Warlock Optimation

[kigmatzomat]

I've made the Reserve Feats be "High Arcana" for the Archmage PrC and special abilities for the Heirophant PrC. Otherwise I've outlawed them.

 

[Cheiromancer]

After playing a Warlock for quite a while, I'd say don't bother with Point Blank Shot/Precise Shot. A decent BAB combined with Eldritch Blast being a ranged touch attack more than makes up for it. Despite regularly firing into melee through cover, I almost never miss.

What starting feats would you recommend for a human? Up to level 6 or so.

 

[Enforcer]

I would recommend Point Blank Shot/Precise Shot. Eldritch Blast is your main ability, do you really want to regularly have a -8 to hit with it? I played a Warlock up to level 9 once (with a decent Dex to boot)--Krafen's dice must be much luckier than mine.

That leaves you with two feats for a human, I'd go with Maximize Spell-Like Ability at level 6 (don't have my book but I'm pretty sure it's doable), and dealer's choice for 3rd. I'd personally take Improved Initiative, but there's lots of good options.

 

[Jemal]

I would recommend Point Blank Shot/Precise Shot. Eldritch Blast is your main ability, do you really want to regularly have a -8 to hit with it? I played a Warlock up to level 9 once (with a decent Dex to boot)--Krafen's dice must be much luckier than mine.

Um, how'd you get the -8? Firing into melee is -4, and PBS gives +1 to atk/dmg within 30 ft...

I've played several locks, and I have to agree with Krafen.

@ lvl 10, bab=7, avg dex=22, warlocks scepter=+2, (and possibilities of extra damage up to 5 charges/day). thus it's a touch attack at +15. Unless you're fighting a Monk or other unarmoured, High Ac character, you've got about the same chance of hitting as the fighter. (A good lvl 10 fighter has 10 bab, say 26 str, +3 weapon = +21, but not touch.)

Most of the ideas here are one's I'd agree with.
Get Chasuble of fell power, Get a Warlocks scepter. For feats, I like Maximize/Empower/Quicken SLA, and then usually some Extra Invocations.
Dex is your main stat... I don't favour cha b/c the only things it affects for a Warlock are skills and save dc's (I never use the invokes that require Saves).
Alternately, you can take Hideous Blow, and make a variant G.Sword fighter, though you only get one attack with it. At lower level, however (Or anytime you have to move to get to your opponent), it's not bad damage. (LVL 7= 6d6+1.5Xstr mod+Enhancement). Then you follow that with a Quickened, Maximized, Empowered E.Blast to the face. (The jury's still out on whether or not Hideous Blow can be quickened...)

 

[Enforcer]

Firing into melee when your party fighter is in the way (cover) is -8.

 

[Jemal]

Firing into melee when your party fighter is in the way (cover) is -8.

Moving to the side so you're fighter isn't directly between you and the opponent = sensible.
Haven't you ever played an archer?

 

[Enforcer]

Moving to the side so you're fighter isn't directly between you and the opponent = sensible.
Haven't you ever played an archer?

Of course I have. And like I said I've played a Warlock too. Cover not always mitigated by simply moving, and there are several circumstances that prevent such movement (hallways). It's even harder when more than one party member engages in melee, as there are more squares in the way (requiring further movement, perhaps even a couple rounds worth to get to the side). It's just easier to stay put with Precise Shot and not worry about it.

To determine whether your target has cover from your ranged attack, choose a corner of your square. If any line from this corner to any corner of the target’s square passes through a square or border that blocks line of effect or provides cover, or through a square occupied by a creature, the target has cover (+4 to AC).

When making a melee attack against an adjacent target, your target has cover if any line from your square to the target’s square goes through a wall (including a low wall). When making a melee attack against a target that isn’t adjacent to you (such as with a reach weapon), use the rules for determining cover from ranged attacks.

 

[Enforcer]

Addendum: What kind of archer doesn't take Precise Shot? Not having to move more than 5 ft. to avoid cover means getting your full attack for Rapid Shot and extra attacks from Base Attack Bonus...

 

[Quidam]

It's just easier to stay put with Precise Shot and not worry about it.

Since the 'it' in question here is the cover bonus, I just thought I'd mention that Precise Shot doesn't do away with the cover bonus- only the -4 penalty for firing into melee. Likely you know that and are just referring to the fact that -4 to hit is doable when dealing with a ranged touch attack.

On the topic of cover, spiderclimb & flight can help out there...

 

[Enforcer]

Since the 'it' in question here is the cover bonus, I just thought I'd mention that Precise Shot doesn't do away with the cover bonus- only the -4 penalty for firing into melee. Likely you know that and are just referring to the fact that -4 to hit is doable when dealing with a ranged touch attack.

On the topic of cover, spiderclimb & flight can help out there...

Yes, that is precisely (go go gadget pun) what I mean. And Fell Flight is indeed a great power for the Warlock.