The 10 Best Armor For Warlocks in D&D 5e [Ranked]

The world of D&D lets adventurers pick and choose between various armors, shields, and defensive trinkets.

However, some armors stand out above the rest, fitting an adventurer’s background, build, flavor and simply giving more useful stats to that character.

In the case of Warlocks, their backstories, and playstyles mainly have them don light armor, occasionally looking at medium armor if they walk a melee-oriented path.

Warlocks are some of the most feared spellcasters, not only because of their powerful spellcasting but also because of the dark patrons that grant them this unknown magic.

Warlock Armor Proficiency

• Light armor

Best Armor for the Warlock in 5e

10. Leather

Armor Class (AC): 11 + Dexterity modifier

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 10 lbs

Cost: 10 GP

Explanation

Leather is the starting gear of many Warlocks, whether they’re a Hexblade or not.

It would be wise to switch to your appropriate armor as soon as possible, as Leather armor doesn’t have the best AC, and Studded Leather isn’t priced as high as most medium armor.

9. Half Plate

Armor Class (AC): 15 + Dexterity modifier (max 2)

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 6 lbs

Cost: 10 GP

Explanation

Half Plate is the preferred armor of the Hexblade Warlocks.<span style=”font-weight: 400;”> Since Hexblades have proficiency with medium armor, they can now wear armor that has a higher AC than light armor does.

8. Studded Leather

Armor Class (AC): 12 + Dexterity Modifier

Strength: –

Stealth: –

Weight: 13 lbs

Cost: 45 GP

Explanation

Most normal Warlocks go for Studded Leather armor, as it fits their armor proficiency, scales with Dexterity, and isn’t expensive.

It might not have high AC, but Warlocks have quite a few spells they can use for defense, so it doesn’t matter too much.

7. Ring of Spell Storing

Rarity – Rare (requiring attunement)

Item Type – Ring

Description

Spells cast into the ring are stored (up to 5 levels worth of spells are able to be stored in the ring at one time), holding them until the attuned wearer decides to use them.  

When the ring is found, it can contain 1d6 -1 levels of stored spells (chosen by the DM).

Any creature is able to cast a spell of 1st to 5th level into the ring by simply touching it as the spell is cast. Doing this makes the spell have no effect other than being stored in the ring.

However, if the ring cannot hold the spell, it will be expended without effect. The level of the spell slot used to cast the spell will determine how much space it takes up.

Wearing the ring lets you cast any spell stored within it. The spell will use the slot level, spell attack bonus, spell save DC, and spellcasting ability of the original caster but is otherwise treated as a normal cast spell.

A spell cast from the ring is no longer stored within it, freeing up space in the ring.

Explanation

The Ring of Spell Storing has a lot of uses, but the best way to use it would be to pump it with defensive spells to increase your durability.

Spells like Absorb Elements or Shield work exceptionally well when put into a Ring of Spell Storing.

6. Elven Chain

Rarity – Rare

Item Type – Armor (chain shirt)

Description

You will gain a +1 bonus to your AC while wearing this armor. You’re considered proficient with this armor, even if you lack proficiency with medium armor.

Explanation

Elven Chain is a lot like Barrier Tattoo, but it doesn’t require any attunement.

Even though the bonus to AC isn’t as huge as with Barrier Tattoo, this can be a perfect addition to your character’s build if you’re in need of AC.

5. Dark Shard Amulet

Rarity – Common (requiring attunement by a Warlock)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

Gain the following benefits while wearing the shard.

• Use it as a spellcasting focus for your Warlock spells.
• You may cast a Cantrip you don’t know that originates from the Warlock spell list, making a DC 10 Intelligence (Arcana) check to cast it.

If successful, the spell is cast. However, if it fails, the spell does as well, and the action used to cast the spell is lost. 

No matter the result, this property cannot be used again until you’ve finished a long rest.

Explanation

The Dark Shard Amulet makes it easy to access Cantrips that you otherwise wouldn’t have had access to as they are too situational or random.

The only problem is that you can only use it once every day and that the shard doesn’t require attunement to be used.

Otherwise, the Dark Shard Amulet can prove to be a great investment if you aim to cast more Cantrips than you have access to.

4. Illusionist’s Bracers

Rarity – Very Rare (requiring attunement by a spellcaster)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

The bracers were initially created to enable a powerful illusionist of House Dimir to make multiple Minor Illusions at once, though its power extends beyond illusions.

Wearing the bracers and casting a Cantrip lets you use a bonus action to cast the same Cantrip a second time.

Explanation

Cantrips are an essential backup resource for spellcasters who use all their spell slots, which means they’re usually weaker than most spells.

However, with the Illusionist’s Bracers, the ability to cast a Cantrip twice increases their potency, allowing them to compete with higher-level spells.

3. Deathwalker’s Ward

Rarity – Legendary (requiring attunement)

Item Type – Armor (studded leather)

Description

Legends say that this beautiful black leather armor was worn by the Matron of Ravens’ champions.

Dormant (When dormant, you gain the following benefits):

• +1 bonus to AC
• Advantage on death saving throws (while wearing the armor)

Awakened (When awakened, you gain the following benefits):

• +2 bonus to AC
• Resistance to one of the following damage types you choose: Poison, Necrotic, Lightning, Fire, Cold, or Acid (while wearing the armor). The damage type can be changed after finishing a short rest.

Exalted (When exalted, you gain the following benefits):

• +3 bonus to AC
• Using a bonus action, you can grow large, black raven wings, granting you a flying speed of 60 feet for 1 hour. Once used, this property cannot be used again until you’ve finished your long rest.

Explanation

The Deathwalker’s Ward ticks many stat boxes that the Warlock lacks.

It ranges from bonus AC, flight, resistance to one damage type, and advantage on death saves.

That might not seem like much, but once you realize it has an abundance of features, some being combinations of other powerful items, you understand its true power. 

2. Winged Boots

Rarity – Uncommon (requiring attunement)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

Wearing these boots gives you a flying speed equal to your walking speed. The boots can be used to fly for up to 4 hours, all at once, or used in several short flights using a minimum of 1 minute from the duration.

If you’re flying when the duration expires, you’ll descend at 30 feet per round until you’ve landed. The boots will regain 2 hours of flying capacity for every 12 hours they aren’t used.

Explanation

Winged Boots are too powerful for their rarity, and being able to pick up an item that makes the Fly spell obsolete is worth it.

The boots also don’t have a weight cap and can let you fly for up to 4 hours, which is much longer than the Fly spell and doesn’t require Concentration or a spell slot.

1. Robe of the Archmagi

Rarity – Legendary (requiring attunement by a Wizard, Warlock, or Sorcerer)

Item Type – Wondrous item

Description

The color of the robe corresponds with the alignment for which the item was created. White for good, gray for neutral, and black for evil. You cannot attune to a robe of the archmagi that doesn’t match your alignment.

Gain the following benefits while wearing the robe:

• Not wearing armor makes your base AC 15 + your Dexterity modifier
• Gain advantage on saving throws against spells as well as other magical effects
• Your spell attack bonus and save DC both increase by 2

Explanation

The Robe of the Archmagi might be a Legendary item. Still, since it combines the benefits of a Mantle of Spell Resistance, Barrier Tattoo, and a Very Rare spellcasting focus, it’s worth the struggle.

It even adds some flavor to it, as you can only wear the robe fitting your alignment, opening paths for corrupting a good character or vice versa.

Honorable Mentions

• Ring of Shooting Stars
• Cloak of Invisibility

Final Thoughts

For the most part, each class in D&D has its most used or beloved armor that is both iconic and functional.

Though some of these armors might not be the best D&D armor overall, they remain the best option for that character at the moment.

A good example would be the choice between a set of medium or light armor, as medium armor works best for Hexblades, while light armor works best for all other Warlocks.

In the end, whether you decide to take a conventional or unconventional armor, as long as you like it and it fits your playstyle, you should roll with it!