D&D 5E Volo's Warlock NPCs

[Flamestrike]

I'm not clear on that. In character, do you get to ask your patron for a boon? Or does your patron grant whatever/whenever on their own schedule?

Because if you (the character) do get any influence, I think you'd definitely consider asking for things that you couldn't get any other way. Not saying you wouldn't ultimately go with your vanity...

But it's a very different proposition than just trying to do your patron's bidding and if they're sufficiently pleased then you get what you get.

Though now that I read closely, it says "In your studies of occult lore, you have unearthed eldritch invocations..." so maybe you can direct your studies, so to speak.

Mage armor is better than the light armor you could (uncomfortably) wear. It provides an AC of 13+ dex which is better (and less of a hassle putting on each day, and far more comfortable than) any light armor in the game.

Plus there are other advantages to having an at will mystical force field you can summon whenever you need it.

Plus; Warlock.

 

[jgsugden]

These are not optimized PCs.

 

[ammulder]

Plus; Warlock.

Yeah, you keep coming back to that.

 

[CapnZapp]

These are not optimized PCs.

Yeah, I realize that.

Or rather, I get they're not minmaxed.

I would, however, that they were optimized in the atmospheric, presenting-a-unique-NPC kind of way.

I guess I would have preferred it if Warlocks differentiated themselves from Wizards more, and I think WotC blew a chance to make that happen.





Thanks everyone

 

[Flamestrike]

Yeah, I realize that.

Or rather, I get they're not minmaxed.

I would, however, that they were optimized in the atmospheric, presenting-a-unique-NPC kind of way.

I guess I would have preferred it if Warlocks differentiated themselves from Wizards more, and I think WotC blew a chance to make that happen.





Thanks everyone

Run them with armor and switch out the invocation if you want.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Maybe they are truly nefarious characters and want to deny the PC's even the spoils of light armor.

 

[CapnZapp]

Run them with armor and switch out the invocation if you want.

Sure.

But my question wasn't "can I switch around the NPC stat blocks?". Because the answer is "of course I can". In fact, I could even keep the exact same stat block and still say the NPC wears studded leather, simply by upping her Dex to +3.

No, you must have missed my point.

I wanted to point out that perhaps WotC missed an opportunity to differentiate the three Warlocks by not using the fact they have light armor proficiency.

 

[ccs]

Sure.


No, you must have missed my point.

I wanted to point out that perhaps WotC missed an opportunity to differentiate the three Warlocks by not using the fact they have light armor proficiency.

NPCs aren't built like PCs. Or at least they don't have to be.

 

[ccs]

I know, I know! It's just that there are THIRTY-TWO Eldritch Invocations, of which in a reasonable campaign you may get what, like six or eight to play with? Is the magical weightless force field going to be one of them or not? There's no gear for "see through magical Darkness" or "read all writing" or "scootch that guy 10 feet backward"...

Depends, wich option best allows me to best play the character I envision? Whatever it is, I'll take that every time.
If that choice doesn't jive with what you consider optimal? Well, that's not my problem....

 

[ccs]

I'm not clear on that. In character, do you get to ask your patron for a boon? Or does your patron grant whatever/whenever on their own schedule?

Because if you (the character) do get any influence, I think you'd definitely consider asking for things that you couldn't get any other way. Not saying you wouldn't ultimately go with your vanity...

But it's a very different proposition than just trying to do your patron's bidding and if they're sufficiently pleased then you get what you get.

Though now that I read closely, it says "In your studies of occult lore, you have unearthed eldritch invocations..." so maybe you can direct your studies, so to speak.

I'd say it depends upon the game your in.
The warlock I'm currently playing is a 12 year old 1/2ling girl. Her patron, a very powerful & elderly pseudo-dragon that she befriended, has, to date, taught her things that:
A) will keep her safe - so yes, armor of shadows (besides, where am I likely to find 1/2ling CHILD sized armor?)
B) will keep her interested - Beast Speech
C) help her accomplish a task for him - namely bringing him magic items - so Eldritch Sight (+ sooo much cooler to see magic than to see in darkness (for that there's cantrip light via magic initiate)!)
RPwise: He will absolutely not teach her Eldritch Blast. Ever. He doesn't want his friend/helper incinerating things & getting the idea that combat is the answer!
OOC: There are so many cool invocations that fit this character. Why would I forgo them for the EB sequence??? Maybe for a different warlock, but not for this character.
As she gets older the patron will consider requests. But for now, no.