Question about warlocks

[Teaboar]

I would be interested in a melee based warlock build, but I'm worried about the spell resistance of higher lvl mobs. I was thinking about something like Warlock 16, Fighter 4, Dragonslayer 10, or some other combination of these three classes. Is this type of build viable on this server, or should I just scrap the idea? I don't mind if the build doesn't work in all zones, but I also don't want a build that is completely powerless either. I would appreciate any input.

[Wyatt]

This sort of build is quite viable. It does require a little bit of high end gear if you are planning on soloing epic bosses but the built in damage and defenses are stellar. It is easy to play from a mechanical standpoint. The RP for warlocks is Usually the more challenging part. Essentially you end up with permanent 15/silver DR, 50% concealment and a very good AC with a light shield +4 and either MFP or Mithral Chain Mail. You can even drop a few DS levels and opt in to evasion/expose weakness for a bit more cheese. ( power )

[Steve]

Just to add to what Wyatt explained, Vitrolic Blasts bypass SR, but are effected by Acid Resistance/Immunity. But what you have to take into consideration is the CL of your Build, because you may get dispelled far too often if your CL is below 25.

Though it's somewhat mitigated by the fact you do get infinite castings of Invocations.

[Teaboar]

This sort of build is quite viable. It does require a little bit of high end gear if you are planning on soloing epic bosses but the built in damage and defenses are stellar. It is easy to play from a mechanical standpoint. The RP for warlocks is Usually the more challenging part. Essentially you end up with permanent 15/silver DR, 50% concealment and a very good AC with a light shield +4 and either MFP or Mithral Chain Mail. You can even drop a few DS levels and opt in to evasion/expose weakness for a bit more cheese. ( power )

Where does the concealment come from? Also, what primary ability should a melee warlock focus on? Strength? Or is it Dexterity since you mentioned that it might be worth dropping a few DS levels?

Just to add to what Wyatt explained, Vitrolic Blasts bypass SR, but are effected by Acid Resistance/Immunity. But what you have to take into consideration is the CL of your Build, because you may get dispelled far too often if your CL is below 25.

Though it's somewhat mitigated by the fact you do get infinite castings of Invocations.

I was under the impression that Hideous Blow only triggers the Eldritch Blast invocation on hit. Have I misunderstood something? Or do melee warlocks usually combine fighting in melee and using offensive spells in combat?

[Steve]

I was under the impression that Hideous Blow only triggers the Eldritch Blast invocation on hit. Have I misunderstood something? Or do melee warlocks usually combine fighting in melee and using offensive spells in combat?

Your impression is correct. But Hideous Blow carries Eldritch Blast and you need to beat a foes SR for the blast to...explode. Virtolic Blast + Hideous Blow bypasses SR, so if you use that Invocation, you'll be fine.

[Wyatt]

This sort of build is quite viable. It does require a little bit of high end gear if you are planning on soloing epic bosses but the built in damage and defenses are stellar. It is easy to play from a mechanical standpoint. The RP for warlocks is Usually the more challenging part. Essentially you end up with permanent 15/silver DR, 50% concealment and a very good AC with a light shield +4 and either MFP or Mithral Chain Mail. You can even drop a few DS levels and opt in to evasion/expose weakness for a bit more cheese. ( power )

Where does the concealment come from? Also, what primary ability should a melee warlock focus on? Strength? Or is it Dexterity since you mentioned that it might be worth dropping a few DS levels?

Just to add to what Wyatt explained, Vitrolic Blasts bypass SR, but are effected by Acid Resistance/Immunity. But what you have to take into consideration is the CL of your Build, because you may get dispelled far too often if your CL is below 25.

Though it's somewhat mitigated by the fact you do get infinite castings of Invocations.

I was under the impression that Hideous Blow only triggers the Eldritch Blast invocation on hit. Have I misunderstood something? Or do melee warlocks usually combine fighting in melee and using offensive spells in combat?

If you are trying to build a dragonslayer warlock, I would build for strength. The dip into rogue or another class that gives evasion is only to get expose weakness for the armor reduction in epic levels. Strength + hideous blow will be your primary damage. As Steve said, you will want vitriolic blast on your hideous blow for everything that is not acid immune. The stacking dot + the fact that it bypasses SR makes the build very viable at higher levels. The Damage Reduction and Concealment come from two of the highest tier (dark) invocations. Retributive invisibility is essentially greater invisibility that you can cast at will thus the 50% concealment. Dark Premonition gives 15/alchemical silver damage reduction for 150 pts. Both can be cast at will. You will also want dark transient to double the duration and attack bonus of your Flee the Scene invocation. Other than that you have lots of options.

[Tuck]

Fighter12 and warlock 18 is an breeze to play