Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Avihs 11-23-04, 01:13 AM	Warlocks & Familiars With the presence of CA and the Acquire Familiar Feat, Warlocks have the option of acquiring a Familiar as a Wiz/Sorc, however it is the opinion of this gamer that such a familiar may not follow the same form as a traditional caster but have a flavor unique to his own abilities. I do agree with the requirement of needing a Feat for the Warlock. One of the thoughts I have had about it is considering the nature of the Warlock and his abilities. Primarily, according to the CA: Warlocks are born, not made. Some are the decedents of people who trafficked with demon and devils long ago. Some seek out the dark powers as youths, driven by ambition or the desire for power, but a few blameless individuals are simply marked out by the supernatural forces as conduits and tools. And: In fact, many warlocks are created by nonevil powers – wild or fey forces that can be every bit as dangerous as demons or devils. With these things in mind, what I have envisioned is a familiar that is a part of the warlock as well as a conduit between himself and the Powers which have granted him his powers. The Familiar: For the most part the Warlock familiar operates the same as for a Wiz/Sorc with the following differences: Familiar Basics: Alignment: Same as the Warlock. Statistics: A familiar retains its original statistics & increasing Int score (as per familiar progression) except it now has a Cha score of 10 + the Warlocks Cha modifier. The increase in Cha rating I have based on the idea that the familiar is more of a refection/gestalt of the Warlock and his Patron personalities and thus shares many of their traits. Familiar Ability Descriptions: Master Natural Class Armor Level Adj. Int Special 1-2 +1 6 Alertness, Improved evasion, Empathic Link 3-4 +2 7 Alter Self 5-6 +3 8 Telepathic Link 7-8 +4 9 Speak, Polymorph 9-10 +5 10 Eldritch Conduit 11-12 +6 11 Spell resistance, Bonus Feat: Improved Familiar 13-14 +7 12 Eldritch Sight 15-16 +8 13 17-18 +9 14 19-20 +10 15 Alertness, Improved evasion & Empathic Link: as per PHB Alter Self and Polymorph: The familiar is able to take the form of an Imp, Quasit, or Psudodragon, which is based on the patron of the Warlock. This form, once chosen, may not be changed. Treat these abilities as per their respective spells, with the following modifications: useable at will, with a 24 hour duration and requiring a move equivelent action on the part of the familiar. Improved Familiar: The evolution of the Warlock's familiar is now complete, with the familiar permanently changing to the type of creature in question, retaining the alignment of the Warlock, its Int and Cha, and the ability to use its Polymorph ability. Telepathic Link: The Warlock has a telepathic link with his familiar, up to a 1 mile distance. This link allows actual communication. Speak: The familiar may verbally speak, in either of its two forms. It may also use any language the Warlock knows. Eldritch Conduit: The Warlock may use his Invocations through his familiar, up to line of sight. The range of this ability increases to 1 mile at 13th level. The Invocations useable are limited to those that affect the Warlock only, through touch or have a telepathic component (such as Warlocks Call). When channeling an Invocation through his familiar, he is still subject to attacks of opportunity (if applicable). Spell resistance: As per PHB Eldritch Sight: The Warlock may make use of a special Invocation, allowing him to shift his visual perceptions to his familiar. While this ability may be used at will, like his other Invocations, the duration of this Invocation ends when he shifts his sight back to himself. In any given 24 hour period, the warlock may may not use this Invocation in excess of one hour. Familiars and Death: Familiars may not be dismissed. Should the familiar die, the Warlock must attempt a DC 15 Fortitude saving throw. Failure costs the Warlock 200xp/level; success reduces the loss to one half, the same as with a Wiz/Sorc. Should the Warlock be killed, the familiar suffers the same fate as his master, as his life is tied with his. A slain familiar may not be replaced for a year and a day. If the Warlock is later resurrected, he needs to only wait 1 month before he may summon a new familiar. OK... How does all this look to ya guys & gals? Good, bad, indifferent? I look forward to you critiques. :bigeyes:
Avihs 11-27-04, 09:45 AM	I see peeps have seen it. No opinions? :waits:
e-z0r 11-27-04, 10:06 AM	Can't say. Not familiar with the warlock class.
kasthevampire 11-27-04, 10:23 AM	same here don't know much about the warlock class but just by looking at it it looks pretty cool
Todd 11-29-04, 01:00 PM	I don't particulary care for the Improved Familiar aspect of your changes. Instead of a permanent change I would suggest having the Polymorph become more like other Warlock invoations, i.e. an ability useable at will and with a duration of 24 hours. That way the Familiar can still go around in it's orginal form. I would also use a similar approach for the Sight Link. It's high level so it ought to work like other Warlock Invocations. Useable at will with a 24 hour duration. Eldritch Conduit - this is quite powerful. I would be happier if the familiar could only channel Invocations that have a range of touch or self only. That way familiars could be invisible and do Hideous Blow but they wouldn't be setting off cones or walls of flame.
Avihs 11-29-04, 08:12 PM	Thank you Todd for your critiques, they have proved very helpfull. I don't particulary care for the Improved Familiar aspect of your changes. Instead of a permanent change I would suggest having the Polymorph become more like other Warlock invoations, i.e. an ability useable at will and with a duration of 24 hours. That way the Familiar can still go around in it's orginal form. I have made some adjustments to the Alter Self and Polymorph abilities. I have retained the Improved Familiar aspect to the familiar. The reason is, I see the familiar as not only a part of the Warlock, but also a part of his Patron. As the Warlock grows with his Patron's power, so does his familiar, evolving into the creature in question. The familiar is is a reflection of both, Warlock and Patron. Alignment-wise, Int/Cha, personality are from the Warlock, the familiars physical form is derived from his patron. If it is the concept of providing this bonus feat to the progression that gets ya, keep in mind that Wiz/Sorcs are able to get these familiars before the Warlock. The level reqs for all 3 are 7th lvl, while the Warlock achieves this at 11th lvl during the familiars evolution. 4 levels after the Wiz/Sorc. I would also use a similar approach for the Sight Link. It's high level so it ought to work like other Warlock Invocations. Useable at will with a 24 hour duration. Aye I agree to a point on that one. I have modified the Sight Link to a more flavorfull "Eldritch Sight" Invocation. I have also retained the 1 hour duration, just as the Sorc/Wiz and Psion. The difference is, Warlocks can basically turn it on and off, not to exceed this 1 hour duration. Eldritch Conduit - this is quite powerful. I would be happier if the familiar could only channel Invocations that have a range of touch or self only. That way familiars could be invisible and do Hideous Blow but they wouldn't be setting off cones or walls of flame. When I first thought to use the Eldritch Conduit, I used the Psicrystal's Channel Power as a base. One thing I didn't really take into account, a Psion can run out of power points, while a Warlock has none such limitation (power point/spells per day). So your suggestion of limiting the use of this ability I have taken into account. I have left it at it's current level, but with the curtailing in what can be used, should the level at which this ability can be used be moved down? Perhaps to the 9-10 spot? At its stands right now, it is pretty much on par with the Share Spells & Deliver touch spells abilities of the Wiz/Sorc with the staying power of the Warlock, but not as all-inclusive as the Channel Power of the Psion. So how's it look now? Critiques are always welcome, keep em coming. :plotting:
Ipsissimus 11-30-04, 08:44 AM	I'm curious to know, can a Warlock actually take Acquire Familiar? It seems that this feat is for classes such as the Warmage, or other "arcane" spellcasters that do not normally gain a familiar. From what I've gathered a Warlock has a caster level rating but not a type attached to it. Which is why some PrC's are not available to a single classes warlock. The feat does read, "arcane caster level" as part of the prereq.
Avihs 11-30-04, 09:01 AM	Yes, he should be able to. It does only ask for a minimum caster level, and not any "specific spells", of which a Warlock does not cast. If the requirements had said he needed to know a 2nd lvl spell from the Conjuration school, then he would not. Also, I do believe Warlocks are concidered as "Arcane", as he is listed as one of the three optional standard arcane classes. Hence the book, "Complete Arcane" :D
Ipsissimus 11-30-04, 09:13 AM	not that i don't doubt your insight as I too thought they were able to take it, but "he should be able to" isn't proof enough that they can by the rules. A demon is not an arcane caster, they just have a lot of spell like abilities so they are not able to take acquire familiar. I play a duergar monk, with spell like abilities and by the rules I cast my spell like abilities as an arcane wizard of twice my character level...though I cannot take the feat either.
strenoth 11-30-04, 01:37 PM	Warlocks DO have an arcane caster level, equal to their level. This enables them to qualify for PrCs which require an arcane caster level (or an Any caster level). If it qualifies them for a PrC that requires an arcane caster level, it qualifies them for feats that require an arcane caster level.
Avihs 11-30-04, 11:10 PM	A demon is not an arcane caster, they just have a lot of spell like abilities so they are not able to take acquire familiar. I play a duergar monk, with spell like abilities and by the rules I cast my spell like abilities as an arcane wizard of twice my character level...though I cannot take the feat either. Aye, a demon is not an arcane caster, it is a monster with some special tricks up it's sleeves. While a Warlock is someone who has been gifted with, bartered for, or what have you, for these eldritch powers. The class itself is representative of that individual on developing those powers, often into unique directions, based on his own motivations & life experiences. And as such, it is what sets him apart from his patron as well as binds the Warlock to that being. Being a Warlock is a decision to develop those abilities in a direction, while a common demon has no such luxury, and thus he has Arcane class levels based upon his choice to follow this profession. Key word here, the class of Warlock is a profession. Where as, with your example of your Deurgar monk, his SLA's are a product of his race (much like a demon) and are an immutable product of who he is, and not a aspect of his monk class. And to that end, I created this alternative to the standard familiar to reflect that very heritage. Even though the demon/devil born Warlock may seek to turn away from those powers, and make something good of it, or the truely debaucherous Warlock will revel in them, and seek a closer bond with his patron. Either to appease him or to plot to ursurp its place within the lower planes. The familiar is always there to remind him of who his patron is, and the powers they represent, as well as being a reflection of who the Warlock is, deep with.
Avihs 12-01-04, 07:00 PM	Well, it would appear that Warlocks in fact do not qualify for the feat, however I am questioning it, based on the answer that has been given by Cust-Serv. I do have an additional to question to this response you gave for this Question: Does the Warlock qualify to take the Obtain Familiar feat? -Unfortunately no, since he isn't a spellcaster. If a Warlock isn't a spellcaster, then how can he qualify for prcs that have spellcaster level requirements? With this single answer, it would appear, you have just negated the possibility for Warlocks to advance into those areas diversification. What gives? The Quote above encompasses my origional question, and my response, when I got the answer that Warlocks were not a spellcasting class. Thus a new debate arises... thoughts?
Kaiberon 12-01-04, 11:12 PM	Cust-Serv is dumb, i really get the feeling the guys there just don't like the class and thus respond negatively to all questions. I'm reasonably certain if i wrote them today "Can a Warlock fire an unmodified Eldritch Blast at any target within 60 feet as a standard action?" They'd respond "Unfortunately no". AND Warlocks do qualify for the feats and such. Last thing, since it is now established that character's with Arcane Caster levels qualify fir various PrCs, Do Eberron's Dragon Mark Heirs qualify as well since their dragon mark abilities are cast as a Sorceror with a caster level of 1+any levels in the Dragon Mark Heir PrC. I put it out there since i plan on going for Acolyte of the Skin with my House Orien Fighter...
Avihs 12-02-04, 12:24 AM	Updated the Eldritch Conduit ability, moved it down to the 9-10 lvl spot, and reworded how it functions. And, Yes.... I still do believe that Warlocks qualify for the Obtain Familiar feat. So... nyah... :pbbbtt:... to Cust-Serv...
Lothor Bolvreck 12-13-04, 09:11 PM	NEW FEAT Obtain Eldrich Familiar Prerequisites: Knowledge(arcana) 4 ranks, must know at least 3 invocations. You must preform a ritual witch takes 24 hours and cost 1500gp, after which you recive a familiar as presented here. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=4892766&postcount=1)
Avihs 12-13-04, 09:26 PM	Hey, Cool. Neet to see the familiar worked into your character. I was starting to think the thread may have died. Not a heck of a lot of trafic.
dragoon101 06-03-05, 01:57 AM	Oops.