Is a Tank'lock possible?

[majicwalrus]

In 4E I played a Con'lock that served as the party's tank because mostly because I was up to my teeth in HP compared to everyone else.  Now we're playing 5E and we still don't have a legit tank, but I'm wondering if I can spec my Warlock out to take on some of the tanking type roles.

He's a fifth level right now and I've been doing a lot of Armor of Agathys and Arms of Hadar to get up close and provoke opportunity attacks and deal out some extra damage, but I'm already locked into GOO and Tome.  Any suggestions moving forward?

[awaken_D_M_golem]

Dwarf + Blade'Lock = tanky,
Polearm Master + Shilelagh = decent combat damage,
or Fighter 1 then Warlock X (maybe F 2 after W 11) is a build from very early in 5e.

Depends on how much of the above, your DM will back-redo your character.
Mellored has suggested that Warlocks are the most 4e-esque of the classes.
But you really need to have planned to be a Tank from the start.


edit --- You could just veer off into a Combat 5 or 6 class, then go back to Warlock.
Paladin 6 / Warlock 14 is viable, slightly different roll-in.

[Nunkuruji]

There's not a lot going for the Warlock within the class itself to be tanky.
Only light armor proficiency, awfully reliant on dex or magic item/enhancement bonuses.
Nor does it get the most useful save proficiencies.
Refreshable temp hp with Fiendish Vigor, but that's only a few points each combat.

Like aDMg said, Dwarf can make a lot of things tanky with their inherent armor proficiency.
Even multiclassing may not get you all the proficiencies you'd necessarily want with the character you have right now.

If you make it work somehow, I'd be interested in what you come up with.

[NumberKruncher]

If this were a new character, I'd suggest starting with 1 level of Fighter, or mountain dwarf for the free medium armor proficiency.

Since that isn't possible, the only way to get heavy armor proficiency without spending a feat is by dipping into some of the Cleric classes (Nature, Life, War, Tempest come to mind, not sure if that is all of them).

[8wGremlin]

I have a nice base tanky warlock

Shanks
Human (variant), Pirate (Sailor variant), Warlock - Pact of the Tome,
Lawful Evil, Zhentarim

Stats
 (Customizing ability scores variant)  27pts
Str: 12 (+1)  (cost: 4)
Dex: 13 +1 Feat = 14 (+2) (cost: 5)
Con: 13 +1 Race = 14 (+2) (cost: 5)
Int: 10 (+0) (cost: 2)
Wis: 10 (+0) (cost: 2)
Cha: 15 +1 Race = 16 (+3) (cost: 9)

Human
Feat: +1 (Moderately Armored)
Stats: +1 to two stats (Con and Cha)
Skill: +1 (Insight)

Warlock
Patron: Fiend
Pact: Tome (upon 3rd level)
Cantrips:
Eldritch Blast
Create Bonfire (elemental evil)
Spells:
Hex
Armor of Agathys
Spell Notes
Spell save DC = 8 + proficiency bonus + Cha mod = 13
Spell attack = + proficiency bonus + Cha mod = +5
Spell Focus: Component pouch

Proficiencies
Proficiency bonus - +2
Armour - Light armour + Medium armour (feat) + shields (feat)
Weapon - Simple weapons
Tools - Navigator’s tools, Vehicles (water)
Saves - Wisdom, Charisma
Skills - Athletics (Str), Perception (Wis), Intimidate (Cha), Deception (Cha), Insight (Wis)
Languages: Common, Infernal

Equipment
A belaying pin (club),
50 feet of silk rope,
A lucky charm: A nightcap that, when worn, gives you pleasant dreams
A set of common clothes
Belt pouch containing 10 gp
Trinket: A small idol depicting a nightmarish creature that gives you unsettling dreams when you sleep near it
A light crossbow and 20 bolts (worth 26gp)1
A component pouch (worth 25 gp)
A scholar’s pack (worth 40gp)1
Leather armor (worth 10gp)
a light crossbow (worth 25gp)1
Two daggers
1 Sell for half market price, gaining 45 gp 5sp

Buy:
Shield 10 gp
Explorer’s backpack 10gp
Get decent medium armour ASAP


Background:
Pirate of the Zhentarim.
Characteristics
Personality:
My friends know they can rely on me, no matter what
I work hard so that I can play hard when the work is done
Ideal: Fairness. We all do the work, so we all share in the rewards
Bond: I'm loyal to my captain first, everything else second
Flaw: I can’t help but pocket loose coins and other trinkets I come across
Feature: Bad Reputation
No matter where you go, people are afraid of you due to your reputation. When you are in a civilized settlement, you can get away with minor criminal offenses, such as refusing to pay for food at a tavern or breaking down doors at a local shop, since most people will not report your activity to the authorities.

Combat stats
HP at 1st: 8 + Con mod (+2) = 10 hp
Hit Dice: 1d8 per level
HP per level: 1d8 (or 5) + Con mod
AC: 15 (leather + Shield + Dex), this goes to AC 18 (Breastplate + Shield + Dex)


Advancement:
1) Warlock (Otherworldly Patron: Fiend , Pact Magic)
2) Warlock (Eldritch Invocations)
3) Warlock (Pact Boon: Pact of the tomb) - HP = 24 @3rd not much but you do have Armor of Agathys and tmp for Feind patron.
Invocations: Book of Ancient Secrets, Agonizing Blast

Book of Ancient Secrets:
Find Familiar: Owl
Cantrips: Shillelagh, Guidance, Shocking grasp

Use Eldritch blast when at ranged, when entering combat either: Shillelagh (using CHA) or Shocking Grasp.
Familiar can be used to help.


It's great so far.