Warlock Opinions?

[Samloyal23]

So, anyone have any thoughts on the Warlock class from Complete Arcane? Is this a viable class for most campaigns, or is it broken?

 

[Thanee]

Definitely not broken.

It's on the stronger side in a combat-heavy low-level campaign, because of the unlimited touch attacks, but at higher levels the warlock is probably weaker than the true spellcasters.

All in all, the class is completely viable and fair, really.

Bye
Thanee

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

I'd originally thought it was broken, but on further reflection, just different.

For pure damage output, later levels it gets smoked by Sorcs because of its slow progression on EB.

And a wizard is a thousand times more flexible for finding the right spell for the job.

The GM will have to realize that at any time the character will have access to his spell like abilities, but it's otherwise much like having a wizard.

If my current character bites it in the AoW game I'm in, I'm going to bring one in to try out.

--fje

 

[Kurotowa]

The Warlock class is different. D&D tactics are almost entirely based around scarcity, of spells for casters or hitpoints for fighters. A Warlock doesn't have to worry about scarcity in the same way and so the class opens up largely new tactical options and play strategy. On average the Warlock is no more powerful than any other class; it has a fixed performance level that averages out to the same as a class that starts high and goes down as resources run out. But if the DM is expecting the standard strategies, a Warlock may surprise them and create the first impression of a broken class.

 

[DM_Matt]

Another thing to note about Warlocks is that you shouldnt hope to derive that much spotlight from your character's mechanics. You should have some good fluff for him to make things interesting, because warlocks are basically gunships. They can fly around and shoot their cannon over and over again, but thats pretty much it.

 

[Kurotowa]

Another thing to note about Warlocks is that you shouldnt hope to derive that much spotlight from your character's mechanics. You should have some good fluff for him to make things interesting, because warlocks are basically gunships. They can fly around and shoot their cannon over and over again, but thats pretty much it.

Only if you depend on combat for your stagetime. If you pick your Invocations right you might not get the spotlight but you'll always be on stage. Beguiling Influance and a high Cha makes for a great face. The right mix of stealth and mobility Invocations makes for a great scout. Baleful Utterance and at will Detect Magic makes for a great assistant trapbreaker. And never underestimate what a good selection of scrolls and wands can do. The best part is that it only takes a couple Invocations to pick up any role, and so if you're not trying to focus on your Eldritch Blast you can always have something useful to do.

 

[farscapesg1]

I don't know. The warlock class just leaves me going "eh, if you want it, you can have it" mood. The idea isn't bad, it just doesn't really seem that interesting to me. Sure, some of the power are nice, but the eldritch blast at will thing is pretty boring IMO.

Now, the one idea that does seem a little fun would be a warlock/soulknife. Being completely self-suffiencient when it comes to weapons would be cool. The problem with this is the eldritch blast progression and the mindblade progression pretty much requires that you stick to one class to be useful Now, a prestige class that would advance them both (at the cost of pretty much eveything else) might help the problem

 

[Kurotowa]

Now, the one idea that does seem a little fun would be a warlock/soulknife. Being completely self-suffiencient when it comes to weapons would be cool. The problem with this is the eldritch blast progression and the mindblade progression pretty much requires that you stick to one class to be useful Now, a prestige class that would advance them both (at the cost of pretty much eveything else) might help the problem

It's a combination that's namechecked often in gestalt conversations. Although I've never seen a report on its actual use. In theory, Psychic Strike and Hideous Blow would make a powerful combination. But I'd have to sit down with the books before deciding if the mechanics would live up to the flavor concept.

 

[Drowbane]

Warlocks are pretty far from broken.

That said, many people seem to get lazy and only view them for what they can do with Invocations and Eldritch Blasts. A Warlock only needs someone he can go to for limited use magic items... Cohort, fellow Party Member, Magic Shop?

At high level, with thier wealth well spent... they can cast just about anything that needs to be cast. Staves are a Warlock's best friend... (and at lower levels, that applies very much to Scrolls). So no, Warlocks are not by any stretch of the imagination weaker than Sorcs, Wizards, or Clerics. (well, maybe Clerics )... just use your resources intelligently.

Nor are they just "gunships" (don't mean to single you out bro, but you help me make my point)... although they can be.

 

[Glyfair]

W A Warlock only needs someone he can go to for limited use magic items... Cohort, fellow Party Member, Magic Shop?

I was creating a few options for a newer player in my 4th level campaign. One of them was a Warlock. At 4th level he has a +10 UMD, which means he can use any wand automatically by taking 10 on his UMD. By somehow getting another +5 on his skill check, he can do it even if he doesn't know the spell stored in the wand.