Aasimar are one of the more criminally under-used races in 5th edition D&D. Perhaps that’s because they were initially introduced in the Dungeon Master’s Guide as an example of building a new race, then re-introduced in Volo’s Guide to Monsters. 

Perhaps it’s because of their placement between those books that most players simply don’t know of them, or maybe it’s because they are one of the more frequently banned races on account of their racial abilities (which aren’t much stronger than any other race). 

Regardless, it’s about time aasimar made a return, and what better way to do that than as a warlock?

The Aasimar race can be found in Volo’s Guide to Monsters. Click here to pick up your own copy of Volo’s Guide to Monsters!

The Warlock class can be found in the Player’s Handbook. Click here to pick up your own copy of The Player’s Handbook!

How to Make an Aasimar Warlock

The most important statistic to a warlock is charisma, as this is what powers your spells and your class features. Incidentally, aasimar come right out of the box with a +2 bonus to their charisma, which is absolutely perfect for our purposes. 

Constitution and dexterity should be your next highest scores, with dexterity for an initiative bonus, saves, and armor class, and constitution for concentration and hp. I would advise a choice of wisdom or intelligence as the next priority, with strength being your lowest score.

Warlock is one of the more customizable classes in the game, and both your Otherworldly Patron (subclass) and your chosen Eldritch Invocations (perks) will define this. Remember of course that while you could play any of them, you already have some sort of patron as an aasimar, whether you know them or not. 

Celestial patron is the obvious perfect thematic fit, as you could tie them to your racial patron, however it might be a poor choice if you consider that you’re doubling up on the radiant damage resistance. Though, I wouldn’t call it bad enough to discourage this choice. The Fiend or Great Old One may be good choices for a fallen aasimar (or undead/undying), and Hexblade would be a different flavor closer to the paladin’s playstyle, perhaps worth considering.

How to Play an Aasimar Warlock

Warlocks are neither full casters nor half casters, or even “third” casters. Pact magic is something special and you need to ensure your party is taking short rests during the adventuring day if you want to be able to actually use your spells in combat. 

If there aren’t many others in the party who benefit from short rests, play it off in roleplay as stopping for lunch or catching your breath while strategizing your party’s next move. This is not in the roleplay section specifically because your spell slots are a precious resource that should be used with care in combat. Warlocks have access to powerful cantrips and eldritch invocations which can grant you additional options on the battlefield and depending on your Patron, you may be proficient in melee weapons like a Hexblade or better suited for a support role as a Celestial. Your role is versatile and what you’re doing in combat will be based on the patron (subclass) you choose.

How to Roleplay as an Aasimar Warlock

Being an aasimar means that if you want to, you can lean heavily into the divine or fallen divine aspect of your character. Do you have an Undead patron? Then perhaps you hold little regard for the idea of mortality, and count that in your divine nature. Perhaps you have a Celestial patron? You might act mightier and braver than you are, perhaps inspired by the dreams you had as a young aasimar as if you’re on a divine quest. 

These suggestions are stereotypes perhaps, but fun to play as. Breaking stereotypes is also a lot of fun, maybe you’re a Fallen Aasimar with a Celestial patron that you’re rebelling against, but for some reason still believes in you. Speak to your DM about the role of your patron in roleplay, because having a patron is what makes warlocks special and it’s something that is too often relegated to merely being part of the mechanical function of your class rather than being played out in the game.