DM Corner: Warlock Vs Soulbow

[silverwolfer]

So a general question, if a player came up to you saying, I don't know which to play , if I want to be a warlock or a soul bow. they both seem so similar, but each various in the own strength.


You as a DM, would answer it out?

[Cog]

Soulbow is more about just dealing damage at range. Warlock can do a little of that, but is more about being a mage-lite, offering more status and utility effects. Also, Wis-focus versus Cha-focus.

[Eldonauran]

I'd ask do you want to just deal damage, or deal a good bit of damage AND have utility AND the ability to craft anything you want at higher levels?

I know which one I would pick.

Warlock. Hands down.

[Feralventas]

I have a difficult time supporting anything that's dependent on Soulknife levels to function. If anything I'd be happy to augment the warlock to take Psion/Wilder powers to function as invocations in addition to Eldritch Blast so as to fit the Soulknife/Soulbow concept while mechanically being less inclined to be a class that's whole 20 levels of features is a single average weapon and a couple of tricks with it.

Warlock is tier 4 ish, so it's not Super powerful, but it's simple, straightforward, and can fit and function well as a number of different character concepts depending on the invocations or, in this case, powers available.

For this case, there are some invocations that work well for a soulknife (glaivelock) or soulbow (eldritch spear sniper build) and get a few other powers if they want, or just take powers/invocations that augment their eldritch blast if they so choose, but at least giving them the choice to be more than Weapon Class.

Or maybe give them a Legacy Item that's not a weapon and put them into Legacy Champion or w/e that prestige class in Weapons of Legacy is called.

[nedz]

Soulbow is like a cross between an Arcane Archer and a Fighter who spends all of their feats on archery.

Warlock on the other hand is a master of infiltration and counter infiltration who can do a little bit of BC or debuffing if they choose.

They are very different classes, though I guess you could make a Warlock who functions similarly to a Soulbow — but there are so many other options. This might explain why there are so many Warlock handbooks, and none, AFAIK, for the Soulbow.

[Feralventas]

Wizard's of the Coast forums have one. (http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872658/The_Soulknife_Handbook)
A little google goes a long way.

[The Viscount]

As a DM I would ask the player whether they want the straightforward nature of soulbow or the options of warlock. That's what it seems to boil down to. I would also ask the player to examine the classes again, because they shouldn't seem so similar.

[Psyren]

I have a difficult time supporting anything that's dependent on Soulknife levels to function. If anything I'd be happy to augment the warlock to take Psion/Wilder powers to function as invocations in addition to Eldritch Blast so as to fit the Soulknife/Soulbow concept while mechanically being less inclined to be a class that's whole 20 levels of features is a single average weapon and a couple of tricks with it.

May I introduce you to the Pathfinder version (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/classes/soulknife)? In particular, the Gifted Blade (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/classes/soulknife/archetypes/dreamscarred-press/gifted-blade) archetype, Soulbolt (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/classes/soulknife/archetypes/dreamscarred-press/soulbolt) archetype (can be combined) and Soul Archer (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-prestige-classes/soul-archer).

[Soranar]

Warlock is just far more versatile than a soulbow

it also doesn't have awkward levels like a soulbow's progression before it can reach level 5

finally the warlock's attack cause status effects (eventually negative levels)

[silverwolfer]

In all reality Psyren, pathfinder is homebrew or 3rd party, so linking to pathfinder is not always the answer.


http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/classes/soulknife/blade-skills


damn taht is alot

[Urpriest]

I would be surprised. The player is not new to the game, otherwise they would think of the classes in terms of their distinct associations, themes, and fluff. They also aren't experienced, since then they would clearly see the differences in playstyles and capabilities. I would assume that they had just discovered D&D forums but had yet to really get into the mindset involved, and would try to gently guide them towards a deeper understanding of the game.

[nedz]

Wizard's of the Coast forums have one. (http://community.wizards.com/go/thread/view/75882/19872658/The_Soulknife_Handbook)
A little google goes a long way.

But that's a different class.

Ed: Soulbow does get a few mentions in some of the Archery Handbooks, but there's not all that much about them.

[GoodbyeSoberDay]

They both have at-will magical ranged attacks, but while mind arrows are the entire focus of the Soulbow, eldritch blast is one of many features. You can build a casty warlock that pretty much neglects eldritch blast entirely.

Unless you're talking about a Hellfire Glaivelock, the Soulbow will probably outperform the Warlock in combat. But for most other situations I'd take the Warlock.