Hellfire Warlock Question

[Falling Icicle]

I'm a bit confused on how the Hellfire Blast ability (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20061207a&page=3) works. Is it an Eldritch Essence invocation, or does it just increase your blast's damage? Can it be used with an Eldritch Essence invocation, such as Brimstone Blast?

 

[Krafen]

Looks like an essence invocation to me.

 

[Hammerhead]

It's not any kind of invocation (it never says it is anywhere). It's just a class ability, like Sneak Attack.

 

[Drowbane]

It's not any kind of invocation (it never says it is anywhere). It's just a class ability, like Sneak Attack.

QFT

 

[Henry]

I need to check that out next time I read it - it would make a difference on a Binder/Warlock build I was toying with in my mind...

 

[Stormrunner]

Well, looking in FC2, we find ... not much clarity. On the plus side, in the sample statblock, hellfire blast is not included in the list of incantations known. So it's probably not an incantation per se. On the other hand, hellfire blast is listed seperately from eldritch blast in several places. This could just be because it does more damage and costs Con, but it could be interpreted as implying that hellfire blast is considered a seperate ability and thus the various blast shape, etc. invocations, which specifically apply to eldritch blast, could not be applied to hellfire blast. I wouldn't go that far myself. The rest of the entry is identical, AFAICT, to the excerpt cited earlier.

So, a strong implication that hellfire blast is a modification of eldritch blast, not an incantation. But nothing definite. Bleah.