Complete Arcane: Warlock - Ranged Spell Focus Question

[MadMaxim]

I've been wondering whether the Weapon Focus feat applies to the warlock's eldritch blast, if he takes the feat as Weapon Focus (ranged spell), or does he have to take it as Weapon Focus (eldritch blast)? And does the Weapon Focus (ranged spell) apply to spells cast from wands, etc.? And finally, what's up with the Empower Spell-Like Ability and Quicken Spell-Like Ability feats? I mean, how can Warlock possibly make use of these feats for his eldritch blast, because its spell level rises faster than his caster level, so how will he ever able to use those feats on his eldritch blast? I can't really see, how he can...

Okay, those were a lot of questions in one go, but I hope somebody has some good answers, because I really need them. Thanks in advance, boys and girls!

 

[Thanee]

Weapon Focus (eldritch blast) would be it, I suppose. It's not a ranged spell.

Spells cast form wands should work the same as spells cast normally, I think.

You might want to check the errata for the Empower/Quicken stuff, they have changed the EB's spell level equivalent to stay at 1st.

Bye
Thanee

 

[MadMaxim]

Okay. I've been searching for errata on Wizards' site, but I can't find anything regarding Complete Arcane. Could you point me in the right direction? And if eldritch blast stays at 1st level all the way through, it's going to be terrible for the modifications that make the targets take saving throws to avoid various effects.

 

[shilsen]

And if eldritch blast stays at 1st level all the way through, it's going to be terrible for the modifications that make the targets take saving throws to avoid various effects.

Not really. All of the invocations that require the target(s) to make saves or take additional effects are higher than 1st lvl. When you use an eldritch blast modified by any invocations, its level is increased to the highest one of any of the applied invocations. So, for example, an eldritch chained (4th) noxious blast (6th) would count as equivalent to a 6th lvl spell for purposes of saves, getting through magical protection, etc.

 

[RigaMortus]

Here is the errata you are looking for:

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=360534&page=1&pp=30

 

[rowport]

I've been wondering whether the Weapon Focus feat applies to the warlock's eldritch blast, if he takes the feat as Weapon Focus (ranged spell), or does he have to take it as Weapon Focus (eldritch blast)?

On pages 72-73 of Complete Arcane, it says WF (Ranged Spell) is the way to go (inclusive of both Ranged Attack Spells and Ranged Touch Attack Spells). This probably makes little difference to the Warlock versus WF (Eldritch Blast), but a *huge* difference to ray-casting wizards and sorcerers, who can essentially get the feat for all of their attack spells instead of one feat per spell. This might be too good, in fact, compared to non-casters using WF, but then, it is questionable whether WF is really better than other metamagic feats anyway..?

 

[Nifft]

I thought it would be Weapon Focus (Ray)...

-- N

 

[Sithobi1]

Ray = ranged touch attack, just a different name, AFAIK.

 

[FireLance]

Ray = ranged touch attack, just a different name, AFAIK.

Technically, no. A ray is a ranged touch attack, but not all spells that are ranged touch attacks are rays, e.g. energy missiles like Melf's acid arrow and the various orb of [energy] spells.

Complete Arcane bundles them all under Ranged Spell for the purpose of the Weapon Focus feat, which is quite a good thing for the feat-strapped arcanist, in my view.

 

[rowport]

Technically, no. A ray is a ranged touch attack, but not all spells that are ranged touch attacks are rays, e.g. energy missiles like Melf's acid arrow and the various orb of [energy] spells.

Complete Arcane bundles them all under Ranged Spell for the purpose of the Weapon Focus feat, which is quite a good thing for the feat-strapped arcanist, in my view.

I guess that is true- it is almost certainly not a real balance problem, or at least, not enough to worry about. Still, I think for consistency, it should be more restrictive- or else WF (throwing weapons) should be equal valid. I think many ranged fighters would be happy with that change.