Warlock - no powers to modify eldritch blast?

[Falling Icicle]

But "Eldritch Bolt" would work just fine, I think.

There's definitely something strange with 4e wherein they weren't afraid to get rid of old concepts, classes, races, skills, and so forth... but they kept a lot of the same names when something better might have worked.

They killed sacred cows, replaced them with buffalo, and then called them cows.

Well, I guess they didn't want to abandon tradition entirely. "Magic Missile" would probably be better named "Force Bolt", but it just isn't D&D if there's not a MM spell.

 

[Zaruthustran]

Maybe the Tiefling was referring to Eldritch Rain? It allows you to attack two targets....

But yeah, that is a little odd. Maybe the Arcane sourcebook will provide a way to modify EB. Maybe a bunch of implements that give as much variety as a fighter's weapon.

So instead of powers that say "Push 1, or Push 2 if you've got a spear" we'll have "Ongoing 2 psychic (save ends), or ongoing 5 psychic (save ends) if you've got a shrunken head implement."

 

[Boarstorm]

So instead of powers that say "Push 1, or Push 2 if you've got a spear" we'll have "Ongoing 2 psychic (save ends), or ongoing 5 psychic (save ends) if you've got a shrunken head implement."

Ok, that tears it. We need a witchdoctor class.

 

[Samurai]

This is just one of many feats I've created to add back in things I missed from 3.5:

Eldritch Essence (Req: Warlock) – When you select this feat, you may choose 1 of the following Essences to add to your Eldritch Blast once per encounter. Adding an Essence is physically draining on the Warlock, and consumes one of his Healing Surges. Effects last until the end of your next turn.

You may take this feat multiple times, each time learning a new Essence type that may be used once per encounter. You may only add 1 Essence per Blast. An Essence changes the Eldritch Blast to that type of damage for the round. If a target has sufficient immunity to that type of damage that he suffers no damage, he also suffers no secondary effects from the Blast. If he is vulnerable to that damage type, he takes extra damage as usual.

• Brimstone (Fire): Target suffers +5 fire damage from the blast, and gains Vulnerability to fire 5.

• Hellrime (Cold): Target is Restrained.

• Poison: Target is Weakened and Slowed.

• Lightning: Target is Dazed, and the Blast has a +2 attack bonus if the target is wearing metal armor.

• Necrotic: Target suffers a -2 to saving throws and gains only ½ effect from any healing.

• Radiant: Target is blinded.

• Thunder: Target is deafened, pushed away from you Con. bonus squares, and knocked prone.

 

[1of3]

I guess there is nothing modifying Eldritch Blast because there is generally nothing modifying powers. Characters options are mostly seperate items. Some feats modify class features but that's about it.

Why is that so? It's much easier to balance. In 3.x there were some standard procedures that were modified for special effects. That means that every new modification needs to be checked for interactions with other modifications.

 

[TarionzCousin]

They killed sacred cows, replaced them with buffalo, and then called them cows.

So... should it be called "Eldritch Cow"?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

So... should it be called "Eldritch Cow"?

Hmm...

Eldritch Cow?
Infernal Pact
Infernal -> Diablo

So, does this mean there is a secret Cow Level in D&D 4E?

 

[Plane Sailing]

I guess there is nothing modifying Eldritch Blast because there is generally nothing modifying powers. Characters options are mostly seperate items. Some feats modify class features but that's about it.

However, essentially the eldritch blast is just a weapon for the warlock; a 1d10 ranged weapon (like a longbow).

Thus I could easily envisage powers which were based upon the eldritch blast, or which enabled EB to by used in other ways.

e.g. a utility power (stance) which allowed you to use your EB as a melee attack rather than a ranged attack.

 

[Eldorian]

Hmm...

Eldritch Cow?
Infernal Pact
Infernal -> Diablo

So, does this mean there is a secret Cow Level in D&D 4E?

Try typing in thereisnocowlevel next time you play, maybe it unlocks godmode or something.

 

[Eldorian]

e.g. a utility power (stance) which allowed you to use your EB as a melee attack rather than a ranged attack.

I was annoyed the warlock doesn't have any melee attacks too. They did in 3e, didn't they?