Baleful Utterance vs Hammer Blast

[javcs]

Baleful Utterance Vs Hammer Blast, which one is more useful?

Hammer Blast is in Complete Mage, and lets Eldritch Blast do full damage to objects instead of half.

Specifically in a campaign world where there are no spell-casters or manifesters, everything is incarnum based, only enhancements, nothing that 'casts' a spell, ie no wands. Any spell-caster gets driven mad in time, and is likely to be an enemy.

Party makeup: Incarnate, Soulborn, Monk, Scout, my Warlock, possibly something else that would likely be melee oriented.

My Warlock has a Charisma of 10, so the saves of Baleful Utterance would be not so good, which is why I'm leaning towards Hammer Blast, but I thought that I would see what the boards think. Or should I take a different invocation?

Thanks!

 

[Piratecat]

There's an utter joy in being able to blast doors off their hinges. I say go for it.

 

[Particle_Man]

Hammer Blast could also combine nicely with Shape Invocations.

With Eldritch Chain you could blast a lot of stuff! And Eldritch Doom? Would that affect everything that everyone is range is using or wearing?

 

[Evilhalfling]

the warlock in my game was drooling over hammer blast - he had visions of tunneling, or using the hammer blast and cone to clear a path through jungle. Unfortunately he was working om eldrich theurge and died before picking up a new incantation after learning about it.

 

[lukelightning]

Remember that hardness still applies to hammer blast.

 

[javcs]

Particle_Man, I think so.

Hmm, that is true, that hardness could be a problem ... that's what the damage bonuses* are for!
*Thanks to soulmelds.

 

[DungeonMaester]

Hammer beats out shatter in my book because there isn't much of anything worth shattering that has a 0 hardness.

Paper..Rope..um..Did I say Paper yet?


---Rusty

 

[Sejs]

Hammer Blast.

Definitely Hammer Blast.

 

[boolean]

What level does the campaign start at, and do you have any idea what types of enemy you will be fighting?

Shatter at will is a great way to disarm enemies by destroying their weapons, as long as they aren't magical. So, if you're fighting low-level classed humanoids Baleful Utterance is good. (sure, your DC is low, but so is the target's will save.)

I'd take Baleful Utterance at 1st level, and swap it for Hammer Blast later.

 

[Raspen]

one thing overlooked is the extra stun effect form the shatter. hammer blast is nice only if you do the damage dont forget that warlocs hit HIGHS and lows in the damage.

think that shatter is better till you get at least 7d6 and max spell-like feat