Board 8 > does a warlock zap or stab

(+) Yeah! (+)

my best friend and I have been arguing about this for 6 years now:

A warlock is adventuring through a dungeon. An enemy (we never specify which kind) jumps out and startles the warlock. Is the warlock instinctively more likely to:

A) zap the enemy with electricity
B) stab the enemy with a dagger

I won't tell you what side I'm on but my entire friend group has an opinion on this and I want to expand the discussion to get some new perspectives on warlocks

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zap

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A warlock does Eldritch Blast.

A warlock ALWAYS does Eldritch Blast.


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Zap

Why would a magic user stab?

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BlAcK TuRtLe posted...

Zap

Why would a magic user stab?

you have no idea how many people I meet that answer with "a wizard would zap, a warlock would stab!!!" as if that would matter at all

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Strife2 posted...

A warlock does Eldritch Blast.

A warlock ALWAYS does Eldritch Blast.

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Ztap

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The warlock will never be in that position because his imp familiar will prevent that from happening

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Strife2 posted...

A warlock does Eldritch Blast.

A warlock ALWAYS does Eldritch Blast.

As the brother of a warlock main I can confirm this.
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Was D&Ding with my Tiefling Bardlock earlier and I ended up not using a dagger at all. Always was using spells, with Eldritch Blast being my primary of course. (Had to use Cure Wounds on a fallen ally in front of me instead once)
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In dnd, and most similar rpg scenarios, the warlock would eldritch blast or 'zap'. It is just how classes like it are designed to function, for the most part.

In practical realistic scenarios, the warlock would stab, for in most settings that are not high fantasy, magic often has a steep price and generally takes longer than an instant to prepare, whereas an athame just takes a quick stabbity application of physics. The stab approach has the added benefit of not being prone to spell failure or spell fatigue, should the setting have such things.

That said, if a warlock is in a position where 'stab' is an option to begin with, something has gone wrong.


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Zap. I can't imagine why their first instinct would be anything other than "OMG kill it!"

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4e Warlock/Assassin uses Eldritch Strike

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Why not both, you can never be too sure

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DreamEater12 posted...

Why not both, you can never be too sure

You can only do one action.

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ZenOfThunder posted...

you have no idea how many people I meet that answer with "a wizard would zap, a warlock would stab!!!" as if that would matter at all

I think of warlocks as MORE stabby than wizards, but not enough that it would be their first recourse

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Strife2 posted...

A warlock does Eldritch Blast.

A warlock ALWAYS does Eldritch Blast.

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A real-life warlock would leave the dungeon, drink absithe, get a dumb haircut and tell everyone about how he performed a magic ceremony in the dungeon and that it's 'too much for those not talented in the majikal artes'

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Depends on the warlock

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The edges look pretty pointy, so I would assume it's more likely to be used to stab, although if it was short circuiting or something I suppose it could zap you.

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If it's the warlock from Looking For Group, he'll stab first since I don't believe he has a zap spell.

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is woeful stab worth a 6th level slot?

Zap

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sounds like we're metagaming here in 5th edition dnd. it will depend on the player, the warlock, and the warlock's level

Zap: a warlock's charisma should be higher than their strength or dexterity, so zap is more likely to hit

Stab: however, the enemy has surprised them and is within 5 feet. ranged attacks have disadvantage. so stab is actually more likely to hit

Zap: however, once you hit a certain level, zap does dramatically more damage, so depending on whether the enemy can die in one stab, you might zap anyway

if we're roleplaying, there are more considerations.

In the 5th edition rules, ranged attacks never accidentally hit an ally. you can shoot your arrows down a short, narrow corridor past your entire team and will never hit anyone in front of or behind your target, even if you miss or roll a natural 1

In-universe, though? Your palpatine lightning is probably going to miss and fry your friends or the surrounding furniture. If your warlock cares about that at all they'll lean towards stab.

Last thing to consider is how much the warlock cares about society. In the fluff as written, warlocks, tieflings, etc are shunned and persecuted because they're related to and/or make pacts with demons/devils. No DM i've ever known cares about this at all, but if this is being roleplayed, the warlock might instinctively avoid going full sith

zap is also more like a gun. if you're startled, are you more likely to shoot the person who startled you or whack them away? if you're in a dungeon and expecting to fight for your life at any moment, you might shoot. if you are looking for people to rescue, or the rogue might be returning from scouting, you might whack.

Your friend might be remembering that warlocks have more hit points than wizards. They also might be remembering the 3rd edition version of the class, which had rogue/cleric base attack bonus progression, and both of those classes would default to stabbing/clubbing

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Strife2 posted...

A warlock does Eldritch Blast.

A warlock ALWAYS does Eldritch Blast.

This. Unless they're a hexblade.

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Echoing the blast sentiment.

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MarkS222222222222222 posted...

Depends on the warlock

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