Tell Me About the Warlock's Hideous Blow

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

Using a blast invocation, either shape or essence (or one of each) counts as modifying the Eldritch Blast...not separate invocations.

So yes, 'casting' Hideous Blow incurs AoO. But just one, for the Eldritch Blast. Modifying the Hideous Blow with, say, Vitriolic Blast would still only incur one AoO.

OK. I think I'm getting it, now. Blast shape inocations modify the Eldritch Blast (which is already an invocation according to the eratta). Therefore, it's not two invocations or Spell-like Abilities. It's just one invocation (spell-like ability).

However, firing an Eldritch Blast in a threatened square DOES provoke two AoO's. One for the spell like ability, and one for firing a ranged weapon in a threatened space.

I don't quite buy this idea, yet. I'm inclined to believe that it's a weaponlike spell rather than a ranged weapon (as another poster has stated).

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

No casting an eldritch blast is an invocation (and thus using a SLA).

OK. I understand.

Q:"So, does using two invocations at once provoke two attacks of opportunity?"​

A: It would if you could - but you can't. Using a SLA is a standard action, unless using Quicken SLA (which makes it a swift action - and they don't generate AoO)

OK. I got it, now. Without the Qucken SLA feat, it's impossible to cast two invocations in a round under normal circumstances.

Thank you.

Q: "If a warlock using a melee weapon chooses to use the Hideous Blow invocation to deliver his Eldritch Blast via melee attack... Does that count as two invocations that provoke potentially two attacks of opportunity (assuming the opponent(s) is/are capable of multiple AoO's (perhaps, through the Combat Reflexes feat))???"​

A: No because the Hideous Blow is the invocation being used and it applies damage as if the opponent was struck by his EB.

OK. I got it, now.

Thank you for all your help! I appreciate it.

 

[rgard]

OK. I understand.
OK. I got it, now. Without the Qucken SLA feat, it's impossible to cast two invocations in a round under normal circumstances.

Thank you.OK. I got it, now.

Thank you for all your help! I appreciate it.

Yes, the Quicken SLA is the way to go. Mortal Bane is fun too.

 

[pawsplay]

That's what I was thinking.

I don't think the player of the Warlock in our group will be too happy with that, though.

Most likely, he's not going to be happy with hideous blow, period. I'd allow him to swap it out.

 

[AnonymousOne]

Warlock 8/Binder 1(Naberius)/Hellfire Warlock 3

Best warlock damage build out there. Pick up Quicken SLA on the eldritch blast and go to town.

 

[avr]

Most likely, he's not going to be happy with hideous blow, period. I'd allow him to swap it out.

Probably true & fair enough - but it's not that hard a check to make if the character has max concentration & has a few levels. Hideous blow stays a 1st level spell equivalent no matter what the level of the warlock.

 

[pawsplay]

Giving up a ray attack to make a standard melee attack, provoking an attack of opportunity, and adding the damage of one melee weapon? No thanks!

 

[gnfnrf]

Giving up a ray attack to make a standard melee attack, provoking an attack of opportunity, and adding the damage of one melee weapon? No thanks!

Don't forget that you (probably) sacrifice the potential to critical with the eldritch blast damage, as well.

--
gnfnrf

 

[Darklone]

Giving up a ray attack to make a standard melee attack, provoking an attack of opportunity, and adding the damage of one melee weapon? No thanks!

Couldn't you cast defensively?

 

[Hrothgar Rannúlfr]

I'm very confident that I read, last night, in the Player's Handbook that a Spell-like Ability can be "cast" defensively (just like a spell).