Regaining spell slots is an especially valuable ability compared to any other class with spell slots, but it isn’t world-shattering. The rod of the pact keeper is a Warlock-only magic item and provides a great way for Warlocks to gain the ability to cast an additional spell once a day. Whether this was an oversight or intentional, any spell cast by the Warlock via an invocation does not technically count as a Warlock spell. Importantly, the rod of the pact keeper also does not affect Warlock invocations. If a cantrip, or other spell, is not on the Warlock’s spell list ( for example if the Warlock was a multiclassed Wizard) the bonus would not apply. Common Questions About the Rod of the Pact KeeperĪs long as the cantrips are on the Warlock spell list the rod of the pact keeper’s bonuses apply to them the same way they apply to leveled spells. That said, a dead Warlock can’t use any spell slots, so when you need the rod, use it. Therefore, it is best to use this rod only when you need a spell slot urgently before your next short rest. It is important to note however that the extra spell slot from the rod of the pact keeper regenerates on a longrest, not a short rest. Warlocks usually compensate for this shortcoming by regenerating their spell slots on a short rest rather than a long rest.
In comparison, other full spellcasters have 22 spell slots at level 20.īy allowing you to regain a spell slot as an action the rod provides a small but noticeable boost to your spellcasting ability, though you will still fall far behind other spellcasting classes. While a level 20 Warlock has access to 4 spell slots, most characters are lucky to have 3 and spend the majority of their playtime with only 1 or 2 spell slots. The Warlock class’ biggest weakness is its lack of spell slots. While this means the item is not underpowered for its rarity, the bonuses are not why most Warlocks would seek out the item or choose to attune to it. The rod of the pact keeper’s attack and save bonuses are what you would expect from magic items of its rarity.Ĭompared to magic weapons which also provide +1, +2, or +3 bonuses to attack rolls (as well as damage rolls) the bonus scales in the same way: uncommon to rare to very rare for +1, +2, and +3 bonuses. Review: Rod of the Pact KeeperĪs the rod of the pact keeper has two distinct abilities this review will examine them separately before considering the merits of the item as a whole.
That means that you can use the rod as a replacement for any material component required by a spell unless that spell has a material component that has an associated gold amount.
Interestingly, as a rod-type magic item, the rod of the pact keeper can be used as an arcane focus by its wielder. You do not need to start out as a Warlock to qualify for attunement. You can only attune to the rod of the pact keeper if you are a Warlock, i.e. Unless your DM is particularly lenient, however, the ambiguity is unlikely to be decided in favor of broadening the application of the rod, even if it technically follows the rules as written. You might read it as saying that all spell attack rolls, regardless of source, receive the rod’s bonus, while only the save DCs of Warlock spells specifically are enhanced. While the intended meaning of this sentence is clear, its construction is ambiguous. “While holding this rod, you gain a bonus to your spell attack rolls and to the saving throw DCs of your warlock spells”. However ( depending heavily on your DM) a possible loophole exists in the wording of this item. Source: DMG, page 197, Magic Item Table F This ability can only be used once per long rest. The bonuses described above apply only to Warlock spells.Īs an action when holding the rod a Warlock can regain one spell slot. The bonus scales by the item’s rarity.Īn uncommon rod grants a +1 bonus, a rare rod grants a +2 bonus, and very rare rod grants a +3 bonus. The rod of the pact keeper grants a bonus to the attack rolls and save DCs of all Warlock spells cast when holding the rod.