Cabalic Crusader v1.4 Warlock PRC (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Cabalic Crusader v1.4 Warlock PRC (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kevmann
02-24-08, 10:41 AM Hey everyone its great to be back!

A lot of you know my prestige classes back from the old days, and now that the forums have change so much I decided its time to get back to work. I'll be slowly re-posting and editing all my favorite prcs and decided to start with this one. I know I have a lot more popular prcs, but I wanted to start with this one as I am planning to game soon and I want to use this class as the prc for my character.

Please feel free to post feedback and constructive criticism, which is required for the prc to grow :) Oh, and enjoy!

Cabalic Crusader

Warlocks have to live with the dark power that lies within them, it can be a blessing just as it can be a curse. Many have never had direct contact with a demon, but some have come all to close to their destructive power and walked away changed. The Cabalic Crusader is a warlock who has had contact with the denizens of infinite levels of the abyss and either despised or embraced them.
Good Cabalic Crusaders witnessed the evil that stems from demonic influence and has vowed to put an end to all beings that from the Abyss and to protect those who suffer because of them. They travel the world and the planes making allies with good outsiders and those who lives have been harmed by the dark influences of their enemies.
Evil Cabalic Crusaders witnessed the power that demons hold and embraced the ways of the Abyss. They have vowed to put an end to all enemies of the abyss such as celestials and devils, and they further the goals of demons wherever they travel.
Whether for good or for evil, the Cabalic Crusader embraces the power that lies within them as a means to an end. They focus on the martial aspects of their training in order to fight for what they believe in, but because of their specialized training they sacrifice the ability to gain new invocations. As a result, the Cabalic Crusader is stronger in melee combat but loose the versatility enjoyed by a pure warlock.

Hit Dice: d8

Requirements:
Alignment: Any Chaotic
BAB: +4
Invocations: Hideous blow
Skills: Knowledge (the planes) 9 ranks
Feats: Weapon Focus (any)
Special: Must have made first hand contact with a demon

Skills:
The Cabalic Crusader’s class skill are Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Disguise, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (religion), and Sense Motive

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Progression
Lvl BAB FS RS WS Special
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Combat focus, demonic resistance
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Improved Damage Reduction +2
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Improved hideous blow, extra invocation (least)
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Fiendish resilience
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Demonic immunities, extra invocation (lesser)
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 Greater hideous blow
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Extra invocation (greater)
8 +8 +6 +2 +2 Greater Damage Reduction +5
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 Extra invocation (dark)
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Abyssal blows, demonic transformation

Class Features:
Invocations: All Cabalic Crusader and warlock levels stack for the purposes of calculating eldritch blast damage, damage reduction (cold iron), and caster level. However, the Cabalic Crusader does not continue to gain new invocations known.

Combat Focus: The Cabalic Crusder learns to maintain his focus even when in the face of his enemy. He no longer takes attacks of opportunity when he uses his Eldritch Blast with the Hideous Blow blast shape invocation.

Demonic Resistance: As the Cabalic Crusader begins to accept his demonic power, he begins to share some of the traits normally attributed to Tanar’ri. He gains electricity resistance 10 and gains a +4 bonus to saving throws against all poisons. At 5th level, he gains electricity and poison immunity.

Improved Damage Reduction: At 2nd level, the Cabalic Crusader gains a +2 bonus to his cold iron damage reduction. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +5.

Improved Hideous Blow: At 3rd level the Cabalic Crusader can use his hideous blow blast shape invocation as part of a full attack action. Apply eldritch blast damage and any applied eldritch essence effects to the first attack of the full attack action. At 6th level, the Cabalic Crusader applies eldritch blast damage and any applied eldritch essence effects to the first successful hit in a full attack action (if his first attack is a miss). All other attacks are treated normally.

Extra Invocation: At 3rd level and every time this ability is gained, the Cabalic Crusader adds a new invocation to his known list. The grade of this invocation must be the listed grade or below (3rd least, 5th lesser, 7th greater, 9th dark).

Fiendish Resilience: At 4th level, the Cabalic Crusader gains fiendish resilience as the warlock class ability of the same name. His Cabalic Crusader and warlock class levels stack for the purposes of calculating the amount of fast healing this ability grants.

Abyssal Blows: At 10th level, once per day the Cabalic Crusader may release his hideous blow in a flurry of attacks. For one round, the Cabalic Crusader applies his eldritch blast damage and any applied eldritch essence to ALL melee attacks made with one chosen weapon during that round.

Demonic Transformation: At 10th level, the Cabalic Crusader finishes the final transformation of his form into that of a demons. His type changes to Outsider (native), he grows bat wings which allow him to fly at his base land speed (good maneuverability), his natural armor improves by +1, and gains darkvision out to 60 feet.
Kevmann
02-24-08, 10:45 AM So at this point I feel the class is pretty well balanced and has a lot of good stuff in it.

There is one major problem left that I see, and it has to do with weapons and armor proficiencies. The way I see it, I have three ways to go...

1. The Cabalic Crusader prc gives the character martial weapon prof. and medium armor prof.

2. The Cabalic Crusader requires either a martial weapon prof or medium armor prof. to ake the class

3. Leave it as is. The Cabalic Crusader requires no special prof. and does not give the character any either.

What do you think? Is light armor and simple weapons enough for this guy?
Kevmann
03-05-08, 11:34 AM :bump:

I would really appreciate anyones feedback on this.
DonThelonious
03-05-08, 11:56 AM I am not really familiar with the warlock, but it seems to me that between these guys' damage reduction, resistances, and fast healing its going to be hard to hurt them.

To reflect the martial aspect you might require them to have at least two fighter bonus feats.
teshen
03-05-08, 12:50 PM What do you think? Is light armor and simple weapons enough for this guy?If it really matters to the character, he can multiclass. Possibly one level in ranger for martial proficiency, two good saves, +1 base attack, good skill points and favored enemy-outsider (evil)... or even one level of barbarian with the frenzy variant and possibly even the pounce variant with the extra rage feat.

Does he need any other armors or weapons? Probably not. Mythril covers medium armors for this fellow and eldritch glaive would look sexy on a warlock/cabalic crusader. If it really matters to you, grant him proficiency with light and/or one handed martial weapons... but I'm leaning toward unnecessary.
blade265
03-05-08, 01:57 PM If they don't gain new Invocation that will mean that they will only have 4 invocations known at level 15 ( warlock 5/Cabalic Crusader 10). I think that I would still prefer Hellfire Warlock PRC.
As for martial weapon prof they need this if they don't get more invocations and I would leave the armor prof. as they are at light, as you can get light armor as good if not better than medium or even heavy.
teshen
03-05-08, 02:23 PM Base attack would require at least warlock 6, and that's enough for you to pick up eldritch glaive before you go into this prc. You could round it out with for levels of a prc that grants additional casting and you get up to warlock 10 effectively which means least or lesser invocations and 6 of them.

In fact, if you're using eldritch glaive, it makes most of the hideous blow improvements less attractive. A player might even consider dumping the last level for casting prc 5, since he's been doing most of that for a while and the extra casting level will net him one greater invocation.
I_roll_ones
03-05-08, 04:17 PM 1) Eldritch Glaive is considered better then Hidebous Blow. It depends on if you can nab Eldritch Glaive, however...But if you can, using weapons is pointless. However, this might make Hideous blow worthwhile.

2) The Eldritch Essence only allows them to take essences, not the other sort of invocations. Was that intentional? Most essences tend to have a CHA DC, which makes them tricky for a melee based character. I don't think it would be over powered to allow them to get normal invocations, given that it's a melee warlock and tricky to do right.

3) Perhaps allowing the warlock to use shields with no ASF? Maybe only bucklers? Or another option for warlocks using a twohanded weapon?
Kevmann
03-06-08, 02:19 PM I'm not really familiar with Eldritch Glaive, could you tell me what book its out of and/or just give me a quick description?

I'm still debating on the proficiencies, and I have heard good things from both sides.

Firstly, I think everyone agrees that a heavier armor proficiency is out. However, I am really feeling the Martial Weapon prof. or even shield prof.

I was thinking about adding in Martial Weapon prof. or Weapon Focus or both to the requirements of the class.

Anyone else have any other comments?
blade265
03-06-08, 05:31 PM Eldritch Glaive: Dragon Magic p82
Kevmann
03-07-08, 10:22 PM Well, I don't really have access to that book so I guess I'll have to wait on looking it up.

But if I am hearing you correctly you are saying that the class makes hideous blow at least equil to eldritch glaive?

About the essenses. I have thought about changing the essences to any invocation, but he still would not progress in invocations known, which is an important difference.
blade265
03-08-08, 02:00 AM No, Hideous Blow causes an AoO, Eldritch Glaive doesn't, also it is a reach weapon (Glaive). If you have +6 or more, you are able to make you full BAB attacks.
Kevmann
03-08-08, 08:54 AM Ahh, great.

So I can add an ability which makes it so the CC does not take attacks of opportunity when he uses hideous blow.
Kevmann
03-08-08, 09:21 AM OK,

So I added Weapon Focus as a feat requirement of the class. In trade, I changed Eldritch Essense to Extra Invocation, so the CC is not limited to just taking essenses but can take any invocation.

Also, the first level ability Combat Focus makes it so the CC does not take AoOs when using hideous blow.

Oh, and BTW, I still have not decided what to do about profs. :(

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kevmann 02-24-08, 10:41 AM	Hey everyone its great to be back! A lot of you know my prestige classes back from the old days, and now that the forums have change so much I decided its time to get back to work. I'll be slowly re-posting and editing all my favorite prcs and decided to start with this one. I know I have a lot more popular prcs, but I wanted to start with this one as I am planning to game soon and I want to use this class as the prc for my character. Please feel free to post feedback and constructive criticism, which is required for the prc to grow :) Oh, and enjoy! Cabalic Crusader Warlocks have to live with the dark power that lies within them, it can be a blessing just as it can be a curse. Many have never had direct contact with a demon, but some have come all to close to their destructive power and walked away changed. The Cabalic Crusader is a warlock who has had contact with the denizens of infinite levels of the abyss and either despised or embraced them. Good Cabalic Crusaders witnessed the evil that stems from demonic influence and has vowed to put an end to all beings that from the Abyss and to protect those who suffer because of them. They travel the world and the planes making allies with good outsiders and those who lives have been harmed by the dark influences of their enemies. Evil Cabalic Crusaders witnessed the power that demons hold and embraced the ways of the Abyss. They have vowed to put an end to all enemies of the abyss such as celestials and devils, and they further the goals of demons wherever they travel. Whether for good or for evil, the Cabalic Crusader embraces the power that lies within them as a means to an end. They focus on the martial aspects of their training in order to fight for what they believe in, but because of their specialized training they sacrifice the ability to gain new invocations. As a result, the Cabalic Crusader is stronger in melee combat but loose the versatility enjoyed by a pure warlock. Hit Dice: d8 Requirements: Alignment: Any Chaotic BAB: +4 Invocations: Hideous blow Skills: Knowledge (the planes) 9 ranks Feats: Weapon Focus (any) Special: Must have made first hand contact with a demon Skills: The Cabalic Crusader’s class skill are Bluff, Concentration, Craft, Disguise, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (religion), and Sense Motive Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier Class Progression Lvl BAB FS RS WS Special 1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Combat focus, demonic resistance 2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Improved Damage Reduction +2 3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Improved hideous blow, extra invocation (least) 4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Fiendish resilience 5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Demonic immunities, extra invocation (lesser) 6 +6 +5 +2 +2 Greater hideous blow 7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Extra invocation (greater) 8 +8 +6 +2 +2 Greater Damage Reduction +5 9 +9 +6 +3 +3 Extra invocation (dark) 10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Abyssal blows, demonic transformation Class Features: Invocations: All Cabalic Crusader and warlock levels stack for the purposes of calculating eldritch blast damage, damage reduction (cold iron), and caster level. However, the Cabalic Crusader does not continue to gain new invocations known. Combat Focus: The Cabalic Crusder learns to maintain his focus even when in the face of his enemy. He no longer takes attacks of opportunity when he uses his Eldritch Blast with the Hideous Blow blast shape invocation. Demonic Resistance: As the Cabalic Crusader begins to accept his demonic power, he begins to share some of the traits normally attributed to Tanar’ri. He gains electricity resistance 10 and gains a +4 bonus to saving throws against all poisons. At 5th level, he gains electricity and poison immunity. Improved Damage Reduction: At 2nd level, the Cabalic Crusader gains a +2 bonus to his cold iron damage reduction. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +5. Improved Hideous Blow: At 3rd level the Cabalic Crusader can use his hideous blow blast shape invocation as part of a full attack action. Apply eldritch blast damage and any applied eldritch essence effects to the first attack of the full attack action. At 6th level, the Cabalic Crusader applies eldritch blast damage and any applied eldritch essence effects to the first successful hit in a full attack action (if his first attack is a miss). All other attacks are treated normally. Extra Invocation: At 3rd level and every time this ability is gained, the Cabalic Crusader adds a new invocation to his known list. The grade of this invocation must be the listed grade or below (3rd least, 5th lesser, 7th greater, 9th dark). Fiendish Resilience: At 4th level, the Cabalic Crusader gains fiendish resilience as the warlock class ability of the same name. His Cabalic Crusader and warlock class levels stack for the purposes of calculating the amount of fast healing this ability grants. Abyssal Blows: At 10th level, once per day the Cabalic Crusader may release his hideous blow in a flurry of attacks. For one round, the Cabalic Crusader applies his eldritch blast damage and any applied eldritch essence to ALL melee attacks made with one chosen weapon during that round. Demonic Transformation: At 10th level, the Cabalic Crusader finishes the final transformation of his form into that of a demons. His type changes to Outsider (native), he grows bat wings which allow him to fly at his base land speed (good maneuverability), his natural armor improves by +1, and gains darkvision out to 60 feet.
Kevmann 02-24-08, 10:45 AM	So at this point I feel the class is pretty well balanced and has a lot of good stuff in it. There is one major problem left that I see, and it has to do with weapons and armor proficiencies. The way I see it, I have three ways to go... 1. The Cabalic Crusader prc gives the character martial weapon prof. and medium armor prof. 2. The Cabalic Crusader requires either a martial weapon prof or medium armor prof. to ake the class 3. Leave it as is. The Cabalic Crusader requires no special prof. and does not give the character any either. What do you think? Is light armor and simple weapons enough for this guy?
Kevmann 03-05-08, 11:34 AM	:bump: I would really appreciate anyones feedback on this.
DonThelonious 03-05-08, 11:56 AM	I am not really familiar with the warlock, but it seems to me that between these guys' damage reduction, resistances, and fast healing its going to be hard to hurt them. To reflect the martial aspect you might require them to have at least two fighter bonus feats.
teshen 03-05-08, 12:50 PM	What do you think? Is light armor and simple weapons enough for this guy?If it really matters to the character, he can multiclass. Possibly one level in ranger for martial proficiency, two good saves, +1 base attack, good skill points and favored enemy-outsider (evil)... or even one level of barbarian with the frenzy variant and possibly even the pounce variant with the extra rage feat. Does he need any other armors or weapons? Probably not. Mythril covers medium armors for this fellow and eldritch glaive would look sexy on a warlock/cabalic crusader. If it really matters to you, grant him proficiency with light and/or one handed martial weapons... but I'm leaning toward unnecessary.
blade265 03-05-08, 01:57 PM	If they don't gain new Invocation that will mean that they will only have 4 invocations known at level 15 ( warlock 5/Cabalic Crusader 10). I think that I would still prefer Hellfire Warlock PRC. As for martial weapon prof they need this if they don't get more invocations and I would leave the armor prof. as they are at light, as you can get light armor as good if not better than medium or even heavy.
teshen 03-05-08, 02:23 PM	Base attack would require at least warlock 6, and that's enough for you to pick up eldritch glaive before you go into this prc. You could round it out with for levels of a prc that grants additional casting and you get up to warlock 10 effectively which means least or lesser invocations and 6 of them. In fact, if you're using eldritch glaive, it makes most of the hideous blow improvements less attractive. A player might even consider dumping the last level for casting prc 5, since he's been doing most of that for a while and the extra casting level will net him one greater invocation.
I_roll_ones 03-05-08, 04:17 PM	1) Eldritch Glaive is considered better then Hidebous Blow. It depends on if you can nab Eldritch Glaive, however...But if you can, using weapons is pointless. However, this might make Hideous blow worthwhile. 2) The Eldritch Essence only allows them to take essences, not the other sort of invocations. Was that intentional? Most essences tend to have a CHA DC, which makes them tricky for a melee based character. I don't think it would be over powered to allow them to get normal invocations, given that it's a melee warlock and tricky to do right. 3) Perhaps allowing the warlock to use shields with no ASF? Maybe only bucklers? Or another option for warlocks using a twohanded weapon?
Kevmann 03-06-08, 02:19 PM	I'm not really familiar with Eldritch Glaive, could you tell me what book its out of and/or just give me a quick description? I'm still debating on the proficiencies, and I have heard good things from both sides. Firstly, I think everyone agrees that a heavier armor proficiency is out. However, I am really feeling the Martial Weapon prof. or even shield prof. I was thinking about adding in Martial Weapon prof. or Weapon Focus or both to the requirements of the class. Anyone else have any other comments?
blade265 03-06-08, 05:31 PM	Eldritch Glaive: Dragon Magic p82
Kevmann 03-07-08, 10:22 PM	Well, I don't really have access to that book so I guess I'll have to wait on looking it up. But if I am hearing you correctly you are saying that the class makes hideous blow at least equil to eldritch glaive? About the essenses. I have thought about changing the essences to any invocation, but he still would not progress in invocations known, which is an important difference.
blade265 03-08-08, 02:00 AM	No, Hideous Blow causes an AoO, Eldritch Glaive doesn't, also it is a reach weapon (Glaive). If you have +6 or more, you are able to make you full BAB attacks.
Kevmann 03-08-08, 08:54 AM	Ahh, great. So I can add an ability which makes it so the CC does not take attacks of opportunity when he uses hideous blow.
Kevmann 03-08-08, 09:21 AM	OK, So I added Weapon Focus as a feat requirement of the class. In trade, I changed Eldritch Essense to Extra Invocation, so the CC is not limited to just taking essenses but can take any invocation. Also, the first level ability Combat Focus makes it so the CC does not take AoOs when using hideous blow. Oh, and BTW, I still have not decided what to do about profs. :(