Warlock feat suggestion

[dehro]

after having died a few times along the way (and having my brain scooped out and replaced with green goo), I've finally reached level 12 with my warlock halfling (who started out as a human, but that's druid magic for you...)
stats are as follows, already adjusted with +1 for 12th level:
STR 9
DEX 18
CON 20
INT 14
WIS 12
CAR 14

his feats so far are all from the fey tree (Fey heritage, fey power, fey skin and fey legacy)

and his Eldritch powers of choice are:
baleful utterance, hideous blow, see the unseen,
fell flight, walk unseen, brimstone blast,
chilling tentacles

he's the party scout on account of being invisible and flying (also, dimension dooring the hell outta dodge in case of danger).. other than that, he usually attacks from ranged position.

I'm considering which feat to take next.
I could complete the set and take Fey Presence, get the +1 damage reduction and the spells...
or I could combine the 12th level bonus feat (imbue item) with a create item feat (either wondrous item or create wand, as I'm using a few wands/sceptres already and have put a few points into the crafting skill, just in case).

so.. I like the idea of making my own gear, but crafting seems kinda expensive, all things considered...
which way to go? or is there a third, more useful option??

[hymer]

Crafting is actually a way to save money, the question is perhaps if you have the time. If I were to craft with a warlock without Chameleon levels, I'd take Wondrous Items, I should think. It's the broadest category.
Extra Invocation is nothing to sneeze at, but its usefulness is of course proportional to how much you feel the siren call for more invocations.
Quicken Spell-like Ability is another nice thing to have. It could go on your Flee the Scene, e.g., which you seem fond of (as well you should). It can only go on level 2 or lower spell-likes at level 12.

Edit: There's a handbook here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?252715-The-New-Warlock-Handbook-3-5-WIP) on the site if you're interested.

2nd edit: Flyby Attack can be really useful.

[Socratov]

doesn't lvl 12 open you up to Quicken SLA? Because that one is golden. 2 EB's or EB+Chilling tentacles of forced intrusion. it works magic. then after lvl 12 you delve 2 levels into Chameleon, to get Hellfire Warlock and return to warlock. Then with the floating feat you can make/recharge anything or pick an extra invocation. Which is awesome.

[dehro]

I have browsed the handbook a few times.. and used it in a few instances... if I remember well, it tends to favour the more "in yer face" approach and expands on how to optimize through multiclasses and such.. which is something I'm not doing.
quickened SLA... means 3 times a day an extra eldritch blast in one round, right?.. .I'm not so sure it's worth taking, compared to the versatility of crafting or having 3 extra spells.

[NoACWarrior]

What Socratov is suggesting is a great idea - quicken SLA would help in some cases where you need the two EBTs or a dispel for counter and a nuke on the side.
And the chameleon idea is a great one for that floating feat - choosing any invocation with the feat is very handy at times.

If you want to continue down the wands I suggest something different (this path is vastly different and a lot weaker than socratov's suggested path)
Do a character rebuild - grab wand mastery and double wand wielder (know full well that you have to take TWF and wands max out at 4th level spells) and get a few of the 1-4 utility spells in wand form.

With double wand wielder you can mix and match as you see fit (either double or mixing), sometimes buffing (with different buff spells), sometimes nuking, sometimes shutting things down, and sometimes giving more chances.

Ignore the numbers on the right of the wands - they are specialized prices with a special ruling to make them cost a lot less.

These are the wands I picked up for my Warlock
Wand of Lesser Vigor (Lvl1 CL1) x2 750+2
Wand of Resurgence (Lvl1 CL1) x2 750+2
Wand of Lesser Restoration (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) 375+1
Wand of Moment of Clarity (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) 375+1
Wand of Warning Shout (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) 375+1
Wand of Resist Energy (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) x2 750+2
Wand of Snake Swiftness Mass (Lvl2 CL3) x2 4500+81
Wand of Ray of Stupidity (Lvl2 CL3) 33 charges x2 2970+48.6
Wand of Heroism (Lvl2 CL4 Bard) 3000+86.4
Wand of Scorching Ray (Lvl2 CL9) 14 charges x2 3780+583.2
Wand of Scintillating Sphere (Lvl3 CL5) 5625+270
Wand of Fireball (Lvl3 CL5) 5625+270
Wand of Prismatic Mist (Lvl3 CL5) 25 charges 2812.5+135
Wand of Haste (Lvl3 CL5) 38 charges 4275+202.5
Wand of Resist Energy Mass (Lvl3 CL5) 21 charges 2362.5+112.5
Wand of Resurgence Mass (Lvl3 CL5 Arc) 21 charges 2362.5+112.5
Wand of Fireball (Lvl3 CL8) 19 charges 3420+403.2
Wand of Scintillating Sphere (Lvl3 CL8) 19 charges 3420+403.2
Wand of Break Enchantment (Lvl4 CL7 Arc) 9 charges 1890+176.4
Wand of Orb of Fire (Lvl4 CL13) 8 charges x2 6240+2129.4

Additional wands to look at:
Wand of Glitterdust (Lvl2 CL3) 2250+40.5
Wand of Phantasmal Assailants (Lvl2 CL3) x2 2250+40.5x2
Wand of Great Thunderclap (Lvl3 CL5) 25 charges 2812.5+135
Wand of Glibness (Lvl3 CL7) 10 charges 1575+176.4
Wand of Wrack (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Phantasmal Killer (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Orb of Force (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Greater Rebuke (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Resilient Sphere (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5

Wand of Magic Missile (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Acid, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Fire, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Electricity, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Sound, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Cold, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90

[dehro]

I like it, but rebuilds are frowned upon by the DM.
I'll look further into the quicken thing...

[hymer]

I just took a closer look at Quicken, and it is a little more restrictive than I remembered it. You could only quicken spell-likes that function as level 2 or lower (half your caster level and then -4). Depending on your errata in the game, it would even rule out a lowly EB without any essences or shapes.

[NoACWarrior]

And lastly - you can pickup shape soulmeld, but it will be a flavor choice. At best soulmelds are on par with your weaker invocations, at worst, your invocations put soulmelds to shame.

If you go the chameleon route - you can even pickup a soulmeld for a particular occasion - if you feel the need to never be flanked, want to reduce your con or ability damage, or want to walk on water (though you probably have the fly invocation so unless you want to be Jesus, I wouldn't take the sandals).

[NoACWarrior]

I just took a closer look at Quicken, and it is a little more restrictive than I remembered it. You could only quicken spell-likes that function as level 2 or lower (half your caster level and then -4). Depending on your errata in the game, it would even rule out a lowly EB without any essences or shapes.

I thought EB was always Lvl1 unless modified by a blast essence or shape? It's damage scales off of your class level, not caster level, as well.

[hymer]

Complete Arcane p. 7:
"An eldritch blast is the equivalent of a spell whose level is equal to one-half the warlock’s class level (round down), with a minimum spell level of 1st and a maximum of 9th when a warlock reaches 18th level or higher."

Probably to get through things like Globe of Invulnerability.

[JeminiZero]

How about Extra Invocation Lesser? You could grab fell flight with the feat (since you always need it) and swap fell flight in normal invocation slot for something else.

[hymer]

How about Extra Invocation Lesser? You could grab fell flight with the feat (since you always need it) and swap fell flight in normal invocation slot for something else.

Why not just take that something else as the feat? Replacing invocations is something you do on levels when you get a new one.

CArc p. 7: "At any level when a warlock learns a new invocation, he can also replace an invocation he already knows with another invocation of the same or a lower grade."

You don't get any new invocations on level 12 (unless by the feat, of course).

[Socratov]

I have browsed the handbook a few times.. and used it in a few instances... if I remember well, it tends to favour the more "in yer face" approach and expands on how to optimize through multiclasses and such.. which is something I'm not doing.
quickened SLA... means 3 times a day an extra eldritch blast in one round, right?.. .I'm not so sure it's worth taking, compared to the versatility of crafting or having 3 extra spells.
Well, let someone else explain what I mean:

What Socratov is suggesting is a great idea - quicken SLA would help in some cases where you need the two EBTs or a dispel for counter and a nuke on the side.
And the chameleon idea is a great one for that floating feat - choosing any invocation with the feat is very handy at times.

If you want to continue down the wands I suggest something different (this path is vastly different and a lot weaker than socratov's suggested path)
Do a character rebuild - grab wand mastery and double wand wielder (know full well that you have to take TWF and wands max out at 4th level spells) and get a few of the 1-4 utility spells in wand form.

With double wand wielder you can mix and match as you see fit (either double or mixing), sometimes buffing (with different buff spells), sometimes nuking, sometimes shutting things down, and sometimes giving more chances.

Ignore the numbers on the right of the wands - they are specialized prices with a special ruling to make them cost a lot less.

These are the wands I picked up for my Warlock
Wand of Lesser Vigor (Lvl1 CL1) x2 750+2
Wand of Resurgence (Lvl1 CL1) x2 750+2
Wand of Lesser Restoration (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) 375+1
Wand of Moment of Clarity (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) 375+1
Wand of Warning Shout (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) 375+1
Wand of Resist Energy (Lvl1 CL1 Arc) x2 750+2
Wand of Snake Swiftness Mass (Lvl2 CL3) x2 4500+81
Wand of Ray of Stupidity (Lvl2 CL3) 33 charges x2 2970+48.6
Wand of Heroism (Lvl2 CL4 Bard) 3000+86.4
Wand of Scorching Ray (Lvl2 CL9) 14 charges x2 3780+583.2
Wand of Scintillating Sphere (Lvl3 CL5) 5625+270
Wand of Fireball (Lvl3 CL5) 5625+270
Wand of Prismatic Mist (Lvl3 CL5) 25 charges 2812.5+135
Wand of Haste (Lvl3 CL5) 38 charges 4275+202.5
Wand of Resist Energy Mass (Lvl3 CL5) 21 charges 2362.5+112.5
Wand of Resurgence Mass (Lvl3 CL5 Arc) 21 charges 2362.5+112.5
Wand of Fireball (Lvl3 CL8) 19 charges 3420+403.2
Wand of Scintillating Sphere (Lvl3 CL8) 19 charges 3420+403.2
Wand of Break Enchantment (Lvl4 CL7 Arc) 9 charges 1890+176.4
Wand of Orb of Fire (Lvl4 CL13) 8 charges x2 6240+2129.4

Additional wands to look at:
Wand of Glitterdust (Lvl2 CL3) 2250+40.5
Wand of Phantasmal Assailants (Lvl2 CL3) x2 2250+40.5x2
Wand of Great Thunderclap (Lvl3 CL5) 25 charges 2812.5+135
Wand of Glibness (Lvl3 CL7) 10 charges 1575+176.4
Wand of Wrack (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Phantasmal Killer (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Orb of Force (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Greater Rebuke (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5
Wand of Resilient Sphere (Lvl4 CL7) 10 charges 2100+220.5

Wand of Magic Missile (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Acid, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Fire, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Electricity, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Sound, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90
Wand of Orb of Cold, Lesser (Lvl1 CL5) 25 charges x2 1875+90

This. So much this. Level 12 is either the world for a warlock, or just another classfeature you don't really use. If you want to use it, use it with Chameleon. 2 levels is all you need. The second level of Hellfire Warlock gives you a way to supercharge your items and such. Very strong. Very useful.

I like it, but rebuilds are frowned upon by the DM.
I'll look further into the quicken thing...
please do. It's not like Warlocks are breaking games out of the box or even with those classes attached...

Complete Arcane p. 7:
"An eldritch blast is the equivalent of a spell whose level is equal to one-half the warlock’s class level (round down), with a minimum spell level of 1st and a maximum of 9th when a warlock reaches 18th level or higher."

Probably to get through things like Globe of Invulnerability.

The Complete Arcane Errata reduces Eldritch Blast to the equivalent of a 1st level spell to specifically enable the use of MetaSLA feats, with the highest Essence or shape (if applicable) able to raise that level.

[hymer]

@ Socratov: I know. That's why I wrote this higher up:


Depending on your errata in the game, it would even rule out a lowly EB without any essences or shapes.

But good on you for pointing out the exact errata.

[NoACWarrior]

I think that people are used to using quicken in postman/mailman builds, but they simply don't know how powerful it is out of said builds. Anything which can take action economy by the nose and let you do something else as well is a winner in my book, and how you use the extra actions is important as well. A well timed quickened Dispel can mean that the flying enemy blackguard suddenly falls down 20 ft, and then you could make chilling tentacles where he falls to hinder him and stop his charge on his turn. You don't always go for double EB - in fact that's usually a horrible waste unless you know that doing so will end the encounter.

[Socratov]

@ Socratov: I know. That's why I wrote this higher up:



But good on you for pointing out the exact errata.

Well, it only stands to reason that if you use the material itself, you should use the errata published specifically for that material...

By the way, if you are in need of errata: here is where you can find it (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/er/20040125a)

[hymer]

Well, it only stands to reason that if you use the material itself, you should use the errata published specifically for that material...

It may stand to reason, but I have yet to play with a DM who used errata unless it was brought up by someone else. And as pointed out, having EB count as a first level spell isn't all good.

[Socratov]

It may stand to reason, but I have yet to play with a DM who used errata unless it was brought up by someone else. And as pointed out, having EB count as a first level spell isn't all good.

Well, that's where essences and the like are for, specifically Vitriolic blast which is SR: nope, will save: yep and makes the EB an equivalent of a 6th level spell. There, problem solved. (and if the target it not only invulnerable to SR: yes spells but to acid as well, then you get gloves of eldritch Admixture to change the damage type to something not acid). And if that doesn't help you take the Complete Arcane Book and swing it at your DM (sometimes people don't want you to have fun, an ailment to which the medicine is administered using book to the head in a brisk and sudden manner).

[dehro]

Well, that's where essences and the like are for, specifically Vitriolic blast which is SR: nope, will save: yep and makes the EB an equivalent of a 6th level spell. There, problem solved. (and if the target it not only invulnerable to SR: yes spells but to acid as well, then you get gloves of eldritch Admixture to change the damage type to something not acid). And if that doesn't help you take the Complete Arcane Book and swing it at your DM (sometimes people don't want you to have fun, an ailment to which the medicine is administered using book to the head in a brisk and sudden manner).

As much as I like the idea, it's a tablet, not a book... That would quickly become a case of cutting your nose of to spite the wife.

[Socratov]

As much as I like the idea, it's a tablet, not a book... That would quickly become a case of cutting your nose of to spite the wife.

Well, in that case I can't really help you...