[RPG] How often can a Warlock update his spells list

dnd-5espellswarlock

The PHB states:

Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the warlock spells you know and replace it with another spell from the warlock spell list

  1. Does that mean that I can change my list of available spells
    known/prepared/selected, only when I change level? Do I have to keep
    the same spells for all level duration?
  2. I can change/replace only one spell at each level and keep the rest?
  3. What happens with cantrips and invocations? What are the update rules for them?

In most spellcasting classes, casters change their spell list based on the current situation in their campaign, they can ready more combat-oriented spells when they're about to enter a dungeon, and ready more utility-oriented spells when they visit a city or are about to meet someone. Is that unavailable for warlocks?

Best Answer

Once per level

Yes, altering your spell list based on the current situation is unavailable for warlocks. Their spell list doesn't change between levels. This:

when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the warlock spells you know and replace it with another spell from the warlock spell list

… means exactly what it sounds like: you can change one spell (and only one) when you gain a level, and the rest stay the same, apart from any new spells you might have gained that level. You can swap it for a spell of a different level if you want, as there is no restriction regarding level. (Given how few spells a warlock knows, being able to swap a low-level spell for a higher one is very important for being able to tailor your spell list at higher levels.)

This only applies to spells covered by the Spells Known column on the warlock table, as this rule is under the Spells Known of 1st Level and Higher heading of the Pact Magic class feature. That means that you cannot use this rule to swap cantrips or invocations — this is only for your normal spells. (However, invocations have their own rules for swapping them when you level up. See the Eldritch Invocations section on the same page.)

Note that warlocks don't prepare or select spells in the way you're asking about in (1) — they only have spells known. That means they can always use any spell they know, as long as they have a slot to cast it with.

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