I had to create a backup character for the campaign i'm currently in, I created a human warlock and chose the blade pact. I have the pact boon "pact of the blade" which allows my character to create a pact weapon, so a melee weapon. My question is...can my character say, use a greatsword? I was told large weapons such as that can impose disadvantage, but with this pact, I have prof in whatever weapon is summoned. Does it just balance itself out?
Pact of the Blade indeed allows you to create any melee weapon and be proficient in it.
It also worth noting that should you want to make a real weapon your Pact Weapon, the same principle applies: you can use the ritual on a weapon you are not proficient into, and once it is your Pact Weapon you are proficient into it every time you summon it.
"Heavy" weapons, like the greatsword, only impose disadvantage on small races like gnomes and halflings. A human is fine to wield one, and yes they are proficient with any pact weapon.
It also worth noting that should you want to make a real weapon your Pact Weapon, the same principle applies: you can use the ritual on a weapon you are not proficient into, and once it is your Pact Weapon you are proficient into it every time you summon it.
There isn't a consensus on whether RAW states this or not. The paragraph that mentions the Warlock always being proficient with their Pact Weapon is the one that mentions "created" Pact Weapons. Two paragraphs down, the "transformed" Pact Weapons are described (the ritual the Warlock performs on a magic weapon to make it into their Pact Weapon), and there is no mention there about granting proficiency.
Note that RAW never says "you are always proficient with your Pact Weapon". It is reasonable to interpret the line ("You are proficient with it while you wield it.") as referring to the Pact Weapons you create, and not "all" Pact Weapons. Also note that there are other differences between "created" and "transformed" Pact Weapons. For example, "created" Pact Weapons disappear when dismissed, while "transformed" Pact Weapons are "shunted [...] into an extradimensional space". So it is not unreasonable to conclude that the proficiency issue is another difference between the two types of Pact Weapons.
That being said, the DM is, as always, free to rule either way they see fit, so check with them first.
Edit: my mistake... Jeremy Crawford has, indeed, ruled on this, and there is no proficiency granted for magic weapons transformed into Pact Weapons.
What about when doing the ritual? Can you bind one to you using the ritual or do you need the invocation?
You need the Improved Pact Weapon invocation, otherwise the Pact Blade is limited to melee weapons.
I believe you can bind to a magical ranged weapon without the Improved Pact Weapon Invocation. The Invocation allows you to "create" ranged weapons (specifically shortbow, longbow, light crossbow, or heavy crossbow), but the base Pact Weapon feature allows you to transform any magic weapon into your Pact Weapon. (Note that it has to be magic, though.)
What about when doing the ritual? Can you bind one to you using the ritual or do you need the invocation?
You need the Improved Pact Weapon invocation, otherwise the Pact Blade is limited to melee weapons.
This is not correct. Improved pact weapon lets you summon long bows, short bows, light and heavy crossbows. It also makes your pact weapon +1 AND lets it be used as your spellcasting focus. However, ANY magic weapon including ranged ones can be bound as your pact weapon using the ritual and you don't need improved pact weapon to do so.
"You can transform one magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual while you hold the weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of I hour, which can be done during a short rest. You can then dismiss the weapon, shunting it into an extradimensional space, and it appears whenever you create your pact weapon thereafter. You can't affect an artifact or a sentient weapon in this way. The weapon ceases being your pact weapon if you die. if you perform the 1-hour ritual on a different weapon, or if you use a 1-hour ritual to break your bond to it. The weapon appears at your feet if it is in the extradimensional space when the bond breaks.
Wait. I'm in the same predicament, but I need to know-since you can create your own pact weapon-can you have an energy weapon like the Crucible from Doom Eternal?
Wait. I'm in the same predicament, but I need to know-since you can create your own pact weapon-can you have an energy weapon like the Crucible from Doom Eternal?
Only flavor-wise... mechanically, you can only create "physical" weapons. Anything conjured would still deal the standard slashing/piercing/bludgeoning of mundane weapons, not Radiant and/or Fire damage like you might assume the Crucible would deal. But there is no limitation given on appearance, although you'll have to talk to your DM about allowing a weapon that glows, since light is kind of its own little detail that most people don't care about, but it is a resource of sorts within the game.
I had to create a backup character for the campaign i'm currently in, I created a human warlock and chose the blade pact. I have the pact boon "pact of the blade" which allows my character to create a pact weapon, so a melee weapon. My question is...can my character say, use a greatsword? I was told large weapons such as that can impose disadvantage, but with this pact, I have prof in whatever weapon is summoned. Does it just balance itself out?
Pact of the Blade indeed allows you to create any melee weapon and be proficient in it.
It also worth noting that should you want to make a real weapon your Pact Weapon, the same principle applies: you can use the ritual on a weapon you are not proficient into, and once it is your Pact Weapon you are proficient into it every time you summon it.
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"Heavy" weapons, like the greatsword, only impose disadvantage on small races like gnomes and halflings. A human is fine to wield one, and yes they are proficient with any pact weapon.
You can make a ranged weapon your pact weapon after getting the improved pact weapon eldritch invocation (note you still need ammo).
What about when doing the ritual? Can you bind one to you using the ritual or do you need the invocation?
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You need the Improved Pact Weapon invocation, otherwise the Pact Blade is limited to melee weapons.
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There isn't a consensus on whether RAW states this or not. The paragraph that mentions the Warlock always being proficient with their Pact Weapon is the one that mentions "created" Pact Weapons. Two paragraphs down, the "transformed" Pact Weapons are described (the ritual the Warlock performs on a magic weapon to make it into their Pact Weapon), and there is no mention there about granting proficiency.
Note that RAW never says "you are always proficient with your Pact Weapon". It is reasonable to interpret the line ("You are proficient with it while you wield it.") as referring to the Pact Weapons you create, and not "all" Pact Weapons. Also note that there are other differences between "created" and "transformed" Pact Weapons. For example, "created" Pact Weapons disappear when dismissed, while "transformed" Pact Weapons are "shunted [...] into an extradimensional space". So it is not unreasonable to conclude that the proficiency issue is another difference between the two types of Pact Weapons.
That being said, the DM is, as always, free to rule either way they see fit, so check with them first.
Edit: my mistake... Jeremy Crawford has, indeed, ruled on this, and there is no proficiency granted for magic weapons transformed into Pact Weapons.
I believe you can bind to a magical ranged weapon without the Improved Pact Weapon Invocation. The Invocation allows you to "create" ranged weapons (specifically shortbow, longbow, light crossbow, or heavy crossbow), but the base Pact Weapon feature allows you to transform any magic weapon into your Pact Weapon. (Note that it has to be magic, though.)
I agree with Tonio
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This is not correct. Improved pact weapon lets you summon long bows, short bows, light and heavy crossbows. It also makes your pact weapon +1 AND lets it be used as your spellcasting focus. However, ANY magic weapon including ranged ones can be bound as your pact weapon using the ritual and you don't need improved pact weapon to do so.
"You can transform one magic weapon into your pact weapon by performing a special ritual while you hold the weapon. You perform the ritual over the course of I hour, which can be done during a short rest. You can then dismiss the weapon, shunting it into an extradimensional space, and it appears whenever you create your pact weapon thereafter. You can't affect an artifact or a sentient weapon in this way. The weapon ceases being your pact weapon if you die. if you perform the 1-hour ritual on a different weapon, or if you use a 1-hour ritual to break your bond to it. The weapon appears at your feet if it is in the extradimensional space when the bond breaks.
Wait. I'm in the same predicament, but I need to know-since you can create your own pact weapon-can you have an energy weapon like the Crucible from Doom Eternal?
Only flavor-wise... mechanically, you can only create "physical" weapons. Anything conjured would still deal the standard slashing/piercing/bludgeoning of mundane weapons, not Radiant and/or Fire damage like you might assume the Crucible would deal. But there is no limitation given on appearance, although you'll have to talk to your DM about allowing a weapon that glows, since light is kind of its own little detail that most people don't care about, but it is a resource of sorts within the game.
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