Class Comparison · Updated August 2026
Warlock vs Wizard
Warlock deals more damage, while Wizard offers more spellcasting versatility.
Short answer
Pick Warlock for reliable at-will damage with Eldritch Blast. Pick Wizard for the widest spell selection of any class.
At a Glance
| Warlock | Wizard | |
|---|---|---|
| Hit Die | d8 | d6 |
| Primary Ability | CHA | INT |
| Spellcasting | Yes | Yes |
| Party Role | Blaster | Controller |
| Subclasses | 4 | 4 |
| Best Race | Tiefling | Elf |
Combat Comparison
Using Human as baseline race for fair comparison.
| Level | Warlock DPR | Wizard DPR | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 9 | 7.8 | Warlock |
| Level 11 | 12.38 | 10.18 | Warlock |
| Level 17 | 16.5 | 13.2 | Warlock |
When to Choose Warlock
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Flexible build with room for customization
When to Choose Wizard
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Flexible build with room for customization
Best Builds for Each
Top Warlock Builds
Top Wizard Builds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Warlock or Wizard better for beginners in D&D 5e?
Both work for a first character. Pick Warlock for reliable at-will damage with Eldritch Blast; pick Wizard for the widest spell selection of any class.
Warlock vs Wizard: which deals more damage?
At level 11 the Warlock deals more baseline damage (about 12.38 vs 10.18 per round before magic items), though party role usually matters more than raw damage.