Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Content Slated for Release or Approaching Release

Moderators: Moderator, Quality Control, Developer, DM

User avatar
Rhifox
Retired Admin (Acting Assistant Admin)
Posts: 3711
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:34 am

Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Rhifox »

In a coming patch, the Warlock character class is going to be revamped to reduce certain problematic abilities (Kaedrin blasts) while also increasing the diversity of options to try and fix what is commonly considered a 'one-trick pony' class. In addition, the goal is to make investing in the Warlock's primary stat, Charisma, more enticing.

Please note that this is a major project and, thus, may be subject to further tuning before and after it launches.
Patch Notes for Warlock Revamp

* Kaedrin blasts (Repelling, Tempest, Undead Bane) removed. These blasts have instead been turned into proper eldritch essences (Repelling, Tempest) or modes (Bane). Repelling and Tempest now have custom vfx effects. (Tempest Blast, Repelling Blast)

* Brimstone Blast, Hellrime Blast, and Tempest Blast are merged into a new eldritch essence: Elemental Blast. This blast allows you to choose which essence you wish to use. All of these blasts work with any eldritch blast shape. Brimstone deals fire damage with chance to inflict a DoT, Hellrime deals cold damage with chance to inflict a penalty to Dexterity, and Tempest deals electrical damage with a chance to daze.

* Hindering Blast and Repelling Blast are merged into a new blast: Forbidding Blast. This blast allows you to choose which essence you wish to use. All of these blasts work with any eldritch blast shape. Repelling Blast now knocks the target back by 5d6 feet if it fails a saving throw along with its original effect of knocking the target down. Hindering Blast now slows for 6 rounds instead of 1.

* Bewitching Blast and Noxious Blast are merged into a new blast: Cursing Blast. This blast allows you to choose which essence you wish to use. All of these blasts work with any eldritch blast shape. In addition, Bewitching Blast confusion now lasts 2 rounds, while Noxious Blast daze now lasts 4 rounds.

* Binding Blast now deals an additional 2d6 magical damage.

* Eldritch Cone no longer hits allies, and now gains 50% extra range if you have Eldritch Master.

* Eldritch Doom now bypasses Evasion, and gains 50% extra radius if you have Eldritch Master.

* Warlocks may now select the Ability Focus (Blasts) feat, which raises blast DCs by 2.

* Warlocks may now select Extra Invocation feats. You may only select Extra Invocation feats for invocations up to one level below your maximum. This means you may select bonus Least invocations at level 6, Lesser invocations at level 11, and Greater invocations at level 16. Dark invocations can never be selected as Extra Invocations. Eldritch blast shapes and eldritch blast essences cannot be chosen with extra invocations.

* Flee the Scene's range of effect is now identical to Haste.

* Dark Premonition is now breachable, like Premonition. Its vfx has also been updated.

* Retributive Invisibility can now have its concealment removed by Invisibility Purge, like Greater Invisibility.

* Tenacious Plague now gains a bonus to AB equal to the Warlock's Charisma modifier. In addition, as long as one swarm hits its target, the target must make a Fortitude saving throw against poison or be dazed for one round. This save can only happen once per round, regardless of how many swarms hit the target. Tenacious Plague also lasts 6 rounds, and no longer hits allies.

* Utterdark Blast negative levels can now stack.

* Lure Shadow Demons invocation now always summons 3 shadow demons, and no longer has a 20 round cap.

* Ill Omen is now ESL 7 instead of 4. In addition to the -2 AC, Ill Omen now also applies the effects of Greater Evil Eye (-6 AB, -4 Saves, -8 to all skills).

* Dreadful Word is now ESL 7 instead of 4. In addition to its normal effects, it now has a 10% chance to outright kill any target that fails their saving throw. Furthermore, the spell now deals 3d6 points of damage even if the target succeeds at their saving throw. In addition, Dreadful Word now correctly displays its actual radius.

* Charm now lasts one round per level.

* Darkness now works like pnp Darkness: it is no longer targeted on the ground but instead radiates from and travels with an object or creature. It provides 20% concealment and lasts one minute per level (maximum 5 minutes). Darkness cannot be removed by Gust of Wind.

* Darkness's original role is now taken up by Fog Cloud, available to Druids/Shamans, Wizards/Sorcerers, and Warlocks (as Breath of the Night, a least invocation). Fog Cloud is a placed AOE zone that provides 20% concealment against melee attackers and 50% concealment against ranged attacks for both people shooting into the cloud and people shooting out of the cloud. Fog Cloud lasts one minute per level (maximum 5 minutes), and can be removed with Gust of Wind.

* Hellspawned Grace improved, and new Lesser polymorph invocation Spider-Shape added. Both invocations now use the vermin shape script and stats, both get fiendish attributes (like fiendish summons), with warlock Spider-Shape being -3 to all attributes per HD range compared to cleric/cavestalker spidershape. This means that at maximum stats (>22 HD), Spider-Shape gets 25 Str, 25 Con, 25 Dex, DR 3/+1, and +1 Fire damage, while Hellhound at maximum stats (>22 HD) gets 28 Str, 25 Con, 25 Dex, DR 3/+1, +1 Fire damage, Dodge, Darkvision, Improved Initiative, and Blindfight. Spellcasting is not permitted in either forms (aside from Hideous Blow and any earlier buffs, ofc). 100% spell failure has been added to spider domain, warlock spider, and warlock hellhound shapes.

* Primal Speed is now a Least invocation.

* All invocations now have their own descriptions, rather than some piggybacking off of other class's descriptions. Several have updated vfx as well.

* All invocations (with the exception of Dreadful Word) are now consistently Somatic-only spells, and no longer have voice lines. Most already were Somatic, but a few leftovers had Verbal. Spell-like abilities in pnp have no somatic or verbal components, other than Warlock spell-like abilities, which use Somatic ones. Dreadful Word still has a verbal component because it is explicitly a spell that involves speaking.

* Frightful Blast no longer has an HD limitation.

* Caustic Web is now ESL 6.

* Misty Vision is now a Greater invocation.

* Starting at level 2, the Warlock can cast the spell detect magic at will.

* Dark One's Own Luck no longer provides a Cha bonus to all three saving throws. The Warlock must now choose which saving throw they wish to increase when they cast the invocation.

* At first level, the Warlock can now choose their pact from a number of options: Devil, Demon, Fey, Slaad, Celestial, or Other. Depending on what pact the character chooses, they may get a bonus language. Devil pact provides Infernal, Demon pact provides Abyssal, Fey pact provides Sylvan, and Celestial pact provides Celestial.

* At first level, the Warlock receives a class lore feat. This feat has no mechanical effects, but provides a longer description of warlock lore than the main class description.

* Hindering Blast and Binding Blast now have sound effects.

* Eldritch Blast hit vfx now work when firing a standard eldritch blast.

* Firestride Exhalation can now be aimed like other cone spells.

* Dread Seizure now lasts a number of rounds equal to the warlock's caster level.

* Beshadowed Blast blind/flatfooted now lasts 3 rounds.

* Several new invocations have been added, detailed below.

Dark
- Eyes of the Oracle: The Warlock can cast the spell eyes of the oracle. This invocation was made years ago, but its 2da was set improperly so it didn't work before.

Greater
- Penetrating Blasts: Penetrating Blasts grants the warlock a +4 bonus to caster level checks to overcome spell resistance, and all eldritch blast attacks made while Penetrating Blasts is active have a chance of lowering the target's SR by 5 if they fail a Will saving throw. Penetrating Blasts lasts 24 hours.

- Enervating Shadow: The Warlock radiates a cloud that grants 50% concealment at night, underground, or while the Warlock is standing in a cloud of Darkness (their own or someone else's). Any creature that enters the cloud must make a Fortitude saving throw or take a -5 penalty to Strength for 5 rounds. Enervating Shadow has a 5 round duration.

Lesser
- Baneful Blasts: Undead Bane Blast has been replaced with Baneful Blasts. Baneful Blasts grants the warlock an additional 2d6 damage against a chosen type of foe. When the invocation is used, the warlock selects a racial type (using the ranger's FE list) as their bane. Baneful Blasts lasts 24 hours. The chosen Bane cannot be changed until the character rests.

- Crawling Eye: The Warlock may cast scrying. When Crawling Eye is cast, the Warlock removes one of their eyes, which grows limbs and can travel at high speeds. Because they have lost one of their eyes, the Warlock takes a 1 point penalty to their Constitution for the duration of the spell, as they must take time to grow a new eye.

- Witchwood Step: The Warlock is immune to web, paralysis, slows, and any other movement-affecting ability, as by the spell freedom of movement.

- Warlock's Call: The Warlock may mentally communicate with others, as by the spell sending.

- Spider-Shape: The Warlock can polymorph into a spider, as if by the spell spidershape. Warlock spider forms are fiendish.

Least
- Heartfire: Quill Barrage has been replaced with Heartfire, and it is now only available to Feytouched, who gain it at Feytouched 4 (sorcerer Feytouched characters gain Extra Spell Heartfire instead). As the druid and bard spell, creatures affected by Heartfire do not benefit from the concealment normally provided by darkness, displacement, invisibility, or similar effects. They also take 1d4 points of fire damage if they fail a Fortitude saving throw, or half on a successful check.

- Miasmic Cloud: The Warlock radiates a cloud of mist that grants the warlock 30% concealment against melee attacks. Any creature that enters the cloud must make a Fortitude saving throw or take a -2 penalty to Strength and a -2 penalty to Dexterity until they leave the cloud. Miasmic Cloud lasts one minute per level (maximum 5 minutes) and can be removed by Gust of Wind.

- Soulreaving Aura: The Warlock harvests spiritual energy from every foe they slay with their eldritch blast, gaining a number of temporary hit points equal to the hit dice of the slain target (up to a maximum of 10) for a number of rounds equal to the target's hit dice (again a maximum of 10). Soulreaving Aura lasts for 24 hours.

- Call of the Beast: The Warlock can speak with beasts and animals, as if by the spell Speak with Animals. Call of the Beast lasts for 24 hours.

- Swimming the Styx: The Warlock grows gills and webbing between their digits, allowing them to breathe underwater. Swimming the Styx lasts for 24 hours.

- Breath of the Night: The Warlock can cast the spell fog cloud.
Non-Warlock Changes

* Death Knell is now a 10 minute/level buff. Whenever you kill a target while Death Knell is active, you gain 1d8 temporary hit points, +2 Strength, and +1 caster level for a number of rounds equal to the hit dice of the slain target (to a maximum of 5 rounds, or 10 extended).

* Darkness now works like pnp Darkness: it is no longer targeted on the ground but instead radiates from and travels with an object or creature. It provides 20% concealment and lasts one minute per level (maximum 5 minutes). Darkness cannot be removed by Gust of Wind.

* Darkness's original role is now taken up by Fog Cloud, available to Druids/Shamans, Wizards/Sorcerers, and Warlocks (as Breath of the Night, a least invocation). Fog Cloud is a placed AOE zone that provides 20% concealment against melee attackers and 50% concealment against ranged attacks for both people shooting into the cloud and people shooting out of the cloud. Fog Cloud lasts one minute per level (maximum 5 minutes), and can be removed with Gust of Wind.

* Water domain 3rd level spell Darkness is replaced by Fog Cloud.

* Obscuring Mist is now available for 1st level clerics/favored souls, druids/shamans, and wizards/sorcerers. Obscuring Mist places a cloud at your feet that provides 20% concealment against melee attackers and 50% concealment against ranged attacks for both people shooting into the cloud and people shooting out of the cloud. Once dropped, the cloud does not move. Obscuring Mist can be removed with Gust of Wind.

* Swarm spells now always summon their maximum amount, unless that spell has a one round cast time or has other effects. This means that Conjure Animals and Lure Shadow Demons will always give their full amount, but Whirlpool will not. Swarm spells also no longer have a 20 round cap.

* Primal Speed is now a level 2 spell for Druids/Shamans and Wizards/Sorcerers and a level 1 spell for Rangers.

* Firestride Exhalation can now be aimed like other cone spells.

* Water Breathing now has a buff frame vfx.
Tarina — Witch, Apothecary, Dealer in Spirits and Black Magic
User avatar
Rhifox
Retired Admin (Acting Assistant Admin)
Posts: 3711
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:34 am

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Rhifox »

Forgot to mention. 100% RCRs will of course be offered for warlock characters, due to the high number of changes.
Tarina — Witch, Apothecary, Dealer in Spirits and Black Magic
User avatar
Kitunenotsume
Posts: 627
Joined: Sun May 17, 2020 10:57 pm
Location: UTC -7

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Kitunenotsume »

Of relevant concern, as I am unaware if any change has previously been made to address it:
Do Warlocks still have 1/2 CL for the purposes of overcoming Spell Resistance, as default for the NWN2 base game?
I play a baker. Sometimes she provides counseling or treatment.
Ask about our Breadflower daily special to save five coppers off a purchase of five pastries.
She seems unusually interested in cursed items.
She has also been seeking a variety of gems and stones.
User avatar
Rhifox
Retired Admin (Acting Assistant Admin)
Posts: 3711
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:34 am

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Rhifox »

Kitunenotsume wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 5:29 am Of relevant concern, as I am unaware if any change has previously been made to address it:
Do Warlocks still have 1/2 CL for the purposes of overcoming Spell Resistance, as default for the NWN2 base game?
Not as far as I'm aware?
Tarina — Witch, Apothecary, Dealer in Spirits and Black Magic
User avatar
wangxiuming
Posts: 702
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 1:13 am

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by wangxiuming »

Kitunenotsume wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 5:29 am Of relevant concern, as I am unaware if any change has previously been made to address it:
Do Warlocks still have 1/2 CL for the purposes of overcoming Spell Resistance, as default for the NWN2 base game?
This was fixed a long time ago iirc!

Also these changes sound really neat! I might really have to come back on osric now … :think:
User avatar
Rhifox
Retired Admin (Acting Assistant Admin)
Posts: 3711
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:34 am

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Rhifox »

wangxiuming wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 6:12 amAlso these changes sound really neat! I might really have to come back on osric now … :think:
I command it.

We've also got the portrait system coming in within the next week or two (we're just ironing out some last implementation issues).
Tarina — Witch, Apothecary, Dealer in Spirits and Black Magic
User avatar
Theodore01
Recognized Donor
Posts: 2927
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:32 pm

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Theodore01 »

What is Misty Vision ?
User avatar
Rhifox
Retired Admin (Acting Assistant Admin)
Posts: 3711
Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2016 2:34 am

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Rhifox »

Theodore01 wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 6:34 am What is Misty Vision ?
Renamed Programmed Image. Supposedly it's already available in-game as a Dark invocation? But may not have been set right and hasn't been appearing in-game before.
Tarina — Witch, Apothecary, Dealer in Spirits and Black Magic
User avatar
Theodore01
Recognized Donor
Posts: 2927
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:32 pm

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Theodore01 »

Please change Firestride Exhalation also - so it can no longer hit allies and can be targeted on the ground. (currently, you have to aim at one enemy, which results in almost every time hitting your allies too)
User avatar
Wyatt
Forum Moderator
Posts: 659
Joined: Sun May 22, 2016 7:44 am
Location: Tombstone

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Wyatt »

This is an odd one. Has it ever been considered to remove the huge glowing graphic of hideous blow? Or have an option to toggle it? It'd be nice to play a subtle warlock but the huge glowing hands is kind of a dead giveaway.
*Yellow text means the marshall is in town*

Characters:
The Copper Fox - Scoundrel and Sailor, in that order.
Ol' Ran'll Cobb
Kellan Armstrong - Deacon of Lathander
User avatar
Steve
Recognized Donor
Posts: 7894
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:42 am
Location: Paradise in GMT +1

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Steve »

Wyatt wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:12 am This is an odd one. Has it ever been considered to remove the huge glowing graphic of hideous blow? Or have an option to toggle it? It'd be nice to play a subtle warlock but the huge glowing hands is kind of a dead giveaway.
The VFX is disabled through the ">hideousglow off" command.

ARTHAYER ZORASTRYL — A Magistrati & Magefriend [Bio] * [The Wanderings of...]
PANLOS PAWFOOT — The Essential Nature of...
ERMMAR STONESORROW — Cavestalker of the Darkshard Deviants. Herb Trader.
User avatar
whatsittoya
Posts: 205
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2018 7:38 pm

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by whatsittoya »

Steve wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:45 am
Wyatt wrote: Thu Feb 17, 2022 9:12 am This is an odd one. Has it ever been considered to remove the huge glowing graphic of hideous blow? Or have an option to toggle it? It'd be nice to play a subtle warlock but the huge glowing hands is kind of a dead giveaway.
The VFX is disabled through the ">hideousglow off" command.
Excellent
Gemma, Dawnbringer
Sigrid, Bear Warrior
Kamila, Circus Performer
Grimhilda, Sea Witch
Geir, Man-Hunter
Astrid, SorcerICE
User avatar
Steve
Recognized Donor
Posts: 7894
Joined: Wed Jul 08, 2015 5:42 am
Location: Paradise in GMT +1

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Steve »

Rhifox wrote: Wed Feb 16, 2022 9:07 pm In a coming patch, the Warlock character class is going to be revamped to reduce...

* Dark One's Own Luck no longer provides a Cha bonus to all three saving throws. The Warlock must now choose which saving throw they wish to increase when they cast the invocation.
NERF!!! :doh: :think:

So many years of power...then, SNAP!, said power go poof!

This was, imho, the second best reason for playing a CHA high Warlock.

On another note: how long will the 100% RCR offer be on the table?

ARTHAYER ZORASTRYL — A Magistrati & Magefriend [Bio] * [The Wanderings of...]
PANLOS PAWFOOT — The Essential Nature of...
ERMMAR STONESORROW — Cavestalker of the Darkshard Deviants. Herb Trader.
User avatar
Theodore01
Recognized Donor
Posts: 2927
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2011 5:32 pm

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by Theodore01 »

What about melee warlocks? - All I see is a big nerf (Dark Premonition, Retributive Invisibility, Dark One's Own Luck) for that type of warlocks without anything that could help them more.
Not even to speak of what that does to a warlock who used word of changing.
mastajabba
Posts: 249
Joined: Wed Aug 12, 2020 1:39 pm

Re: Coming Soon: Warlock Revamp

Unread post by mastajabba »

Nerf Commoner class!

All jokes aside cool work into the class.
Warden Nigel Blaquehawke - Recon Scout/Ranger of Mielikki- Order of the Radiant Heart

Squire Gideon - Righteous Wrath of the True and Just god Torm- Order of Radiant Heart
Post Reply

Return to “Coming Soon”