Spare the rod and spoil the wand

[CapnZapp]

Getting an off-hand implement with a crappy attack bonus (to keep costs down) but with an awesome always-on property is a must for any warlock.

As in "the class must have been built with this in mind, cause otherwise it's crappy" must.

It sure makes warlocks look and feel different to other classes, but if it's needed to make them competetive, then why not?

 

[Thundershield]

As long as a property or power doesn't require you to use the implement in a given case, you can activate it even if you're holding it in your off-hand.

For instance, a Frost Weapon's Daily power specifically requires you to hit a target with it for you to use that power. The Rod of Corruption, however, does not require you to use it for the property to kick in. You don't need to be the one dealing the killing blow to a cursed target to benefit from your Pact Boon, so likewise you don't need to be the killer to activate the Rod of Corruption, and if you aren't the one killing the creature it's pretty hard to be actively using the implement in that moment.

So, feel free to off-hand boost your Warlock.

 

[Turtlejay]

And here I thought that rod of reaving + rod of corruption was well known cheese...

 

[Nifft]

And here I thought that rod of reaving + rod of corruption was well known cheese...

The solution ought to be equally well known.

Cheers, -- N

 

[DracoSuave]

The solution ought to be equally well known.

Cheers, -- N

Those undead Coatl minion things that blow up, destroy the party's healing surges, and do unavoidable damage.

'Oh, so you blew up all twenty minions right off the bat? Well, let's see who takes twenty hits of 10 points of damage. Ah well at least you can healing surge. If you have any left...'

 

[Dire Human]

I'm terribly sorry, but this whole (fascinating and interesting, mind you!) conversation has only served to remind me of Further Songs of Sorcelation.

By all means, please continue.

 

[Ryujin]

I use a Rod of Corruption in the off hand and Pact Longsword so that I can spread the love more quickly. It works very well in the presence of minions. Not so well in a room full of majors, because my party isn't very good at concentrating hits. Soon to be trading up to a Jagged Longsword, now that I've got Arcane Implement Proficiency (heavy blades) and Focused Expertise (longsword) as feats, to go along with Melee Training.

 

[Nifft]

Those undead Coatl minion things that blow up, destroy the party's healing surges, and do unavoidable damage.

Nah, that's just a DM being petty that he can't out-think a rules-lawyer.

The "fight rules with rules" solution is: transferring a curse ≠ placing a curse, so you can only auto-kill up to one minion per round, even if you then spread your curse via the Rod of Corruption to everyone in the room.

I thought this was common knowledge.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Diirk]

I there any downside to using, say, a Quickcurse rod in one hand (for the cursing) and a Wand +3 in the other (as the implement for your powers)?

The downside would be that you're using a wand at all ;/ They're pretty terrible compared to other implements.

 

[DracoSuave]

Nah, that's just a DM being petty that he can't out-think a rules-lawyer.

The "fight rules with rules" solution is: transferring a curse ≠ placing a curse, so you can only auto-kill up to one minion per round, even if you then spread your curse via the Rod of Corruption to everyone in the room.

I thought this was common knowledge.

Cheers, -- N

I wasn't trying to fight rules with rules. I was trying to introduce a situation where the tactic is suboptimal. This is to counterbalance the situations where the tactic is awesome. This is more fun than simply saying 'No.'