Hi everyone
As a DM, I've always been a thinkerer - I love to make up new material for my homebrew campaigns, and this time it's not different. However, since I'm not 100% sure about my "balancing" capabilities with the new edition, if someone could give my work a look it would be great.
A bit of context: I'm running a converted Red Hand of Doom, and the PC are approaching paragon levels. Recently, we went through chapter 3, where the PCs met a powerful lich, the Ghostlord. One of the players, a power-hungry elf warlock, surprised us by offering his allegiance to the undead creature. I took this as an opportunity not only for roleplay but also for a "mechanical" distinction, and whipped up this paragon path.
For inspiration, I started from the lich template in the DMG, keeping an eye on the other published paragon paths for the framework. This is the result.
(Note: English is not my first language, so I won't even try to translate the fluff. I'll try to explain the reasoning behind my choices however.)
DISCIPLE OF THE LICH
"My master taught me dark secrets. My path is not over yet, but my arcane arts are already stronger than you can imagine."
Prerequisite: Warlock, nongood allignment
(I know the alignment part may be a 3.x-ism, but given the context, I just can't see a good warlock in service of an undead monster)
DISCIPLE OF THE LICH PATH FEATURES
Spell Master (11° level): You can spend an action point to regain one warlock encounter power you have already used, instead of taking an extra action. (This is taken from the Astral Weapon PP and also a nod to the lich template)
Unholy Vigor (11° level): You gain a +5 bonus to saving throws against poison and to checks you make to resist the progression of a disease. (I wanted the Path to have something akin to "undead traits" withouth giving it flat-out immunities. +5 may be too much, but I figured it's very situational.)
Student of Necromancy (11° level): When you use a power that deals energy damage, you can choose to deal necrotic damage instead of the type it would normally deal. (This is again a nod to the lich template. I'm not sure about changing damage types, but I don't think it would be much of a problem, especially since several monsters have necrotic resistance and the warlock already has other less-common energy types).
Lesser Necromantic Aura (16° level): When an enemy hits you in melee, he takes necrotic damage equal to you Charisma modifier (max 5 damage). (This emulates a lich's necrotic aura without giving a true aura effect. I put a damage cap to play it safe but it might not be necessary.)
DISCIPLE OF THE LICH SPELLS
A general note on the spells: I eyeballed the damage values looking at other warlock PPs and higher level powers, so they might be off.
Cursed Word Disciple of the Lich Attack 11
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necrotic
Standard Action Ranged 20
Target: One creature
Attack: Charisma vs. Will
Hit: 2d8 + Charisma necrotic damage, and you place your Warlock's Curse on the target. If the Curse was already in place, the target is stunned until the end of your next turn.
Consume the Soul Disciple of the Lich Utility 12
Daily ✦ Arcane
Free Action Personal
Trigger: A creature within range and affected by your Warlock’s Curse drops to 0 hit points or fewer
Effect: You gain temporary hit points equal to your level, and you can spend an healing surge.
(I wanted a power with a regeneration feel, but withouth giving "true" regeneration. The temp hp are there to make the power do something even when the warlock is at full health since it's a daily.)
Cloud of Disease Disciple of the Lich Attack 20
Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necrotic
Standard Action Area Burst 2 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in burst
Attack: Charisma vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d10 + Charisma necrotic damage.
Effect: Target is weakened and grants combat advantage to his enemies until the end of your next turn.
As a DM, I've always been a thinkerer - I love to make up new material for my homebrew campaigns, and this time it's not different. However, since I'm not 100% sure about my "balancing" capabilities with the new edition, if someone could give my work a look it would be great.
A bit of context: I'm running a converted Red Hand of Doom, and the PC are approaching paragon levels. Recently, we went through chapter 3, where the PCs met a powerful lich, the Ghostlord. One of the players, a power-hungry elf warlock, surprised us by offering his allegiance to the undead creature. I took this as an opportunity not only for roleplay but also for a "mechanical" distinction, and whipped up this paragon path.
For inspiration, I started from the lich template in the DMG, keeping an eye on the other published paragon paths for the framework. This is the result.
(Note: English is not my first language, so I won't even try to translate the fluff. I'll try to explain the reasoning behind my choices however.)
DISCIPLE OF THE LICH
"My master taught me dark secrets. My path is not over yet, but my arcane arts are already stronger than you can imagine."
Prerequisite: Warlock, nongood allignment
(I know the alignment part may be a 3.x-ism, but given the context, I just can't see a good warlock in service of an undead monster)
DISCIPLE OF THE LICH PATH FEATURES
Spell Master (11° level): You can spend an action point to regain one warlock encounter power you have already used, instead of taking an extra action. (This is taken from the Astral Weapon PP and also a nod to the lich template)
Unholy Vigor (11° level): You gain a +5 bonus to saving throws against poison and to checks you make to resist the progression of a disease. (I wanted the Path to have something akin to "undead traits" withouth giving it flat-out immunities. +5 may be too much, but I figured it's very situational.)
Student of Necromancy (11° level): When you use a power that deals energy damage, you can choose to deal necrotic damage instead of the type it would normally deal. (This is again a nod to the lich template. I'm not sure about changing damage types, but I don't think it would be much of a problem, especially since several monsters have necrotic resistance and the warlock already has other less-common energy types).
Lesser Necromantic Aura (16° level): When an enemy hits you in melee, he takes necrotic damage equal to you Charisma modifier (max 5 damage). (This emulates a lich's necrotic aura without giving a true aura effect. I put a damage cap to play it safe but it might not be necessary.)
DISCIPLE OF THE LICH SPELLS
A general note on the spells: I eyeballed the damage values looking at other warlock PPs and higher level powers, so they might be off.
Cursed Word Disciple of the Lich Attack 11
Encounter ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necrotic
Standard Action Ranged 20
Target: One creature
Attack: Charisma vs. Will
Hit: 2d8 + Charisma necrotic damage, and you place your Warlock's Curse on the target. If the Curse was already in place, the target is stunned until the end of your next turn.
Consume the Soul Disciple of the Lich Utility 12
Daily ✦ Arcane
Free Action Personal
Trigger: A creature within range and affected by your Warlock’s Curse drops to 0 hit points or fewer
Effect: You gain temporary hit points equal to your level, and you can spend an healing surge.
(I wanted a power with a regeneration feel, but withouth giving "true" regeneration. The temp hp are there to make the power do something even when the warlock is at full health since it's a daily.)
Cloud of Disease Disciple of the Lich Attack 20
Daily ✦ Arcane, Implement, Necrotic
Standard Action Area Burst 2 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in burst
Attack: Charisma vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d10 + Charisma necrotic damage.
Effect: Target is weakened and grants combat advantage to his enemies until the end of your next turn.