Need Help with a Warlock Build

[RookSeven]

Skill Question

Would it be worth my time to (on 3rd Level) have my Bluff at 18 & my Intimidation at 20? I know that there are better FEATs out there, but I wasn't sure if those (at those levels) would be good or anything. Thanx for all the advice so far.

 

[brehobit]

Might be, it's marked all red... the whole warlock section is, actually, so I'd rather guess the whole section is new.

The last FAQ version I have before that (might be, that there was another one between those), from march, does not have anything on the warlock yet.

Actually, I think you are right. 6 months ago, when I started playing my warlock, I found some comments by the author of CA that were posted as an unofficial FAQ or some such. (Wizard's message boards I think.) I treated it as the FAQ, but obviously it changed.

 

[Taloras]

Sounds familiar.

I would recommend Empower Spell-Like Ability (eldritch blast) or Maximize Spell-Like Ability (eldritch blast) at 6th level, tho.

Bye
Thanee

Only one problem with these :/ Eldritch blast is considered a spell with a level equal to half your class level. So if your a 6th level warlock, its a 3rd level spell. At 10th level(when you can empower a 3rd level spell), its equivalent to a 5th level spell.

Empower spell like ability

You can only select a spell like ability duplicating a spell with a level less than or equal to one-half your caster level(round down), -2. See table below

Spell Level Caster level to empower
0 4
1 6
2 8
3 10
4 12
5 14
6 16
7 18
8 20
9 22

 

[Endur]

Eldritch blast is considered a spell with a level equal to half your class level. So if your a 6th level warlock, its a 3rd level spell. At 10th level(when you can empower a 3rd level spell), its equivalent to a 5th level spell.

Empower spell like ability

You can only select a spell like ability duplicating a spell with a level less than or equal to one-half your caster level(round down), -2. See table below

The FAQ changed Eldritch Blast so it is only 1st level unless other invocations are applied. However, empower and maximize are still going to be useless since the other invocations are going to raise the spell like ability level to too high of a level to use empower (i.e. Frightening Blast, Hideous Blow, etc.).

 

[Taloras]

The FAQ changed Eldritch Blast so it is only 1st level unless other invocations are applied. However, empower and maximize are still going to be useless since the other invocations are going to raise the spell like ability level to too high of a level to use empower (i.e. Frightening Blast, Hideous Blow, etc.).

You mean in the Errata? Now that I look in there, i see it. Thanks for clarifying that for me. I might just take one of these feats with my warlock now when i qualify for them.

 

[Thanee]

Yep, you can only use it on a modified blast, if your level is high enough, but you can always use it on a non-modified blast, too.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Mageslayer]

Rapid shot can't be used in conjunction with Eldritch Blast; Eldritch Blast is a Standard Action and cannot be used as part of a full attack.

Maybe I'm missing something (which is all too possible), but I don't see how this is so when I read that: "The most common type of standard action is an attack -- a single melee or ranged attack." on p. 138, and then continues to state that: "the most common type of full-round action is a full attack, which allows you to make multiple melee or ranged attacks in a single round." p. 139. Since a ranged attack is a Standard Action, and a full attack is comprised of melee and ranged attacks, then it seems it would follow that an eldritch blast (a ranged touch attack) can be included in a Rapid Shot, since that seems to be how the feat is stated. I see no prima facie restriction here.

However, I find that being a strict constructionist in D & D always leads to more trouble than it's worth, especially with new creations like the Warlock class. After all, it seems the creators don't really understand how to adjudicate the rules for this class yet anyhow.

RookSeven, I say just talk it out with your DM. If you'd like to have Rapid Shot or some other feat that modifies ranged attacks for your EB, then he or she can discuss the pros and cons. They should be clever enough to throw a proper wrench in the works if you become overpowered, although I don't see that happening.

All rules are negotiable, except "have fun."

For instance, my first level players always start with full hit points. This usually makes it more fun for both the DM and the players. There's no harm in it, nor does it unbalance the game. The same is probably true for bending the so-called "rules" on many of the feats. Given the confusion with the Warlock class on the WotC site, I don't think they even know what "balance" means for this class quite yet. Why don't you and your cohorts help them out there?

>As for the rest, I think Baleful Utterance is one of the best early invokations.

>With your stats, Precise Shot isn't too much of a boon.

>Think about several lines of defense, for instance you don't need a ranged weapon, since your EB is going to fill that need almost always. Just get a morning star (light and painful) or a shortspear, or even a spear, to keep the wolves at a distance.

>Spell Penetration apparently works on EB, so it may stack with Ability Focus, giving you a +4 to the DC for spell resistence. Just something to think about. If it doesn't, ask your DM if he'll allow it.

>The multi-classing idea is great. One level should do it, if you multi-class as a fighter (or barbarian, as was stated). This will greatly assist your flexibility. Something to think about is sticking with warlock until you can get Charm for an invokation, and then switching to Mindbender PrC. It's what I'm going to do pretty soon.

>Ask yourself what kind of person you want your character to be, since this will end up delivering the largest amount of pleasure during gameplay. Yes, you want to smite the enemy, but if you do it with the kind of flare that you can get kicks out of it is so much better. This ties into what multi-class you might pick. A Barbarian Warlock is a devilish and brutish sort of person, a born intimidator, most likely.

Have fun...

 

[Gordo]

Couple thoughts - lot of options

RookSeven,

This all comes down to what kind of character you want your Warlock to be. That's the first question, all else is secondary. Examples:

With those stats, you could be the face of the party. Dump your stat points into Diplomacy (thanks, Able Learner!), Bluff, Intimidate, get the Beguiling Infleunce invocation (+6 to those same skills) and a Circlet of Persuasion (+3 on Cha based checks), and you can talk your way out of about anything.

Or, take a level of Rogue, and focus on Move Silently, Disable Device, Hide, etc. With Baleful Utterance, you can dispense with any non-magical locks or traps you find, and the +1d6 Sneak Attack won't hurt, either.

Or, just blast away. Take a blast shape - at this level, Eldritch Spear is probably your only option - and an essence. I prefer Sickening Blast over Frightful Blast, as it effects mindless creatures like vermin whereas Frightful does not (at least, according to MY dm). Weapon Focus, Point Blank Shot, Ability Focus are all good ideas. One I didn't see mentioned that is just killer for Warlocks is Mortalbane from the Book of Vile Darkness. +2d6 on all energy based attacks against living non-Outsiders? Yes, please!

Anyway, because the Warlock can do a bit of everything, I think it's important to pick a flavor and max it out to get the most from your character. Also, consider the Flaws and Traits in Unearthed Arcana. They give some bonuses, extra feats, and add depth to your character. Check w/your DM - they are variant rules, so not everybody uses them.

Good luck!

 

[RookSeven]

Well I wanted my current Warlock to be a real jack***. We did a mock mini-adventure to playtest our characters & when our Ranger went down to a mimic I had to stabilize him. Then I took his composite longbow. Then I made him sign an agreement that he had to give me first pick on the next couple of items we find. And the major problem that I ran into was that I thought the enemies could close on me too easily. I was also joking that I wanted my Warlock to be able (we had jousted previously) to walk up without a horse & intimidate my opponent into running away. I decided not to use the Feat's & Invocations right now, but I found a way of legitimately having my Bluff at 21 & my Intimidate at 20 on LV3. And so far the items I bought were a Ring of Protection +1, a Masterwork Chain Shirt & a short sword. If anybody can give me a better way to allocate my 2,700gp (I originally thought it was 2,500) I'd like to hear. And I wanted to thank everyone who has posted it is appreciated.

 

[RookSeven]

Here are the changes that I've made so far & oh yeah, he's going to be working out of my friend's bar. He stole the Deck of Many Things that killed almost all of our previous group & is making a bar called The Drawing Fool. If you draw from the Deck of Many Things & live you drink free for the night. If you draw & best the record (held by my previous character at 7) you get to drink free for life & you get a drink named after you. My last character was Cognac the Bard-barian, so now he has the Flaming Cognac.

Warlock (3)
Human
Lawful Evil
Str (10), Dex (17), Con (14), Int (16), Wis (14), Cha (18)
AC (18), Touch (13), Flat-Footed (14)
Fortitude (3), Reflex (5), Will (5)
Invocations (2): Eldritch Spear, See the Unseen
FEATs (3): Greater Resiliency, Spell Penetration, Point Blank Shot (Not happy with PBS...or
the FEAT either )
Languages Spoken: Common, Draconic, Goblin & Giant
Skills: Bluff (10), Concentration (8), Intimidate (12), Profession - Cook (7),
Sense Motive (7), Spellcraft (8), Use Magic Device (6)
Equipment: Masterwork Chain Shirt, Short Sword, Backpack, Elven Tree Tent,
Cure Light Wounds Potion (4), Shield of Faith +3 Potion (I found in our mock
adventure), & about 2,200gp worth of art.