Warlock (Dungeons & Dragons)
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| D&D character class | |
|---|---|
| Warlock | |
| Editions | Core: 4th Non-core: 3.5 |
| Role | Striker |
| Power source | Arcane |
| Alignment | Any chaotic or evil |
| First appearance | Complete Arcane |
| Mythological origins | Warlock |
The warlock is one of the character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. It was introduced as a non-core base class in the supplemental book Complete Arcane for the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons. In 4th edition, the warlock is a core class.
[edit] 3.5 edition
Unlike sorcerers and wizards, who approach arcane magic through their draconic lineage or a book of learned magic, a warlock invokes magic through their darkened soul. By harnessing their innate magical gift, warlocks can perform spell-like feats and abilities; since they are not users of true spells in the traditional sense, they can use their invocations while wearing light armor. Warlocks are often evil or chaotic in alignment.
Warlocks in Dungeons & Dragons receive their abilities through the influence of some unearthly being such as a Demon or Fey. They are either born with these powers or receive them through a fell pact, which turns their soul into a dark font of eldritch powers. Warlocks do not cast spells, but instead use spell-like abilities called "invocations", which represent the tapping of the power granted the warlock. The most important of these abilities is the "eldritch blast" which is the warlock's main offensive ability, firing a blast of magical energy at the target. The blast deals 1d6 damage at first level and improves by 1d6 at each odd-numbered level after first. The blast is a ranged touch attack requiring a standard action and is a spell-like ability. Warlocks also have other minor, non-invocation abilities as they progress in level: energy resistance, inhumanly tough skin, unnaturally fast healing, and the ability to force magical items to do their bidding, to name a few.
The major difference that Warlocks have from all other Dungeons & Dragons magic users is their ability to use their invocations "at will," without a limit on the number of times an invocation can be cast. In contrast, a wizard or sorcerer can cast a set number of spells every day from a wider selection of spells than a warlock. The Warlock has a caster level, not a spellcaster level, limiting prestige class choices. However, some newer releases such as Complete Mage have provided additional materials for Warlock characters to build upon.
Invocations come in four power levels: least, lesser, greater, and dark. There are three categories of invocations as well: blast shape invocations, which modify the range and area of effect of the eldritch blast, essence invocations, which grant effects or modify the damage type of the eldritch blast, and general invocations which provide utility abilities such as flight and invisibility.
Warlocks are now featured in the Neverwinter Nights 2 video game from Obsidian Entertainment.
[edit] 4th edition
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In 4th edition, the warlock's powers are known as spells, and use the standard power system. The warlock has many different unique abilities, though a warlock's trademark ability is still Eldritch Blast but they can also deliver various effects through Warlock's Curse. Almost all of the warlock's powers depend on charisma or constition, with special bonuses for intelligence. Tieflings, half-elves and humans make excellent warlocks in 4th edition and can be very effective in an encounter. They use destructive arcane magic to excel in an adventuring party and can easily take out most foes before they get near enough to strike a single blow if all goes perfectly. Warlocks are more adept at melee fighting than other arcane magic-users, and though their arcane magic in not quite as versatile as a wizard's, they are extremely effective at dealing damage. In 4th edition a warlock's role is striker, meaning they are designed to deal heavy damage while avoiding retaliation. Warlocks also have many exotic powers that have bonus effects; such as Eyebite which makes the warlock invisible for one turn if it hits.
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