Warlock and other new classes questions

[André Axe'm]

Post them here.

[Alkarl]

Do Invocations require Concentration checks?
(Does Combat Casting affect Invocations?)

Does Spell Penetration help?

I assume the Metamagic and Spell Focus feats are useless?

[André Axe'm]

Invocations only require a Concentration check if you are hit while casting.
(Combat Casting doesn't affect Invocations)

Spell Penetration, Spell Focus and Metamagic feats do not apply. See the meta invocation feats instead.

[palmersr]

Their Invocations are touch attacks... so what stat modifies the AB (if any)?

I had a read up of "touch attacks" and if they are melee touch attacks is str (as expected) and ranged touch attack is dex (as expected). Unless you have done some funky scripting, is this the way it is?

Lifted this from NWN Wiki

Melee: BAB + strength modifier + nature sense + epic prowess (unless a ranged weapon is equipped) + unarmed weapon focus feats (if unarmed or using a creature weapon) + effects

Ranged: BAB + dexterity modifier + weapon attack bonus + effects

Look right?

[André Axe'm]

Some invocations are touch attacks for various sorts.
I haven't done anything funky.

[TheFugitive]

The nice thing to keep in mind about touch attacks is how much AC they can negate. A touch attack denies the defender their armor and shield AC (base and bonus), as well as their natural armor bonus to AC. All other armor class modifiers, such as the size modifier, dexterity modifier, and deflection/dodge bonus (if any) apply normally, however if you catch a target flat-foot, then a touch attack can catch a target flat-footed further negating its dodge and dexterity AC if the target doesn't have Defensive Awareness or Uncanny Dodge.

I.E: If you see Aley in combat, he's rarely hit by enemy melee attacks. Aside from tactics, gearing and spells, he has a peak AC of 85. Now to break that down:
10 Base AC
15 Armor AC (Superlative Armor + Full Plate Armor Class)
10 Shield AC (Superlative Shield + Tower Shield Armor Class)
20 Dodge AC (Bardsong [6] + Boots [6] + Haste [4] + Spells [4])
7 Natural AC (Superlative Amulet)
7 Deflection AC (Superlative Cloak)
1 Dexterity AC
2 Armor Skin
4 Draconic Armor
9 Tumble AC (thanks to Mythic levels)

Now, as soon as he gets hit by a Touch Attack, he loses 15 Armor AC, 10 Shield AC and 7 Natural AC, as well as his Armor Skin and his Draconic Armor. 85 becomes 47. Catch him flatfoot and he loses his Dexterity AC, his Tumble and his Dodge AC. Now that number's dropped down to 17. Really, the only AC he has now is his base AC and his Deflection AC. This is a reason why you see spells like Harm easily, easily hitting people.

So what I'm trying to say is: Don't stress too much about 'oh, my AB for touch attack isn't in the 60s!', because it doesn't need to be once you know the maths behind touch attacks. And knowing is half the battle.

[cowboyx]

Is it true that you only get one touch attack per round (perhaps two with haste), or is my memory of NWN mechanics completely shot.

And a hint regarding Flat footedness; the easiest way to flatteen somethings foot (monsters mostly) is to cast darkness on them if they can't see in it. Darkness is the second level spell that keeps on giving.

[André Axe'm]

Well the invocations are spell like feats. So you can't have more than 2 per round anyway.

[cowboyx]

Well the invocations are spell like feats. So you can't have more than 2 per round anyway.

So essentially Warlocks aren't concerned about attacks per round.

[André Axe'm]

You can't use touch attacks as normal attacks.
Warlocks are primarily casters, but you could make a fighter build.

[TheFugitive]

If I see a shape I like in one class, I see a essence in another and I think to myself "Man, that would rock if I could combine the two", will the two base classes stack together for the effect?

[Bulldunger]

Was wondering how a RDD/BARD/Warlock would go. Would have Grt Str, so dev cit would be good? I think

[palmersr]

Could we have some specifics as to what Charisma does for these classes?

Does it speed up how fast the essences and shapes can be used again for example?

S.

[André Axe'm]

Charisma improves DCs and reduces how long your ivocations take to recharge.

Invocations from different classes can be combined, but the effect will only be at the level of the class you used the essence from.

Warlock//RDD would make you look rather demonish, and give you very high fire resist and strength. Be aware that you are given the actual Great Stat feats, so your potential top Str is not modified, but you get 4 of the feats for free.

[André Axe'm]

Topic 1
The new classes in the Wiki:

Bonus Epic Feats: Warlock, Favoured Soul and Shaman can take Great Charisma and a second Great <attribute> which matches the ones they recieve at levels 5, 10, 15 & 20. ie, Great Strength, Great Constitution and Greate Dexterity respectively.
The Psion lists Great Charisma and Great Strength, whereas I would expect it to be Great Intelligence, based upon the above precedents.
Q1a) Is this correct, or just a simple copy and paste glitch?
Q1b) Are there descriptions available for the new feats, eg. Domination, Neural, G.Telekinetic, etc? If not, happy to wait.

1a: That is an error in my copypasta. Feel free to correct.
1b: Not yet. Those are invocation parts. Trying the class would be quicker than waiting.

Topic 2
Invocations

Each of the classes can imbue their invocation with Fire (Warlock), Light (Favoured soul), Vines (Shaman) and Charm (Psion).
Q2a) At face value this appears to mean Warlock invocation cause/add fire-based damage. Yes/No/Other?
Q2b) Simliarly, the Favoured soul's invocations cause/add divine damage. Yes/No/Other?
Q2c) Psions can imbue their invocations with charm. Does this mean they focus on mind-affecting abilities? If so, how? If not, then what does it mean?
Q2d) Shamans can imbue their invocations with vines. Does this mean the can create entanglement/movement hampering effects like the druid "Mine Vine" spell? If not, then what does it mean?

2a,2b,2c,2d: Other. Invocation spell require the use of two components. First an Essence, then a Shape. Those words you have grabbed are Essence feats. Other essences are obtained at higher levels. All essence feats have their effects described on them.