Warlock core class (Complete Arcane)

[shilsen]

I'm thinking about allowing the warlock into my campaign and was curious what kind of experiences people have had thus far with using it in-game. Since CA hasn't been out for long, I assume most people haven't played it into high levels (unless you started with a mid to high-level one), but any feedback would be appreciated.

Also, whether you've played the class or not, if there's anything you think I should watch out for or just generally be aware of, I'd like to hear about it.

Also, if I do allow it in the game, it will very likely show up in NPC form before any PC warlocks show up. So any warlock strategies that people can suggest which might seriously freak out the PCs would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Thanee]

I think the warlock is fine as is. During low levels they will be very powerful for sure, but later, they will suffer from not being able to put as much punch into a single action as the spellcasters, who also won't run out of firepower over a day, usually.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Particle_Man]

Well the "unlimited eB blasts per day" is not that powerful in practice, if you have other spellcasters in the group. If the party cleric runs out of spells, then we are done for the day.

But I like the cool factor, although I wish I played it smarter. I am still learning the possible tactical advantages of Flee the Scene, for avoiding traps, etc.

 

[Terath Ninir]

The Damnation Army agrees: it is cool, but not overpowered. Kind of weak, in some instances, especially if you're not careful with the invocations you choose. It should turn out to be cool and fun and different, but not overshadowing anyone else.

 

[shilsen]

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like a nice, fairly evocative, class to me, without the power issues that it may seem to have at first glance. I'd definitely rate it below the standard PHB spellcasters in power, though not problematically so. Actually, with the combo of medium BAB advancement, d6 HD, DR, resistances and minor self-healing, with some intelligent invocation choices it could make a good addition to the spellcasting warrior archetype.

Anyone have any actual warlock PCs in play you'd care to share about? Particle Man?

 

[UltimaGabe]

Anyone have any actual warlock PCs in play you'd care to share about? Particle Man?

Well, in two upcoming campaigns I'm playing part-warlocks (one is a gestalt campaign where I'm gonna be a Warlock/Wu Jen, and in the other, I'm playing a multiclass Warlock with a level of Barbarian). I've got pretty good concepts for each of them, and I plan on working their abilities to fit their concepts well.

 

[ForceUser]

I seriously considered warlock for my new character, but went with a monk. Warlocks seem to me to be archers who never run out of arrows and can't fire more than once per round, essentially. Touch AC for attacks is cool, and you have to be VERY careful choosing your powers and feats. I went with Ability Focus (eldritch blast), Maximize Spell-Like Ability (eldritch blast), and Empower Spell-Like Ability (eldritch blast); with Quicken Spell-Like Ability (eldritch blast) down the road. I took the Eldritch Spear spear invocation for range boost, and Frightening Blast for those big tank monsters. Later, I would have taken Eldritch Cone (that the name?), which turns the blast into a 30-ft. cone with a Reflex save, and Brimstone Blast, which causes extra fire damage. So, then, imagine the level 11 warlock flying in and delivering a maximized empowered brimstone cone eldritch blast for 54 damage flat (or half) to all foes in the area of effect, and forcing all foes to make a second Reflex save or take an additional 2d6 fire damage per round for up to three additional rounds. Not bad...takes a lot of focusing powers to get there, but not bad. Worth it to focus so much? Maybe.

Also, and this is important to note, the warlock has a subtle yet powerful versatility in his own way. Deceive Item allows him to take 10 on all UMD checks, and Imbue Item allows him to use UMD to make magic items requiring spells he doesn't possess. Staff of fire? Ring of regeneration? No problem - just take the necessary item creation feat and you're set. Even more subtle - take Scribe Scroll and scribe whatever spells you need, from any list, as you require them.

All in all, not a bad class. Like a lot of the expansion core classes, the warlock makes a great fifth party member. I went monk simply because when you roll godly stats, it screams "play a monk or a paladin."

 

[Haffrung Helleyes]

warlock

I love the warlock.

I was looking at it last night. I think it would be easy to make a great Warlock rogue:

1)d6 hp, same as rogue
2) light armour prof.
3) few skill points, but some of the invocations can make up for this somewhat
4) ability to see in darkness and become invisible
5) eldritch blast scales like sneak attack

I think a rogue/warlock multiclass could be fun.
eldritch blast stacks with sneak attack (and you can execute sneak attacks as ranged touch attacks)
the traditional rogue problem (inability to see in the dark, detect magic, and see invisible creatures) is easily solved by the warlock

BAB progression is the same

the good warlock will save helps the rogue

the warlock can take 10 on use magic device. this is awesome for roguish characters.

Ken

 

[shilsen]

I love the warlock.

Why am I not surprised that someone with the surname Helleyes loves the warlock ?

And I agree. A warlock/rogue multiclass can be a very interesting build. The warlock, on the whole, seems to multiclass well with all the non-primary-caster classes. Well, other than paladin

 

[Nail]

Even more subtle - take Scribe Scroll and scribe whatever spells you need, from any list, as you require them.

This idea....is just golden.

Wow. Simply: wow. The synergies I can see with this.....

Wow.

Good catch, ForceUser.