’t provide on their own. An Aasimar’s transformation is simple to fit into a turn as many barbarians don’t use Bonus Action on each turn. Radiant Consumption is your best Celestial Revelation option as Barbarians struggle to manage crowds. While the damage is not massive, and the AOE is also not very big, it will add up rapidly in a crowded melee fight.
3. Bard: With Healing Hands, you do not need to learn healing bard spells. Celestial Revelation provides some helpful utility options, but note that the damage boost is often difficult as many of the Bard’s best options do not necessarily deal damage. Necrotic Shroud might be helpful for melee bards, more so if combat is getting too intense. You can make good use of the Radiant Spirit’s temporary flight.
4. Cleric: With Healing Hands, you will save a spell slot. Celestial Resistance will protect you from damage types that many clerics worry about (from other clerics and the undead). Necrotic Shroud is great for clerics who are built for melee, and it works well alongside Word of Radiance and Spirit Guardians. Radiant Soul’s flight offers a great flight option for relatively less durable clerics.
5. Druid: Radiant Soul is the best for the majority of druids. The idea of a bear suddenly glowing and growing angelic wings is enticing, but you must discuss it with your DM before going with this.
6. Fighter: Radiant Soul offers easy flight that works even in heavy armor, and the damage boost is nice. Radiant Consumption is great for managing crowds. Healing Hands is good for sharing, and Celestial Resistance offers resistances that you won’t get from most magic items or spells that your allies cast.
7. Monk: Radiant Consumption is ideal if you worry about crowds. Radiant Soul offers flight that most monks can’t match. 2 damage resistances are good for the monk as they are relatively frail compared to other front-line martial classes. Most monks don’t have built-in healing options, so they can use Healing Hands if allies go down.
8. Paladin: Radiant Consumption is good for crowds, and Radiant Soul offers you flight in heavy armor. Necrotic Shroud is worth considering as Paladins have decent Charisma. Note that the fear effect is not great unless you are going for Oath of Conquest.
9. Ranger: Melee Rangers must consider Radiant Consumption, and ranged Rangers ought to go for Radiant Soul. Healing Hands does away with the temptation to learn Cure Wounds as emergency healing options.
10. Rogue: Melee builds could take Radiant Consumption to manage crowds, but crowds are not great for Rogues unless you’re hiding in them. You will more likely go for Radiant Spirit.
11. Sorcerer: Radiant Spirit is your best bet. Necrotic Shroud may seem tempting as the DC is Charisma-based, but note that the range is small. If you are stuck in melee, it’s probably not going to save you. Disengage, or teleport are your best Sorcerer spell options.
12. Wizard: Radiant Soul offers you flight and a damage boost without Concentration. A flying race such as the Fairy or the Owlin is probably better if you are going just for that. The Aasimar’s damage resistances are not easy for the Wizard to replicate, and the lack of healing Wizard Spells makes Healing Hands a good way to save a dying ally.
How to Make an Aasimar Warlock
The most crucial stat to a warlock is undoubtedly its charisma. This powers your spells and class features. Here’s the good news: Aasimar comes with a +2 Charisma bonus, which happens to be perfect for warlocks. Next in line should be Dexterity and Constitution, the former for concentration and HP, and the latter for initiative bonus, armor class, and saves. Right afterward should be Wisdom and Intelligence. Keep Strength at the lowest.
One of the most customizable classes in DnD, your Otherworldly Patron (subclass) and chosen Eldritch Invocations (perks), will dictate this. While you might choose to play as any of them, you will already have a patron as an Aasimar. Needless to say, the celestial patron is the perfect thematic fit, for you can tie them to your racial patron. It might be a poor choice if you think of it this way: you are essentially doubling up on radiant damage resistance.
For a fallen Aasimar Warlock, the Fiend or the Great Old One might be good choices, and Hexblade could be a different, albeit viable, flavor closer to the Paladin’s playstyle, that is worth a consideration.
How to Play As Aasimar Warlock
Warlocks are not full casters, half casters, or even third casters. It’s necessary to remember that pact magic is something special, and you will need to ensure your party is taking short rests during the adventuring day to use your Warlock spells in combat. If any of your party members do not require short rests, play it off as stopping for lunch or simply catching your breath while you strategize your party’s next move.
Your spell slots are a precious resource worthy of using with care; this is often absent from the roleplay section. Warlocks in DnD have access to powerful cantrips and eldritch invocations, which often grant additional options on the battlefield, depending on your patron. You might be good with melee weapons such as a Hexblade or better suited for some support role such as a celestial. You have a versatile role, and your actions in combat will be based on the patron you choose.
How to Roleplay As Aasimar Warlock
Being an Aasimar warlock entails heavily leaning towards a divine or fallen divine aspects of your character. If you happen to have an undead patron, chances are you will have little regard for the idea of mortality, and you will count that in your divine nature. Alternatively, if you have a celestial patron, you might act mightier and braver than you actually are. This could be inspired by your dreams as a young Aasimar, as if you have embarked on a divine quest.
It’s also a lot of fun to be on the flip side of these stereotypes. You could play as a Fallen Aasimar warlock with a celestial patron that you are currently rebelling against but who, for some reason, still has faith in you. Have a discussion with your DM regarding the role of the patron in your roleplay because patrons are a part of what makes warlocks special. It is often neglected as merely a mechanical function of the class rather than being played out in the game.
Conclusion
That’s all there is to know about Aasimar warlocks in DnD 5E. Make sure you go through the sections well before trying out the Aasimar 5E race for yourself. Remember, it is, after all, all about fun, so if you are not vibing with Aasimar, there are plenty of other ones to choose from. Having said that, this one is an interesting race worth a try. Happy questing!