Trying to play a warlock...

[Shin Okada]

I'm not going to say it's a non-issue, but in the grand scheme of things, there are way too many critters that grapple that PCs (no matter the size or class) just can't beat.

IMHO, actually, it is depend on levels played. In my experience 5-10 or so is the most frequently played level range in 3.Xe. In that range, the difference in Medium size and Small size is really big. In that level range, It often happens that only small or small characters could be the target of a certain special attack from a creature (say, huge dragon's snatch, medium creature's swallow whole, etc.) or, a special attack is only effective against medium or smaller characters and thus Enlarge Person spell can save a medium character but not a small character, etc. I actually saw such difference caused a character's death (or at least incapacitation) on our gaming table several times.

And Warlock is a class which must worry about grappling more even comparing to other mage type classes. As I wrote once, there is no non-somatic teleport invocation for them.

By the way, at least Close Quarter Fighting feat is a must-have for all the warrior types, isn't it?

 

[frankthedm]

If you can afford it, the Staff of Fire is an awesome item for a warlock. Offense and control all in one. Energy substituted to Acid, lightning or cold really add to your versatility.

 

[Victim]

Since grappling is a shut down move against warlocks, it's an effective strategy when used by pretty much anyone. Sure, a large or huge grappling specialist monster will get you regardless of whether or not the character is medium or small. But it makes a big difference if say an elf bard is grabbing to set up her allies.

 

[MarkB]

Actually, that problem is more significant in the case of warlock, comparing to other type of mages. ALL the invocations do have somatic component, though they are spell-like abilities. And there is no feat such as "still spell-like ability". Thus, a grappled warlock cannot use any of his invocations at all. And there are many flying grapplers and a halfling warlock using Fell-Flight is a slow and easy --- and very conspicuous ---- bait for such creatures (Grell, Dragons with Snatch feat, etc.)

That's why my warlock blew one of his precious few feats on Sudden Still. It can be used with invocations, and provides a once-per-day get-out-of-jail-free card against such situations.