Incarnum-Aided Warlock

[Kyros Pyralis]

I'm designing a Warlock character that will be the debuffer/general causer of havok. I'm going to take a few levels of Warlock, a few levels of an Incarnum class, and then Soulcaster to finish it out. I am aware that technically, Warlock does not meet prereq, I'm hoping my DM will overlook it if I give up the level 10 ability to channel spells into essentia.

My question is, which of the two classes (Incarnate and Totemist) is the best for defensive/maneuverability situations that are backed up by the firepower of eldritch blast?

I am looking, specifically, for durability via the ability to heal or boost AC. I have not had much time to look at the Incarnum books, since I don't own them. So if anyone has had experience with these classes, I would appreciate some advice. Although I don't have anything against Soulborn, its limited essentia and soulmends will make me waste levels on it to qualify for PrC.

Also, my feats will consist of those that allow investment of essentia for better saves and I'm wondering if it's better to go for these feats to toughen myself up and take 3-6 levels in Soulborn for the bonus feats.

One last thing that I'd like to mention: if anyone has tried this or seen how much it fails, I would love some other suggestions for warlock builds that advance Invocations and Eldritch Blast (I'm not too concerned with Warlock class abilities).

 

[Dandu]

Hellfire Warlock.

 

[Kyros Pyralis]

I considered that, but that goes for firepower rather than manipulation/attrition. My DM favors long battles and intense dungeon crawls.

Also, I don't like it for the flavor aspect of the character I wish to play, but that's almost immaterial. But thank you anyway for the idea.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Hellfire Warlock is only 3 levels, it wouldn't take away too much from your build necessarily. Not sure which is more useful for your multiclass, incarnate or totemist. I just know that incarnate gets the strongheart vest thing that makes Hellfire Warlock remotely playable. And I recall someone pointing out a nice combo if you do a glaive-lock with incarnate levels. You get the crystal helm and then with the invocation to make your EB acid and ignore SR, you have an eldritch glaive that ignores SR, is a touch attack, and is force damage.

A friend is playing a Totemist right now and uses the Manticore Belt for his ranged attack, but you can alternatively use it for a fly speed iirc, so that might be looking into for your concept. Fell Flight is probably a better option, and at higher levels the Pheonix Cloak (from Magic Item Compendium; part of an item set designed with warlocks in mind) rather than that for flying, though.

 

[Kyros Pyralis]

What i'm getting from this, along with the research that I've done myself, is that I'm better off with a wizard with the spellcasting prodigy and improved specialization features rather than a warlock. That class always seems to fall short, I might force it anyway.

Thanks for the advice, phoenix set is pretty nuts.