Warlock and such.

[irdeggman]

No, you don't, depending on your starting level. With one attack per round, point blank shot is a waste of a feat. If you can at all afford it, you're going to want a rod of magical precision from complete mage, which gives you the effects of Precise Shot.

I don't have my book with me - but what is the "value" of this rod?

At what "level" could a warlock "afford" it?

Unless I'm mistaken rods don't usually come into play (as in access to them) until level 7+ (usually higher). So as pointed out later you suffer a -4 to attack rolls for shooting into melee and another +4 to your foe's AC for soft cover.

Since it is a ranged touch attack, you are better off than most. You have an avg BAB so, again you are ahead of the curve. But still you rely on hitting your opponet and any edge you can get there is useful.


I agree with PBS being a waste but it is a prerequisite for Precise Shot (which is real useful).


And since it is a "rod" is it better than say the Warlock's Sceptor (+2 profane bonuse to touch attacks and extra damage depending on charge usage) (from Complete Arcane). I seriously doubt it. So which rod should the PC shoot to get? Unless I am mistaken you can only use one rod at a time - regardless he is most likely not going to have both of these at the same time, until levels where it doesn't matter anymore.

Bottom line is that warlocks are still feat starved and can benefit from so many that it is hard to choose. Weapon focus- ray for instance is another great one to have, as is ability focus, quicken spell-like ability, empower spell-like ability and maximize spell-like ability.

 

[AnonymousOne]

The real key to the warlock class is use magic device. Use your invocations to bolster your main concept. Go stealth if you want stealth. Go the +6 to social skills if you want to be social, etc. Use magic device covers everything else.

We have a warlock in my group (6th level) who can use 7th level scrolls without failure. Acquire utility spells that don't rely on saves with scrolls and wands and you can add a bit of breadth to your repetiore.

So, between the Feat starvation of the Warlock, and the use of various scrolls, we're talking about a high cost character to to run (not really a problem).

Is it worth investing in wands that use the Orb spells for additional SR bypass, or is this just overkill given the use of Vitriolic Blast.

 

[Shayuri]

And in fact the -4 penalty for shooting into melee stacks with any +4 AC bonuses opponent's get due to soft cover.

Ugh. Bad brain. Sorry about that, somehow I jumped to conclusions without thinking things through. I blame Cartoon Network for robbing me of much needed sleep over the weekend.

Because it's convenient.

Sniffle.

 

[irdeggman]

So, between the Feat starvation of the Warlock, and the use of various scrolls, we're talking about a high cost character to to run (not really a problem).

But you can save money on weapons.

Is it worth investing in wands that use the Orb spells for additional SR bypass, or is this just overkill given the use of Vitriolic Blast.

I wouldn't bother. VB is so much better and an inherent part of the class itself.

Get a Warlock's Sceptor as soon as you can.

A wand or 2 of cure spells or other divine ones is really handy for a warlock and a great use for UMD IMO.

 

[MarkB]

So, between the Feat starvation of the Warlock, and the use of various scrolls, we're talking about a high cost character to to run (not really a problem).

Except that at higher levels he becomes the magic item creator par excellence (though, again, you need to spend feats for that), and can thus build his own arsenal quite cheaply.

Is it worth investing in wands that use the Orb spells for additional SR bypass, or is this just overkill given the use of Vitriolic Blast.

It's a definite consideration for lower levels, before you get Vitriolic Blast. At higher levels, just keep one wand of either Orb of Force or, say, Orb of Electricity, for those pesky few foes with both good SR and resistance to acid.

 

[AnonymousOne]

May I ask something, since this is a 6th level build, what is the point of picking up the Hellfire Warlock? I can't pick it up until level 9 to begin with.
Prereq:
Knowledge (Planes) 12

So you prick up Warlock 8/Binder 1/Hellfire Warlock 3/Warlock 8

This is certainly still an option ... just later game than I imagined.

 

[Hammerhead]

You always want to have a plan for the future.

 

[Nifft]

For the Human Warlock, consider two levels of Chameleon (from Races of Destiny or the WotC website). Your daily bonus feat is either an extra Invocation or an item creation feat. Win!

Cheese, -- N

 

[brehobit]

Fey Heritage feat tree and eldrich glaive invocation make for a quite potent hand to hand baddy. Lots of DR and multiple attacks once your BAB is +6. And by 6th level you even have a few "spells" (SLAs actually) from the feat tree. And you can "fall back" on your standard blast if at range.

Very powerful indeed. If you can get combat reflexes (say from a flaw) it is mighty helpful in this combination. Human for certain (for the bonus feat).

Mark

 

[WarShrike]

You might want to consider picking up a couple character flaws from the Unearthed Arcana to bolster your starting feats. Choosing 2 flaws that wont hurt your style to gain 2 feats to ease that feeing of being "Feat Starved".

Also, i made a Strongheart Halfling Warlock. They get a +1 feat at creation, like Humans, plus they are far better in terms of "Ranged To Hit".

WarShrike