Arcane Wonders Forum

Mage Wars => Spellbook Design and Construction => Topic started by: coyotecloudchasr on June 25, 2015, 12:48:18 PM

Title: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: coyotecloudchasr on June 25, 2015, 12:48:18 PM

Trying out the Warlock now and had fun building this deck.  Pretty simple strategy to beat on things with Sectarus and spam curses, while using the equipment to slow the incoming damage. Would appreciate any advice from experienced Warlocks.

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname][/spellbookname]
[mage]Warlock[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1a04]3 x  Fireball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a06]2 x  Flameblast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a12]2 x  Ring of Fire[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1j04]1 x  Battle Forge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j12]1 x  Mana Crystal[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKJ01]1 x  Enchanter's Wardstone[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1c03]1 x  Dark Pact Slayer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC02]1 x  Blood Demon[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]2 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e31]2 x  Poisoned Blood[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE01]1 x  Armor Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]1 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e14]1 x  Enfeeble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]2 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e28]1 x  Mongoose Agility[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE03]1 x  Arcane Corruption[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e24]1 x  Magebane[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e40]1 x  Vampirism[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e09]2 x  Agony[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e27]1 x  Marked for Death[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e05]1 x  Cheetah Speed[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e19]2 x  Ghoul Rot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e08]1 x  Death Link[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e25]1 x  Maim Wings[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e04]1 x  Chains of Agony[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWQ09]2 x  Sectarus, Dark Rune Sword[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q07]1 x  Elemental Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q06]1 x  Dragonscale Hauberk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ01]1 x  Dancing Scimitar[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q11]1 x  Gauntlets of Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ10]1 x  Storm Drake Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q21]1 x  Moloch's Torment[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q15]1 x  Leather Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q10]1 x  Fireshaper Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ09]1 x  Wand of Healing[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q28]1 x  Ring of Curses[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q23]1 x  Regrowth Belt[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]3 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]3 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: silverclawgrizzly on June 26, 2015, 11:33:21 PM

You've a lot of curses which is good. I don't see the Force Hammer being absolutely necessary when you can get two Fireballs for it to do basically the same job on conjurations. Still it's good to have an answer for Incorporeal ready. I'd slim down on those Nullifies maybe but I can see your concern with them. I'd honestly advise keeping the two Dark Pact Slayers and adding in the Imp Familiar. Him with Sectarus means you can potential hand out A LOT of hate on some turns.

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: Schwenkgott on June 27, 2015, 02:26:12 AM

1) Buffed melee Warlocks should consider using Vampirism for healing.

2) Your Veteans Belt becomes obsolete very fast, because you only got 2 sources of armor (Rhino Hide and Dragonscale Hauberk)

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: Intangible0 on June 27, 2015, 03:50:56 AM

Agreed with all said above.

Can you give us your opening? Typically a good idea so we can make a good guess what your actions will be for the rest of the game.

Attacks
I highly recommend adding another fireball and maybe a flameblast. The latter is great for taking out small evasive creatures. As far as the Forcehammer goes, I'd usually recommend one in most decks; Figure out if there are two or more conjurations that really terrify you with your build, if you can think of them then it's worth keeping.

Conjurations
Take out either the Orb or the Ob (as I lovingly call them). If you're more aggressive then keep the Obelisk, and if you stay back use the Orb as they'll come to you. If you're worried about swarms that much then I'd recommend Firestorm.

Creatures
Serserix is a pretty good idea. In addition I'd replace one Slayer for a Blood Demon, or at least add the BlooDemon in. Start with a slayer and once your opponent has taken damage it'll be much harder for them to work around Bloodthirsty.

Enchantments

• I'd take out marked for death. Not enough creatures to make it worth it.
• Add another Magebane. That's a number one priority for your opponent to dispel so you'll want a backup. With the enchanter's wardstones they may not want to get rid of both.
• Too many nullifies, take out two, throw in another dispel if you see fit.
• Transfusion is so good with curses, You might want another. If they play big creatures you can focus curses on the big guys then transfer the curses before it dies.
• Armor Ward! For the next section I'm going to recommend something that would work well unless you had this enchantment. Plus all that equipment, you know?
• Force crush is a consideration since it can destroy your opponent while you casually walk away for the win, not to mention the other uses.
• Vampiric is indeed a great idea for this build

Equipment

• Add another Rune Sword and take out the lash, but only if you put in armor ward. If they've spent all that mana destroying both swords they'll unlikely have enough mana to deal with all your curses.
• Not enough fire to support the Fireshaper ring, even with the lash because if it's dissolved you have a dead equipment on you.
• You may want another piece of leather since your primary way of beating the opponent is curses, you'll need the protection to outlast them.
• Weirdly enough maybe consider a Storm Drake hide? You can swap out your hauberk for it if you get corroded and if you're fighting an air wizard you might be happy you have it.
• Vet's belt doesn't see a lot of use until about 4 armor, So I agree, I'd X it out.

Incantations
I don't like the power strikes here, not enough value for one of your few actions.
Consider purify? Since your melee attack matters quite a bit weak tokens could suck. It also works as a cheap (0 mana) way of getting rid of seeking dispel.

These are a lot of recommendations, I realize this. It's not like I don't like the build, actually I love it, the suggestions are just ideas to make it work more smoothly. Hope this was helpful!

Oh also, when Domination is official Plagued is going to be your best friend (you'll be able to return a copy to your hand if the plagued creature dies). Also Astral Anchor could help.

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: Coshade on June 27, 2015, 10:29:52 AM

Hey Coyote

This book looks like fun. I'm going to try to guess you don't own a Forged in Fire expansion based on the cards I see. Here are some suggestions! I think you have a great idea, but I think you just need to focus the book a little more.

Strategy - It looks like you have some conflicting cards in your book. You have the Fireshaper Ring and the lash, but not many fire attack spells. I think you should run some unavoidable attack spells. Flameblast combos well with the Fireshaper, and Surging Wave can help you get a beatdown round. I would put in at least 2 Flameblast if you keep the ring.

How often do you play Cloak of Shadows? When you play it do you get a few rounds of use out of it? I noticed you have Moongoose agility and Cheetah speed, those combo really well with the cloak. But you don't have an elemental wand to keep the attack spells going (I realize you can curse). You're strategy is to beat down, but these cards are not helping you with that.

If you are going to use a Veterans Belt, I would suggest replacing the Gauntlets of Strength with Leather Gloves and taking out the Cloak of Shadows for the Elemental Cloak.

You should have two breastplate armor. If you get dissolved it can be your doom!

For your creatures, I would consider a Skeletal Knight. They are really useful and allow you to take care of guards without taking damage. If you have FIF I would take out a Dark Pact and put in a Blood Demon.

Enchantments - I think you should take out some nullifys, Marked for Death, a Maim Wings. I would add (FIF) at least 1 Brace Yourself, at least 1 Vampirism, and another Bear Strength. Right now your damage is your melee and you should exploit that as much as you can. A Decoy could be fun in this too. You absolutely need 2 Poison Bloods. I suggest 2 because the first one always gets dispelled (and the second is always ignored).

I would take out the two Power Strikes. Do you combo the Mage Wand with Battle Fury? You might be able to take out the second Battle Fury if you use your Battle Forge appropriately. I think you should add in a Force Push or 2.

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: Sabrath_Kell on June 28, 2015, 12:53:35 AM

Quote from: coyotecloudchasr on June 25, 2015, 12:48:18 PM

If I lose Sectarus, then fall back on the Lash of Hellfire.  Would appreciate any advice from experienced Warlocks.

Sectarus bid me convey to you that he is far superior to a soul-less whip. He suggests that you drop that and add an Armor Ward. Fire has its benefits, but curses are where it's at. http://forum.arcanewonders.com/index.php?topic=15560.0

Good luck with this spell book!

-- Sabrath Kell
Warlock General of the Sixth Legion
Wielder of Sectarus, Dark Rune Sword

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: coyotecloudchasr on July 02, 2015, 12:46:31 PM

I ended up dropping Sersiryx, a Vampirism, and the Acid Balls and replacing them with Rust (more curses = good for warlock) and a couple Force Push. I didn't have the mana to use Seriryx for spells while buffing my warlock with enchantments/equipment, casting a lot of Battle Fury, and cursing with Sectarus.  Five actions a turn is great, but I'm lucky if I had mana for two or three. 

While admittedly my favorite opening is to simply charge in with Sectarus and start the damage race on turn 2, my new more wise opening is starting with a buffed Blood or Pact Demon (while foe's defense is still setting up) while gearing up my mage through the Forge, and then use Transfusion to pull the enchantments back to my mage when the Demon is about to die to commence Sectarus's cursed beatdown.

Title: Re: Sectarus Warlock
Post by: coyotecloudchasr on July 14, 2015, 12:56:37 PM

This is the current version of the build.  I am thinking I would like to add a couple Tanglevine, but can't figure out what to take out.  I tried Deathlock, but oddly it was scary not being able to heal even though I really only do it through Vampirism.  The early game is pretty easy, but getting past turn 10 figuring out what are the best cards is tougher.  Any thoughts?

A typical opening:

1)   Blood Demon or Dark Pact (12/13) + Mana Crystal (5)
2)   Cheetah Speed or Mongoose and Bear Strength on demon, Move 1
3)   Force Push or Nullify FD on demon (3/2) + Move 1 + Battle Forge (8)
4)   D chest (6)+ Enchantment Transfusion FD on demon (2) + Move 1 + Ring of Curses (2)      
5)   D Sectarus (9) + Transfer enchantments to mage (2/3)  + Move 2 + Attack
6)   D Fireshaper Ring (2) + Flameblast (5) + Attack + curse from Sectarus (~5)   


[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname][/spellbookname]
[mage]Warlock[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1a04]3 x  Fireball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a06]2 x  Flameblast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a12]2 x  Ring of Fire[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1j04]1 x  Battle Forge[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j12]1 x  Mana Crystal[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKJ01]1 x  Enchanter's Wardstone[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1c03]1 x  Dark Pact Slayer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFC02]1 x  Blood Demon[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]2 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e31]2 x  Poisoned Blood[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE01]1 x  Armor Ward[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]1 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e14]1 x  Enfeeble[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]2 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e28]1 x  Mongoose Agility[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE03]1 x  Arcane Corruption[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e24]1 x  Magebane[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e40]1 x  Vampirism[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e09]2 x  Agony[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e27]1 x  Marked for Death[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e05]1 x  Cheetah Speed[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e19]2 x  Ghoul Rot[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e08]1 x  Death Link[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e25]1 x  Maim Wings[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e04]1 x  Chains of Agony[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=FWQ09]2 x  Sectarus, Dark Rune Sword[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q07]1 x  Elemental Cloak[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q06]1 x  Dragonscale Hauberk[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ01]1 x  Dancing Scimitar[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q11]1 x  Gauntlets of Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWQ10]1 x  Storm Drake Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q21]1 x  Moloch's Torment[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q15]1 x  Leather Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q10]1 x  Fireshaper Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ09]1 x  Wand of Healing[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q28]1 x  Ring of Curses[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q23]1 x  Regrowth Belt[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]3 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]3 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]