Ok...another character build question

[Funkthis]

Joining a 1st lvl campaign and I'm going to run a warlock. Yes, I know they are weaker than other classes but for grins I'm going to try one.

I've never run one or seen anyone play one so I wanted to know what is the best way to build a warlock to get the most I can out of the class. I can only use the core books plus the complete class books. The stats are a straight point buy system with 25 points.

I figured to be human and use the two feats to get point blank shot and precise shot so I can use the ranged touch attacks in combat w/o penalty. Other than that I'm not sure what to do especially when it comes to the invocations.

Anyway I figure someone out there has to have tried the class long enough to get a good idea what works and what doesn't.

 

[Thanee]

I've played a 25-PB Warlock from 1st to, well, 16th, though there was a little jump from 11th straight to 15th involved.

Anyways, I also liked PBS/PS, it's about the biggest must-have to get the most out of the Eldritch Blast. Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast) is also nice.

Sudden Still could be an option later, especially if you pick up Flee the Scene, since you are able to escape a grapple then 1/day. Extra Invocation is also a good thing. I also like Empower or Maximize and Quicken Spell-Like Ability for the Eldritch Blast, but you need to be aware, that those do not combine well with most eldritch essences and blast shapes, because of the raised spell level equivalent. Craft feats are also very useful, especially once you reach 12th level.

As for invocations, that depends a lot on the campaign. I ended up with the following by 15h level:

Invocations: As 15th-level warlock
Warlock Invocations Known (save DC 14 + spell level equivalent):
Least - Beguiling Influence (2nd), See the Unseen (2nd), Dark One's Own Luck (2nd);
Lesser - Charm (4th), Flee the Scene (4th), Eldritch Chain (4th);
Greater - Chilling Tentacles (5th), Noxious Blast (6th), Repelling Blast (6th).

Also had Frightful Blast early on but swapped that out later, when it was no longer useful, and tried Stony Grasp for a while, which was not too bad either, but it is somewhat limited.

Eldritch Spear can be good, if you often find your 60 ft. range lacking.
Spiderwalk is very useful early on.
Fell Flight is good, naturally, though I prefer Flee the Scene (and you likely won't get both).
Walk Unseen was also a strong contender, invisibility is just nifty.
The Dead Walk can be quite powerful, if raising undead fits into the party, that is.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Nail]

25 point buy? Yoowch.

 

[Wrathamon]

Are you allowed to use Complete Mage? or Dragon Magic?

Sounds like you are going the "blaster" route.

Which isnt the most fun build... it gets old rather quickly I have found.

Human Warlock
Warlock 1 - Point Blank Shot, (Precise Shot)
Warlock 3 - Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast)
Warlock 6 - Spell Penetration
Warlock 9 - Maximize or Empower Spell-like Ability (Eldritch Blast)
Warlock12 - Sudden Still or Extra Invocation
Warlock15 - Greater Spell Penetration
Warlock18 - Extra Invocation

 

[irdeggman]

The first least invocation to take is Eldritch Spear, IMO.

That 60 ft range will bite you when some foe decides to charge and can cover that ground real fast then you are in deep stuff.

Using an invocation is a standard action - so only 1 per round (unless get Quicken Spell-Like Ability (from MM)).

See if you can use Complete Mage - there are some decent warlock - based Prestige Clases there. IMO the best ones combine arcane casting/invocation or divine casting/invocation - so multiclass with either a sorcerer or favored soul in order to make the best out of your Charisma.

I am currently running a ranger/warlock with favored enemy outsider (evil) {he's a demon hunter}. I didn't have Complete Mage when I first built him so the Prestige Class combinatins suck for him presently.

 

[brehobit]

In the game I'm running we have two warlocks (out of 4 PCs!) One is the party tank(?!) the other a traditional blaster.

The tank has hideous blow, a long spear (so he can use hideous blow without drawing AoO or having to cast defensively), and the two fey feats that give DR 2/cold iron from complete mage. At third level he'll take fey power giving him a total of DR 4/cold iron. He has a glass jaw against magic attacks, but with a 14 dex and a chain shirt he's got an acceptable AC (16) and most attacks at this level are doing somewhere around 4-10 points of damage on average (d6+1 to d12+3 so far) and his DR has been helping a lot.

He's not the tank that a fighter or paladin would be with a 20 AC or so at 3rd level, but he's pretty good.

Mark

 

[frankthedm]

25 point buy? Yoowch.

whats so painful?! Warlock's blast don't allow for saves last i checked and there are plenty of invokes that don't either. A warlock is hurt less than a wizard by 25 point buy.

 

[FalcWP]

I second the idea of combining hideous blow with a reach weapon. I played a warlock in a one-shot recently... Warlock 6/Scout 1, with a good enough strength to pick up Power Attack. You're only going to make one attack anyway, so it can work. Tougher with a 25 point point buy, however. If you're going that route, either Power Attack, Combat Reflexes, or both could work for you. Play him similar to any skirmisher type.