Can A Warlock Change Patrons?

Question

This is primarily a "Flavor" question (or maybe not given the long range ramifications) that came up during a game session from reading the late 4th edition "Dungeons and Dragons" comic where the Tiefling Warlock Tisha was clearly unhappy with her Pact.

Fast forward to 5th edition...

It's a pretty simple concept: Can Warlocks "find" new Patrons?

Paladins can become Blackguards, sure, but that's a matter of falling from grace and being accepted "Paladin level for Blackguard level".

We're playing 5th edition but we're more familiar with 3.5th edition rules so we could simply be missing something.

Note: We only have the Core books: PHB, DMG, MM. None of the others. :)

Answer 1

As per this question, there's no rule which allows a character to re-spec their class options. However, the Adventurers League rules allow for a character re-spec below level 5, and outside of that, the DM has the power to change or ignore rules to grant any player a re-spec, and a responsibility to make sure all the players are having a good time.

Lore-wise, a warlock has a responsibility to serve their master, and this implies that they can be fired, too:

Sometimes the relationship between warlock and patreon is like that of a cleric and a deity ... More often, though, the arrangement is similar to that between a master and an apprentice. The warlock learns and grows in power, at the cost of occasional services performed on the patron's behalf.

This suggests that you can find yourself unable to progress after disobeying your patron, and it's entirely possible that you might catch the attention of another patron who offers similar or different powers. Apprentices can acquire new masters, and several clerics in D&D lore have changed deity.

It's certainly not broken or unbalanced to re-spec (unless you do so frequently so as to gain an unreasonable amount of versatility; once only should be fine). It's even easier if you happen to be happy with your existing powers, but just want to change the patron for fluff reasons, since fluff is entirely within the ability of the player or DM to decide, and the rules hold no sway here.

Answer 2

There are now optional rules to let you do this as part of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

With your DM’s approval, you can change your subclass when you would normally gain a new subclass feature. If you decide to make this change, choose another subclass that belongs to your class and replace all your old subclass features with the features of the new subclass that are for your new level and lower.

It goes on to say that the DM can impose costs, require you to do a quest to seek out a new patron/god/trainer etc. In exceptional circumstances if it makes sense for the story, the DM can also allow you to change subclass in response to a significant story event.

Answer 3

As far as I know, there is no built-in mechanic in D&D 5th edition that allows characters to choose to switch subclasses, including Warlocks and their patrons.

The DM can certainly allow it to happen (perhaps requiring some in-character roleplaying to justify it), and it shouldn't cause significant problems unless the player abuses this and tries to change their subclass on a constant basis.

Answer 4

RAW no

Simply there isn't a mechanic that allows you to change patrons in DnD 5e. I dont know about other editions but in DnD 5e you choose a patron and that's your patron for that character.