GlaiveLock

[chad878262]

http://nwn2db.com/build/?282271

Made this while playing around with different idea's around building a melee focused warlock that doesn't focus on HiPS/DSM (a Glaivelock). In the past conventional wisdom was you couldn't really make a Glaivelock on this server, but I *think* the linked build checks all the boxes. It's not going to be as powerful as a CONlock or a well built DSM. Fort and Reflex Saves are a little low, as is the Attack Bonus, but AC and Damage is solid, Attack Bonus can get some help from potions/scrolls/wands when needed and Expose Weakness will help to make the ~40 AB suffice. Meanwhile UMD/items can be used to help improve saves, but with 30 spellcraft saves should be serviceable, at least.

Anyway, enjoy...feedback welcome. I won't likely ever get around to playing such a build, but as I said, in theory it should work well for BGtSCC.

[Nemni]

I think it's pretty interesting and could be fun to play. But with just CL 22 (26 with spell penetration feats) you would risk being resisted, so you still need vitrolic blast. Worse you would just get 2 dark invocations at base CL 18. And you miss out on too many epic levels where warlock damage increases at a faster rate. Wouldn't it be better to drop WoD?

Also I think Eldritch master should be considered bugged since it doesn't give +2 to AB for hideous blow, which would have helped a build like this.

[chad878262]

Warrior of Darkness is there to get to 26 BAB, which while under effects of Flee the Scene gives 5 APR when using Northlander Hewing. Adding more Warlock levels would bring it down to 25 BAB and you would only get 4 APR with NH. Thinking of standard Daggerspell Mages, R3/SD3/Lock15/DSM9 is CL27, Invocation level 23. 5 more than this one, but in general won't have Spell Penetration/Greater Spell Penetration.

Good point about only having 2 Dark Invocations, but again, you have to pick which way you want to go. If losing the extra attack per round isn't a big deal (and arguably it's not) then you could go Lock 16/DS10/R4 for BAB 25, Blast level 22, Invocation Level 26. Would also lose Toughness, Steadfast and Blindfight, but again, if you want to be more Warlock you have to give up other benefits.

Also realize on the surface in PvE Spell Resistance is not as prevalent as it is in the Underdark.

[Steve]

My preference for a GlaiveLock type is Warlock 15 / Dragonslayer 10 / Frenzied Bezerker 5, with CL 25 but Epic Spell Penetration for 31. AC /AB is just enough, but damage is stupid good.

[Nemni]

Also realize on the surface in PvE Spell Resistance is not as prevalent as it is in the Underdark.

All the giants, all bosses I think, plenty of undead and yuanti. Enough to be quite annoying

Personally I would rather have another invocation than an extra attack. But it's kinda painful choices...

[Theodore01]

My preference for a GlaiveLock type is Warlock 15 / Dragonslayer 10 / Frenzied Bezerker 5, with CL 25 but Epic Spell Penetration for 31. AC /AB is just enough, but damage is stupid good.

Why ? Can such a warlock afford to use PA/IPA most of the time ?

[Steve]

My preference for a GlaiveLock type is Warlock 15 / Dragonslayer 10 / Frenzied Bezerker 5, with CL 25 but Epic Spell Penetration for 31. AC /AB is just enough, but damage is stupid good.

Why ? Can such a warlock afford to use PA/IPA most of the time ?

With Enhanced Power Attack and a Potion of Greater Heroism, plus Dark Transient, it's 42 AB. If one was to use a Keen Scimitar, the Crits are just all over the place. For crit immune, you have 45 normal and 85 Eldritch dmg.

[Sun Wukong]

Warrior of Darkness is there to get to 26 BAB, which while under effects of Flee the Scene gives 5 APR when using Northlander Hewing. Adding more Warlock levels would bring it down to 25 BAB and you would only get 4 APR with NH.

Correct me if I am wrong, but 26 BAB gives you 6 attacks, and warlock haste gives +1 to a total of 7.

7 * (2/3) = 4.6666~ It used to be rounded down, so has there been a change to make it round it towards the nearest integer?



Anyhow, about this build itself.... Why not go for a Warlock 12/Dragon Slayer 10/Fighter 4/Warrior of Darkness 4? You will lose Expose Weakness, and spot as class skill. However, you can pick Dodge with fighter bonus feats and that in turn allows you to pick up Able Learner at level 3, which improves the ease of skill point investment and skill crossclassing in general. The second bonus feat could go for a Weapon Focus or perhaps Powe Attack, and the final bonus feat could be spent on Epic Prowess/Armor Skin, which in turn allows you to get a Great Strength feat for base 26 strength. Not to mention that you will have a faster attack progression.

AB:
27 (BAB)
+ 10 (Strength)
+ 2 (FtS/DT)
+ 1 (Weapon Focus)
+ 1 (Epic Prowess)
+ 4 (EB)
= 45 (43 with NH)

Damage:
6.5~
+ 15 (STR)
+ 4 (EB)
+ 1 (WoD)
= 26.5 + ~52.5 (Hideous Blow)

NH Damage:
12
+ 15 (STR)
+ 10 (NH)
+ 4 (EB)
+ 1 (WoD)
= 42 + ~52.5 (Hideous Blow)


Actually, I would drop Armor Skin in favour of Power Attack. (It would give +6 damage per hit.)



But yeah, I just want to avoid Expose Weakness cheese.

[aaron22]

Expose weakness is not cheese anymore. Good work development team. It's worth 2 epic feats, but no as much as it used to be.

Utter dark blast or dark prem is prolly your best option. With witch Your rolls will be too low to by pass mirrors etc on a mage type and would work on a wand user but so would a normal dispel wand or devour invo which is something you would use anyway. A full CL blaster would use witch with dark foresight and ret invis.