Barbarian MD
2010-02-20, 09:31 AM
Warlock 2.0
I attempted to re-write the Hellfire Warlock (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142481), and it was suggested to me that a better idea would be to re-write the base class instead.
(If you're interested, I think Hellfire Warlock 2.0 works really well, but it's utterly broken if you use Eldritch Glaive with it...)
Here are some design goals:
Iterative Eldritch Blasts
More Invocations Known (3/4+2 progression)
Reworking some of the Invocations
Blast Shape and Essence will remain unchanged
The ability to metamagic SLAs a number of times per day based on Cha
Other things that I haven't thought of yet
What I've done so far to change it
Fiendish Resilience now follows a linear increase (3 instead of 2 at 13).
Iterative attacks (discussion ongoing on how to work this).
Boosted invocations to a 3/4+2 progression.
Imbue invocations--apply metamagic 3+Cha
Increased EB every other level, rather than the weird slow down at the end.
Warlock 1.0 isn't OGL, BUT Wizard's has a character sheet for the Warlock posted here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/charactersheets), and it includes invocations known and brief explanations of the invocations, so I'm assuming I can post them here. I won't post anything that's not public.
Warlock 2.0
Alignment
Any evil or chaotic.
Hit Die
d6.
Class Skills
The warlock’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Dsguise (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at 1st Level
(2 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level
2 + Int modifier.
BAB: 3/4
Saves: Good Will
{table]Level|Special|Invocations Known|Eldritch Blast
1|Least Invocations|2|1d6
2|Detect Magic|3|
3|Cold Iron 1|4|2d6
4|Imbue Invocation: Empower, Deceive Item|5|
5||5|3d6
6|Lesser Invocations|6|
7|Cold Iron 2|7|4d6
8|Imbue Invocation: Maximize, Fiendish Resilience 1|8|
9||8|5d6
10|Energy Resistance 5|9|
11|Cold Iron 3, Greater Invocations|10|6d6
12|Imbue Invocation: Quicken, Imbue Item|11|
13|Fiendish Resilience 3|11|7d6
14||12|
15|Versatile Blasting, Cold Iron 4|13|8d6
16|Imbue Invocation: Player's Choice, Dark Invocations|14|
17||14|9d6
18|Fiendish Resilience 5|15|
19|Cold Iron 5|16|10d6
20|Energy Resistance 10|17|[/table]
Invocations (SLA): Save DC, if applicable: 10 + equivalent spell level + Charisma modifier. At level 6, 11, and 16, the Warlock 2.0 may retrain one Invocation known.
Eldritch Blast (SLA): Ray, 60 ft. ranged touch attack; attack action usable at will; no saving throw; half damage to objects; subject to spell resistance; not subject to damage reduction or energy resistances.
Eldritch Blasts and Iterative Attacks:
As a full-round action, a Warlock 2.0 may fire iterative Eldritch Blasts, according to her BAB. A Warlock 2.0 takes a successive -2 penalty to the Save DCs for effects tied to her Blasts Essences and Blast Shapes. A creature that has already been affected by or saved against a blast essence cannot be affected by a blast essence twice in one turn. However, normal damage from each blast applies.
Versatile Blasting: At level 15, a Warlock 2.0 may apply different shapes and essences to his iterative blasts. Again, the same rule applies: if a creature has been affected by, or saved against, the effects of any of the Warlock 2.0's eldritch blasts, it will not be affected a second time that turn by any of that warlock's eldritch essences. However, normal damage from each blast applies.
A blast essence that changes the nature of an eldritch blast (hellfire, vitriolic) applies to all blasts, but any extra damage can only affect a creature once. Thus, three iterative vitriolic blasts are made of acid, bypass SR, and deal extra damage on your next turn. However, any creature struck by a vitriolic blast will only be affected by extra damage as if they had been struck once. In the same way, if a creature is struck by a hellfire blast, that creature will take damage for each of the three iterative attacks, and then only once for the extra damage.
Example:
Morthos the level 15 Warlock can fire three iterative blasts, at a BAB of +11/+6/+1. For the purposes of this example only, the DC for all essences and shapes has the same DC. These DCs for three iterative attacks are 16/14/12.
He fires a Cone-Shaped Nauseating Blast at Creatures One and Two.
Creatures One and Two both fail their reflex saves. Creature One fails his fortitude save and is affected by the Nauseating essence. Creature two saves against the effect. Both Creatures take damage normally from the blast.
He then fires a Cone-Shaped Utterdark Blast. This strikes Creatures Two and Three. Both creatures fail their reflex saves (which had a DC with a -2 penalty, since this is the second iterative attack) and are struck by the Cone. Creature Two has already been affected by a Blast Essence this turn from Morthos, and so only takes normal damage. Creature Three, however, fails his save, takes 2 negative levels, and takes damage normally.
Morthos then turns his sights back on Creature One, firing a Cone-Shaped Sickening Blast against Creatures One and Four. Creature Four succeeds on a Reflex Save to evade the Cone-Shape, since the DC is now at a -4 penalty, and takes half damage from the blast. He fails his fortitude save (which also occured against a DC with a -4 penalty), however, and is affected. Creature One fails his save to evade the blast and takes full damage. Creature One has already been affected by Mortho's blast essences this turn, and so ignores the effect of the essence, even though it is a different blast essence than the one he failed his save against earlier this round.
Detect Magic: Use detect magic at will; caster level equal to class level
Damage Reduction: Cold iron: 1 at 3rd level; 2 at 7th; 3 at 11th; 4 at 15th; 5 at 19th
Deceive Item: Take 10 on Use Magic Device checks even if distracted or threatened
Fiendish Resilience: Once/day; free action; fast healing 2 mins. (1 at 8th lvl; 3 at 13th; 5 at 18th)
Energy Resistance: Choose two, cannot be changed; resistance 5 at 10th level, 10 at 20th lvl
Imbue Item: Create magic items even if spells required to make it are unknown
Imbue Invocation: Starting at 4th-level, you may apply metamagic to your Eldritch Blasts or Invocations. You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Essences and Shapes (No plans to change these)
Least Blast Shape Invocations
□ ELDRITCH SPEAR: Blast range increases to 250 feet.
□ HIDEOUS BLOW: Melee attack channels eldritch blast.
Lesser Blast Shape Invocation
□ ELDRITCH CHAIN: Blast jumps from initial target to secondary targets.
Greater Blast Shape Invocation
□ ELDRITCH CONE: Blast takes the shape of a cone.
Dark Blast Shape Invocation
□ ELDRITCH DOOM: Blast affects all enemies within 20 feet.
Least Invocations
□ BALEFUL UTTERANCE: Speak word of the Dark Speech and shatter objects as the shatter spell.
□ BEGUILING INFLUENCE: Gain bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate
checks.
□ BREATH OF THE NIGHT: Create a fog cloud as the spell.
□ DARK ONE’S OWN LUCK: Gain a luck bonus on one type of saves.
□ DARKNESS: Use darkness as the spell.
□ DEVIL’S SIGHT: See normally in darkness and magical darkness.
□ EARTHEN GRASP: Use earthen grasp as the spell.
□ ENTROPIC WARDING: Deflect ranged attacks, leave no trail, prevent being
tracked by scent.
□ LEAPS AND BOUNDS: Gain bonus on Balance, Jump, and Tumble checks.
□ MIASMIC CLOUD: Create a cloud of mist that grants concealment, fatigues
those who enter.
□ SEE THE UNSEEN: Gain see invisibility as the spell and darkvision.
□ SPIDERWALK: Gain spider climb as the spell and you are immune to webs.
□ SUMMON SWARM: Use summon swarm as the spell.
Lesser Invocations
□ CHARM: Cause a single creature to regard you as a friend.
□ CURSE OF DESPAIR: Curse one creature as the bestow curse spell, or hinder
their attacks.
□ THE DEAD WALK: Create undead as the animate dead spell.
□ FELL FLIGHT: Gain a fly speed with good maneuverability.
□ FLEE THE SCENE: Use short-range dimension door as the spell, and leave
behind a major image that remains for one round.
□ HUNGRY DARKNESS: Create shadows filled with a swarm of bats.
□ STONY GRASP: Use stony grasp as the spell.
□ VOIDSENSE: Gain blindsense 30 feet.
□ VORACIOUS DISPELLING: Use dispel magic as the spell, causing damage to
creatures whose effects are dispelled.
□ WALK UNSEEN: Use invisibility (self only) as the spell.
□ WALL OF GLOOM: Use wall of gloom as the spell.
Greater Invocations
□ Plundering Dispel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179937)
□ CHILLING TENTACLES: Use Evard’s black tentacles as the spell, and deal extra
cold damage to creatures in the area.
□ DEVOUR MAGIC: Use targeted greater dispel magic with a touch and gain
temporary hit points based on the level of spells successfully dispelled.
□ ENERVATING SHADOW: Gain total concealment in dark areas and impose a
Strength penalty on adjacent living creatures.
□ TENACIOUS PLAGUE: Use insect plague as the spell, but the summoned
locust swarm deals damage as a magic weapon.
□ WALL OF PERILOUS FLAME: Create a wall of fire as the spell, but half the damage
from the wall results from supernatural power.
□ WARLOCK’S CALL: Use sending as the spell, but risk damage from recipient.
Dark Invocations
□ Sorcerous Gaze: Arcane Sight, Greater, as the spell.
□ DARK DISCORPORATION: Become a swarm of batlike shadows, gaining many
benefits of the swarm subtype.
□ DARK FORESIGHT: Use foresight as the spell, and communicate telepathically
with a close target of the effect.
□ PATH OF SHADOW: Use shadow walk as the spell and speed up natural
healing.
□ RETRIBUTIVE INVISIBILITY: Use greater invisibility as the spell (self only) that
deals damage in a burst if dispelled.
□ WORD OF CHANGING: Use baleful polymorph as the spell, but the effect
could become permanent.
I attempted to re-write the Hellfire Warlock (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142481), and it was suggested to me that a better idea would be to re-write the base class instead.
(If you're interested, I think Hellfire Warlock 2.0 works really well, but it's utterly broken if you use Eldritch Glaive with it...)
Here are some design goals:
Iterative Eldritch Blasts
More Invocations Known (3/4+2 progression)
Reworking some of the Invocations
Blast Shape and Essence will remain unchanged
The ability to metamagic SLAs a number of times per day based on Cha
Other things that I haven't thought of yet
What I've done so far to change it
Fiendish Resilience now follows a linear increase (3 instead of 2 at 13).
Iterative attacks (discussion ongoing on how to work this).
Boosted invocations to a 3/4+2 progression.
Imbue invocations--apply metamagic 3+Cha
Increased EB every other level, rather than the weird slow down at the end.
Warlock 1.0 isn't OGL, BUT Wizard's has a character sheet for the Warlock posted here (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dnd/charactersheets), and it includes invocations known and brief explanations of the invocations, so I'm assuming I can post them here. I won't post anything that's not public.
Warlock 2.0
Alignment
Any evil or chaotic.
Hit Die
d6.
Class Skills
The warlock’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Dsguise (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (arcana) (Int), Knowledge (the planes) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spellcraft (Int), and Use Magic Device (Cha).
Skill Points at 1st Level
(2 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level
2 + Int modifier.
BAB: 3/4
Saves: Good Will
{table]Level|Special|Invocations Known|Eldritch Blast
1|Least Invocations|2|1d6
2|Detect Magic|3|
3|Cold Iron 1|4|2d6
4|Imbue Invocation: Empower, Deceive Item|5|
5||5|3d6
6|Lesser Invocations|6|
7|Cold Iron 2|7|4d6
8|Imbue Invocation: Maximize, Fiendish Resilience 1|8|
9||8|5d6
10|Energy Resistance 5|9|
11|Cold Iron 3, Greater Invocations|10|6d6
12|Imbue Invocation: Quicken, Imbue Item|11|
13|Fiendish Resilience 3|11|7d6
14||12|
15|Versatile Blasting, Cold Iron 4|13|8d6
16|Imbue Invocation: Player's Choice, Dark Invocations|14|
17||14|9d6
18|Fiendish Resilience 5|15|
19|Cold Iron 5|16|10d6
20|Energy Resistance 10|17|[/table]
Invocations (SLA): Save DC, if applicable: 10 + equivalent spell level + Charisma modifier. At level 6, 11, and 16, the Warlock 2.0 may retrain one Invocation known.
Eldritch Blast (SLA): Ray, 60 ft. ranged touch attack; attack action usable at will; no saving throw; half damage to objects; subject to spell resistance; not subject to damage reduction or energy resistances.
Eldritch Blasts and Iterative Attacks:
As a full-round action, a Warlock 2.0 may fire iterative Eldritch Blasts, according to her BAB. A Warlock 2.0 takes a successive -2 penalty to the Save DCs for effects tied to her Blasts Essences and Blast Shapes. A creature that has already been affected by or saved against a blast essence cannot be affected by a blast essence twice in one turn. However, normal damage from each blast applies.
Versatile Blasting: At level 15, a Warlock 2.0 may apply different shapes and essences to his iterative blasts. Again, the same rule applies: if a creature has been affected by, or saved against, the effects of any of the Warlock 2.0's eldritch blasts, it will not be affected a second time that turn by any of that warlock's eldritch essences. However, normal damage from each blast applies.
A blast essence that changes the nature of an eldritch blast (hellfire, vitriolic) applies to all blasts, but any extra damage can only affect a creature once. Thus, three iterative vitriolic blasts are made of acid, bypass SR, and deal extra damage on your next turn. However, any creature struck by a vitriolic blast will only be affected by extra damage as if they had been struck once. In the same way, if a creature is struck by a hellfire blast, that creature will take damage for each of the three iterative attacks, and then only once for the extra damage.
Example:
Morthos the level 15 Warlock can fire three iterative blasts, at a BAB of +11/+6/+1. For the purposes of this example only, the DC for all essences and shapes has the same DC. These DCs for three iterative attacks are 16/14/12.
He fires a Cone-Shaped Nauseating Blast at Creatures One and Two.
Creatures One and Two both fail their reflex saves. Creature One fails his fortitude save and is affected by the Nauseating essence. Creature two saves against the effect. Both Creatures take damage normally from the blast.
He then fires a Cone-Shaped Utterdark Blast. This strikes Creatures Two and Three. Both creatures fail their reflex saves (which had a DC with a -2 penalty, since this is the second iterative attack) and are struck by the Cone. Creature Two has already been affected by a Blast Essence this turn from Morthos, and so only takes normal damage. Creature Three, however, fails his save, takes 2 negative levels, and takes damage normally.
Morthos then turns his sights back on Creature One, firing a Cone-Shaped Sickening Blast against Creatures One and Four. Creature Four succeeds on a Reflex Save to evade the Cone-Shape, since the DC is now at a -4 penalty, and takes half damage from the blast. He fails his fortitude save (which also occured against a DC with a -4 penalty), however, and is affected. Creature One fails his save to evade the blast and takes full damage. Creature One has already been affected by Mortho's blast essences this turn, and so ignores the effect of the essence, even though it is a different blast essence than the one he failed his save against earlier this round.
Detect Magic: Use detect magic at will; caster level equal to class level
Damage Reduction: Cold iron: 1 at 3rd level; 2 at 7th; 3 at 11th; 4 at 15th; 5 at 19th
Deceive Item: Take 10 on Use Magic Device checks even if distracted or threatened
Fiendish Resilience: Once/day; free action; fast healing 2 mins. (1 at 8th lvl; 3 at 13th; 5 at 18th)
Energy Resistance: Choose two, cannot be changed; resistance 5 at 10th level, 10 at 20th lvl
Imbue Item: Create magic items even if spells required to make it are unknown
Imbue Invocation: Starting at 4th-level, you may apply metamagic to your Eldritch Blasts or Invocations. You may use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Charisma modifier.
Essences and Shapes (No plans to change these)
Least Blast Shape Invocations
□ ELDRITCH SPEAR: Blast range increases to 250 feet.
□ HIDEOUS BLOW: Melee attack channels eldritch blast.
Lesser Blast Shape Invocation
□ ELDRITCH CHAIN: Blast jumps from initial target to secondary targets.
Greater Blast Shape Invocation
□ ELDRITCH CONE: Blast takes the shape of a cone.
Dark Blast Shape Invocation
□ ELDRITCH DOOM: Blast affects all enemies within 20 feet.
Least Invocations
□ BALEFUL UTTERANCE: Speak word of the Dark Speech and shatter objects as the shatter spell.
□ BEGUILING INFLUENCE: Gain bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, and Intimidate
checks.
□ BREATH OF THE NIGHT: Create a fog cloud as the spell.
□ DARK ONE’S OWN LUCK: Gain a luck bonus on one type of saves.
□ DARKNESS: Use darkness as the spell.
□ DEVIL’S SIGHT: See normally in darkness and magical darkness.
□ EARTHEN GRASP: Use earthen grasp as the spell.
□ ENTROPIC WARDING: Deflect ranged attacks, leave no trail, prevent being
tracked by scent.
□ LEAPS AND BOUNDS: Gain bonus on Balance, Jump, and Tumble checks.
□ MIASMIC CLOUD: Create a cloud of mist that grants concealment, fatigues
those who enter.
□ SEE THE UNSEEN: Gain see invisibility as the spell and darkvision.
□ SPIDERWALK: Gain spider climb as the spell and you are immune to webs.
□ SUMMON SWARM: Use summon swarm as the spell.
Lesser Invocations
□ CHARM: Cause a single creature to regard you as a friend.
□ CURSE OF DESPAIR: Curse one creature as the bestow curse spell, or hinder
their attacks.
□ THE DEAD WALK: Create undead as the animate dead spell.
□ FELL FLIGHT: Gain a fly speed with good maneuverability.
□ FLEE THE SCENE: Use short-range dimension door as the spell, and leave
behind a major image that remains for one round.
□ HUNGRY DARKNESS: Create shadows filled with a swarm of bats.
□ STONY GRASP: Use stony grasp as the spell.
□ VOIDSENSE: Gain blindsense 30 feet.
□ VORACIOUS DISPELLING: Use dispel magic as the spell, causing damage to
creatures whose effects are dispelled.
□ WALK UNSEEN: Use invisibility (self only) as the spell.
□ WALL OF GLOOM: Use wall of gloom as the spell.
Greater Invocations
□ Plundering Dispel (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179937)
□ CHILLING TENTACLES: Use Evard’s black tentacles as the spell, and deal extra
cold damage to creatures in the area.
□ DEVOUR MAGIC: Use targeted greater dispel magic with a touch and gain
temporary hit points based on the level of spells successfully dispelled.
□ ENERVATING SHADOW: Gain total concealment in dark areas and impose a
Strength penalty on adjacent living creatures.
□ TENACIOUS PLAGUE: Use insect plague as the spell, but the summoned
locust swarm deals damage as a magic weapon.
□ WALL OF PERILOUS FLAME: Create a wall of fire as the spell, but half the damage
from the wall results from supernatural power.
□ WARLOCK’S CALL: Use sending as the spell, but risk damage from recipient.
Dark Invocations
□ Sorcerous Gaze: Arcane Sight, Greater, as the spell.
□ DARK DISCORPORATION: Become a swarm of batlike shadows, gaining many
benefits of the swarm subtype.
□ DARK FORESIGHT: Use foresight as the spell, and communicate telepathically
with a close target of the effect.
□ PATH OF SHADOW: Use shadow walk as the spell and speed up natural
healing.
□ RETRIBUTIVE INVISIBILITY: Use greater invisibility as the spell (self only) that
deals damage in a burst if dispelled.
□ WORD OF CHANGING: Use baleful polymorph as the spell, but the effect
could become permanent.