Level Up (A5E) Questions about Warlock (Pact Blade, Eldritch Scythe, and Eldritch Evocations)

[Subtle Knife]

Hello, all!

I have noted a possible synergy, am wondering if this is as intended! It looks like you can, with investment, apply your spellcasting modifier thrice to the damage of Eldritch Scythe Attacks.

Part One: Under Pact Blade, it says: "If this weapon has a bonus to attack or damage rolls, or if it deals bonus damage, you can apply these to your Eldritch Blast (ranged weapons add these bonuses to Eldritch Ray, and melee weapons to Eldritch Scythe"

Part Two: Under Pact Blade, it says: "You are proficient with it while you wield your pact weapon, and you can use your spellcasting ability for attack and damage rolls with it." This would provide a bonus to damage rolls with the weapon (and according to Part One, Eldritch Scythe) equal to your spellcasting ability.

Part Three: Good ol' Agonizing Blast: "When you use your Eldritch Blast, you deal extra damage equal to your spellcasting ability modifier." Bonus now twice spellcasting ability modifier, by same logic as above.

Part Four: Lifedrinker, another Fan Favorite: "When you hit a creature with your pact weapon, the creature takes extra necrotic damage equal to your spellcasting ability modifier (minimum 1)." Bonus up to thrice spellcasting ability modifier, same logic as above.

Not complaining; I think this probably balances out the loss of Hex as a spell and directs you down a very specific path with costs unto itself. Just curious if my interpretation is as intended?

Much Thanks, all!

Subtle Knife

 

[Vexxmyst]

Eldritch Scythe reads "[...] you can instead make a melee spell attack, lashing out with an ephemeral and unearthly blade."

So at the very least, Lifedrinker would not apply to that attack as you're not making a weapon attack.

 

[Staffan]

I'd guess that at least part one is intended for "plus weapons", e.g. longsword +1. That's the only case where the weapon has a bonus to attack/damage. Also, Lifedrinker applies to hitting someone with your pact weapon. Eldritch scythe is not your pact weapon, so it does not apply.

So, a 6th level warlock with Cha 18, Pact of the Blade, Eldritch Scythe, Agonizing Blast, Life Drinker, and a longsword +1 would have a melee attack of +8 (Cha +4, item +1, prof +3) and deal 1d8+9 damage (+1 item, +4 Cha for Pact blade, and +4 Cha for Lifedrinker), and their Eldritch Scythe would also attack twice at +8 and deal 1d8+5 (item +1, +4 Cha for Agonizing Blast) force damage.

And if I read things correctly, if you add Thirsting Blade, you'd be able to both attack once with your weapon, and replace the second attack with two Eldritch Scythes. Edit: No you can't, because Extra Blast counts as Extra Attack, and Extra Attack doesn't stack.