How is the warlock not overpowered?

[irdeggman]

Where'd you read that?

Well the feat (using Qucken Spell-like ability, text is similar in Empower):

QUICKEN SPELL-LIKE ABILITY [GENERAL]
Prerequisite: Spell-like ability at caster level 10th or higher.

Benefit: Choose one of the creature’s spell-like abilities, subject to the restrictions described below. The creature can use that ability as a quickened spell-like ability three times per day (or less, if the ability is normally usable only once or twice per day).
Using a quickened spell-like ability is a free action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. The creature can perform another action—including the use of another spell-like ability—in the same round that it uses a quickened spell-like ability. The creature may use only one quickened spell-like ability per round.

The creature can only select a spell-like ability duplicating a spell with a level less than or equal to half its caster level (round down) –4. For a summary, see the table below.
In addition, a spell-like ability that duplicates a spell with a casting time greater than 1 full round cannot be quickened.

Normal: Normally the use of a spell-like ability requires a standard action and provokes an attack of opportunity unless noted otherwise.

Special: This feat can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, the creature can apply it to a different one of its spell-like abilities.

Adding the information from the table that follows (regarding SL and CL for empower and Quicken) and the warlock class description (and errata).

Change “An eldritch blast is the equivalent of a spell
whose level is equal to one-half the warlock’s class level (round down), with a minimum spell level of 1st and a maximum of 9th when the warlock reaches 18th level or higher” to “An eldritch blast is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell. If you apply a blast shape or eldritch essence invocation to your eldritch blast (see page 130), your eldritch blast uses the level equivalent of the shape or essence.”

Any other references to eldritch blast being something other than the equivalent of a 1st-level spell should be disregarded.

Any other references claiming that eldritch blast is not an invocation should be disregarded.

Each Invocation is a spell-like ability with their own entries.

When a warlock adds a shape and/or esssence invocation to his eldritch spear it becaomes a unique EB with a separate SL.

Example listed on pg of CA

"His hellrime eldritch spear is therfore the equivalent of a 4th-level spear ."

 

[Raspen]

had a quick question for you guys about the acid blast. If you hit more then one time in a round with it will the damage the second round stack?

 

[sukael]

"His hellrime eldritch spear is therfore the equivalent of a 4th-level spell."

This is shorthand to describe an eldritch blast with the eldritch spear and hellrime blast invocations applied to it. I don't think there are many here would agree that hellrime eldritch spear is an entirely new invocation, just like there aren't many who would agree that maximized fireball is an entirely new spell.

The level of eldritch blast -does- change depending on what other invocations you use with it, but this simply means that you can't use both Quicken SLA, etc, and whatever invocations would raise its spell level too high.

 

[pallandrome]

Wow, you're making me interested in the warlock. Where are the tracker invocations from?

And where are the warlock fey heritage feats from? Or are they not specific to warlocks?

They Fey Heritage feats are from Complete mage. They are not specific to warlocks, but they stack nicely with Warlock DR, and at 20th level, you can have DR 10/Cold Iron, which can greatly increase your survivability in mass combat.

As for the tracker invocations, I'm having a bit of a brain fart at the moment. Can anyone else help me out here?

 

[sukael]

As for the tracker invocations, I'm having a bit of a brain fart at the moment. Can anyone else help me out here?

Probably either Complete Mage or Dragon Magic, both of which have new warlock invocations.

 

[irdeggman]

This is shorthand to describe an eldritch blast with the eldritch spear and hellrime blast invocations applied to it. I don't think there are many here would agree that hellrime eldritch spear is an entirely new invocation, just like there aren't many who would agree that maximized fireball is an entirely new spell.

The level of eldritch blast -does- change depending on what other invocations you use with it, but this simply means that you can't use both Quicken SLA, etc, and whatever invocations would raise its spell level too high.

And based on the FAQ you would appear to be correct, although the warlock's required level always adjusts based on the essence and shape.

If a warlock selects Ability Focus (Monster Manual, page 303) and chooses for it to affect his eldritch blast, does it still apply when he uses a blast shape or eldritch essence invocation?
Yes. Whether the warlock is using a frightful blast, an eldritch cone, or an utterdark eldritch doom, Ability Focus (eldritch blast) increases the save DC by +2.


Can a warlock apply Empower Spell-Like Ability or Quicken Spell-Like Ability (Monster Manual, pages 303–304) to his eldritch blast? What level would he have to be to do so?
Thanks to the official errata for Complete Arcane (which established that an eldritch blast is “the equivalent of a 1stlevel spell”), the answer to this question is yes.

The chart on page 304 of the Monster Manual describes the caster level required to empower or quicken a spell-like ability. A warlock needs to have a caster level of 6th to empower his eldritch blast, or a caster level of 10th to quicken it.

If the warlock applies an eldritch essence or blast shape invocation to his eldritch blast, the blast’s level equivalent (and thus the required caster level) increases. Empowering an eldritch cone (the equivalent of a 5th-level spell) requires the warlock to be 14th level, while quickening a frightful blast (the equivalent of a 2nd-level spell) requires a 12th-level warlock.

 

[Klaus]

Wow, you're making me interested in the warlock. Where are the tracker invocations from?

And where are the warlock fey heritage feats from? Or are they not specific to warlocks?

Call of the Beast (wild empathy, speak with animals, 24hr duration), Serpent's Tongue (scent, +5 vs. poison, 24hr. duration), All-Seeing Eyes (+6 Spot/Listen, comprehend languages [written only], 24 hr. duration) are all from Complete Mage, as are the Fey Heritage feats. There's also Otherworldly Whispers, which provides a bonus to Knowledge checks.

 

[Particle_Man]

had a quick question for you guys about the acid blast. If you hit more then one time in a round with it will the damage the second round stack?

Sure, why not? First one hits the left arm, second one hits the right arm, both keep dissolving next round.

 

[Raspen]

thanks for the info.

another good thing about the warloc is you can be a real good rogue you can mix the class between the too and keep up some of the off skills and use disimbodied hand and eye to scout/spy.

Detect magic helps a rogue out alot and you could use dispell on alot of things as well. a wand of knock would fill in for open locks or shadder but that could get loud.

Greater invs is nice way to bump up your steath. and the blast is a good replacement/addon for sneak attacks since its a ray.

 

[pallandrome]

I also like them in combo with scout. the speed boost can be super nice in adding survivability.