How is the warlock not overpowered?

[Nail]

By 9th level a human warlock can have 6 spells/day.

Could you explain how? Thanks.

 

[kigmatzomat]

The warlock class is quite flexible in implementation but each warlock generated is a specialist. I like that since you can have radically different warlocks without resorting to optional rules. Blaster, stealth, face, and harasser. Each specialized but each different and all warlocks.

 

[Fishbone]

Warlocks are boxers who can only jab.

Yep, they are developmentally stunted outside men. With flying at will and all the evasion and DR they float like butterflies but sting like bees.
Acid use+Greater Chasuble+Maximization at level 20 is only what, 90 damage? The melee guys have been doing that for about 10 levels at that point.
The real cool thing is they make great faces, are great harriers, and can use the magic device goofiness to do some broken things occasional. They are essentially an eldritch monk. If the monk class has broke your games you might want to think about banning them. Hahahahah!

 

[Felon]

On a related note, has anyone given the eldritch theurge or eldritch disciple a shot? Those might address some of the concerns I expressed.

 

[frankthedm]

I don't want the warlock going around using dark speech to spam shatter at every object that doesn't please his eye. I don't want him spamming charm on every NPC he encounters. I don't want every battlefield to become a morass of spammed chilling tentacles. I don't want him dimension-dooring around every obstacle. Any of that would get old real quick.

Those are the real issue with the warlock.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Could you explain how? Thanks.

At 6th level they can take Fey Presence (from Complete Mage) which gives you the following spell-like abilities, useable 1/day:
Charm Monster
Deep Slumber
Disguise Self

At 9th level they can take Fey Legacy (also from Complete Mage) which gives you the following spell-like abilities, useable 1/day:
Confusion
Dimension Door
Summon Nature's Ally

 

[irdeggman]

At 6th level they can take Fey Presence (from Complete Mage) which gives you the following spell-like abilities, useable 1/day:
Charm Monster
Deep Slumber
Disguise Self

At 9th level they can take Fey Legacy (also from Complete Mage) which gives you the following spell-like abilities, useable 1/day:
Confusion
Dimension Door
Summon Nature's Ally

Interesting.

But since they need to take Fey Heritage first (at 1st level because of the progression) and warlocks get no bonus feats - a human warlock (best for feats) would get:

2 feats at first level
1 feat at 3rd level
1 feat at 6th and so on.

As pointed out there are a few feats that are almost musts for them and going the fey heritage route (or fiendish one for that matter) would severly restrict them.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Interesting.

But since they need to take Fey Heritage first (at 1st level because of the progression) and warlocks get no bonus feats - a human warlock (best for feats) would get:

2 feats at first level
1 feat at 3rd level
1 feat at 6th and so on.

As pointed out there are a few feats that are almost musts for them and going the fey heritage route (or fiendish one for that matter) would severly restrict them.

I agree, which is why I would never go this route. I was just pointing out how they end up with 6 spells/day.

Whenever I make a Warlock, I always seem to have the same "template" for my feat choices. PBS, Precise Shot, Sudden Still Spell, Maximize SLA, Quicken SLA, Extra Invocation (in that order)...

 

[irdeggman]

I agree, which is why I would never go this route. I was just pointing out how they end up with 6 spells/day.

Whenever I make a Warlock, I always seem to have the same "template" for my feat choices. PBS, Precise Shot, Sudden Still Spell, Maximize SLA, Quicken SLA, Extra Invocation (in that order)...

Yup those are the ones that generally work for almost every one.

My 1 ranger/4 warlock has favored enemy outsiders (evil) and PBS/PS but went with Magical Aptitude instead (figured on attempting to max out UMD).

 

[Klaus]

I was about to suggest the Fey Heritage route.

Point-Blank Shot + Precise Shot aren't really useful when you have:
- Medium BAB
- An attack that targets the Touch AC.

At any rate, a Human Warlock could take:
1st - Fey Heritage
1st - Point Blank Shot
3rd - Precise Shot
6th - Fey Skin
9th - Fey Presence
12th - Fey Legacy

In exchange for that "fey archer" route, he gets 6 very good spell-like abilities, +3 on Will saves vs. enchantments and DR 4/cold iron that stacks with his own class-based DR.

The warlock also shares an advantage with the Soulknife: he never needs to spend money on a weapon. Heck, push the envelope and have a warforged warlock (warlockforged studded with Khyber shards?) and you'll have armor and weapon accounted for from the get-go.