Talk:Warlock's Curse (3.5e Invocation)

Pretty Insane

This is far far better than bestow curse, especially since it applies to saving throws. This is pretty much Dire Hexblade curse but with lower duration, one target at a time, longer action to use and 'At Will. There not even a save immunity clause. This need restructuring, because right now it unbelievably strong. --Leziad (talk) 15:07, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

Well, what would you suggest? It's based off of the core mechanic of the Scourge Warlock in the Neverwinter MMO; In that game, Cursed targets take 20% more damage; If you curse more than one target, the damage bonus is divided between them, and most all of the other skills do extra stuff against a Cursed target, either consuming the curse or just being boosted by it.

Reducing the penalty to -3 is workable (The only reason I didn't, though, was 3 is very hard to divide into two whole numbers when you curse two targets, and simply having it apply a -2 penalty against both targets would make it more powerful than when used against a single target or three targets), and having the penalty only apply against the attacks and abilities the Warlock who cursed them. Having the first invocation or Eldritch Blast used against the target consume the curse but receive a +1 to +3 boost to effective Warlock level (Thus increasing EB damage and such) makes sense.

Anyway, lemme know what your suggestions are. Zhenra-Khal (talk) 15:22, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

Alright, so, looking at Bestow Curse, it's permanent and can be used by character level 5. Since this is a Lesser invocation, is can't be chosen until a level later, but anyway. The range is 60ft as opposed to Touch, and the penalties are -6 as opposed to -4. So, I've edited this invocation and well, have a look. Zhenra-Khal (talk) 15:38, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

If you want to keep the mechanics the same, a very simple solution is to up the balance range to VH instead of H. --Ghostwheel (talk) 16:46, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

@Ghostwheel: 'Tis true. Beyond that, what is your opinion on this invocation overall? Zhenra-Khal (talk) 16:49, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

Nah, just shuffling it to VH is a bad idea. While bestow curse is bad, it also a standard action touch and the penalties are to one thing. If someone fail against bestow curse they will take a blow, but they are not doomed. If they fail against this they are royally screwed, they lose their defense and offense and might as well just be dead. Honestly I would say either reduce the penalty (by at least half to -3) or maybe just apply a miss chance on all your attacks and a reverse miss chance on your side. If you insist on keeping a move action then it definitely need to be on the weaker side, cause I run VH games and I would not allow this invocation in it current state. It simply too efficient, deadly and quick with no daily limit and it can spammed at target that saved. Since it a move it can be even spammed twice per round. This is not an acceptable level of power. --Leziad (talk) 18:12, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

Um? This only applies one of the functions of Bestow Curse, and while it's spammable, has a better range and is a bit improved, it's not very versatile and does very little the spell doesn't do. Zhenra-Khal (talk) 18:32, 3 May 2017 (MDT)

I like the concept overall. However keep in mind that since the penalty applies to everything it essentially a dire hexblade's curse. Unless I misread and it only applies to one, it extremely potent. Someone with -6 AC will most likely get hit all the time (especially -6 to touch AC against your blasts) and -6 to save mean they are fucked against any other effects. The -6 to Attack will mean they will have trouble hitting, especially after the first iterative attack. This is essentially a -12 penalty on all ability scores. --Leziad (talk) 20:05, 3 May 2017 (MDT)