Waldo52 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2023 8:38 pm
Are melee oriented hideous blow warlocks viable? What are some good pacts for such a character? Can undead pact ever work with such a steep CON requirement on an inherently MAD build?
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who's played one of these. Mind you, I'm not a super powergamer so hearing that they're "playable" or "just decent" wouldn't be a deal breaker as long as there are some significant pros to outweigh the cons.
Funny you should ask, I was just looking over an old build! Hideous Blow builds are very unique, and likely not what you imagine when looking over their abilities. The best way to describe them, or at least the way I play them are glass cannons. You should be capable of three shotting a Prismatic Dragon, or any other creature in the game largely. (Remember Hideous Blow is a TOUCH ATTACK. It will always hit at max level, even against a Prismatic Dragon.) I built my character to be able to deal about 200 magic damage an attack, yet even at level 30 she only has around 200 health (even with bear's endurance.) STR is actually more important then CHA for the damage boost, then you need at least 18 DEX for the Eldritch Mastery. So in the end, CON, WIS, and INT are all low to support your base 18 CHA, 18 DEX, and 26 STR for max damage. You will always want to be HASTED. That is the most important part of the build, as without haste you will only be using Hideous blow once a round. Haste will make it twice a round, doubling your damage. Your armor class will also be largely terrible. I'd recommend going Unseelie Fey for max haste and for the 55% concealment, or, going infernal for the extra damage and easy assessable summon to tank for you. My last recommendation, do not adventure solo. Especially for an Unseelie Fey Hideous Blow Warlock, you will want someone to guard you at all times while you crank out that crazy damage. Using Hideous Blow when your by yourself against multiple enemies leaves you flat-footed and very vulnerable as you have to really commit in using it (as it can also be interrupted!). Just remember to grab Epic Spell Penetration to ensure it does always work, and it can still interrupt enemy spellcasting with a 200 damage Concentration DC!