The Celestial Warlock is underrated.

I do not think its reputation is helped by having such an underwhelming 6th level feature, but by the time you get to 6th level you essentially have 7 free uses of healing word, very useful for getting allies up from being unconscious. It would also be useful for a 2-level multiclass dip, because I can't see any charisma based character being unhappy with 3 uses of bonus action heals

I also think the spell list good, some really key utility spells only a short rest away.

I'm not comparing it to the best of the best, like Hexblade or Genie, but I also think it's a perfectly great subclass.

Just a heads up, healing word adds your casting modifier where healing light does not. And in 2024 dnd that gap only widens.

I love it because of rhe RP, I play a Rogue/warlock. Now mist if the time you woukd think thats shadymaxxing but hes a celestial warlock who might have made for a decent paladin if he'd had more protein growing up. And theres been more than one joke about him being a back ally cleric

It's not cracked out, but true strike with celestial warlock going blade and agonising cantrip is a fun little build. You don't even need to go extra attack for it, just eldritch smite and go ham.

It's also not a spell, which is a big bonus. It's definitely not Healing Word, but it's close enough to be part of the conversation which is kind of a big deal for a subclass ribbon.

I think it's fine by nature of Warlock being a decent class in general, and it mainly struggles because it's trying to do something that you'd be better off just playing a Cleric for. Still, as far as being a Warlock with supplementary healing, I think it's totally serviceable and pretty neat, even if technically unoptimal

I feel like a lot of people see D&D subclasses that aren't mathematically optimal and unfairly label them as "bad", even if they're fine in practice

this is tagged 2014 though, it definitely falls a bit short in 2024 compared to something like an enspelled staff, but in 2014 it's a non-spell bonus action meaning you can still cast a leveled spell with your action.

It's an excellent off-brand paladin, store-brand cleric, or terribly optimized wizard.

Up to 3 attacks. BA ranged heal(with no requirements). Invocations can cover RP, skills, or niche issues.

I don't think it's underrated at all. It's pretty widely known to be a solid class.
There's even the famous* generalist build that does a bit of everything.

What's the generalist build sorry? Not been keeping up with 5.5 xd

Yeah but this post is tagged 2014. Don't cast True Strike in 2014

I'm using Celestial/Blade at the moment and it's definitely holding its own. I'd rather I wasn't the tank, but Armour of Agathys is a hell of a drug.

My favorite little interaction with celestial warlock is adding your charisma modifier to the damage of Green-Flame Blade an additional time. You can make a shockingly gnarly martial character with level 1 fighter/celestial warlock X. Repelling+Agonizing blast plus Radiant Soul and Weapon Mastery makes for huge single hits, a rare playstyle in 5.5e.

In theory, you could also go six more levels in Draconic Soul or College of Valor to further boost the cantrip, although at that point you’re investing a lot of levels to one gimmick rather than just a neat ribbon of the build. Even if you did, though, it’s still very strong compared to most straight martials.

\>I feel like a lot of people see D&D subclasses that aren't mathematically optimal and unfairly label them as "bad", even if they're fine in practice

Definitely happens a lot, especially in the online spaces. Everything gets compared to the most OP/busted/etc stuff and then the reference point is the ceiling so anything that isn't touching it gets lumped in as "bad".