I think I know the answer to this, but it seems a rather unbalanced game mechanic so I thought I'd ask the hive mind.
I've created a warlock character as an NPC rival/ opponent. I've set her a few levels above the party and am planning a confrontation (probably non-lethal, but still meant to be a challenge). So the dramatic confrontation feels slightly undermined by the fact that an 8th warlock can only cast two spells and then the PCs start looking at one another "wait a second, is she casting cantrips at us?".
I know I could just change her to a wizard, ramp up the levels, add allies, add magic items, but really I just wanted to check the rule. Warlocks have two spell slots until 11th level, so this means that an 8th level warlock can only cast two spells (level 1+) between rests? Is that correct?
Warlocks will generally rely on their cantrips (specifically eldritch blast) or their weapon for damage, only using their spell slots when they need to do something their cantrips can't manage.
Warlocks will generally rely on their cantrips (specifically eldritch blast) or their weapon for damage, only using their spell slots when they need to do something their cantrips can't manage.
Exactly this. A FeyLock NPC with the Plant Growth and Greater Invisibility spells, along with the Trickster's Escape Invocation, can ruin everyone's day. Shut down their movement, disappear, and run around blasting everyone.
Also, don't forget that if the PCs defeat a villain with one of these items they'll be keeping it for themselves. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it should be factored into the value of the treasure for the adventure.
Yes, the Warlock would only get two spell slots but they are at their highest level. That's hopefully two powerful starting rounds at which point they are relying on EB and invocations but that's possibly two blasts of 1d10 plus casting stat damage that push or pull or slow.
And then if the Warlock gets away and has a moment to recover (short rest), he can come back later with two new spell slots while the party might have spent many of their resources.
Also with the items, there's no reason why you couldn't have those items only usable by a Warlock of the _____ patron. Or they're just an extra power or boon that the Warlock possesses.
For enemy NPCs a warlock easy easier than other classes all things being equal (level of equipment etc). This is perhaps less true at levels 7 and 9 when other full casters only have one use of their highest level spells.
As others have said warlocks recover their spells on a short rest, this means in single fight situations they are less powerful but in a multi encounter day this things are a bit different, with 2 short rests a level 8 warlock has 6 4th level spells per day other full casters have 12 spells but only 2 of these are 4th level.
If you are concerned a level 8 warlock won't be much of a challenge consider upping it to level 9. Using scrying they can know exactly what the party are doing (and take a short rest when they get within an hour of combat), and synaptic static is likely to cause major problems for most PCs except wizards)
Also, NPCs may have access to other resources like hirelings, summoned creatures (spell or device) traps, etc if they are on their own home turf. I'd personally send in my minions to do the hard the hard work, before unleashing anything powerful.
Also, tactically if your NPC can get the drop on the players, they can use that first slot opener to be very painful and for maximized effect; or a wand of fireball might just do the trick as well. There is no reason for them to play fair or nice after all. That's more up to you in the nature of the rivalry.
Wizard: Yes. I cast the Wish spell and I wish that everybody loves me!
DM: You transform into an irresistible, magnificent feast. It was so great, all who participated in devouring you tell of the joy they felt with tears in their eyes and all who hear the tale only feel sorrow that they weren't there to eat.
Another thing you can do is give your NPC scrolls, if the players defeat the warlock quickly they get rewarded with the scrolls, if they are inefficient and slow all the scrolls get used up.
Not to mention if the NPC warlock went with pact of the tome, that's 3 additional cantrips from any class list. You could create a pretty balanced repertoire of cantrips and throw quite a few surprises at your party. A warlock's actual spell slots are basically a double-barrel shotgun until they hit lvl 11; two maxed out spells. Cantrips and invocations are their bread and butter. I mean heck, starting at lvl 2 they get access to free & unlimited Mage Armor with Armor of Shadows. Also, starting at lvl 5 their Eldritch Blast cantrip fires two beams.
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Hello
I think I know the answer to this, but it seems a rather unbalanced game mechanic so I thought I'd ask the hive mind.
I've created a warlock character as an NPC rival/ opponent. I've set her a few levels above the party and am planning a confrontation (probably non-lethal, but still meant to be a challenge). So the dramatic confrontation feels slightly undermined by the fact that an 8th warlock can only cast two spells and then the PCs start looking at one another "wait a second, is she casting cantrips at us?".
I know I could just change her to a wizard, ramp up the levels, add allies, add magic items, but really I just wanted to check the rule. Warlocks have two spell slots until 11th level, so this means that an 8th level warlock can only cast two spells (level 1+) between rests? Is that correct?
Thank you
Ed
That is correct, a 8th level Warlock can cast only two spells per short rest, with Pact Magic.
However, it is not unbalanced. Warlock usually gets Invocations, which, mostly, give them more spells.
Also, never underestimate Eldritch Blast ;-)
Warlocks will generally rely on their cantrips (specifically eldritch blast) or their weapon for damage, only using their spell slots when they need to do something their cantrips can't manage.
Exactly this. A FeyLock NPC with the Plant Growth and Greater Invisibility spells, along with the Trickster's Escape Invocation, can ruin everyone's day. Shut down their movement, disappear, and run around blasting everyone.
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!
And don’t forget about magic items. A Rod of the Pact Keeper, a Pearl of Power or a Ring of Spell Storing can change everything and be an unpleasant surprise for the players.
Professional computer geek
DIp her in 2 levels of Sorceror or paladin.
"Normality is but an Illusion, Whats normal to the Spider, is only madness for the Fly"
Kain de Frostberg- Dark Knight - (Vengeance Pal3/ Hexblade 9), Port Mourn
Kain de Draakberg-Dark Knight lvl8-Avergreen(DitA)
Also, don't forget that if the PCs defeat a villain with one of these items they'll be keeping it for themselves. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but it should be factored into the value of the treasure for the adventure.
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!
Yes, the Warlock would only get two spell slots but they are at their highest level. That's hopefully two powerful starting rounds at which point they are relying on EB and invocations but that's possibly two blasts of 1d10 plus casting stat damage that push or pull or slow.
And then if the Warlock gets away and has a moment to recover (short rest), he can come back later with two new spell slots while the party might have spent many of their resources.
Also with the items, there's no reason why you couldn't have those items only usable by a Warlock of the _____ patron. Or they're just an extra power or boon that the Warlock possesses.
Don’t forget about single use items. The warlock can use them too.
Professional computer geek
For enemy NPCs a warlock easy easier than other classes all things being equal (level of equipment etc). This is perhaps less true at levels 7 and 9 when other full casters only have one use of their highest level spells.
As others have said warlocks recover their spells on a short rest, this means in single fight situations they are less powerful but in a multi encounter day this things are a bit different, with 2 short rests a level 8 warlock has 6 4th level spells per day other full casters have 12 spells but only 2 of these are 4th level.
If you are concerned a level 8 warlock won't be much of a challenge consider upping it to level 9. Using scrying they can know exactly what the party are doing (and take a short rest when they get within an hour of combat), and synaptic static is likely to cause major problems for most PCs except wizards)
Also, NPCs may have access to other resources like hirelings, summoned creatures (spell or device) traps, etc if they are on their own home turf. I'd personally send in my minions to do the hard the hard work, before unleashing anything powerful.
Also, tactically if your NPC can get the drop on the players, they can use that first slot opener to be very painful and for maximized effect; or a wand of fireball might just do the trick as well. There is no reason for them to play fair or nice after all. That's more up to you in the nature of the rivalry.
GLHF
So, what did this NPC make a pact with?
DM: Are you sure?
Wizard: Yes. I cast the Wish spell and I wish that everybody loves me!
DM: You transform into an irresistible, magnificent feast. It was so great, all who participated in devouring you tell of the joy they felt with tears in their eyes and all who hear the tale only feel sorrow that they weren't there to eat.
Another thing you can do is give your NPC scrolls, if the players defeat the warlock quickly they get rewarded with the scrolls, if they are inefficient and slow all the scrolls get used up.
Not to mention if the NPC warlock went with pact of the tome, that's 3 additional cantrips from any class list. You could create a pretty balanced repertoire of cantrips and throw quite a few surprises at your party. A warlock's actual spell slots are basically a double-barrel shotgun until they hit lvl 11; two maxed out spells. Cantrips and invocations are their bread and butter. I mean heck, starting at lvl 2 they get access to free & unlimited Mage Armor with Armor of Shadows. Also, starting at lvl 5 their Eldritch Blast cantrip fires two beams.