Diletant power for a Warlock?

[Rechan]

A player is deciding between playing a Half-Elf (Infernal) lock, and a DB cleric.

But, while I'm helping him make the character, I noticed there aren't that many good at-wills that would supplement a warlock, who is: a ranged guy that depends on Cha and Con as his attacks.

Most At-Wills are either melee, or use a stat he is not good with. Even wizard spells are barely ever going to hit, because his attack is at a +2.

What's a good one?

 

[Gloombunny]

He's an infernal lock. Why is he using Charisma? His high stats should be Constitution and Intelligence. So go with a wizard power, probably Scorching Burst for the ranged AoE. (Though maybe something that doesn't target Reflex would be better - infernal 'locks can only target Reflex with their at-wills, and you want to have something that works against speedy enemies.)

Yeah, it's not going to be great. Dilettante rarely is. :/

 

[Rechan]

He's an infernal lock. Why is he using Charisma?

1) Half-elves get a fat Cha.
2) Just because you choose "Infernal" as your pact boon doesn't mean you must pick every single Infernal power. Maybe he wants to pick up a Star or Fey power, which key off Cha.

Yeah, it's not going to be great. Dilettante rarely is. :/

Not true. Some classes get off better. A rogue with Wolf-Pack tactics. A paladin with Hellish Rebuke (Don't attack me, take damage and take -2. Attack me and take damage from my Hellish Rebuke). Warlord with a Wizard spell, or Wizard with Commander's Strike (both taking advantage of those high ints). Or a ranger or rogue with an at will from the other.

 

[Wepwawet]

Paladin has charisma at-wills, and apparently an infernal Warlock works good on melee (because of hellish rebuke and all the temp. hp).
Well, one of the paladin's at-wills gives you temp. hp (could be used before enemies start dropping to get an initial hp buffer)
The other one gives -2 to attacks when the target is marked, which works with multiclassing in paladin or fighter.

 

[Mengu]

+2 from a 14 Intelligence is not too bad for Scorching burst. It will typically target multiple enemies, which means multiple chances to hit. Combine it with Prime Shot when you can for a +3, and you're in decent shape. If you have the stats for it, Astral Fire will help it along in the damage department, along with many of the infernal warlock powers, and some star pact powers.

If you already have a wizard in your group though, it might be redundant. You could go with Cloud of Daggers in that case, to auto-kill a minion when you really need that pact boon.

 

[ThirdWizard]

I took Hit and Run (Ranger) with my feylock. The choices aren't that great. Paladin powers are out, since they're melee. Wizard abilities will rarely hit.

 

[Goumindong]

Crap, forum ate my post.

Anyway, ill condense it. You want Commanders Strike from the Warlord set. You can use it when you are getting your curse damage from another source, if another striker fails to get their extra damage(which will be higher than yours), and you get a bonus for having a high intelligence(which you want anyway!)

edit: Why you can't use other powers.

1. There are no Con Attacks and you will have a low dex and str
2. Without Wisdom or Marking, Paladin Cha attacks are glorified basic attacks
3. Without an Implement you can't use powers well enough that need an implement like wizard powers.

 

[Tony Vargas]

I've been thinking about this same subject.

If you're an Infernal, you're not supposed to be as shy about melee, so you could use a melee power, like the paladin's bolstering strike (enfeebling strike doesn't do much if you can't mark). You should have a good INT, so wizard powers aren't out of the question. One benefit of that is that Scorching Burst and Thunderwave are unusual in being burst/blast, which warlocks don't get a lot of. Since warlocks use wands, you might even be able to get the implement bonus, if your DM's feeling generous. Another INT-based at will that also depends a bit on interpretation (the range is debated) is Commander's Strike, from the Warlord - it's advantage is that there's no attack roll from you, so as long as you have an ally with a strong basic melee attack, it's a good power.

I'm seriously considering that last for my Star Pact 1/2 elf warlock.

 

[Paul Strack]

A lot of warlock powers get a boost from Int, so having a decent Int is a good idea. That opens up the wizard at-wills. If your Int is 14 or 16, it will only be a point or two behind your main attack. Our group's warlock picked Thunderwave, because he used Str as his dump stat and has no decent melee attack.

Also, both Warlocks and Wizards can use wands, so picking up a wand with a Wizard power gives the warlock even more flexibility. That's another reason to have a decent Int.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Anyway, ill condense it. You want Commanders Strike from the Warlord set.

I doubt it. It's melee range, so you have to be adjacent to whomever you are using the power on.

Also, both Warlocks and Wizards can use wands, so picking up a wand with a Wizard power gives the warlock even more flexibility. That's another reason to have a decent Int.

Keep in mind that the ability to use a wand implement's enhancement bonus on wizard spells is a wizard ability, which a warlock won't have. It won't be long before your attack with the wizard power is +4 or +5 less than your warlock attacks.