Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WombleHunter 01-22-07, 09:46 AM	Hi gang. I've got a 12th level Warlock to play in an upcoming one-off adventure. I'll probably go with a blaster Warlock. Here is what I've got of the build so far:Human Warlock 12 32 point buy: Str 10 Dex 18 (14 +4 [gloves]) Con 14 Int 14 Wis 12 Cha 22 (15 +3 [levels] +4 [cloak]) Fort +8, Ref +10, Will +11 Skills: Concentration +17 (15 ranks, +2 Con) Spellcraft +19 [+21 scrolls] (15 ranks, +2 Int, +2 synergy) Intimidate +21 (15 ranks, +6 Cha) Use Magic Device +21 [+23 scrolls] (15 ranks, +6 Cha) Knowledge: Arcana +13 (11 ranks, +2 Int) Skill Tricks: Never Outnumbered Swift Concentration Feats: H Point Blank Shot 1 Precise Shot 3 Ability Focus: Eldritch Blast 6 Maximise Spell-like Ability: Eldritch Blast (up to Level 4 equivalent) 9 Empower Spell-like Ability: Eldritch Blast (up to Level 4 equivalent) 12 Quicken Spell-like Ability: Eldritch Blast (up to Level 2 equivalent) Invocations known: Least - Eldritch Spear (2nd), See the Unseen (2nd), Baleful Utterance (2nd, DC 18) Lesser - Brimstone Blast (3rd, DC 21), Hellrime Blast (4th, DC 22), Relentless Dispelling (4th, DC 20) Greater - Repelling Blast (6th, DC 24) Equipment (88000gp): Gloves of Dexterity +4 (16000) Cloak of Charisma +4 (16000) Vest of Resistance +2 (4000) Studded Leather +2 (4175) Greater Chasuble of Fell Power (18000) Horizon Goggles (8000) Ring of Protection +1 (2000) Wand of Shield, CL3, 15 charges (675) Potion of Cure Serious Wounds (300) MW Light Mace (305) Haste x3 (1125) Heal (1650) Invisibility x4 (600) Comprehend Languages (25) Sending (700) Greater Dispel Magic, CL20 (3000) Glitterdust x2 (300) True Seeing (1375) Dimensional Anchor x2 (700) Cure Serious Wounds (375) Teleport (1125) Fireball, CL10 (750) 6120gp remaining I'd appreciate advice on whether the feats I've chosen are good choices, and where I might spend my cash (or re-arrange where I HAVE spent it, if applicable) - and if my Invocation choices are totally off. I know that a blaster Warlock is far from optimal, as well - but this is a one-off game, and it's something I'd like to try out, so I'm going to stick to it. I also really like the idea of pinging people around with Repelling Blast, so I'd like to hold onto that if possible. With what I've got at the moment, I'll be throwing around 8d6 Blasts at either 90' or 375' range (thanks to Horizon Goggles from Complete Mage); I'll chill people with Hellrime Blast, then set fire to them with Brimstone Blast or knock them about with Repelling Blast (the Dex penalty will mean they're more likely to fail the Ref save). Between Empower, Maximise, and Quicken SLA I've got plenty of options for cranking up my damage output, too. A Maximised and Empowered Repelling Eldritch Spear ought to make someone flinch, especially followed by a Quickened Eldritch Spear the same round. PHB DMG MM PHB2 DMG2 Expanded Psionic's Handbook Complete Warrior Complete Divine Complete Adventurer Complete Arcane Complete Mage Complete Psionic Complete Scoundrel Races of the Wild Races of Destiny Races of Stone Races of the Dragon Races of Eberron Stormwrack Sandstorm Frostburn Cityscape Eberron Campaign Setting Magic of Eberron Player's Guide to Faerun
Harliquinn 01-22-07, 10:26 AM	FIrst glance: You should buy a Warlock Scepter :)
WombleHunter 01-22-07, 11:23 AM	I would like to. They are pricy, though, at around 32000gp. What do you recommend I drop from my list to afford it?
PhoenixInferno 01-22-07, 11:58 AM	The Hellfire Warlock is on the Wizards website, but I don't remember if it has prerequisites that are from FCII - but its awesome for EB Warlock.
horse 01-22-07, 12:04 PM	wand of cure mod or cure serious is great to have for anybody that can use it without having to make a roll, including all rangers, paladins, druids, & warlocks. also, the flying invocation is great to have as a blaster since then u can get an aerial view of the combat & stay out of melee range. don't know what your scrolls r, but there should b a few fireballs in there for sure, as well as some summons & mass cures. also, probably my favorite thing i've seen in complete scoundrel so far is the poison that gives the target vulnerability to fire for 10 rounds AND bones their dex. to me, that just SCREAMS "buy me for your warlock or warmage!!"
WombleHunter 01-22-07, 12:50 PM	The Hellfire Warlock is on the Wizards website, but I don't remember if it has prerequisites that are from FCII - but its awesome for EB Warlock.It doesn't have any non-core prerequisites, although the FC2 isn't an accepted source. horse, I've added the list of the scrolls I've got so far to the character above; I've got one scroll of Fireball, at 10th caster level. I could add some lower-level ones. I'm going to leave bulk healing to the party cleric, and save my money - though as we do have a Ranger in the party as well, I might try to take a wand of CLW. Between Brimstone and Hellrime Blasts, and Relentless Dispelling, I don't have room for Fell Flight. The long range of my Spear will keep me out of the way, though. Would you recommend I drop one of my Lesser Invocations for Fell Flight given this? As for poison... how would you recommend my character deliver it? He doesn't have Poison Use and every round he spends trying to deliver it would be a turn not using an Invocation.
Harliquinn 01-22-07, 01:25 PM	I would like to. They are pricy, though, at around 32000gp. What do you recommend I drop from my list to afford it? Switch the Leather +2 for Mithral Chain Shirt, same AC, same Dex (IIRC) and only 1100gp I don't think you need +4 Dex gloves, +2 should be enough. I would remove some of the scrolls unless there is not going to be a party cleric or wizard/sorcerer to cast some of those spells. Not sure what Horizon Goggles do off hand. I would drop Hellrime Blast personally and pick up Fel Flight. Harliquinn
horse 01-22-07, 02:40 PM	horse, I've added the list of the scrolls I've got so far to the character above; I've got one scroll of Fireball, at 10th caster level. I could add some lower-level ones. I'm going to leave bulk healing to the party cleric, and save my money - though as we do have a Ranger in the party as well, I might try to take a wand of CLW. Between Brimstone and Hellrime Blasts, and Relentless Dispelling, I don't have room for Fell Flight. The long range of my Spear will keep me out of the way, though. Would you recommend I drop one of my Lesser Invocations for Fell Flight given this? As for poison... how would you recommend my character deliver it? He doesn't have Poison Use and every round he spends trying to deliver it would be a turn not using an Invocation. u could drop relentless dispelling & get scrolls of dispel magic. i just love flight, personally. it's nice to shoot from above because then u don't need to worry about your tanks accidentally getting between u & your target & providing cover for them. regardless of how far your spear range is, sometimes the angle u're at is more important. and the poison.....idk, i've never really used poisons lol. i'm not exactly clear on what the rules r for how to use them. can they b applied to bolts b4hand & then just b fired fro a crossbow, or do they have to b used within a certain amount of time after they're applied? again, i really haven't dealt with them a lot, so sry if i'm making myself look stupid here lol. i'm also not exactly sure how your brimstone blast works. i don't have my books with me, so i can't look it up. does it A) actually change your blast damage from untyped to fire, or does it B) just make the target catch on fire? cuz if it's B, then screw the poison AND screw brimstone to take flight & keep relentless dispelling.
WombleHunter 01-22-07, 03:03 PM	Switch the Leather +2 for Mithral Chain Shirt, same AC, same Dex (IIRC) and only 1100gp I don't think you need +4 Dex gloves, +2 should be enough. I would remove some of the scrolls unless there is not going to be a party cleric or wizard/sorcerer to cast some of those spells. Not sure what Horizon Goggles do off hand. I would drop Hellrime Blast personally and pick up Fel Flight. HarliquinnThere is no party sorcerer/wizard, hence all my scrolls. It is true that I could drop a point of Dex bonus though, I suppose - but only if it was very important. The armour is Studded Leather, so mithral chain shirt isn't better. Also, I'm tired of always taking a chain shirt ;). Horizon Goggles add 50% to the range of spells that require a ranged attack, and give you the benefit of the Far Shot feat. u could drop relentless dispelling & get scrolls of dispel magic. i just love flight, personally. it's nice to shoot from above because then u don't need to worry about your tanks accidentally getting between u & your target & providing cover for them. regardless of how far your spear range is, sometimes the angle u're at is more important. ... i'm also not exactly sure how your brimstone blast works. i don't have my books with me, so i can't look it up. does it A) actually change your blast damage from untyped to fire, or does it B) just make the target catch on fire? cuz if it's B, then screw the poison AND screw brimstone to take flight & keep relentless dispelling. I'd rather not have to rely on (limited, expensive) scrolls of Dispel Magic. Brimstone Blast both changes the Eldritch Blast to fire damage and makes the target catch fire on a failed Ref save.
GhostStepper 01-22-07, 03:31 PM	It doesn't have any non-core prerequisites, although the FC2 isn't an accepted source. Thats too bad as it will effect even things that are immune to fire. A 3 level class that gains normal invocation progression and +6d6 damage helps blaster warlocks immensely.
WombleHunter 01-22-07, 04:34 PM	I know, I know. But besides the fact that it isn't permitted, it also has serious roleplay and flavour issues that I'd like to avoid; not to mention that Incarnum and the Tome of Magic are even less acceptable in our game, so I'd be sucking up a lot of Con damage and/or Lesser Restorations.
dougemes 01-22-07, 11:00 PM	First, I dont know anything about Skill Tricks: [Never Outnumbered,Swift Concentration] I'd recommend the following changes (Im playing an 11th level warlock in a FR home campaign right now, but I will be going Hellrime Warlock at 13th. I am the party's craft monkey, so my feat selection is obviously different) Stats: Buy Str 10 / Dex 16 / Con 14 / Int 14 / Wis 8 / Cha 15 Then raise Charisma 3 times via level bumps. Skills: Go max ranks in Conc, UMD, and Spellcraft. Drop intimidate completely (your not using any compulsion invocations, and again, no hellrime warlock) Put 10 each in Knowledge Arcana (dragons,magical beasts), Religion (undead), and Planes (outsiders,elementals) Hopefully the party druid or someone else will pick up the knowledge nature. Feats: Drop "Ability Focus: Eldritch Blast" as your going to blast conjured acid and wont have any save DC's. Drop Maximise SLA. Allocation: Point blank & Precise at 1st Weapon Finesse at 3rd (+dex vs touch AC, you WILL hit) Empower SLA at 6th (at 12th level, can impower 4th level invoc's) Scribe Scroll at 9th (self crafted scrolls at 12th level, its B-R-O-K-E-N) Quicken SLA at 12th (can quicken up 2nd level blasts) Invocations known: 3 Least, 3 Lesser, 1 Greater Note: You can't apply the metamagic SLA's to repelling, as its level is 6th. Least: Drop Eldritch Spear (yeah for Horizon Goggles!) and instead pick up one from Complete Mage page 124 (Swimming the Styx for waterbreath / swim speed, or Otherwordly Whispers for +6 to your three chosen knowledges, in which case drop 4 pts each from these same 3 knowledges and put 12 ranks in Knowl Nature) Keep the See the Unseen & Baleful Utterance invocations. Lesser: Drop all three of them. Vitriolic Blast is your damage invocation. Get Fell Flight (40' flight all day long(thanks to boots), 60' when hasted, just redo the invocation after haste) Eldritch Chain (which you could empower 3/day) Flee the Scene (dimension door all 4 party members while holding hands, can you say bypass locked doors, known pit traps, etc. Greater: drop Repelling Blast for Vitriolic. 'nuff said. Equipment (88000gp for 12th level character): Lose: Gloves of Dexterity +4 (16000) Cloak of Charisma +4 (16000) Ring of Protection +1 (2000) Studded Leather +2 (4175) MW Light Mace (305) Keep: Vest of Resistance +2 (4000) Horizon Goggles (8000) Greater Chasuble of Fell Power (18000) Buy: Sharkskin +2 (Stormwrack) (4235) - lighter, with armor spikes, and rustproof Boots of Striding and Springing (5500) - +10 enhancement bonus to base land speed Circlet of Persuasion (4500) - +3 competence to cha checks, like UMD! Next pair are if your party does NOT have a warmage/wizard/sorcer: Staff of Fire (17750) - 12d6 fireballs for your AOE and walls of fire to boot! Glove of storing (10,000) - from srd "Storing or retrieving the item is a free action." Use it to hold your staff of fire for when you need it, then put it immediately up once you have used it. If you DO have a wizard/warmage/sorcerer, then pick up a Warlock's Scepter for 28k instead As for consumables, they are fine. Add some "Good hope" via potions for 1,050 gp each :from SRD "gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, and weapon damage rolls." I would add the following scroll from Spell Compendium (which is omitted from your list and I have no idea why) Nixie's Grace *3 (minimum cost 2400) - Gives +6 dex and +8 cha among other effects, for 200 gold more per scroll they would last a full 3 hours each So. you recite Nixie's Grace well before battle, your dex is effectively 22 for a +6 on your weapon finesse added to your BAB of +9, for a minimum of touch ac 17 (nat 1 would miss). Make that 19 with the Scepter, 21 with "Good hope". I have left plenty of wiggle room in your gold to buy other stuff Ive probably forgotten
WombleHunter 01-23-07, 09:19 AM	The skill tricks aren't that important. They're the new feature from Complete Scoundrel. Never Outnumbered lets you use Intimidate against everyone within 10' instead of one person you threaten. Swift Concentration lets you concentrate on maintaining a spell as a swift action instead of a standard action. Skill tricks can be used once per encounter, and cost 2 skill points each. However, I have since realised that I do not have any invocations or scrolls that need maintainiing, so I've dropped Swift Concentration. Never Outnumbered is cool, though. You know, I am actually now being tempted by Hellfire Warlock. I could try and re-flavour it so that it is the channelling of so much magical energy, rather than the dept owed to Hell, which deal Con damage. Still have to get it past my DM though... I'll see how it goes. I don't see why you've got Weapon Finesse in there. I don't know why you want Empower SLA instead of Maximise SLA. Horizon Goggles, while nice, don't bring your range up enough. 90' compared to 250'? I have since decided to drop them from my list, sticking with Eldritch Spear for range. I am not interesting in pursuing a Knowledge-focusing build. I like the idea of a brooding intimidater (it's fun and angsty! :D). The Staff of Fire in the DMG is incorrectly priced. It is critically underpriced, in fact.
dougemes 01-23-07, 12:15 PM	I don't see why you've got Weapon Finesse in there. I don't know why you want Empower SLA instead of Maximise SLA. Horizon Goggles, while nice, don't bring your range up enough. 90' compared to 250'? I have since decided to drop them from my list, sticking with Eldritch Spear for range. I am not interesting in pursuing a Knowledge-focusing build. I like the idea of a brooding intimidater (it's fun and angsty! :D). The Staff of Fire in the DMG is incorrectly priced. It is critically underpriced, in fact. Ok, so your intimidating folks within 10' of you? As a blaster warlock, you never want to be closer than 30' from folks (as your not a glaive user). I just don't see the penalties for a successful intimidate helping you much. This warlock is not built for melee, so don't put yourself in a position to go at it. As for 90' range, that is plenty far, unless your outside on a plain, you just won't need that 250ft range. And if you are on a plain, well, thats what your "hidden" staff of fire is for [range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level (12) = 880 ft away., over three times the distance of your eldritch spear.] Weapon Finesse is to help ensure all your ranged touch attacks hit. For the cost of one feat you are adding up to a +6 (limited by your armor selection) to your ranged touch attacks. This is HUGE. Assuming you roll a 10 on your attack roll, your hitting touch AC's of 25 once you cast Nixie's grace. Of course, it also helps you wield your warlock's scepter or any other light mace more effectively in battle. As well as your armor spikes, since they count as light melee weapons(which your non proficient in, but the finesse helps to negate that) Weapon Finesse allows you to make STR your dump stat, except for carrying capacity. The knowledge points aren't for pure focus, they exist so your warlock can know whether something is immune to acid or not (since by default, you should vitriolic blast everything) But if you like, drop them to 5 pts each which could max another class skill. The reason for Empower SLA over Maximise: do you want at level 12 to max a 48 pt blast (base 6d6 + chausable) or do you want to roll 12d6 and have a chance of doing >50 pts for massive damage rules(dmg p27) In the campaign I play in, the massive damage variant is in effect. If it is not in your campaign, then swap out the empower for maximize. As for the staff of fire price, it has not been errata'd. Scribe Scroll is the beat down feat to take if your allowed crafting time. It is completely broken with imbue item. Your UMD is take 10 + 15 ranks + 4 cha bonus +3 competence = 31. You WILL auto succeed on making 9th level arcance scrolls at 12th level, and you WILL auto succeed on making 6th level divine scrolls, more if you buy a cloak of charisma. And since you scribed them, you do not have to deciper them, and you will auto succeed on reciting them, including any class or alignment restrictions (UMD challenge tops at 30 for those things) Buy a Quill of Scribing from Complete Mage and let it do it all in the background for you.
WombleHunter 01-23-07, 12:35 PM	Ok, so your intimidating folks within 10' of you? As a blaster warlock, you never want to be closer than 30' from folks (as your not a glaive user). I just don't see the penalties for a successful intimidate helping you much. This warlock is not built for melee, so don't put yourself in a position to go at it. Maybe, but this is 2 skill points we're talking about here. Nothing to worry about.As for 90' range, that is plenty far, unless your outside on a plain, you just won't need that 250ft range. And if you are on a plain, well, thats what your "hidden" staff of fire is for [range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level (12) = 880 ft away., over three times the distance of your eldritch spear.] Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of times when 90' won't be far enough.Weapon Finesse is to help ensure all your ranged touch attacks hit. For the cost of one feat you are adding up to a +6 (limited by your armor selection) to your ranged touch attacks. This is HUGE. Assuming you roll a 10 on your attack roll, your hitting touch AC's of 25 once you cast Nixie's grace. Of course, it also helps you wield your warlock's scepter or any other light mace more effectively in battle. As well as your armor spikes, since they count as light melee weapons(which your non proficient in, but the finesse helps to negate that) Weapon Finesse allows you to make STR your dump stat, except for carrying capacity.Obviously you are confused - you already add your Dexterity modifier to a ranged attack, whether it's for a bow or an Eldritch Blast. The reason for Empower SLA over Maximise: do you want at level 12 to max a 48 pt blast (base 6d6 + chausable) or do you want to roll 12d6 and have a chance of doing >50 pts for massive damage rules(dmg p27) In the campaign I play in, the massive damage variant is in effect. If it is not in your campaign, then swap out the empower for maximize. When you roll that many dice, the times that you get anything other than the average roll is very small. Maximise is a better bet.As for the staff of fire price, it has not been errata'd..It's still wrong. Work it out.Scribe Scroll is the beat down feat to take if your allowed crafting time. It is completely broken with imbue item. Your UMD is take 10 + 15 ranks + 4 cha bonus +3 competence = 31. You WILL auto succeed on making 9th level arcance scrolls at 12th level, and you WILL auto succeed on making 6th level divine scrolls, more if you buy a cloak of charisma. And since you scribed them, you do not have to deciper them, and you will auto succeed on reciting them, including any class or alignment restrictions (UMD challenge tops at 30 for those things) Buy a Quill of Scribing from Complete Mage and let it do it all in the background for you.I'm not going to have any XP to spare, since we'll be starting at 12th level dead-on. I'm also not aware of any rule that says you don't need a UMD check to use an item you made.
dougemes 01-23-07, 01:13 PM	Maybe, but this is 2 skill points we're talking about here. Nothing to worry about.Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of times when 90' won't be far enough.Obviously you are confused - you already add your Dexterity modifier to a ranged attack, whether it's for a bow or an Eldritch Blast. When you roll that many dice, the times that you get anything other than the average roll is very small. Maximise is a better bet..It's still wrong. Work it out.I'm not going to have any XP to spare, since we'll be starting at 12th level dead-on. I'm also not aware of any rule that says you don't need a UMD check to use an item you made. As for the skill points, I agree it doesn't really matter, but again, I don't see how intimidating someone helps (rushed for indifferent to helpful is DC 40) so why bother? As for finesse, I was thinking back to my character, who makes touch attacks (Voracious Dispelling, etc) but your right for this char as a plain EB is a ray and doesn't need finesse (But eldritch GLAIVE would benefit as it resolves as a Melee touch attack). As for maximize vs. empower, it depends on the monsters you face, but having the chance to kill something in one hit that has massive hitpoints is worth it in the campaign I play in. Otherwise, 3 shots later, you are out of either feat for the day, so its a gamble. How often are you in battle at ranges over 100 feet? If its often, then what in the world are you melee party members doing? I just don't see it happen for more than 2 rounds 90% of the time I play. For those 2 rounds, either blast with fireballs, or pull out scrolls and buff everyone. Wrong or not, thats the cost for the staff. If you DM wont let you buy it, then I wouldn't recommend playing a warlock with him. As for the "flavor of the hellrime warlock" Look at the dc 20 knowledge check. I quote "The mightiest among them even bend hellfire to serve the forces of good.".. So play the hellfire warlock in the lines of the following fictitious characters: Part Jason Blood / Etrigan from Justic League (half demon, thinks all baddies should burn, ends justify the means, etc.) Part Hellboy (overcome what you were "intended" to do) Part Ezekial Stone from Brimstone (deal with the devil, get free from Hell if he sends others back to hell) Its pretty easy to justify the character playing Chaotic Good.
dougemes 01-23-07, 01:48 PM	I'm also not aware of any rule that says you don't need a UMD check to use an item you made. There is not one. But I think it falls under the realm of common sense. Quoting the SRD "Decipher the Writing: The writing on a scroll must be deciphered before a character can use it or know exactly what spell it contains. This requires a read magic spell or a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level)." And from read magic "Furthermore, once the spell is cast and you have read the magical inscription, you are thereafter able to read that particular writing without recourse to the use of read magic. You can read at the rate of one page (250 words) per minute" The problem is if you scribed a scroll, are you telling me you dont know what you wrote? Is you DM knocking off a read magic every day for your wizard while he scribes? And one more time after the scroll is finished? Per strict reading, that would be the case but thats silly. Nonetheless, if that is how your DM rules, spend some gold buying 2 scrolls: "read magic" scroll: 150gp (0 level cast by 12th level caster for 120 minutes) and that covers revieiwing 120 spell levels worth of scrolls. for a more permanent solution, follow up that scroll immediately with permanency 10,125 gp ( Includes experience point cost up to 2,000 XP. - PHB page 240) Under strictist reading you need to make a DC 34 UMD for that permancy check, the mechanics you can hit via potions. Now, your done for knowing whats on scrolls. Rods / Wondrous items you can activate blindly safely, Wands & Staffs you auto succeed.
BenSan 01-23-07, 02:05 PM	There is not one. But I think it falls under the realm of common sense. Quoting the SRD "Decipher the Writing: The writing on a scroll must be deciphered before a character can use it or know exactly what spell it contains. This requires a read magic spell or a successful Spellcraft check (DC 20 + spell level)." And from read magic "Furthermore, once the spell is cast and you have read the magical inscription, you are thereafter able to read that particular writing without recourse to the use of read magic. You can read at the rate of one page (250 words) per minute" The problem is if you scribed a scroll, are you telling me you dont know what you wrote? Is you DM knocking off a read magic every day for your wizard while he scribes? And one more time after the scroll is finished? Per strict reading, that would be the case but thats silly. As specifically addressed in the Eberron sourcebooks regarding artificers, whose explicit stock in trade is making items they don't qualify for, they don't need to roll to decrypt the scroll but still need to make a UMD check to actually cast the spell from it, because lacking a spell list they do not qualify to use the scroll. Since warlocks don't have a spell list either, they are presumably in the same situation, and are able to read their own scrolls fine (and tell which spell is what) but need to UMD to actually cast spells from them. (Yes, I know this isn't Eberron and isn't an artificer, but it's WotC covering the same situation for the same reasons.)
PhaedrusXY 01-23-07, 02:20 PM	You have Complete Psionics listed, but not the Expanded Psionics Handbook. I'm going to assume this is just an oversight. Did you take a look at the Warlock's Handbook? One of the suggested builds in there is a "Blaster" that uses Xeph for the race, and takes Psionic Shot and Greater Psionic Shot to boost the damage.
dougemes 01-23-07, 03:04 PM	As specifically addressed in the Eberron sourcebooks regarding artificers, whose explicit stock in trade is making items they don't qualify for, they don't need to roll to decrypt the scroll but still need to make a UMD check to actually cast the spell from it, because lacking a spell list they do not qualify to use the scroll. Since warlocks don't have a spell list either, they are presumably in the same situation, and are able to read their own scrolls fine (and tell which spell is what) but need to UMD to actually cast spells from them. (Yes, I know this isn't Eberron and isn't an artificer, but it's WotC covering the same situation for the same reasons.) Thanks! I don't know much of Eberron but its the same editors reviewing these books so that explanation works for me. So, in effect, our 12th level warlock can scribe 9th level arcance scrolls but will only auto-succeed (UMD 31) on reciting scrolls that an 11th level caster could cast (level 6 wizard/sorcerer/druid/cleric spells) without resorting to an enhancement bonus to his charisma (from a cloak, spell, potion,etc). So go pick out spells up to 6th level your favorite spells of those, and you UMD is an auto success (again, relying on class feature of taking 10). This is why I was not mentioning making the check. My apologies for not double checking the math to ensure you auto succeed on your arcane scrolls all the way up. To succeed on a 6th level bard spell (Nixie's grace), you would need to hit a 36 UMD since apparently it is bard only and requires 16 levels of bard. This is possible at 12th level with our current build id we add 5 ranks in decipher script: 10 (deceive item class feature) + 15 (max ranks UMD) +4 (18 charisma - 15 base and 3 level bumps) + 2 (synergy: spellcraft) + 2 (synergy: decipher script) +3 (competence from circlet) == 36. This is without enchancement bonus to charisma or using +2 (feat: magical Aptitude) + 3 (feat: skill focus: UMD) . If you add one of those, you will pass UMD 37, which now lets you succeed on 9th level spells arcane or divine (17th level caster) So during play, you really wont have to bother making the checks for the scrolls.
WombleHunter 01-23-07, 07:43 PM	As for finesse, I was thinking back to my character, who makes touch attacks (Voracious Dispelling, etc) but your right for this char as a plain EB is a ray and doesn't need finesse (But eldritch GLAIVE would benefit as it resolves as a Melee touch attack).No it wouldn't, since the Glaive is not specified as a finessable weapon. As for maximize vs. empower, it depends on the monsters you face, but having the chance to kill something in one hit that has massive hitpoints is worth it in the campaign I play in. Otherwise, 3 shots later, you are out of either feat for the day, so its a gamble.If it has massive hit points, the chances of it failing the DC15 Fortitude save are going to be 1 in 20. Also, when you are "3 shots later and out of the feat for the day", your Maximise will have been much more effective.How often are you in battle at ranges over 100 feet?Last session (of a different game), we buffed ourselves, then approached the enemy. They spotted us at a range of over 300 feet, which is when we engaged them.Wrong or not, thats the cost for the staff. If you DM wont let you buy it, then I wouldn't recommend playing a warlock with him.This is disingenuous, IMO. If it's wrong, it's wrong and should be corrected.As for the "flavor of the hellrime warlock"I'm considering reflavouring it and running it by the DM, but I'm not hopeful. You have Complete Psionics listed, but not the Expanded Psionics Handbook. I'm going to assume this is just an oversight. Did you take a look at the Warlock's Handbook? One of the suggested builds in there is a "Blaster" that uses Xeph for the race, and takes Psionic Shot and Greater Psionic Shot to boost the damage. D'oh, yeah, XPH. I'll add it now. I did take a look at the thread, though it was a lot to wade through. Psionic Shot etc require you to expend your Psionic Focus, don't they?
PhaedrusXY 01-23-07, 07:51 PM	I did take a look at the thread, though it was a lot to wade through. Psionic Shot etc require you to expend your Psionic Focus, don't they?Yes, but there is another feat that lets you get it back as a Move Equivalent Action. It is rather feat intensive (3 feats), but in the end it will let you add +4d6 to every blast.
WombleHunter 01-23-07, 08:03 PM	Ouch, 3 feats? I don't know that I could fit that in! Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot, of course, and then that wouldn't leave room for all the meta-SLA feats I want.
PhaedrusXY 01-23-07, 08:25 PM	Well... you might not like this, but how about: Fighter2/PsiWarrior2/Warlock16. That gives you 4 bonus feats, two of which can be Psionic. Take Practiced Spellcaster, and your Eldritch Blast will be at full power still. You can still be a human, and so keep the racial feat, also.
WombleHunter 01-24-07, 09:12 AM	Problem is, it's a 12th level game - so anything that doesn't advance invocations means I lose my only Greater Invocation. Also, since there's no party wizard, I'm looking to keep my arcane abilities as high as possible.
Sita Ram 01-24-07, 09:19 AM	I've played a warlock to epic and I will say that hitting is usually no problem. Its the saves that are problematic. Any of your invocations that require or allow a save will usually be met. If you can afford to take stat points out of dex and dump into charisma you may be a happier camper. I agree that the +2 dex should do the trick. Remember, you are merely touch attacking Muahahaha. Have fun and godspeed my fellow Warlock. Also, you are a glass cannon. Unless you multiclass, use invisibility. You have no hitpoints so there is no reason to buff your AC. Just my opinion.
GAVegeta 01-24-07, 09:39 AM	Take Practiced Spellcaster, and your Eldritch Blast will be at full power still. I was under the impression that Practiced Spellcaster did not work this way.
hovnarr 01-24-07, 10:19 AM	I'll support Phaedrus on the Xeph blaster note. If you're starting at level 12, you don't need precise shot. First off, most of your enemies will either be large or numerous, which means you should have a clear line to a target. Second, use fell flight or flee the scene to get to a good position if this would be a problem. Third, if all else-fails, you can afford the penalty as your attack modifier >> their touch AC almost always. You have so precious few feats. Take what really matters. Also, you are a blaster warlock. Do not take anything that allows a save, or stuff that improve them (like Ability Focus). In fact, your charisma could be whatever - it's not needed. Dexterity is. Instead of save dc invocations, take utility, mobility and defensive powers. Feats: 1 Point Blank Shot 3 Psionic Shot 6 Psionic Meditation 9 Greater Psionic Shot 12 Quicken SLA This way you have +4d6 shots always (not counting chausible), full progression, and one megablast per encounter (since you can begin focused, you can quicken a blast +4d6, regain focus as a move, and then blast again with another +4d6 in the first round. Then continue with +4d6 blasting every round, and repeat the trick the next encounter. Eldritch Spear is THE shape for you to take naturally, and please take Vitriolic Blast as it is a one stop solution to SR that you will need at your level. Also take fell flight and/or flee the scene (both can absolutely be taken, without fear of redundancy). The rest is personal choice, but you need range, mobility and SR-bypass if you want to be blasting at level 12. Good gaming! :)