can you change the form of pact weapon as you wish like 5e edition? i want to know this because sometime hostile creature beyond my reach and i want to change weapon at that point
You can't change it so much as you can spend a bonus action to conjure a new melee weapon one or to bond to a new magic weapon. Are you a Pact of the Blade Warlock without Eldritch Spear?
Technically yes, you use a bonus action to summon a new weapon. But you can always flavor the bonus action in a way that the item in your hands changes into the new weapon. It does not describe the ability in such a way that it must disappear entirely and then a new one appears. So sure, use the bonus action to make it a pole arm and your short sword turns into it.
Edit to add, I really wish they had gone deeper into pact of the blade, made it a default feature and merged eldritch blast into it. Make attacking with it a magic action so its not a dip goal. Let its appearance fit what the warlock wants, its not a long sword, its a d8 one handed weapon which ca look like basically anything. Have some base rules, you can create a two handed weapon if melee it does this, if it has reach 10 it can do this damage, if reach 15 this damage, if ranged and one handed this, if ranged and 2 handed this, you can create two weapons, weapon and shield. Then have invocations like repelling blast work into it, include a invocation that boosts damage for weapons that are the equivalent of heavy, give attack increases at its base up to 3,. Make armor of shadows a core ability with invocations upgrading it to medium or heavy armor equivalents. If you get a magic weapon you can banish it into another dimension and whenever you summon a weapon that fits its requirements the magic bonus works. I had more but my roommate just interrupted me with a look at this video thing and now its out of my head.
1 Attack getting +1D8 Life Drinker + 6D8 E.Smite = around 28damage
Total = 79
SO.
1-Handed weapon looking at 2D6 (Wounding/Vicious weapon) + 1D6 or 1D8 Base weapon Damage + 5 (Cha) = 14 or 15 damage per swing. (Not counting 28 points for Life Drinker and Smite once per turn)
2 Handed weapon (Need 13+ STR & If you make a Heavey / 2-Handed weapon as your pact weapon you will need STR 13 to use it WITHOUT disadvantage.) looking at 2D6 (Wounding/Vicious weapon) + 2D6 or 1D12 Base weapon damage (G Sword, Maul, G, Axe) +5 (CHA) = 17 per swing. making a magic 2-hander doing the same damage as the Shadow Blade.
So just a 2-to-3-point difference to damage Based on Weapon. But Shadow Blade can be thrown and gives advantage if using in dim light.
1 Attack getting +1D8 Life Drinker + 6D8 E.Smite = around 28damage
Total = 79
SO.
1-Handed weapon looking at 2D6 (Wounding/Vicious weapon) + 1D6 or 1D8 Base weapon Damage + 5 (Cha) = 14 or 15 damage per swing. (Not counting 28 points for Life Drinker and Smite once per turn)
2 Handed weapon (Need 13+ STR & If you make a Heavey / 2-Handed weapon as your pact weapon you will need STR 13 to use it WITHOUT disadvantage.) looking at 2D6 (Wounding/Vicious weapon) + 2D6 or 1D12 Base weapon damage (G Sword, Maul, G, Axe) +5 (CHA) = 17 per swing. making a magic 2-hander doing the same damage as the Shadow Blade.
So just a 2-to-3-point difference to damage Based on Weapon. But Shadow Blade can be thrown and gives advantage if using in dim light.
Did I get the math right?
You seem to be assuming level 17+.
True Strike doesn't deal damage, it modifies the weapon damage, so it is not compatible with Agonizing Blast.
Average of 3d8 is 13.5, not 12. Average of 1d6 is 3.5. Average of 1d8 is 4.5. Average of 1d10 is 5.5. Average of 1d12 is 6.5. Don't drop or round the decimal when you multiply or add. If you round, do it at the end (once you have totaled everything up, but in these cases, people don't normally round).
For comparison when not using Shadow Blade, use Hex to deal +1d6 Necrotic per hit with any attack AND give the target Disadvantage on all ability checks with the ability of your choice.
Also, at that level, a +3 weapon seems reasonable (you can make a magic weapon your Pact Weapon, but you can't make it a Shadow Blade) so that's an extra +3 to hit and damage per swing.
So if Shadow Blade swings with a +11 bonus, the magic pact weapon swings with a +14 bonus. A +3 to hit is slightly worse than advantage (advantage is roughly equivalent to a +3.84 bonus), but stacks with advantage.
The Pact Weapon doesn't care about finesse or weapon masteries unless you multiclass but let's use a +3 shorts word. It's less each attack action deals 1d6 + 3 + 5 (CHA) + 1d6 (Hex) = average 15 damage per swing. From the Light property we can attack again with a different light weapon as a Bonus Action and for this, you'll probably be relying on finesse so let's say 1d6 + 3 (no attribute, you got lucky with 2 +3 weapons) + 1d6 Hex for another 10 damage.
Thats 55 damage per round before factoring in Life Drinker for 1d6 (not 1d8) and Eldritch Smite and any other damage properties of a magic weapon.
Shadow Blade is going to be 55.5 per round before Life Drinker and Eldritch Smite and is not compatible with Hex. It only barely deals more damage.
Shadow blade uses a second level slot for just 1 minute and you're counting on Eldritch Smite to deal extra damage. You'll be out of spells pretty quickly. After using Magical Cunning, you will still have to recast Shadow Blade, leaving you with only 1 slot (or 3 at level 20).
Hex is one spell that, at that level (5th level slot), lasts all day, you can change the target (if the previous target has dropped to zero HP) with a bonus action, and helps the whole party.
Anything that competes with Hex for concentration has to bring a lot to the table and Shadow Blade doesn't bring enough.
Why is 'Improved Pact Weapon' not a choice for warlocks anymore, even with 2014 options selected?
It's still available if you're using the 2014 version of the Warlock class. You do need to have "Expanded Rules" active, as that option is from Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
The 2024 version of the Warlock class does not have access to Eldritch Invocation options other than those in the 2024 Player's Handbook.
Why is 'Improved Pact Weapon' not a choice for warlocks anymore, even with 2014 options selected?
Currently none of the 2014 invocations are available on a 2024 warlock my understanding is its mostly a beyond tech issue. But I suspect some of them are getting removed, as like none of the use once a long rest spell ones exist anymore. And things like improved pact weapon technically you don't have the pre-req. In effect you do. But pact boon pact of the blade is not exactly the same thing as a invocation pact of the blade. I suspect when they fix it they will say they are in effect the same thing, but who knows.
The material component of True Strike is "a weapon with which you have proficiency and that is worth 1+ CP." The weapon created by the Shadow Blade spell does not meet the second criterion, since (outside of weird semantic arguments) it is not a weapon worth one CP or more.
The material component of True Strike is "a weapon with which you have proficiency and that is worth 1+ CP." The weapon created by the Shadow Blade spell does not meet the second criterion, since (outside of weird semantic arguments) it is not a weapon worth one CP or more.
Technically correct but I think the designers said they would allow it in their game if a player asked about it with booming blade etc. Which admittedly was weird to me as I assumed adding the component was pretty much put in to stop this. For me the question is does it work with a summoned pact weapon as its kind of a fake weapon but its phrased as just summoning a simple or martial weapon, and all of those are worth more than 1cp. True strike you wont get much value out of but booming blade has the same requirement and that would be useful.
The material component of True Strike is "a weapon with which you have proficiency and that is worth 1+ CP." The weapon created by the Shadow Blade spell does not meet the second criterion, since (outside of weird semantic arguments) it is not a weapon worth one CP or more.
Technically correct but I think the designers said they would allow it in their game if a player asked about it with booming blade etc. Which admittedly was weird to me as I assumed adding the component was pretty much put in to stop this. For me the question is does it work with a summoned pact weapon as its kind of a fake weapon but its phrased as just summoning a simple or martial weapon, and all of those are worth more than 1cp. True strike you wont get much value out of but booming blade has the same requirement and that would be useful.
This change has nothing to do with prohibiting or allowing Shadow Blade to combine with Booming/Green-Flame Blade. It's about fixing those two cantrips. As DM, I'd allow those them to combo, since I make liberal use of the rule on improvised weapons.
His tweets are not RAW but can suggest RAI. However, in this case, "As DM, I'd allow those them to combo..." suggests this is personal table ruling and not a design intent. I thought I saw something saying that the costly material components were solely to prevent the material from being substituted with a spell casting pouch or a focus. However, I can't find that and don't know that it was actually said by Jeremy Crawford or if that was the conclusion drawn by others.
I suspect that the intention is that casting the spell uses an actual weapon (material component) wielded in-hand and that the hand holding the weapon can be used to cast the spell as opposed to casting the spell with no free hands and attacking with a random weapon.
If I were to rewrite True Strike to accommodate this, it might look like this:
Components: V, M (a weapon with which you have proficiency)
Guided by a flash of magical insight, you make one weapon attack with a weapon you are proficient in and are wielding. The attack uses your spellcasting ability for the attack and damage rolls instead of using Strength or Dexterity. If the attack deals damage, it can be Radiant damage or the weapon’s normal damage type (your choice).
Cantrip Upgrade. Whether you deal Radiant damage or the weapon’s normal damage type, the attack deals extra Radiant damage when you reach levels 5 (1d6), 11 (2d6), and 17 (3d6).
Green-flame Blade and Booming Blade would follow suit. This way, you could substitute a focus or component pouch, but it would be disadvantageous as you would have to wield a weapon and manipulate the focus/pouch.
can you change the form of pact weapon as you wish like 5e edition?
i want to know this because sometime hostile creature beyond my reach and i want to change weapon at that point
No, but yes.
You can't change it so much as you can spend a bonus action to conjure a new melee weapon one or to bond to a new magic weapon. Are you a Pact of the Blade Warlock without Eldritch Spear?
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it mean i have to use bonus action to conjure a new one instead of change form right?
Technically yes, you use a bonus action to summon a new weapon. But you can always flavor the bonus action in a way that the item in your hands changes into the new weapon. It does not describe the ability in such a way that it must disappear entirely and then a new one appears. So sure, use the bonus action to make it a pole arm and your short sword turns into it.
Edit to add, I really wish they had gone deeper into pact of the blade, made it a default feature and merged eldritch blast into it. Make attacking with it a magic action so its not a dip goal. Let its appearance fit what the warlock wants, its not a long sword, its a d8 one handed weapon which ca look like basically anything. Have some base rules, you can create a two handed weapon if melee it does this, if it has reach 10 it can do this damage, if reach 15 this damage, if ranged and one handed this, if ranged and 2 handed this, you can create two weapons, weapon and shield. Then have invocations like repelling blast work into it, include a invocation that boosts damage for weapons that are the equivalent of heavy, give attack increases at its base up to 3,. Make armor of shadows a core ability with invocations upgrading it to medium or heavy armor equivalents. If you get a magic weapon you can banish it into another dimension and whenever you summon a weapon that fits its requirements the magic bonus works. I had more but my roommate just interrupted me with a look at this video thing and now its out of my head.
Turn one. Bonus action cast Shadow Blade.
Turn 2 Use Bonus action to Make Shadow blade your pact weapon
Enjoy all the Pact of the blade themed invocations to boost Shadow Blade.
Up to Three Attacks (Thirsting / Devouring)
Life Drinker Extra Damage and healing for one attack
Maybe Improved Pact blade but requires Pact of the Blade feature NOT INVOCATION.
Add Eldritch Smite (But will loose on casting of Shadow Blade)
Hmmm - Pact of the blade makes weapon do Radiant damage.
As a weapon can also use True Strike & Agonizing Blast (one weapon strike with extra Dice and extra Bonus damage)
That's a lot of set up to make a 2nd level spell good for one minute.
By contrast, if you have a magic weapon, you can make it a pact weapon (and it lasts potentially lasts all day).
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So, with a CHA of 20 and no multi–Classing By time can get Devouring Blade.
Turn 1
Bonus Action: Summon Shadow Blade.
Action: Cast True Strike
3D8 (Shadow Blade) +5 (DEX - Finesse) +2D6 (True Strike) +5 (Agonizing Blast - True Strike) +1d6 (Life Drinker) = 3D8 + 3D6 + 10 = 12 + 9 + 10 = 31 Damage
Turn 2+
Bonus action make Shadow Blade your Pact Weapon.
Action (3 Attacks)
3D8 Shadow Blade + 5 Dex = 17 (Base damage)
3 Attacks = 51 Damage
1 Attack getting +1D8 Life Drinker + 6D8 E.Smite = around 28damage
Total = 79
SO.
1-Handed weapon looking at 2D6 (Wounding/Vicious weapon) + 1D6 or 1D8 Base weapon Damage + 5 (Cha) = 14 or 15 damage per swing. (Not counting 28 points for Life Drinker and Smite once per turn)
2 Handed weapon (Need 13+ STR & If you make a Heavey / 2-Handed weapon as your pact weapon you will need STR 13 to use it WITHOUT disadvantage.) looking at 2D6 (Wounding/Vicious weapon) + 2D6 or 1D12 Base weapon damage (G Sword, Maul, G, Axe) +5 (CHA) = 17 per swing. making a magic 2-hander doing the same damage as the Shadow Blade.
So just a 2-to-3-point difference to damage Based on Weapon. But Shadow Blade can be thrown and gives advantage if using in dim light.
Did I get the math right?
You seem to be assuming level 17+.
True Strike doesn't deal damage, it modifies the weapon damage, so it is not compatible with Agonizing Blast.
Average of 3d8 is 13.5, not 12. Average of 1d6 is 3.5. Average of 1d8 is 4.5. Average of 1d10 is 5.5. Average of 1d12 is 6.5. Don't drop or round the decimal when you multiply or add. If you round, do it at the end (once you have totaled everything up, but in these cases, people don't normally round).
For comparison when not using Shadow Blade, use Hex to deal +1d6 Necrotic per hit with any attack AND give the target Disadvantage on all ability checks with the ability of your choice.
Also, at that level, a +3 weapon seems reasonable (you can make a magic weapon your Pact Weapon, but you can't make it a Shadow Blade) so that's an extra +3 to hit and damage per swing.
So if Shadow Blade swings with a +11 bonus, the magic pact weapon swings with a +14 bonus. A +3 to hit is slightly worse than advantage (advantage is roughly equivalent to a +3.84 bonus), but stacks with advantage.
The Pact Weapon doesn't care about finesse or weapon masteries unless you multiclass but let's use a +3 shorts word. It's less each attack action deals 1d6 + 3 + 5 (CHA) + 1d6 (Hex) = average 15 damage per swing. From the Light property we can attack again with a different light weapon as a Bonus Action and for this, you'll probably be relying on finesse so let's say 1d6 + 3 (no attribute, you got lucky with 2 +3 weapons) + 1d6 Hex for another 10 damage.
Thats 55 damage per round before factoring in Life Drinker for 1d6 (not 1d8) and Eldritch Smite and any other damage properties of a magic weapon.
Shadow Blade is going to be 55.5 per round before Life Drinker and Eldritch Smite and is not compatible with Hex. It only barely deals more damage.
Shadow blade uses a second level slot for just 1 minute and you're counting on Eldritch Smite to deal extra damage. You'll be out of spells pretty quickly. After using Magical Cunning, you will still have to recast Shadow Blade, leaving you with only 1 slot (or 3 at level 20).
Hex is one spell that, at that level (5th level slot), lasts all day, you can change the target (if the previous target has dropped to zero HP) with a bonus action, and helps the whole party.
Anything that competes with Hex for concentration has to bring a lot to the table and Shadow Blade doesn't bring enough.
How to add Tooltips.
Why is 'Improved Pact Weapon' not a choice for warlocks anymore, even with 2014 options selected?
It's still available if you're using the 2014 version of the Warlock class. You do need to have "Expanded Rules" active, as that option is from Xanathar's Guide to Everything.
The 2024 version of the Warlock class does not have access to Eldritch Invocation options other than those in the 2024 Player's Handbook.
Currently none of the 2014 invocations are available on a 2024 warlock my understanding is its mostly a beyond tech issue. But I suspect some of them are getting removed, as like none of the use once a long rest spell ones exist anymore. And things like improved pact weapon technically you don't have the pre-req. In effect you do. But pact boon pact of the blade is not exactly the same thing as a invocation pact of the blade. I suspect when they fix it they will say they are in effect the same thing, but who knows.
True Strike cannot be cast on a Shadow Blade.
The material component of True Strike is "a weapon with which you have proficiency and that is worth 1+ CP." The weapon created by the Shadow Blade spell does not meet the second criterion, since (outside of weird semantic arguments) it is not a weapon worth one CP or more.
🎵I'm on top of the world, looking down on creation, wreaking death and devastation with my mind.
As the power that I've found erupts freely from the ground, I will cackle from the top of the world.🎵
Charisma Saving Throw: DC 18, Failure: 20d6 Psychic Damage, Success: Half damage
Technically correct but I think the designers said they would allow it in their game if a player asked about it with booming blade etc. Which admittedly was weird to me as I assumed adding the component was pretty much put in to stop this. For me the question is does it work with a summoned pact weapon as its kind of a fake weapon but its phrased as just summoning a simple or martial weapon, and all of those are worth more than 1cp. True strike you wont get much value out of but booming blade has the same requirement and that would be useful.
Jeremy Crawford Tweet
His tweets are not RAW but can suggest RAI. However, in this case, "As DM, I'd allow those them to combo..." suggests this is personal table ruling and not a design intent. I thought I saw something saying that the costly material components were solely to prevent the material from being substituted with a spell casting pouch or a focus. However, I can't find that and don't know that it was actually said by Jeremy Crawford or if that was the conclusion drawn by others.
I suspect that the intention is that casting the spell uses an actual weapon (material component) wielded in-hand and that the hand holding the weapon can be used to cast the spell as opposed to casting the spell with no free hands and attacking with a random weapon.
If I were to rewrite True Strike to accommodate this, it might look like this:
Green-flame Blade and Booming Blade would follow suit. This way, you could substitute a focus or component pouch, but it would be disadvantageous as you would have to wield a weapon and manipulate the focus/pouch.
How to add Tooltips.