Warlock optimization and suggestions

[Meyer90]

Hi! I'm about to start HoDQ and i'd like to play as a Warlock...so do you have any tips about progression, spells or anything else? Even just your opinions about the class. I can only use core manuals by the way. Thank you!

[Quoxis]

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?485736-Selling-your-Soul-at-a-Premium-The-Warlock-s-Guide-to-Power

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?377591-Eldritch-Might-A-guide-to-the-5th-edition-Warlock

http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?469128-GUIDE-Blade-Book-and-Chain-the-Warlock-Guide&p=6707810#post6707810

[Imriel]

Warlock is my fav class and I'm gonna play one in my first 5e campaign starting next week.

I'm not a big expert yet, only played it in 3.5, but my advice is to conceive your character flavor wise first and then think about abilities etc. Warlocks are hugely strong anyway, so you have the "luxury" of leaving mechanics last. That's what I'm doing with mine at least!

[ATHATH]

Warlock is my fav class and I'm gonna play one in my first 5e campaign starting next week.

I'm not a big expert yet, only played it in 3.5, but my advice is to conceive your character flavor wise first and then think about abilities etc. Warlocks are hugely strong anyway, so you have the "luxury" of leaving mechanics last. That's what I'm doing with mine at least!
I usually go the other way- I find neat abilities and combos and optimal choices, then build my character around them.

[Imriel]

I like harder games! I mean, optimizing and combos are cool, especially for one shots and for theorycrafting, but I like my characters to be and feel more real, so not perfect killing machines (or healing, or debuffing, etc).

[ImproperJustice]

Warlocks are popular because they seem to be one of the most “customizable” classes around.

For simplicity: Eldritch Blast + Agonizing Blast can safely carry you through the whole game.

Then there are things out there like Hexblades, Celestial + Blade Pact + Green Flame Blade, and control/stealth builds that use none of those things.

Tomes can use ritual spells from all spell lists which is very cool, and Chain Masters can just have a lot of fun with their intelligent, invisible, wand capable familiars.
Keen Mind + Silent Image invocation/ minor illusion + Voice of the Chain Master can be used to create 3D maps, or perfect audio copies of things your familiar has seen.