Warlock core class (Complete Arcane)
- Thread starter shilsen
- Start date
hazardjsimpson
First Post
Not a working Warlock, anyway
Good thing you went with the Monk, the layout you described below for a Warlock isn't legit -- try reading the prereq. for Empower Spell Like Ability and then try reading how the Eldritch Blast is counted as far as it's equivalent spell level...
Empower SLA - Can only be used on a SLA that has an effect equal to a spell of 1/2 the caster's level, round down, -2. That means at 11th level, it can effect SLA that have a 3rd level equivalent or lower.
Which means, if you do your homework, you can't do what you proposed below. The "Cone" invocation is 5th level, which because it's the highest effect, counts as the spell level. 5 is more than 3, so you can't empower the Cone at that level.
Assuming the cone is the highest level effect for determining SLA Level, you'd have to still be a level 14 Warlock (14 / 2 = 7 -2 = 5) to Empower SLA an Eldritch Blast with the Cone Shaping Invocation.
Good thing you went with the Monk, the layout you described below for a Warlock isn't legit -- try reading the prereq. for Empower Spell Like Ability and then try reading how the Eldritch Blast is counted as far as it's equivalent spell level...
Empower SLA - Can only be used on a SLA that has an effect equal to a spell of 1/2 the caster's level, round down, -2. That means at 11th level, it can effect SLA that have a 3rd level equivalent or lower.
Which means, if you do your homework, you can't do what you proposed below. The "Cone" invocation is 5th level, which because it's the highest effect, counts as the spell level. 5 is more than 3, so you can't empower the Cone at that level.
Assuming the cone is the highest level effect for determining SLA Level, you'd have to still be a level 14 Warlock (14 / 2 = 7 -2 = 5) to Empower SLA an Eldritch Blast with the Cone Shaping Invocation.
ForceUser said: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."
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UltimaGabe
First Post
hazardjsimpson said:
Yeah, it seems whoever suggested Warlocks taking the Spell-Like Ability Metamagic feats in Complete Arcane took several idiot pills beforehand. By their own rules, it's impossible to take any of them, even though that's their own example in the book.
Testament
First Post
I personally love the Warlock as well, although building one isn't easy...so many interesting invocations, so few chances to pick them up!
Eldritch chain I consider a must, no save an the chance to touch attack multiple foes? Yes please.
I think the best description I've heard of what they do is that they're D&D superheroes, lots of infinite use powers that they can use only on themselves.
Oh, and BTW, gestalt Warlock/Fighter with Whirlwind Attack, Hideous Blow and a Spiked Chain. Someone suggested it today, would it work?
Eldritch chain I consider a must, no save an the chance to touch attack multiple foes? Yes please.
I think the best description I've heard of what they do is that they're D&D superheroes, lots of infinite use powers that they can use only on themselves.
Oh, and BTW, gestalt Warlock/Fighter with Whirlwind Attack, Hideous Blow and a Spiked Chain. Someone suggested it today, would it work?
John Q. Mayhem
Explorer
They should probably work with the hideous blow, too, because it's an invocation that deals eldritch blast damage, not eldritch blast itself.
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