Magical Detective [Archive] - Wizards Community

Magical Detective [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
technodemon
12-08-07, 08:25 AM I am thinking of creating a character similar to Harry Dresden and John Constatine for a campaign that we are and was wandering what be a good class. Could a Warlock do a good job as an arcane detective even if dipped in another class for 1 level?
The_Shaman
12-08-07, 04:04 PM I am thinking of creating a character similar to Harry Dresden and John Constatine for a campaign that we are and was wandering what be a good class. Could a Warlock do a good job as an arcane detective even if dipped in another class for 1 level?

It can be, but it won't be a good one. I think the concept (detective) requires judicious use of skills and/or very varied spellcasting, and warlocks aren't that good at either. I think you may be better off with a spellthief, beguiler, factotum or, you know, the good old wizard. Why do you want to go warlock anyway?

Something like rogue 1/wizard 4/, going into unseen seer, harper agent or arcane trickster (they don't have to be cheerful kleptos, you know) might be more appropriate.
technodemon
12-08-07, 05:09 PM I hate the vanician spellcasting and the Warlock casting is to my liking. I can't use psionics, DM's call and Im re-rolling from a factotum.
Dauthi_Overseer
12-08-07, 06:29 PM Bard's aren't bad and the prestige class Master Inquisitive is also an excellent route to go. From ECS, btw.
The_Shaman
12-09-07, 05:23 PM I hate the vanician spellcasting and the Warlock casting is to my liking. I can't use psionics, DM's call and Im re-rolling from a factotum.

The thing is, I think even a Dragonfire adept can do a better job than a warlock, considering how bad warlocks are with their skills and spell repertoire. What about a spontaneous arcanist, say a beguiler? Beguilers are somewhat limited in their magical repertoire but still get quite a few useful spells - as well as skills that make them natural investigators, arcane or otherwise. A rogue (or spelthief)-sorcerer combo, continued with PrCs, can be okay but you will lose a spellcaster level or two, although the Master Spellthief feat from CS can mitigate the damage.

I thought about bards, but the music makes little sense. Still, something like bard 5/harper agent/loremaster can make for a good, if limited, mage. I'm not that familiar with Eberron - did Master Inquisitive advance spellcasting? It would be good for the concept if it did, as iirc both characters presented are first and foremost mages - urbane, street-savvy mages a la the Complete Scoundrel archetype, but mages non the less.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
technodemon 12-08-07, 08:25 AM	I am thinking of creating a character similar to Harry Dresden and John Constatine for a campaign that we are and was wandering what be a good class. Could a Warlock do a good job as an arcane detective even if dipped in another class for 1 level?
The_Shaman 12-08-07, 04:04 PM	I am thinking of creating a character similar to Harry Dresden and John Constatine for a campaign that we are and was wandering what be a good class. Could a Warlock do a good job as an arcane detective even if dipped in another class for 1 level? It can be, but it won't be a good one. I think the concept (detective) requires judicious use of skills and/or very varied spellcasting, and warlocks aren't that good at either. I think you may be better off with a spellthief, beguiler, factotum or, you know, the good old wizard. Why do you want to go warlock anyway? Something like rogue 1/wizard 4/, going into unseen seer, harper agent or arcane trickster (they don't have to be cheerful kleptos, you know) might be more appropriate.
technodemon 12-08-07, 05:09 PM	I hate the vanician spellcasting and the Warlock casting is to my liking. I can't use psionics, DM's call and Im re-rolling from a factotum.
Dauthi_Overseer 12-08-07, 06:29 PM	Bard's aren't bad and the prestige class Master Inquisitive is also an excellent route to go. From ECS, btw.
The_Shaman 12-09-07, 05:23 PM	I hate the vanician spellcasting and the Warlock casting is to my liking. I can't use psionics, DM's call and Im re-rolling from a factotum. The thing is, I think even a Dragonfire adept can do a better job than a warlock, considering how bad warlocks are with their skills and spell repertoire. What about a spontaneous arcanist, say a beguiler? Beguilers are somewhat limited in their magical repertoire but still get quite a few useful spells - as well as skills that make them natural investigators, arcane or otherwise. A rogue (or spelthief)-sorcerer combo, continued with PrCs, can be okay but you will lose a spellcaster level or two, although the Master Spellthief feat from CS can mitigate the damage. I thought about bards, but the music makes little sense. Still, something like bard 5/harper agent/loremaster can make for a good, if limited, mage. I'm not that familiar with Eberron - did Master Inquisitive advance spellcasting? It would be good for the concept if it did, as iirc both characters presented are first and foremost mages - urbane, street-savvy mages a la the Complete Scoundrel archetype, but mages non the less.