Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Warlocks Vs. Rangers

There's this idea that Warlocks are underpowered compared to the other classes. While I can't say for certain, I can compare them to the most similar class, the Ranger while using a bow. Both have an ability that locks on a person and does extra damage to that person. Both have the Prime Shot ability. While the Ranger has a +2 proficiency bonus from the bow, the Warlock can attack against Will, Fortitude, and Reflex.

The difference is mainly the sort of effect you do with attacks. Rangers largely move themselves around, then do plain ol' damage to the target, where Warlocks do all sorts of effects to the target, but don't get any bonus to maneuvering or escaping.

As far as I can tell, Warlocks actually get a bonus that the Ranger lacks: where the ranger can get a bonus from a magic weapon, the Warlock can get a bonus from an Orb and a Wand, cumulative, so far as I can tell. In the late game, that really adds up.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

A few points-
Rangers get further accuracy (with at-will attacks): either one that gives a +2 to hit, or an attack that makes 2 attacks (which would increase the chance of ultimately hitting the target. With regards to the Warlocks getting a bonus to hit and damage from a rod and a wand, the book says, "A warlock wielding a magic rod or(not and) wand can add its enhancement bonus to the attack rolls and the damage rolls of warlock powers." This pretty clearly indicates that you can use either one wand or one rod.

Warlocks: Warlocks at-wills are less damaging (assuming the ranger is not stupid and gets proficiency in great bow,)but they do additional effects. Almost all of the warlocks at-wills revolve around dissuading monsters from attacking them. Rangers on the other hand, do not usually need to dissuade monsters because they have a short range of anywhere from 20-30, opposed to warlocks who have a max range of 5-10 (depending on power).

When it comes to non at-will powers it becomes harder to say who is more useful battle. Warlocks get spells that control the battlefield , restrict or altering enemy movement, or weakening enemies. Rangers also get powers that restrict movement and weaken enemies, but they also have, in my opinion, two of the most powerful powers in the game (which means they are open to abuse). One in particular is a daily power that lets you attack an enemy indefinitely if you keep hitting it (brute killer). Another one is an encounter power that lets you attack every enemy you can see (minion killer).

Some extras that rangers get, that are not related to attack, and are generally beneficial.
1 Additional armor proficiency
1 Additional Skill choice
Beast companion (you have to give up prime shot to get this)

Warlock extras.
Ritual training

Carsonist said...

On one issue: the book is grammatically ambiguous (as always) on the issue of using two different implements, but it seems that they only intended for someone to use one at a time.

Carsonist said...

On the further accuracy question, the +2 to hit for the ranger at-will is balanced by the lack of any special effects, while the twin shot is balanced by each shot doing less damage.

Carsonist said...

I have to say that the Greatbow really does give the Ranger the edge, and I view it as another example of Wizards having no idea what the hell they're doing.

Carsonist said...

The idea that Warlocks only get Ritual Training as a bonus is completely inaccurate. Warlocks get a Pact bonus, and the Shadow Walk ability.

Carsonist said...

"Another one is an encounter power that lets you attack every enemy you can see (minion killer)."

I can't find this ability. Where is it?

Unknown said...

1. Magic wands and rods (like all weapons) give enhancement bonuses, and enhancement bonuses, like all typed bonuses, don't stack.

2.When I was comparing the other traits, I was using only the general stuff in the gray boxes (accept for the beast companion, which was more of a joke) I was also considering that pack stuff into the at-will "please don't kill me monster abilities"

3. The ability is...
Hail of Arrows Ranger Attack 27
You launch a barrage of arrows that strike all enemies before you.
Encounter ✦ Martial,Weapon
Standard Action Ranged weapon
Target: Each enemy in range
Attack: Dexterity vs. AC
Hit: 1[W] + Dexterity modifier damage.
It will turn an army of minions into a horrible, horrible mess. each enemy in RANGE!!! RECOCKULOUS!

3. Don't underestimate twin shot, it may not apply bonuses for dex to damage, but any smart player is going to add as many extras unto that as possible. You just don't have enough incentive to add damage bonuses to single attack, but double attack damage bonuses are totally worth it.

4. Another point. Rangers can be powerful melee as well as ranged.