Invocations

Warlocks choose the invocations they learn as they gain levels, much like bards or sorcerers choose which spells to learn. However, a warlock’s arcane repertoire is even more limited than that of a sorcerer, and his invocations are spelllike abilities, not spells.

USING AN INVOCATION

A warlock’s invocations are spell-like abilities.

Time: Using an invocation is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity.

Invocation Spell Failure: Unlike other spell-like abilities, invocations are subject to arcane spell failure chance.

Equivalent Spell Level: Every invocation has a spell level equivalent, which is used in the calculation of save DCs and for other purposes. A least invocation has a level equivalent of 1st or 2nd; a lesser, 3rd or 4th; a greater, 5th or 6th; and a dark invocation has a level equivalent of 6th or higher (maximum 9th). The level equivalent for each invocation is given in its description.

Caster Level: A warlock’s caster level with his invocations is equal to his warlock level.

Spell Resistance: A warlock’s invocations are subject to spell resistance unless an invocation’s description specifically states otherwise.

Invocation Save DC: The save DC for an invocation (if it allows a save) is 10 + equivalent spell level + the warlock’s Charisma modifier.

Since spell-like abilities are not actually spells, a warlock cannot benefit from the Spell Focus feat. He can, however, benefit from the Ability Focus feat, as well as from feats that emulate metamagic effects for spell-like abilities, such as Quicken Spell-Like Ability and Empower Spell-Like Ability.

Dismissing Invocations: A warlock can dismiss any invocation as a standard action, just as a wizard can dismiss a spell.

Injury: If while trying to use an invocation you take damage, you must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + points of damage taken + the equivalent spell level of the invocation you’re casting). If you fail the check, you lose the invocation without effect. The interrupting event strikes during invoking if it comes between when you start and when you complete a invocation or if it comes in response to your casting the invocation (such as an attack of opportunity provoked by the spell or a contingent attack, such as a readied action).

If you are taking continuous damage half the damage is considered to take place while you are casting a spell. You must make a Concentration check (DC 10 + 1/2 the damage that the continuous source last dealt + the level of the spell you’re casting). If the last damage dealt was the last damage that the effect could deal then the damage is over, and it does not distract you. Repeated damage does not count as continuous damage.

Invoking Defensively: A warlock can choose to use an invocation defensively, by making a successful Concentration check, to avoid provoking attacks of opportunity (DC 15 + the level of the equivalent spell level of invocation).

Invocation Grades: The four grades of invocations, in order of their relative power, are least, lesser, greater, and dark.

Invocations and Eldritch Blast: Eldritch blast is not an invocation, but some invocations provide a warlock with the ability to modify his eldritch blast or add new eldritch attacks.

INVOCATION TYPES

ELDRITCH ESSENCE INVOCATIONS

Some of a warlock’s invocations, such as frightful blast, modify the damage or other effects of the warlock’s eldritch blast. These are called eldritch essence invocations. Unless noted otherwise, eldritch blasts modified by eldritch essence invocations deal damage normally in addition to imparting the effects described in the invocation description.

A warlock can apply only one eldritch essence invocation to a single eldritch blast, choosing from any of the eldritch essence invocations that he knows. When a warlock applies an eldritch essence invocation to his eldritch blast, the spell level equivalent of the modified blast is equal to the spell-level of the eldritch blast or of the eldritch essence invocation, whichever is higher. If a warlock targets a creature with an eldritch essence blast that has immunity to the invocation’s effect, it still takes the damage from the blast normally (provided it isn’t also immune to the eldritch blast).

A warlock can apply an eldritch essence invocation and a blast shape invocation (see below) to the same blast. When a warlock uses both kinds of invocations to alter an eldritch blast, the spell level equivalent is equal to the spell level of the eldritch blast, the level of the eldritch essence invocation, or the level of the blast shape invocation, whichever is higher.

Example: Morthos, a 1st-level warlock, decides to make his eldritch blast attack into a frightful blast. Morthos’s eldritch blast is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell, while frightful blast is an effect equivalent to a 2nd-level spell. His frightful blast is thus the equivalent of a 2nd-level spell.

BLAST SHAPE INVOCATIONS

Some of a warlock’s invocations, such as eldritch spear, modify the range, target(s), or area of a warlock’s eldritch blast. These are called blast shape invocations. Unless noted otherwise, eldritch blasts subject to blast shape invocations deal damage normally in addition to imparting the effects described in the invocation description. A warlock can apply only one blast shape at a time to an eldritch blast, and he can choose from any of the blast shape invocations that he knows. A warlock need not apply a blast shape invocation to his eldritch blast. When a warlock applies a blast shape invocation to his eldritch blast, the spell-level equivalent is equal to the spell level of the eldritch blast or of the blast shape invocation, whichever is higher.

A warlock can apply a blast shape invocation and an eldritch essence invocation (see Eldritch Essence Invocations above) to the same blast. When a warlock uses an eldritch essence and a blast shape to alter an eldritch blast, the spell-level equivalent is equal to the spell level of the eldritch blast, the eldritch essence invocation, or the blast shape invocation, whichever is higher.

Example: Morthos decides to make his eldritch blast attack a hellrime eldritch spear. As a 6th-level warlock, Morthos’s eldritch blast is the equivalent of a 3rd-level spell. Eldritch spear is the equivalent of a 2nd-level spell, while hellrime blast is the equivalent of a 4th-level spell. His hellrime eldritch spear is therefore the equivalent of a 4th-level spell.

OTHER INVOCATIONS

In addition to the potent blast shape and eldritch essence invocations, warlocks learn a number of others that enable them to perform many tricks and attacks.

READING INVOCATION DESCRIPTIONS

NAME

GRADE

Below the name, the grade of invocation is provided. Warlocks can choose invocations from four grades depending on their class level: least, lesser, greater, and dark. See the warlock class description for more details on when warlocks gain access to invocations of a given grade.

LEVEL EQUIVALENT

On the same line as the grade, each of the following invocation descriptions contains a spell level equivalent, which affects the save DC for that invocation, Concentration checks made in concert with the invocation, as well as interactions with other spells and abilities, such as globe of invulnerability. The level equivalent of an invocation is provided after its grade.

BLAST SHAPE OR ELDRITCH ESSENCE

Some invocations can modify a warlock’s eldritch blast attack. These invocations are either blast shape invocations or eldritch essence invocations. They do not produce an effect on their own like regular invocations, but must be used in conjunction with eldritch blast to generate an effect. If an invocation is a blast shape or eldritch essence invocation, this fact is noted after the level equivalent.