Bard/Warlock multiclass [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bard/Warlock multiclass [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
John_of_Ark
05-23-07, 07:01 PM Right now, I have a level 2 gnome bard. I recently got Complete Arcane, and, while I'm not a huge fan of the book (I play my bard more like a rogue than a wizard, my nickname is Indiana Gnomes) I love the warlock class. Not so much the 'nobody loves me' part, but the way it plays. I'll be levelling in a week, so here's a few questions:

1. How exactly does multiclassing work? Bard is a favored class for gnomes, so I'm hoping there won't be many penalties.

2. Is it worth taking some warlock levels? The class looks really fun to play, but would I be gimping my character?

3. What should I take as my first invocation?

I was thinking I would start off with Hideous Blow and work from there, otherwise I'd be better off just shooting my bow. Anyway, thanks in advance for the help.
glacialcat
05-23-07, 07:07 PM 1. No, you won't take any multiclassing penalties. With Favored Classes, you basically get rid of that class when taking EXP penalties into account. Since without your bard levels, you would just be a Warlock 1, there would be no penalties.

2. Its a decent dip for a bard. Always having a ranged weapon is extremely nice, especially since its only a touch attack. There's some synergy with CHA, and you can keep putting ranks in Use Magic Device. Its not exactly great, but its not horrible.

3. Hideous Blow is usually seen as a really bad invocation, especially if you plan on only one level of Warlock. If I was you, I'd go with Beguiling Influence. That is a really nice invocation for a bard, +6 to intimidate, diplomacy, and bluff for 24 hours.
John_of_Ark
05-23-07, 07:33 PM Thanks. Unless I end up hating it for someone reason, I'll put more levels into Warlock, probably getting to level 3 for the 2d6 eldritch blast and then putting some more levels into bard. Good idea on the Beguiling Influence invocation, there's tons of times I can think of where that would have come in handy. Also, in case you were wondering, I planned on having this character act like he's nothing more than a bard so that people will still like him, they'll only discover that he's a warlock if the crap hits the fan (like, eldritch blasting a priest :P ).
Fallenangel359
05-23-07, 10:26 PM 2 level dip into bard getting spider climb and beguiling influence makes a very interesting social character...

perform comedy... on the ceiling?
John_of_Ark
05-23-07, 11:56 PM Or better yet, spider climb up to the ceiling above whoever you want to die then use Summon Instrument(Pipe Organ). Dropping a one-ton weight on anything Large Size or smaller should pretty much kill it instantly :D
kadeity
05-24-07, 02:12 AM Or better yet, spider climb up to the ceiling above whoever you want to die then use Summon Instrument(Pipe Organ). Dropping a one-ton weight on anything Large Size or smaller should pretty much kill it instantly :D

except that ALL summons spells require you summon them into an environment that wont damage the summoned creature or object.

so no dropping instruments, or elephants or whales.
at all. ever.
Ragora
05-24-07, 02:12 AM Or better yet, spider climb up to the ceiling above whoever you want to die then use Summon Instrument(Pipe Organ). Dropping a one-ton weight on anything Large Size or smaller should pretty much kill it instantly :D

Alas, Summon Instrument is limited to handheld instruments.
Ecalsneerg
05-24-07, 03:59 AM Alas, Summon Instrument is limited to handheld instruments.
But you can't be telling me that a banjo hitting you in the head wouldn't hurt?
Alanz
05-24-07, 10:16 AM Personally, I think if you want to go into Warlock, the minimum level you should look at is level 4. Even though at level 2 you get unlimited detect magic and level 3 you start getting damage reduction (which can then be upgraded by feats as well as class features),the ability to take 10 while using the "use magic item" skill while distracted or threatened can be incredibly useful. As for invocations, I would also recommend Baleful Utterance (unlimited shatter spell, good for opening troublesome locks or destroying enemy weapons) and Eldrich Spear (250' range can make you a great sniper and allow you to cotinue to attack all but the fastest retreating enemy). If you want to play your character as less combat oriented than Dark ones own luck (although you are limited to your class level in bonus, but it will stack with most common other bonuses) and beguiling influence are also good choices.
gotbrain
05-24-07, 10:21 AM Hmmm, how would the character development go on this one?

"I really like performing for others but those damn hecklers! Now they will taste my eldritch might!"
Fallenangel359
05-24-07, 10:43 AM this particular breed of warlock would most definitely be a fey heritage type
Sephiroth Do'Urden
05-24-07, 11:17 AM Right now, I have a level 2 gnome bard. I recently got Complete Arcane, and, while I'm not a huge fan of the book (I play my bard more like a rogue than a wizard, my nickname is Indiana Gnomes) I love the warlock class. Not so much the 'nobody loves me' part, but the way it plays. I'll be levelling in a week, so here's a few questions:

1. How exactly does multiclassing work? Bard is a favored class for gnomes, so I'm hoping there won't be many penalties.

2. Is it worth taking some warlock levels? The class looks really fun to play, but would I be gimping my character?

3. What should I take as my first invocation?

I was thinking I would start off with Hideous Blow and work from there, otherwise I'd be better off just shooting my bow. Anyway, thanks in advance for the help.

1. Already explained.

2. We know all to little of your character to know that. If you explain how he is to play and how you want him to evolve first.

3. Hideous Blow is not really worth it unless you are at a very high level (20 or so) and deal 21d6 per blast, and even then Eldritch glaive is better in almost every single aspect. Whatever you do, stay away from soulreaving aura!
StevenO
05-24-07, 02:21 PM As long as you keep Perform high your Bardic Song abilities will not suffer too much. In a long term build I also favor Warlock 4 which will get you a lesser invocation to use.

While it doesn't have HD, skill list, or skill points I'd also look at Eldritch Theurge in Complete Mage. You'd get to advance both Invocation Level and Spellcasting level each class level and gain a few other abilities as well.
John_of_Ark
05-24-07, 06:22 PM Thanks, I'll take Alanz's advice and put at least 4 levels in warlock. And yes, Fallenangle, definitely a fey heritage Warlock, he's chaotic good/nuetral, depending on my mood :P (DM doesn't do much with alignments, we don't bother filling in that part of the character sheet) Although, the more I think about it, the idea of a good guy struggling to come to terms with the source of his power sounds kind of cool... Anyway, thanks for the help.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
John_of_Ark 05-23-07, 07:01 PM	Right now, I have a level 2 gnome bard. I recently got Complete Arcane, and, while I'm not a huge fan of the book (I play my bard more like a rogue than a wizard, my nickname is Indiana Gnomes) I love the warlock class. Not so much the 'nobody loves me' part, but the way it plays. I'll be levelling in a week, so here's a few questions: 1. How exactly does multiclassing work? Bard is a favored class for gnomes, so I'm hoping there won't be many penalties. 2. Is it worth taking some warlock levels? The class looks really fun to play, but would I be gimping my character? 3. What should I take as my first invocation? I was thinking I would start off with Hideous Blow and work from there, otherwise I'd be better off just shooting my bow. Anyway, thanks in advance for the help.
glacialcat 05-23-07, 07:07 PM	1. No, you won't take any multiclassing penalties. With Favored Classes, you basically get rid of that class when taking EXP penalties into account. Since without your bard levels, you would just be a Warlock 1, there would be no penalties. 2. Its a decent dip for a bard. Always having a ranged weapon is extremely nice, especially since its only a touch attack. There's some synergy with CHA, and you can keep putting ranks in Use Magic Device. Its not exactly great, but its not horrible. 3. Hideous Blow is usually seen as a really bad invocation, especially if you plan on only one level of Warlock. If I was you, I'd go with Beguiling Influence. That is a really nice invocation for a bard, +6 to intimidate, diplomacy, and bluff for 24 hours.
John_of_Ark 05-23-07, 07:33 PM	Thanks. Unless I end up hating it for someone reason, I'll put more levels into Warlock, probably getting to level 3 for the 2d6 eldritch blast and then putting some more levels into bard. Good idea on the Beguiling Influence invocation, there's tons of times I can think of where that would have come in handy. Also, in case you were wondering, I planned on having this character act like he's nothing more than a bard so that people will still like him, they'll only discover that he's a warlock if the crap hits the fan (like, eldritch blasting a priest :P ).
Fallenangel359 05-23-07, 10:26 PM	2 level dip into bard getting spider climb and beguiling influence makes a very interesting social character... perform comedy... on the ceiling?
John_of_Ark 05-23-07, 11:56 PM	Or better yet, spider climb up to the ceiling above whoever you want to die then use Summon Instrument(Pipe Organ). Dropping a one-ton weight on anything Large Size or smaller should pretty much kill it instantly :D
kadeity 05-24-07, 02:12 AM	Or better yet, spider climb up to the ceiling above whoever you want to die then use Summon Instrument(Pipe Organ). Dropping a one-ton weight on anything Large Size or smaller should pretty much kill it instantly :D except that ALL summons spells require you summon them into an environment that wont damage the summoned creature or object. so no dropping instruments, or elephants or whales. at all. ever.
Ragora 05-24-07, 02:12 AM	Or better yet, spider climb up to the ceiling above whoever you want to die then use Summon Instrument(Pipe Organ). Dropping a one-ton weight on anything Large Size or smaller should pretty much kill it instantly :D Alas, Summon Instrument is limited to handheld instruments.
Ecalsneerg 05-24-07, 03:59 AM	Alas, Summon Instrument is limited to handheld instruments. But you can't be telling me that a banjo hitting you in the head wouldn't hurt?
Alanz 05-24-07, 10:16 AM	Personally, I think if you want to go into Warlock, the minimum level you should look at is level 4. Even though at level 2 you get unlimited detect magic and level 3 you start getting damage reduction (which can then be upgraded by feats as well as class features),the ability to take 10 while using the "use magic item" skill while distracted or threatened can be incredibly useful. As for invocations, I would also recommend Baleful Utterance (unlimited shatter spell, good for opening troublesome locks or destroying enemy weapons) and Eldrich Spear (250' range can make you a great sniper and allow you to cotinue to attack all but the fastest retreating enemy). If you want to play your character as less combat oriented than Dark ones own luck (although you are limited to your class level in bonus, but it will stack with most common other bonuses) and beguiling influence are also good choices.
gotbrain 05-24-07, 10:21 AM	Hmmm, how would the character development go on this one? "I really like performing for others but those damn hecklers! Now they will taste my eldritch might!"
Fallenangel359 05-24-07, 10:43 AM	this particular breed of warlock would most definitely be a fey heritage type
Sephiroth Do'Urden 05-24-07, 11:17 AM	Right now, I have a level 2 gnome bard. I recently got Complete Arcane, and, while I'm not a huge fan of the book (I play my bard more like a rogue than a wizard, my nickname is Indiana Gnomes) I love the warlock class. Not so much the 'nobody loves me' part, but the way it plays. I'll be levelling in a week, so here's a few questions: 1. How exactly does multiclassing work? Bard is a favored class for gnomes, so I'm hoping there won't be many penalties. 2. Is it worth taking some warlock levels? The class looks really fun to play, but would I be gimping my character? 3. What should I take as my first invocation? I was thinking I would start off with Hideous Blow and work from there, otherwise I'd be better off just shooting my bow. Anyway, thanks in advance for the help. 1. Already explained. 2. We know all to little of your character to know that. If you explain how he is to play and how you want him to evolve first. 3. Hideous Blow is not really worth it unless you are at a very high level (20 or so) and deal 21d6 per blast, and even then Eldritch glaive is better in almost every single aspect. Whatever you do, stay away from soulreaving aura!
StevenO 05-24-07, 02:21 PM	As long as you keep Perform high your Bardic Song abilities will not suffer too much. In a long term build I also favor Warlock 4 which will get you a lesser invocation to use. While it doesn't have HD, skill list, or skill points I'd also look at Eldritch Theurge in Complete Mage. You'd get to advance both Invocation Level and Spellcasting level each class level and gain a few other abilities as well.
John_of_Ark 05-24-07, 06:22 PM	Thanks, I'll take Alanz's advice and put at least 4 levels in warlock. And yes, Fallenangle, definitely a fey heritage Warlock, he's chaotic good/nuetral, depending on my mood :P (DM doesn't do much with alignments, we don't bother filling in that part of the character sheet) Although, the more I think about it, the idea of a good guy struggling to come to terms with the source of his power sounds kind of cool... Anyway, thanks for the help.