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General Tabletop Discussion
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E)
Is the Warlock the king of at-will damage?
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<blockquote data-quote="VenerableBede" data-source="post: 8456086" data-attributes="member: 7032917"><p>I was initially in the camp that Thirsting Blade and Eldritch Scythe didn't stack, but I got persuaded otherwise. Personally, I think the game is better with the interpretation that they stack. A pure-class melee warlock will do incredible damage with this build—but it requires a notable Invocation investment, it may require a Feat investment, and you'll always have less hit points than other dedicated melee warriors (and, most likely, lower AC). You also have to always be within range of at least two melee enemies to maximize your damage (via the bonus damage from Scythe). This makes you, in every sense of the word, a glass cannon—and I love it <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p>I almost forgot to note—this build is also more MAD than most warlocks. While it's not as MAD as an O5e melee warlock (before Hexblade), you'll still need decent Dexterity to minimize your low AC (unless you manage to get Heavy Armor proficiency from somewhere—but even then, you'll need a high Strength to make use of the best Heavy Armors unless you shell out gold for Lightweight versions) and decent Constitution to maximize your low HP. With those on top of needing a high Charisma to maximize your melee damage and spells, that's three stats that you can't really ignore (unless you have a DM who grants you magic items to cover your flaws, but that's not the most reliable strategy at many tables).</p><p>Eldritch Scythe does much less single-target damage than the other Eldritch Blasts when on its own, and puts its user at a lot more risk by forcing melee combat. If the designers never intended Eldritch Scythe and Thirsting Blade to stack, then that's fine, but I think melee warlocks needed the help.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="VenerableBede, post: 8456086, member: 7032917"] I was initially in the camp that Thirsting Blade and Eldritch Scythe didn't stack, but I got persuaded otherwise. Personally, I think the game is better with the interpretation that they stack. A pure-class melee warlock will do incredible damage with this build—but it requires a notable Invocation investment, it may require a Feat investment, and you'll always have less hit points than other dedicated melee warriors (and, most likely, lower AC). You also have to always be within range of at least two melee enemies to maximize your damage (via the bonus damage from Scythe). This makes you, in every sense of the word, a glass cannon—and I love it :) I almost forgot to note—this build is also more MAD than most warlocks. While it's not as MAD as an O5e melee warlock (before Hexblade), you'll still need decent Dexterity to minimize your low AC (unless you manage to get Heavy Armor proficiency from somewhere—but even then, you'll need a high Strength to make use of the best Heavy Armors unless you shell out gold for Lightweight versions) and decent Constitution to maximize your low HP. With those on top of needing a high Charisma to maximize your melee damage and spells, that's three stats that you can't really ignore (unless you have a DM who grants you magic items to cover your flaws, but that's not the most reliable strategy at many tables). Eldritch Scythe does much less single-target damage than the other Eldritch Blasts when on its own, and puts its user at a lot more risk by forcing melee combat. If the designers never intended Eldritch Scythe and Thirsting Blade to stack, then that's fine, but I think melee warlocks needed the help. [/QUOTE]
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Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition (A5E)
Is the Warlock the king of at-will damage?
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