You’re sitting at the table, character sheet in hand, ready to play the ultimate healer-blaster hybrid. You’ve picked the Celestial Patron for your Warlock because, honestly, who doesn’t love the idea of shooting holy lasers while simultaneously keeping the Fighter from bleeding out? But then you look closer at the updated rules. Something is missing. Specifically, that trusty cantrip you were counting on.
The Celestial Warlock Sacred Flame removed controversy isn't just a minor typo in a rulebook; it represents a fundamental shift in how Wizards of the Coast (WotC) views class identity in the 2024 Player’s Handbook (frequently referred to as the 5.5e or One D&D update).
In the original 2017 release of Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, the Celestial Warlock was a gift to players who wanted to break the "edgy soul-seller" trope. You got Light and Sacred Flame for free. It was a core part of the kit. Now? It’s gone. It’s just... not there anymore. If you’re building a new character using the 2024 core rules, you’ll notice that while you still get the Light cantrip, Sacred Flame has been stripped from the Bonus Cantrips feature.
What Actually Changed in the 2024 Rules?
Let's look at the mechanics. In the 5e (2017) version, the Celestial Warlock’s "Bonus Cantrips" feature explicitly stated you learn the Light and Sacred Flame cantrips. They didn't count against your number of cantrips known. This was huge because Warlocks are notoriously starved for cantrip slots early on.
In the 2024 revision, the subclass was "standardized."
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 3D Printed Master Chief Helmet Probably Won't Fit (And How to Fix It)
Wizards of the Coast decided to streamline how subclasses grant extra spells. Now, instead of a specific list of two cantrips, the Celestial Warlock gets Light and a broader access to the Cleric spell list through other features, but that automatic "always-on" Sacred Flame is no longer a class feature. You have to spend one of your precious Warlock cantrip slots to get it, or find another way to grab it via feats like Magic Initiate.
It’s annoying. I get it.
The logic from the design team, led by Jeremy Crawford in various developer deep dives, was to reduce "feature bloat." They wanted the 2024 classes to feel more modular. By removing the forced inclusion of Sacred Flame, they technically give you more "freedom," but in reality, most players feel like they just lost a free toy.
The Radiant Soul Problem
Why do people care so much about this specific spell? It’s all about the Level 6 feature: Radiant Soul.
"Starting at 6th level, your link to the Celestial allows you to serve as a conduit for radiant energy. You have resistance to radiant damage, and when you cast a spell that deals radiant or fire damage, you can add your Charisma modifier to one radiant or fire damage roll of that spell against one of its targets."
See the issue? Eldritch Blast deals force damage. To actually use your Level 6 class feature with a cantrip, you need a radiant or fire cantrip. Sacred Flame was the perfect delivery vehicle for this. It’s a saving throw spell, meaning it ignores cover—something Warlocks usually struggle with since Eldritch Blast is an attack roll.
Without Sacred Flame being free, the Celestial Warlock is funneled even harder into the "Eldritch Blast or Bust" playstyle, unless they burn a feat. It feels like a tax. You want to use your subclass feature? Pay up.
Is It a Nerf or Just Rebalancing?
Some veterans argue this isn't a nerf. They point to the fact that the 2024 Warlock can now swap out cantrips on a Long Rest (via the updated Pact of the Tome or general class flexibility). They say that the new "Magical Cunning" feature, which lets you regain spell slots without a short rest, makes up for the loss of a free cantrip.
I disagree.
The Celestial Warlock was always the "Cleric-lite." Removing Sacred Flame from the base kit feels like stripping away the thematic soul of the subclass. It’s like a Paladin losing Lay on Hands. Sure, they can still smite, but are they really a Paladin?
Furthermore, the 2024 version of the spell Guiding Bolt is now more accessible to Warlocks through updated spell lists and the "Fountain of Light" mechanics, but Guiding Bolt uses a spell slot. Cantrips are your bread and butter. When you’re in a 4-hour dungeon crawl and you’ve burned your two slots, you want that Radiant Soul-boosted Sacred Flame to keep you relevant in the initiative order.
Real-World Table Impact
I’ve seen this play out in real-time at the table. A player transitions their character from the 2014 rules to the 2024 rules mid-campaign. Suddenly, they have to choose between Mind Sliver (great for utility) and Sacred Flame (required for their subclass feature).
It creates a "trap" for new players.
If a kid picks up the 2024 Player’s Handbook and builds a Celestial Warlock, nothing in the text explicitly tells them, "Hey, you should definitely pick Sacred Flame or you're ignoring your 6th-level feature." The old rules held your hand and made sure you were optimized. The new rules expect you to do the homework.
How to Fix Your Celestial Warlock Build Now
If you’re frustrated that the Celestial Warlock Sacred Flame removed change has gimped your build, you have a few options that don't involve begging your DM for a homebrew fix (though that’s always a valid path).
- Pact of the Tome (The Standard Fix): In the 2024 rules, Pact of the Tome is a "Logic Choice" at level 1 or 2. It gives you three cantrips from any class list. Just take Sacred Flame here. It stays a Warlock spell for you, meaning it uses your Charisma.
- The "Magic Initiate" Feat: With the new background system, almost every character gets a free Origin Feat. If you pick the "Acolyte" or "Sage" backgrounds, or just manually select Magic Initiate (Cleric), you can grab Sacred Flame and a couple of utility spells like Healing Word or Guidance.
- The Fire Alternative: Remember that Radiant Soul also works with fire damage. Green-Flame Blade is still a thing. If you’re playing a melee-focused Celestial Warlock (yes, they exist), you can procc your Charisma bonus through fire damage instead of radiant.
The Bigger Picture: Why WotC Does This
Designers at WotC, like Ray Winninger and others who shaped the trajectory of "One D&D," have been vocal about wanting to move away from "Subclass Spells" that aren't consistent across the board. They wanted to clean up the "wall of text" that usually accompanies Warlock patrons.
Unfortunately, "cleaner" often means "thinner."
By removing these specific ribbon features, the game becomes easier to program into digital tools like D&D Beyond, but it loses the flavor that made the 2017 version of the Celestial Warlock feel special. It’s a trade-off. Efficiency for the sake of soul.
Actionable Steps for Players and DMs
If you are running a game or playing a Celestial Warlock today, don't let the rule change ruin your fun. Here is exactly how to handle it:
- For Players: Check your background. If you aren't taking a background that grants a magic-based feat, you are effectively "down" a cantrip compared to the old version. Prioritize the Pact of the Tome invocation early to bridge the gap.
- For DMs: Honestly? Just give it to them. If a player wants to play a Celestial Warlock, there is zero balance reason to withhold Sacred Flame. It’s a d8 damage die (eventually d12) that targets a save. It’s not breaking the game. Let them have the flavor they signed up for.
- For Builders: Look into the new Word of Radiance cantrip if you’re going to be in the thick of it. It’s an AOE radiant spell that also benefits from your Level 6 bonus. It can often be more effective than Sacred Flame if you find yourself surrounded by goblins.
The removal of Sacred Flame from the base Celestial Warlock kit is a classic example of "streamlining" gone slightly too far. It forces a specific choice upon the player rather than rewarding them with a thematic gift. But, with the right Invocations and a smart approach to the new Feat system, you can still build a powerhouse healer that turns the battlefield into a localized sun. Just make sure you read the fine print before you roll initiative.