FR Excerpt: Dark Warlock pact

[Rechan]

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4ex/20080812a

I think the aura is pretty darn cool, actually.

However, the whole "Damage allies to hurt enemies more" still doesn't sit well with me.

 

[chaotix42]

An explosion of threads!

I'm digging this new pact. The curse is the bomb, and the Darkest Mirror utility power is really cool.

 

[Kez Darksun]

Really digging what I see of the Warlock Dark Pact. So far between the Swordmage and this new pact, the FRPG is turning into a must get for me.

 

[Deverash]

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4ex/20080812a

I think the aura is pretty darn cool, actually.

However, the whole "Damage allies to hurt enemies more" still doesn't sit well with me.

To be fair, that's only 2 of the powers we seen so far. Most of the others in the Pact don't seem to do anything to allies at all. Which is a good, thing. I don't want to see this conversation when a new character joins a group:

"Oh, your a warlock? What pact?"

"Dark Pact"

"Kill him!!!!!"

 

[Vendark]

I don't see what the big deal about damaging allies is. To be an "ally" in 4E, you have to be a willing target of the power. If you don't want to get hurt by your dark warlock friend's power, just say so, and there's no problem.

 

[Rechan]

Just a detrimental effect, is all. Sure, the conversation is "Hey, I'm going to hit you. Is that okay" isn't as bad as "Okay, you take damage so I can do more", it's not going to be a popular thing at the table, especially the first time someone goes down, saying "If I just had the HP you did to me!"

Also, I noticed something about the Darkspite Aura. You could really pump that sucker up if you started cursing minions right out of the gate.

 

[Adrift]

The thing that most excites me is that while WotC isn't producing more 'combat roles' and it looks like they are only adding one power source (Primal) in PHBII; they are clearly working to expand the options of classes without the need for billions of PrCs. With the Warlock and the Dark Pact, the door is suddenly open to the idea of a Draconic Pact, perhaps a Far Realms Pact...lots of options with what remains a Warlock.

 

[Drkfathr1]

The Star Pact is basically a Far Realms Pact.

I don't really like the concept of the Dark Pact...Shadowy figures in Drow Society? Um, who exactly are these figures? House Matriarchs? House Wizards? And I also don't dig the "harm your allies a little". Wouldn't go over very well in my group.

 

[Alas]

The Dark Pact should export fairly well to the Eberron setting. The necrotic tags and "wound your allies" theme would be appropriate for the Blood of Vol, the Daughters of Sora Kell, and possibly Mordain the Fleshweaver (surely he can't be powerful enough to sponsort pacts... OR CAN HE?).

I think the sacrifice aspects of the pact will work out alright as long as the warlock is in the same party as a leader and reserves those powers for clean-up batting (when HP vs. time remaining is a little more certain).

 

[Stalker0]

I don't see what the big deal about damaging allies is. To be an "ally" in 4E, you have to be a willing target of the power. If you don't want to get hurt by your dark warlock friend's power, just say so, and there's no problem.

If your allies don't sacrifice, the powers are pretty weak compared to other things you do. If they all sacrifice, it becomes very powerful but harms the party. So either the players refuse to sacrifice, and the warlock feels he's wasted a power, or the players feel used that they "have" to sacrifice "their" hitpoints.

And balance aside, its an ego thing. Many players hate when other players can affect their character. Even things like bluffing or intimidating a fellow group member can ruffle feathers. Now before people start screaming that their group is wonderful and perfect and everyone loves each other, the reality is that does happen in many groups, and there's no reason to encourage it.

If those powers were kept in, I would use healing surges as the sacrifice instead. That way, players at least are not getting hurt in combat, it just means they have to rest more frequently.