Arcane Heroes - Eldritch Strike Fail

[ravenheart]

Arcane Heroes

Not going to commnet on the quality of the miniatures, only the previewed power: Eldritch Strike

If I know the 4e rules as well as I'd like to think I do, there is no way a Tiefling Warlock could ever pick that power (with the Eldritch Blast and Pact at-will as class features).

*facepalm*

 

[Mentat55]

Could be that Arcane Power will introduce eldritch strike as an alternative to eldritch blast, to provide that melee warlock option, without resorting to multiclassing. In particular, an infernal warlock with this power and hellish rebuke could be really cool. Then again, you can probably achieve that functionality with the Melee Training feat right now.

 

[Ryujin]

Seems rather redundant, since Reaper's Touch (feat) was introduced in Dragon 372.

 

[ravenheart]

Could be that Arcane Power will introduce eldritch strike as an alternative to eldritch blast, to provide that melee warlock option, without resorting to multiclassing. In particular, an infernal warlock with this power and hellish rebuke could be really cool. Then again, you can probably achieve that functionality with the Melee Training feat right now.

Don't count on it. I mean, the point of the extra powercards that come with the minis is that they aren't found elsewhere, at least not in a book (ie. they will be found in the CB and the compendium in the next update).

WotC have stated (unless I dreamt it?) that the powers might appear in future supplements. Therefore it would be a lousy marketing strategy to have them appear straight away in Arcane power.

Then again, I'm not so sure about WotC marketing strategy atm. /joke

Seems rather redundant, since Reaper's Touch (feat) was introduced in Dragon 372.

Three reasons why it isn't redundant:
1. Slide effect.
2. Potentially greater damage dice than eldritch blast, since it's a [W] attack.
3. Doesn't require a feat.

 

[Ryujin]

Three reasons why it isn't redundant:
1. Slide effect.
2. Potentially greater damage dice than eldritch blast, since it's a [W] attack.
3. Doesn't require a feat.

Potentially lower damage too, unless a rather large weapon is used that will likely require a feat for a Warlock to use anyway. The slide effect is nice, but Eldrich Blast can be used either ranged or close with the Reaper's Touch feat. Perhaps saying redundant over-states it. I'll withdraw that and say "poor choice" instead.

 

[Klaus]

A while ago I sent an article query to Dragon introducing a new warlock pact that'd be mostly melee-based.

No reply.

 

[Mengu]

Unless it can replace Eldritch Blast, it's kind of limited use right now, humans, half-elves, and paragon multiclass (and hybrid classes I suppose).

But it seems like an excellent dilettante power for the half-elf charisma paladin. Gives you a charge attack with a nice little effect, and no feat needed. Paladins don't seem to need to charge more than once an encounter typically any way. It can give the half-elf rogue a way to make a decent basic attack without melee training also.

Maybe we'll see some ninja update to the Warlock class in DDI, or we'll see a couple more eldritch attacks (like Eldritch Shot, a ranged weapon version of this) in Arcane Power, and AP will list all the powers that can be used in place of Eldritch Blast. Or it may simply be "up to the DM" to decide if they want to allow this power in place of Eldritch Blast.

Or maybe they really did intend this power to be for the paragon Rogue multiclassing with Warlock, who knows... My hunch is we will hear something more about this, and it will be an optional replacement for eldritch blast.

 

[filthgrinder]

Perhaps saying redundant over-states it. I'll withdraw that and say "poor choice" instead.

Which I'm honestly fine with. I'd rather not have power creep come in with these cards. I don't like introducing new powers through these cards (even though I'll get them with the CB), so if they are bland and "poor choice", it makes them pass easier.

 

[WalterKovacs]

I can see them doing putting something out that you can replace eldritch blast with this. Heck, they might just make a general "If there is an at-will called eldritch X for the warlock, it can replace eldritch blast".

There is also the new hybrid warlock who isn't forced to take any specific at-wills, although I would hope it's more than just something that can be taken by (a) hybrid warlock, (b) human warlock, (c) half-elf non-warlock, (d) paragon multiclassing into warlock. Admitedly it would be a nice power for the warlock multiclassed into rogue that I had, giving me an outlet for that sneak attack.

 

[keterys]

I was building a hybrid assault swordmage / fey warlock for my wife who is currently playing a MC version thereof... and yeah, that power is pretty awesome for that purpose. Pretty much removes the need for melee training feat and makes the aegis trigger a lot more interesting with the slide.