The Eldritch Artillerist--Warlock PrC (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

The Eldritch Artillerist--Warlock PrC (PEACH) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Talisman
09-23-07, 12:19 AM Fluff is coming. Crunch is here now.

This is probably overpowered, but that's what PEACH is for, no? :D

The Eldritch Artillerist

[Fluff to come]

Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special
Save Save Save Abilities
1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Warlock equivalency, forceful blast
2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Bonus feat, eldritch blast +1d6
3 +2 +1 +1 +3 Close-combat blast
4 +3 +1 +1 +4 Eldritch blast +2d6
5 +3 +1 +1 +4 Bonus feat, reactive blast 1/day
6 +4 +2 +2 +5 Eldritch blast +3d6
7 +5 +2 +2 +5 Rapid blast
8 +6 +2 +2 +6 Bonus feat, eldritch blast +4d6
9 +6 +3 +3 +6 Marksmanship
10 +7 +3 +3 +7 Eldritch blast +5d6, reactive blast 2/day

Requirements:
Spot: 4 ranks
Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (ranged touch)
Invocations: Eldritch spear, plus any two eldritch essence and/or blast shape invocations.
Special: Eldritch blast +3d6

Skill Points: 2 + Int mod
Class Skills: Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha).
Hit Die: d6
Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: None
Warlock Equivalency: An eldritch artillerist may stack his class levels with his warlock levels for purposes of invocations known. However, any invocations gained as an eldritch artillerist must be either blast shape or eldritch essence invocations.
Forceful Blast (Su): An eldritch artillerist learns to deal more damage with his eldritch blast by focusing his rage through this attack. He may add his Charisma modifier to damage done with his eldritch blast, up to a maximum equal to his eldritch artillerist level, but only against foes who are within 30'.
Bonus Feat: At 2nd, 5th and 9th levels, the eldritch artillerist gains a bonus feat. This feat must be drawn from the following list; the eldritch artillerist must meet all the prerequisites normally. If the feat applies to a weapon or spell-like ability, the artillerist may only apply it to his eldritch blast.
~~Bonus Feats: Arcane Mastery*, Empower Spell-like Ability, Heighten Spell-like Ability*, Improved Critical, Maximize Spell-like Ability*, Quicken Spell-like Ability, Ranged Disarm**, [Ranged Sunder**], Ranged Spell Specialization*, Spell Penetration [Greater Spell Penetration].
Eldritch Blast (Sp): As she advances in levels, an eldritch artillerists's eldritch blast improves. It deals +1d6 damage at 2nd level, increasing by +1d6 every even-numbered level.
Close-combat Blast (Ex): Starting at 3rd level an eldritch artillerist no longer provokes an attack of opportunity when using his eldritch blast, including blast shape and eldritch essence invocations. He still provokes when using other invocations.
Reactive Blast (Su): Once per day, a 5th-level eldritch artillerist may make an eldritch blast attack as an immediate action after being attacked (successfully or not). He must use this blast to attack the creature that attacked him.
At 10th level, the eldritch artillerist can use reactive blast 2/day.
Rapid Blast (Ex): At 7th level an eldritch artillerist learns to fire his eldritch blasts with uncanny swiftness. As a full-round action the artillerist may fire two eldritch blasts; however, both blasts suffer a -5 penalty on the attack rolls.
Marksmanship (Ex): A 9th-level eldritch artillerist is a master of the art of ranged combat. When attacking with an eldritch blast (only), the artillerist halves any cover bonus the target may possess, and when firing at a target with concealment, the artillerist may re-roll the miss chance as though she had the Blind-Fight feat.
*Feat from Complete Arcane
**Feat from Complete Warrior
Kuro_Khan
09-23-07, 12:29 AM Looks fairly balanced. I'd take away the BAB restriction, as you'll have that by having +3d6 Eldritch Blast anyways.

I really hate the feat requirements. They may help warlocks at lower levels, but they quickly become really useless (as its ranged touch, eventually you'll only miss on a 1)... Just limit it to Point Blank shot and maybe Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast).

I'd limit forceful blast to Charisma Level or Levels in the Eldritch Artillerist (whichever is lower), to prevent one level dips in the PrC (ala Duelist).

Maybe as a later ability, give the PrC the ability to threaten an area around him?.
Talisman
09-23-07, 12:42 AM Looks fairly balanced. I'd take away the BAB restriction, as you'll have that by having +3d6 Eldritch Blast anyways.

Done.

I really hate the feat requirements. They may help warlocks at lower levels, but they quickly become really useless (as its ranged touch, eventually you'll only miss on a 1)... Just limit it to Point Blank shot and maybe Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast).

The ability to fire into melee without taking a -4 penalty is useless? I don't really agree with you there,

The idea is that a warlock is already a really good blaster before taking artillerist levels.

I'd limit forceful blast to Charisma Level or Levels in the Eldritch Artillerist (whichever is lower), to prevent one level dips in the PrC (ala Duelist).

Done.

Maybe as a later ability, give the PrC the ability to threaten an area around him?.

Hmm...I'll have to think about that, Might make a nice 10th-level capstone ability.
DraconiumX
10-01-07, 03:58 AM Ranged Pin? That doesn't make any sense. Eldritch Blasts aren't anything but blasts of dark energy, not physical things like bolts or arrows that can stick someone or something to a wall.
Otherwise, I really like this, despite the fact that this focuses on and turns the Warlock into merely an artillerist class, something I was never a big fan of. This PrC, however, changes that a little for me, because this has a few cool possibilities, especially the rapid-fire and the reactive blast. I also like the fact that you included gaining invocations with this class, and ensuring they were Blast Shape or Essence, as having this class stack to include regular invocations would make it far too powerful.
Just thinking about this class combined with the Fell Flight invocation makes me a little sick to my stomach, though.
Bombs Away!!!
Talisman
10-02-07, 09:43 AM Ranged Pin? That doesn't make any sense. Eldritch Blasts aren't anything but blasts of dark energy, not physical things like bolts or arrows that can stick someone or something to a wall.

Done...and I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that.

Just thinking about this class combined with the Fell Flight invocation makes me a little sick to my stomach, though.
Bombs Away!!!

Well, Fell Flight is a darn powerful invocation...maybe that's why my GM doesn't want me to take it! ;)
Talisman
10-21-07, 06:04 PM :swift kick:
Dead_Weasel
10-22-07, 01:31 AM Well, Fell Flight is a darn powerful invocation...maybe that's why my GM doesn't want me to take it! ;)Perhaps the Warlock suffers a cumulative -1 penalty to attack rolls for using his Eldritch Artillerist class abilities while flying, due to the sheer ferocity of his eldritch blasts? The character could refrain from using his full power for a round to reset the penalty. Have this penalty removed at 10th level or by a feat? Just a thought; Fell Flight is bread and butter for ranged Warlocks, after all.
Talisman
10-22-07, 01:43 AM D'you really think it needs the hit? Will an eldritch artillerist with fell flight be so powerful that I have to write in a special rule for that invocation?

I'm not being snarky here; I really want an answer.
Dead_Weasel
10-22-07, 03:07 AM Hm. I suppose not. But I can guarantee you that the only Eldritch Artillerists you will find without it will have some other means of flight.
forsaken1111
12-12-07, 05:44 PM Its not like flight is difficult to attain.
dman11235
12-12-07, 07:05 PM I'd actually say don't limit it to class level for charisma to damage. The upper level class features make it more than worthwhile to stick it out to the end. However, that feat list needs to be managed. Ranged disarm is just about as bad a ranged pin. Sunder I can see. Also, it needs a capstone. I can't see anyone taking the last level as is. Move Marksman to level 10, and the reactive blast to 3/6/9 or 5/9. Does need to be toned down a bit, part of the problem is rapid blast, they are touch attacks you know. There is really no penalty right now for using rapid blast. Granted, they are not the most powerful things in the game, but it's still up there being able to do this no-save. But it is passable as is.
teamfireyleader
12-16-07, 06:05 AM Hmmm... I don't know much about the warlock (a quick look an dndwiki) but i'd say that if i understand invocation correctly i wouldn't allow sthe class to use eldritch essence invocations while flying. unless they already can't. Also as a capstone
Flurry of blasts as flurry of blows -2 per extra. Useable 1/week.
Saefal
12-16-07, 06:45 AM You are actually kinda under powering it in comparison to whats out for Warlocks now. If you are going to make this a blaster class and restrict the invocations gained to only blast types then you should give the class full BaB. Point blank shot should be an entry req as well.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Talisman 09-23-07, 12:19 AM	Fluff is coming. Crunch is here now. This is probably overpowered, but that's what PEACH is for, no? :D The Eldritch Artillerist [Fluff to come] Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special Save Save Save Abilities 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Warlock equivalency, forceful blast 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Bonus feat, eldritch blast +1d6 3 +2 +1 +1 +3 Close-combat blast 4 +3 +1 +1 +4 Eldritch blast +2d6 5 +3 +1 +1 +4 Bonus feat, reactive blast 1/day 6 +4 +2 +2 +5 Eldritch blast +3d6 7 +5 +2 +2 +5 Rapid blast 8 +6 +2 +2 +6 Bonus feat, eldritch blast +4d6 9 +6 +3 +3 +6 Marksmanship 10 +7 +3 +3 +7 Eldritch blast +5d6, reactive blast 2/day Requirements: Spot: 4 ranks Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (ranged touch) Invocations: Eldritch spear, plus any two eldritch essence and/or blast shape invocations. Special: Eldritch blast +3d6 Skill Points: 2 + Int mod Class Skills: Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex), Use Magic Device (Cha). Hit Die: d6 Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: None Warlock Equivalency: An eldritch artillerist may stack his class levels with his warlock levels for purposes of invocations known. However, any invocations gained as an eldritch artillerist must be either blast shape or eldritch essence invocations. Forceful Blast (Su): An eldritch artillerist learns to deal more damage with his eldritch blast by focusing his rage through this attack. He may add his Charisma modifier to damage done with his eldritch blast, up to a maximum equal to his eldritch artillerist level, but only against foes who are within 30'. Bonus Feat: At 2nd, 5th and 9th levels, the eldritch artillerist gains a bonus feat. This feat must be drawn from the following list; the eldritch artillerist must meet all the prerequisites normally. If the feat applies to a weapon or spell-like ability, the artillerist may only apply it to his eldritch blast. ~~Bonus Feats: Arcane Mastery, Empower Spell-like Ability, Heighten Spell-like Ability, Improved Critical, Maximize Spell-like Ability, Quicken Spell-like Ability, Ranged Disarm, [Ranged Sunder], Ranged Spell Specialization, Spell Penetration [Greater Spell Penetration]. Eldritch Blast (Sp): As she advances in levels, an eldritch artillerists's eldritch blast improves. It deals +1d6 damage at 2nd level, increasing by +1d6 every even-numbered level. Close-combat Blast (Ex): Starting at 3rd level an eldritch artillerist no longer provokes an attack of opportunity when using his eldritch blast, including blast shape and eldritch essence invocations. He still provokes when using other invocations. Reactive Blast (Su): Once per day, a 5th-level eldritch artillerist may make an eldritch blast attack as an immediate action after being attacked (successfully or not). He must use this blast to attack the creature that attacked him. At 10th level, the eldritch artillerist can use reactive blast 2/day. Rapid Blast (Ex): At 7th level an eldritch artillerist learns to fire his eldritch blasts with uncanny swiftness. As a full-round action the artillerist may fire two eldritch blasts; however, both blasts suffer a -5 penalty on the attack rolls. Marksmanship (Ex): A 9th-level eldritch artillerist is a master of the art of ranged combat. When attacking with an eldritch blast (only), the artillerist halves any cover bonus the target may possess, and when firing at a target with concealment, the artillerist may re-roll the miss chance as though she had the Blind-Fight feat. Feat from Complete Arcane *Feat from Complete Warrior
Kuro_Khan 09-23-07, 12:29 AM	Looks fairly balanced. I'd take away the BAB restriction, as you'll have that by having +3d6 Eldritch Blast anyways. I really hate the feat requirements. They may help warlocks at lower levels, but they quickly become really useless (as its ranged touch, eventually you'll only miss on a 1)... Just limit it to Point Blank shot and maybe Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast). I'd limit forceful blast to Charisma Level or Levels in the Eldritch Artillerist (whichever is lower), to prevent one level dips in the PrC (ala Duelist). Maybe as a later ability, give the PrC the ability to threaten an area around him?.
Talisman 09-23-07, 12:42 AM	Looks fairly balanced. I'd take away the BAB restriction, as you'll have that by having +3d6 Eldritch Blast anyways. Done. I really hate the feat requirements. They may help warlocks at lower levels, but they quickly become really useless (as its ranged touch, eventually you'll only miss on a 1)... Just limit it to Point Blank shot and maybe Ability Focus (Eldritch Blast). The ability to fire into melee without taking a -4 penalty is useless? I don't really agree with you there, The idea is that a warlock is already a really good blaster before taking artillerist levels. I'd limit forceful blast to Charisma Level or Levels in the Eldritch Artillerist (whichever is lower), to prevent one level dips in the PrC (ala Duelist). Done. Maybe as a later ability, give the PrC the ability to threaten an area around him?. Hmm...I'll have to think about that, Might make a nice 10th-level capstone ability.
DraconiumX 10-01-07, 03:58 AM	Ranged Pin? That doesn't make any sense. Eldritch Blasts aren't anything but blasts of dark energy, not physical things like bolts or arrows that can stick someone or something to a wall. Otherwise, I really like this, despite the fact that this focuses on and turns the Warlock into merely an artillerist class, something I was never a big fan of. This PrC, however, changes that a little for me, because this has a few cool possibilities, especially the rapid-fire and the reactive blast. I also like the fact that you included gaining invocations with this class, and ensuring they were Blast Shape or Essence, as having this class stack to include regular invocations would make it far too powerful. Just thinking about this class combined with the Fell Flight invocation makes me a little sick to my stomach, though. Bombs Away!!!
Talisman 10-02-07, 09:43 AM	Ranged Pin? That doesn't make any sense. Eldritch Blasts aren't anything but blasts of dark energy, not physical things like bolts or arrows that can stick someone or something to a wall. Done...and I feel like an idiot for not thinking of that. Just thinking about this class combined with the Fell Flight invocation makes me a little sick to my stomach, though. Bombs Away!!! Well, Fell Flight is a darn powerful invocation...maybe that's why my GM doesn't want me to take it! ;)
Talisman 10-21-07, 06:04 PM	:swift kick:
Dead_Weasel 10-22-07, 01:31 AM	Well, Fell Flight is a darn powerful invocation...maybe that's why my GM doesn't want me to take it! ;)Perhaps the Warlock suffers a cumulative -1 penalty to attack rolls for using his Eldritch Artillerist class abilities while flying, due to the sheer ferocity of his eldritch blasts? The character could refrain from using his full power for a round to reset the penalty. Have this penalty removed at 10th level or by a feat? Just a thought; Fell Flight is bread and butter for ranged Warlocks, after all.
Talisman 10-22-07, 01:43 AM	D'you really think it needs the hit? Will an eldritch artillerist with fell flight be so powerful that I have to write in a special rule for that invocation? I'm not being snarky here; I really want an answer.
Dead_Weasel 10-22-07, 03:07 AM	Hm. I suppose not. But I can guarantee you that the only Eldritch Artillerists you will find without it will have some other means of flight.
forsaken1111 12-12-07, 05:44 PM	Its not like flight is difficult to attain.
dman11235 12-12-07, 07:05 PM	I'd actually say don't limit it to class level for charisma to damage. The upper level class features make it more than worthwhile to stick it out to the end. However, that feat list needs to be managed. Ranged disarm is just about as bad a ranged pin. Sunder I can see. Also, it needs a capstone. I can't see anyone taking the last level as is. Move Marksman to level 10, and the reactive blast to 3/6/9 or 5/9. Does need to be toned down a bit, part of the problem is rapid blast, they are touch attacks you know. There is really no penalty right now for using rapid blast. Granted, they are not the most powerful things in the game, but it's still up there being able to do this no-save. But it is passable as is.
teamfireyleader 12-16-07, 06:05 AM	Hmmm... I don't know much about the warlock (a quick look an dndwiki) but i'd say that if i understand invocation correctly i wouldn't allow sthe class to use eldritch essence invocations while flying. unless they already can't. Also as a capstone Flurry of blasts as flurry of blows -2 per extra. Useable 1/week.
Saefal 12-16-07, 06:45 AM	You are actually kinda under powering it in comparison to whats out for Warlocks now. If you are going to make this a blaster class and restrict the invocations gained to only blast types then you should give the class full BaB. Point blank shot should be an entry req as well.