The Ninja Warlock

[Benly]

Ok so If I think of it more like a preadator he is actually visible just very well camoflaged and if he stays still/moves stealthily the enemies can't notice him that would work without the warlock actually being invisible I suppose

Heh I like discussions like this, still he would have to suceed immediately versus every enemy within perception range of you who roll their checks (listen and spot take -2 penalty for more than 10 squares away?), question is does the whole stealth fail if one enemy detects or not? text says

"Failure: You can’t try again unless observers become distracted or you manage to obtain cover or concealment."

also don't carry any kind of light source, I assume candle light strength of higher

"Light Source: Observers automatically see you if you’re carrying a light source."

Also on the topic of stealth the cleric power Blazing Beacon.

"You invoke your deity’s name, and holy light envelops your weapon. When you strike your foe, a blazing beacon in the form of a holy rune floats above its head to guide your allies’ ranged attacks as well."

"snip...all ranged attack rolls against the target gain a +4 power bonus until the end of your next turn."

Yeah, the Predator is another good analogy for this view of it.

Regarding whether the whole Stealth whiffs if one enemy makes it, it seems most likely that it means that you can't hide from that enemy again until you gain concealment. Which is not really a problem for the stealthlock, since you're gaining concealment again every round.

You're quite right that the stealthlock can't carry a light source; goggles of darkvision would be an excellent idea for him to have. And yes, Blazing Beacon will essentially remove his stealth, as will tremorsense or a few other effects/abilities. In that case.. well, he'll just have to try to get by the same way every other warlock does, since he's not really giving up much of anything to acquire Stealth Mode.

 

[Xyl]

I like the idea that the warlock is hazy and indistinct, as if seen through fog... but the rest of the battlefield is as clear and crisp as normal.

Alternately, it could be like the grey men from the Wheel of Time series. The warlock is just as visible as ever, but your mind doesn't want to believe he's there - your eyes simply slide past him if you aren't perceptive enough.

 

[VannATLC]

The mechanics question, while admirably an attempt, Benly, falls down. Something that seems to be a trend, and concerns me slightly, with the rules framework. In any case; Houserules!

I've ruled that bright light sources will negate all stealth checks within their radius of illumination. I've also ruled that Shadow Walk is what it sounds like, and requires the warlock to move into some area of shadow. As long as there is some shadow, the Warlock will become concealed, and be capable of a stealth check. It doesn't have to be heavy shadow..

I'm still formulating how to make it consistent.

 

[Benly]

The mechanics question, while admirably an attempt, Benly, falls down. Something that seems to be a trend, and concerns me slightly, with the rules framework. In any case; Houserules!

I've ruled that bright light sources will negate all stealth checks within their radius of illumination. I've also ruled that Shadow Walk is what it sounds like, and requires the warlock to move into some area of shadow. As long as there is some shadow, the Warlock will become concealed, and be capable of a stealth check. It doesn't have to be heavy shadow..

I'm still formulating how to make it consistent.

From a balance standpoint, I don't think that's necessary unless your players start getting crazy-abusive. A tidier houserule that doesn't screw with noncombat stealth would be that when you see a hiding character being successfully struck with a melee or ranged weapon, he loses his "hiding" status unless it's protected by an effect that would also permit him to attack without losing it. That is honestly I think both the "silliest" and the most powerful point of the Ninja Warlock, and would tone down the build to "effective but not ridiculous" levels.

Edit: I also just like a player being able to "flavor" Shadow Walk however he pleases. The "wreathed in shadow" effect makes sense for some warlocks but not others.