Author Topic: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...  (Read 5792 times)

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« on: February 28, 2012, 08:20:16 PM »
I know the Warlock is little more than a 4th Tier blaster with no viability, but damn it all if I don't love the damn thing. Anyway, I got a wild hair a while ago and wrote up a few new invocations as it was/is a widely held belief that the Warlocks bag of tricks is on the poorly stocked side. To whit, here is what I've come up with. Can I make them better? Are they utter crap? Do you have ideas of your own? Let me know after you take a gander at these:

(click to show/hide)

Thanks in advance for the feedback and such!
« Last Edit: October 01, 2012, 11:42:09 AM by xaotiq1 »
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline dman11235

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Disclaimer: not at full capacity yet
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2012, 09:08:44 PM »
On Forceful Blast, you ignore SR equal to 1/2 your CL, which you auto-overcome.  A CL check to overcome SR is 1d20+CL+misc., so any SR of 1/2 your CL will automatically be overcome.  At best, this clause is worthless, at worst it's confusing.  Remove it or retool it to apply to SR you can't auto-overcome.  Also, this is a Blast Essence, please say so.  Please include that on all essenses and shapes.  In fact, check out my Guide to Homebrewing for a template on invocations, it should help clean this up nicely.

Otherworldly Senses seems fairly weak to me, especially at higher levels.  Consider having it improve with CL?  Just the spot/listen, not the initiative.  Also, I think that one already might exist....

Unholy Reflexes should just be a dodge bonus to AC, lose the loss stipulations.

On Gaze of Doom, if it lasts for 24 hours (why not?  It's a round per CL originally, so you can just have it up constant anyways) please indicate so.

Summon Golem needs more information.  A lot more information.

I don't like Blood Brother.  Not sure what it needs, but I just really don't like it.
My Sig's Handy Haversack  Need help?  Want to see what I've done?  Want to see what others have done well?  Check it out.

Avatar d20

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2012, 10:49:21 PM »
Well, Otherworldly Senses was simply a Beguiling Influence or Leaps and bounds that affects different checks. Essentially it was meant to be helpful early on, but something that wouldn't be difficult to trade away. But, who can argue with a +6 bonus to initiative that stacks with Improved Initiative? Oh, All Seeing Eyes (CM, 123) also gives a bonus to spot, but not the other two. Really, this invocation was built for another invocation using class geared toward, dare I say it, scouting.

I did remove the SR thing on Forceful Blast. Changed up Unholy Reflexes and Gaze of Doom. I added a bit to Summon Golem, but I'm not sure as to what I'm missing. I pretty much lifted the text from the Summon Swarm invocation, and folks seem to understand that one. Let me know if I'm still missing anything.

I'll admit that Blood Brothers is a bit weird; but the original version was highly messy. Thanks for the feedback!
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline RobbyPants

  • Female rat ninja
  • Moderator
  • *****
  • Posts: 8323
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #3 on: February 29, 2012, 08:26:25 AM »
I like some of these, although I also feel the warlock suffers from having too few invocations in the first place.

Even still, a few of these would bolster the invocation list nicely. Summon Golem is nice, if for no other reason, than having unlimited summons outside of combat. This could be handy for any number of reasons.

Forceful Blast is nice, but it's such a niche ability that I don't think I'd ever take it. I'd save a blast invocation for Vitriolic Blast, because (in my experience) SR is far more common than incorporeal monsters.

I feel Unholy Reflexes is pretty weak for a Greater Invocation. Sure, +Cha to AC could be a pretty serious boost at that level, but you also don't really care about AC much at that point, and this takes an invocation.
My creations

Please direct moderation-related PMs to Forum Staff.

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #4 on: February 29, 2012, 09:56:45 AM »
Forceful Blast is nice, but it's such a niche ability that I don't think I'd ever take it. I'd save a blast invocation for Vitriolic Blast, because (in my experience) SR is far more common than incorporeal monsters.

I feel Unholy Reflexes is pretty weak for a Greater Invocation. Sure, +Cha to AC could be a pretty serious boost at that level, but you also don't really care about AC much at that point, and this takes an invocation.

I thought about allowing Forceful Blast to ignore SR all together, but that was panned on another site for making it too powerful.

For a similar reason is Unholy Reflexes a Greater invocation. The feedback I got indicated that with the insane amount one can boost an ability modifier, having it as a bonus to AC that stacks not only with other types of AC bonus, but also other Dodge bonuses would warrant a higher grade, but I'm perfectly happy with it as a lesser. As you can see, quite a few of these are meant for a more gishy Warlock. Especially Otherworldly Senses, Unholy Reflexes & Fast As Death.

Are there any thoughts specifically on how I could improve Blood Brothers?

Oh, this one isn't mine, it was written by "death_isthe_beginning" on the WotC boards, though i did add a bit of clarification at the end. I really dug this one and will try to use it if I ever get a DM who will let me actually play a Warlock:

Force Unseen (Greater 6th):You use the magic around you to manipulate your surroundings. You may use the either Sustained Force or Combat Maneuver versions of Telekinesisas per the spell. When using the Combat maneuver option, you use your caster level in place of your base attack bonus (for disarm and grapple) and you use Charisma modifier in place of your Strength or Dexterity modifier.
« Last Edit: July 25, 2012, 04:37:43 PM by xaotiq1 »
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline Bozwevial

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3052
  • Developing a relaxed attitude toward danger
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #5 on: February 29, 2012, 01:53:24 PM »
Re: Blood Brothers, is the warlock the only one who can trigger the pseudo-WRT? If you have two warlocks with this invocation, can they chain it back and forth?
Homebrew Compendiums: D&D 3.5 4e/PF
IRC: #mmxgeneral on Rizon

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #6 on: February 29, 2012, 02:08:50 PM »
Re: Blood Brothers, is the warlock the only one who can trigger the pseudo-WRT? If you have two warlocks with this invocation, can they chain it back and forth?

Ah, that's what I forgot to sew up. As it's written, the Warlock who invoked Blood Brothers initiates the pseudo-WRT. If one Warlock uses it with another Warlock, the clause about having only one blood brother comes into play. It would be the same as if a Warblade in a party with two Warolcks can't be blood brothers with both of them. I'm just not sure how to clearly word that.

Looking at it, though, I might change Swift Action to Immdeiate Action in regard to the activation of the pseudo-WRT. Hmm. 
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline dman11235

  • DnD Handbook Writer
  • ****
  • Posts: 2571
  • Disclaimer: not at full capacity yet
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #7 on: February 29, 2012, 06:59:50 PM »
The problem is that with this, especially after your clarification, you can have a Warlock be bloodbrother with another Warlock, and they can go back and forth taking a full round, then using the swift action to set the other to right after them, that person does a round, and then sets the first to right after them.  Repeat ad nauseum.
My Sig's Handy Haversack  Need help?  Want to see what I've done?  Want to see what others have done well?  Check it out.

Avatar d20

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #8 on: February 29, 2012, 11:07:20 PM »
The problem is that with this, especially after your clarification, you can have a Warlock be bloodbrother with another Warlock, and they can go back and forth taking a full round, then using the swift action to set the other to right after them, that person does a round, and then sets the first to right after them.  Repeat ad nauseum.

Well, the original version of this invocation allowed the blood brothers to use the higher Strength, Dexterity and Constitution mods. In addition, the participants could give up their turn to allow the other to act in their place; but this was thought to be too cumbersome and hard to understand. Would that be any better?
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2012, 05:28:08 PM »
Can anyone help me fix Blood Brothers? I can see how it's confusing. the way it worked orginally was that the caster & "brother" could use each other's physical stat mods instead of their own & either one could give up their turn for the other to take an additional turn that round. Not much better I know, but I'm not sure where to take it.

I was considering making it so each participant was granted temporary HP equal to the other's HP total at the time of casting. Maybe make the sacrifice of blood 5 non-lethal damage?  If anyone has idaes other than telling me to give up on the Warlock because it's weak, I'd appreciate it!
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline DonQuixote

  • Epic Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2946
  • What is sickness to the body of a knight errant?
    • View Profile
    • The Spellshaping Codices (Homebrew Board)
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2012, 05:34:41 PM »
You could restrict the actual usage of the initiative adjustment to once per encounter.
“Hast thou not felt in forest gloom, as gloaming falls on dark-some dells, when comes a whisper, hum and hiss; savage growling sounds a-near, dazzling flashes around thee flicker, whirring waxes and fills thine ears: has thou not felt then grisly horrors that grip thee and hold thee?”

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2012, 05:47:24 PM »
You could restrict the actual usage of the initiative adjustment to once per encounter.

I went ahead and made the change. Is the duration too short? I know that most Warlock buffs are 24 hours, but that doesn't seem to fit the flavor of this invocation. Also, should I switch the "sacrifice" of 5hp to non-lethal; or is it worth the 5hp?
« Last Edit: March 23, 2012, 08:06:12 PM by xaotiq1 »
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez

Offline xaotiq1

  • Sr. Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 292
  • I don't always play D&D. But when I do, it's 3.X!
    • View Profile
Re: For Your Consideration, A Few New Warlock Invocations...
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2012, 12:05:34 PM »
Severely sorry about the thread necromancy, but I thought I'd put this flash of inspiration up before it leaves.

Rolling In The Deep (4th,Lesser): This invocation is most useful to those dwelling near or who spend a great deal of time on the sea. The Warlock's legs become four 10' tentacles that grant 10' reach, a swim speed equal to their land speed +10' and the Improved Grapple feat. The Warlock can make 2 tentacle attacks as secondary natural attacks that deal 1d6 bludgeoning damage +1/2 their Strength modifier. The Warlock can also act underwater as if they were on land. While this invocation is in effect, they take 10 points of non lethal damage each round unless they are immersed in water. This invocation lasts 24 hours.

« Last Edit: October 01, 2012, 12:23:00 PM by xaotiq1 »
"Love doesn't share itself with the world. Love is suspicious, love is needy. Love is fearful, love is greedy. My friends, there is no great love without great jealousy!"  Bender Bending Rodriguez