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• Dragonborn - +2 Charisma and Str/Con means you can go Con'lock, Cha'lock or Split'lock. Dragonbreath and the the bloodied attack bonus are both great on a Striker--but be warned that your breath weapon becomes obsolete at high levels for anyone but Con'locks.  


• Dwarf - +2 Con and Str/Wis makes you a solid Con'lock especially for GISH builds. You've got some great feats and -1 to forced moves, getting a save vs. prone and +5 to saves vs. poison, and of course your racial power make you a shoo-in for TANK builds.


• Eladrin - +2 Int and Cha/Dex is perfect for Cha'locks, so now Eladrin can be iconic Fey'locks! The extra skill is great (I recommend Stealth!), and the teleport is handy, if a little redundant with a lot of utility powers, but you have good enough feat and item support for teleporting that it's a net gain. 


• Elf - +2 Dex and Int/Wis is doable, but I recommend going with a Revenant if you really want the reroll and/or feats.


• Half-Elf - +2 Con and Wis/Cha. An ideal candidate for Split'locks, and top tier for any other pact. Definitely stick with Dilettente over Knack as there are some great combos out there. 


• Halfling - +2 Dex and Con/Cha means you actually work well as a Con'lock or a Cha'lock since the Dex helps your initiative and helps you easily qualify for Dual Implement Spellcaster. The racial powers will make you a very difficult target.


• Human - Always a solid choice. +1 to all defenses and the bonus feat are awesome. The extra skill helps, and you have access to great racial feats. Thanks to AP and FRPG you have some good options for the bonus at-will, but I prefer Heroic Surge instead of the extra at-will.  


• Tiefling - +2 Cha and Con/Int. The stats are a little more optimal as Dark'locks, Fey'locks and Star'locks rather than Hell'locks, but they can do well in any pact. The features are all Striker boosters and they have some great feats.

• Deva - +2 Wis and Int/Cha. The Wis is mostly useless, but Memory of a 1000 Life Times really helps accuracy and they have some solid defensive features.


• Gnome - +2 Int and Dex/Cha. Perfect stats and fluff for the Fey Pact. I highly recommend picking a background that lets you take Stealth as a class skill to get the most out of your racials though.


• Goliath - +2 Str and Con/Wis. I like them better than Dwarves in a few ways as the Strength is probably more useful than Wisdom (armor/shield proficiencies). But my favorite is their Markings of the Victor feat which grants you Avenger-like accuracy and crit rate with your first attack every fight. 


• Half-Orc - +2 Dex hand Str/Con is solid for Con'locks and most of the features and feats are all pro-Striker. 


• Shifter, Longtooth - Strength can help with armor feats, but the Wisdom is worthless and their great racial power just isn't enough to save the race. The only saving grace is they make great Revenants thanks to the excellent racial power and a few great feats. 


• Shifter, Razorclaw - Trading the Str for Dex is better, but the racial is less helpful so the rating stays red.

• Drow - They may not have "perfect" stats for Cha'locks but the Dex is no waste, and their features and feats are all Striker focused and let's face it Dark Pact was based around them! As Revenants they make great Con'locks too!


• Genasi - +2 Int and Str/Con makes them one of the elusive Con/Int races! The feats and racial powers (especially Promise of Storm) make them even better!

• Changeling - Apparently the 'official' Doppelganger stats (since they have disappeared from the Compendium...), these guys get an extra +1 to Will, and a combat application of their shapeshifting and can choose to gain +2 Dex instead of Int, but of course you're gonna want Int. Sadly they are the least supported official race, with only two feats at the moment, keeping them from the top tier.


• Kalashtar - You get +2 to Cha and Int/Wis, which makes them another race with perfect Ca'lock stats. The floating skill bonus is nice, telepathy means language isn't a barrier, and between Dual Soul and Bastion of Mental Clarity you are damn hard to hit with the worst status effects (except stun for some reason).


• Warforged - +2 Con and Str/Int makes them one of the few races with perfect Con'lock stats. Their feats and features make them best suited for a GISH or TANK build.

• Githzerai - +2 Wis and Dex/Int. +2 to Int is nice, but you're stuck with +2 Wis, which is pretty worthless. They do have a lot of very good feats though, and +2 Initiative is always nice.


• Minotaur - +2 Str and Con/Wis. Like Gnolls, they'd be better if all of their feats and features weren't so heavily melee/charge focused, but for GISHes and TANKs they are a good choice.


• Shardmind - +2 Int and Wis/Cha. Yet another race with perfect stats for Cha'locks. In this package you get psychic resistance, a nice teleport power that can also debuff, and lots of out of combat benefits. The feats are also quite nice.


• Wilden - +2 Wis and Dex/Con. Decent stats for a Con'lock. Plus they get a very potent floating NAD boost, decent feats, and a choice of racial powers. (Wrath of the Destroyer is very good, but only for a GISH.)  

• Mul - +Con and Str/Wis means they make solid Con'locks, especially GISHes. Then gaining a free surge and access to either Dwarf or Human feats and a racial power that makes you very resistant to some of the worst status effects, and you've got a damn good TANK race. The Mul feats are rather good, too!


• Thri-kreen - + Dex and Str/Wis manages to miss all 3 useful Warlock stats, and I am not aware of any feats, PPs or EDs to make Revenant Thri-kreens particularly attractive either.

• Gnoll (D367) - Good stats for a Con'lock, and the 7 speed can't hurt. The racial and almost all the feats, while Striker-focused, are for melee/charging only, so they are best off as a GISH.


• Revenant (D376) - +2 Dex and Con/Cha. Perfect flavor, and near-perfect stats for a either build since the dex will help qualify for DIS and help out Initiative. Plus the ability to using another race's feats, etc. is chock full of potential and manages to make some previously awful races work as revenants!


• Shadar-Kai (DA09) - +2 Dex and Int/Wis. Int helps with riders, and +2 Dex helps with DIS, and they have some great feats, but without a primary stat boost or anything boosting their accuracy, they're still not enough for a blue rating in my book. They make solid revenants though.

• Bladeling (MOTP) - Like elves but with worse feat selection.


• Bugbear (MM) - Oversized does you no good, so they are basically Half-orcs without the racial feats. Pass.


• Bullywug (MM2) - The stats are good for a Con'lock, but the only power they have is their aura which penalizes enemies for spending a healing surge--how often have you noticed a monster spend a surge? Yeah...


• Doppelganger (MM) - Apparently they have been replaced by Changeling as of the EPG release, so see above.


• Duergar (MM2) - Same stats as Dwarves but they trade their goodies for a high damage, but very inaccurate racial power, darkvision, and an extra language (and extra speed but they lose the heavy armor affinity). Personally I'd stick with the Dwarf unless they give the racial power an extra +2 to hit like Minotaur's or change it to target Reflex.


• Githyanki (MM) - These guys used to have the distinction of being the only Con/Int race (i.e. perfect stats for a Con'lock) and they have great features, but without a "full" write up, they lack racial feats (and are not RPGA legal), so I can't give them the top rating. 


• Goblin (MM) - These little guys are pretty good. A good racial and good stats. But the lack of feats, etc. really hurts.


• Hobgoblin (MM) - Perfect Split'lock stats, a great racial and +2 Initiative makes them another race that is just a Dragon article away from being top tier.


• Kenku (MM2) - Good stats for a Cha'lock, but that's about it since you're not gonna be flanking or aiding another much. Their power is completely up to the DM as to what you can get away with.


• Kobold (MM) - Small Gnolls. Their racial power is certainly much more useful, but they don't have any racial feats yet. Expect them to jump to Sky Blue if/when Dragon gets to them.


• Orc (MM) - Yet another Str/Con race, and this one has no racial feats and the racial power is Strength based. The bonus to a primary stat is the only thing keeping them from a red rating.

• Arcana - Keys off your secondary and rather useful. Mandatory if you are the party's ritual caster. Some solid skill powers too.


• Bluff - A rare skill, keyed off your primary for Cha'locks, and fits the flavor of the class perfectly, plus some great skill powers.


• History - Keys off your secondary, and there are some great skill powers here.


• Insight - A good skill, but your Wisdom is probably too low to be worth it. It does have some great skill powers though...


• Intimidate - It keys off a primary stat, fits the flavor of the class perfectly, and can let you instantly defeat a bloodied opponent with a good roll. Skill powers are pretty meh.


• Religion - Keys off your secondary, so not a bad choice especially if you end up as the party's ritual caster! Skill powers aren't very helpful to you, though.


• Streetwise - Keys off a Primary stat but, as is, it's the weakest of the Charisma skills. The skill powers are pretty good, though.


• Thievery - A rare skill to have in class. If you had the Dex for this it'd be a no brainer. But odds are you have a 13 at best, so this is only a maybe. Skill powers are pretty solid.

• Diplomacy - The only Charisma skill you don't get, and it's the most versatile. Plus for those of you playing Half-elves it seems almost foolish not to pick this up. The skill powers are mostly leader focused.


• Endurance - The only skill that keys off of Con'locks' primary and helps in skill challenges and to stave off disease. Not a bad pick up. The skill powers really boost toughness.


• Nature - If you end up the party's ritual caster then you may want this but be warned your wisdom is not gonna be great so don't pick any rituals with tough DCs. And the skill powers are mostly useless for you.


• Perception - the most commonly used skill, but it may be a lost cause for you depending on your dump stat. The skill powers are pretty good though.


• Stealth - IMO it was a mistake to leave this off Warlock's class list given their sneaky flavor. With a lot of feats/powers/items you can use this to hide in combat pretty effectively, but either way it is a solid skill. It also has a couple good skill powers. Sadly you don't have any stat synergy so it misses out on the highest rating.

Rods - There are some really strong implements here for warlocks, but the big drawback for using rods is the inability to take the Weapon Focus feat, which plays a significant role in Striker DPR.

Wands - Not bad if you want to diversify and/or focus on the control side, but generally they won't help you be a better Striker. 

Orbs - By default, these are not terribly attractive to Warlocks but the Crystal Orb superior version is very appealing and there are certainly some good control boosting enhancements.

Staves - A solid option for the Staff of Ruin alone.

Light Blades - Often times this is your best bet because it combines the weaplement advantages, superior implement options (as long as you stick to a dagger), as well as some of the best enchantments for Warlocks like Shadowrift Blade for HELLISH REBUKE OPTIMIZERS and Incisive Dagger for TELEPORT optimizers.

Heavy Blades - A solid option for a GISH for the biggger [W]s this offers. WARNING: Gaining implement proficiency is not the same as gaining weapon proficiency so non-hybrids will likely have to spend a second feat on (preferably Superior) Weapon Proficiency to be able to use it as an actual weapon. Sadly there are no superior implement options at this time.

• Arms of Hadar (AP) - A party UNFRIENDLY CLOSE BURST2 vR spell that deals 1d8+stat which isn't bad damage for an AoE, and pushes 2 (or 1+INT mod for Star'locks) for control. However the problem with this power is targetting; it is very hard to avoid having any allies within 2 squares of you.  But it is a solid MELEE ESCAPE power to use when forced into melee since most melee monsters have low Reflex.


• Chains of Levistus (AP) - A great SOFT CONTROL vF spell that deals 2d6+stat COLD damage and then makes the target choose between Immobilization or an extra 2d6+mods damage. And per the PHB3 "move" clarification, if you or an ally can follow up with a forced move, you can force the extra damage! The only down side to this spell is it targets Fort which will be high on most melee-only types.


• Clarion Call (AP) - vF UNFRIENDLY CLOSE BLAST3 deals 3d4+stat THUNDER damage, which is decent for an AoE and deafens, which is pitiful control. Vestige'locks also get 3 THP per hit, which makes it at least somewhat useful.


• Diabolic Grasp (PHB) - vF 2d8+stat is decent damage but a slide 2 is weak CONTROL. Hell'locks increase the slide distance to 1+INT mod which is much better! COMBO:Damaging zones give you a place to slide the targets in and out of to trigger the damage multiple times!


• Life Bind (AP) - vR spell that deals solid 2d8+stat damage, but it's NECROTIC so resistance is a problem. For CONTROL it prevents healing and THP gain, and imposes -2 to saves for a round, which sadly are 3 things unlikely to come up at low levels. Vestige'locks get to add their INT mod to damage.


• Vampiric Embrace (PHB) - vW RANGED5 spell that deals 2d8+stat damage, but it's NECROTIC so resistance is a problem. It also grants 5 THPs, which isn't bad, but isn't spectacular either, and Hell'locks who get to add their INT mod to damage, have to worry about THP overlap.

• Cursebite (FRPG) - vF CLOSEBURST20 deals 2d8+mods damage which is pretty good for an AoE, but it is NECROTIC so resistance is a problem. The catch is that it only targets cursed enemies (though that makes it party FRIENDLY). Basically, if you can SPREAD YOUR CURSE quickly then have fun with this! Dark'locks get to add their INT mod to damage making it a great DPR power. 


• Darkworm Feast (AP) - vW spell deals only 2d6+stat damage and it's NECROTIC so resistance is a problem, and slows which is mediocre CONTROL.  Dark'locks get to add their INT mod to damage (which is oddly delayed) but they should take Cursebite instead.


• Dreadful Word (PHB) - RANGED5 vW FEAR spell deals 2d8+stat PSYCHIC is mediocre damage, and a -1 to Will is very unlikely to matter. Star'locks get to add their Int to the penalty which makes a huge difference, but I can only give a high rating if you and your party have strong vs Will attacks, for the NOVA SETUP. WARNING: This is only ranged 5, which is awfully close to melee for a Cha'lock and since this targets the same defense it debuffs, it is a catch-22 for hard to hit foes. 


• Flickering Venom (FRPG) - vR RANGED5 spell deals 2d8+stat FORCE damage, but you get to add your Int to damage as long as you wait for CA (which isn't hard at late heroic thanks to SWA). However the extra damage is POISON, which is very easy to resist, and Ranged 5 is awfully close to melee for a Cha'lock, fortunately Dark'locks get range 10.


• Glow of Ulban (DA09) - vW RANGED5 deals 2d8+stat RADIANT damage. Star'locks also impose -2 to the target's next save this encounter, but at 1st level that might come up in 1 fight a day. At late heroic it can be worth retraining into when save penalties become more valuable.


• Grasp of the Iron Tower (D386) - vF spell deals solid 2d10+stat damage, and prevents the target from willing moving closer is rather unimpressive CONTROL, but then we get to the fact this has a MISS EFFECT! In exchange for taking your level in damage, you can make a secondary attack against a different target for half damage, but the same control. So altogether, if you can afford the damage for the reroll, it makes for a decent power. But Hell'locks have it best since their THPs offset the reroll damage perfectly and they get resist all 2+INT mod on a hit as a bonus rider! 


• Sprite War Call (AP) - RANGED5 vR 1d8+stat is terrible damage, but slow plus granting CA for a round is solid CONTROL. The problem is that only 5 squares away slowing doesn't mean much. Fey'locks get range 10.


• Witchfire (PHB) - vR deals low 2d6+stat FIRE damage and -2 to one creature's attacks is a weak DEBUFF, but Fey'locks add their INT mod to the attack penalty which is huge.

• Cruel Bounty (DSCS) - vF TOUCH or RANGED5 deals 2d6+stat RADIANT damage and gives your allies (but not you) +1 to attack the target.  Fell Might: ups bonus to +2 to hit and damage, but still selfless, not bad. Overall this is versatile, but weak for a striker power.

• Armor of Agathys (PHB) - The 10+INT mod THP this grants is strong at L1 but doesn't scale well. The 1d6+stat AURA COLD damage can add up, but it lacks the Implement keyword so most static mods don't apply, making it scale poorly. It also costs a standard action for zero immediate damage. In the end, gish builds will love it for a few levels, but even they should retrain it by paragon since it scales terribly.


• Flames of Phlegethos (PHB) - vR deals excellent 3d10+stat plus ONGOING 5 FIRE damage on a hit, but only the ongoing on a miss. Resistance can be a problem, but 1/day you should be okay. Overall you have a solid DPR power, but I highly recommend waiting for a nice accuracy (CA + prime shot ought to do it) bonus before firing this sucker.


• The Lash's Bite (D382) - vW deals solid 3d10+stat PSYCHIC damage plus removes resistances and immunities save ends on a hit. But on a miss you have to take 5+1/2 level unavoidable damage for a 2nd chance with a +4 to hit, but not until next turn for another standard action and it has to be vs. the same target--which is a terrible deal. So this could help out your party's necrotic/poison/fire/etc. powers which is certainly nice but IMO not that valuable for the life of a level 1 Daily (1st thru 14th). Hell'locks debuff the save but only by 2 and only on the first attempt.


• Tyranny of Flame (AP) - vW deals only 3d6+stat FIRE damage on a hit, but a solid half on a miss. As an effect you knock prone, which is decent CONTROL, but on a hit you force the target to stay prone save ends, which is great as long as you have a few melee allies to capitalize on the CA and lack of shifting. Hell'locks debuff the save by 2.


• Vestige of Khaeleth (AP) - vR deals only 1d8+stat, but you get to add your INT mod times the number of adjacent allies, which scales well and can be worth it if you have enough allies and Int, but that's too many ifs IMO. Vestige'lock's get defender-like upgrades for Tanks from a new pact boon that gives allies INT mod THPs, and an at-will upgrade that lets you soak damage for allies.


• Vestige of Mount Vaelis (AP) - vR deals only 2d8+stat THUNDER damage (half on a miss) plus unusual CONTROL which essentially forces the target to shift for any movement (or fly, teleport, etc. but they probably won't apply at this level)--in effect it's a lot like slow.  Vestige'locks get to impose vulnerability 5 Thunder as a new pact boon and the at-will upgrade adds 1d6 thunder, so great synergy!


• Vestige of Thaxter (D383) - vR deals only 3d6+stat damage (with half on a miss) and you get to shift INT mod squares before or after the attack, but that is it! Vestige'locks get a decent pact boon which lets them hand out +2 to hit for 1 ally, but a crappy at-will upgrade that lets you or an ally shift away when attacked by the target.


• Vile Brand (D382) - RANGED20 vW FEAR deals solid 3d10+stat PSYCHIC damage and DEBUFFs the target and adjacent monsters but only for -2 to hit. But on a miss you have to take 5+1/2 level unavoidable damage for a 2nd chance with a +4 to hit, but not until next turn for another standard action and it has to be vs. the same target--which is a terrible deal. Hell'locks extend the debuff range to 2 squares away from the target. Ultimately this is a less impressive, but less situational version of The Lash's Bite

• Contagion (FRPG) - vF deals zero initial damage (so no curse damage or static mods!) plus inflicts ONGOING 10 POISON damage, which means that resistance is a big problem. Then if the target manages to fail their save (45% chance at best w/o debuffing!), you get to spread ongoing 5 to enemies within 2 (or within 2+INT mod for Dark'locks) squares. Only massive save penalties make this even worth considering.


• Crown of Stars (DA09) - vR deals solid 2d12+stat RADIANT damage plus if the target is bloodied you get to add CONTROL in the form of Blindness, although nothing on a miss. The reason for the high rating is the SUSTAIN MINOR that lets you make a vsWILL attack for Cha mod damage for the rest of the encounter. Cha mod damage doesn't seem like much (especially since you don't get to add static mods), but you'd be surprised how much it helps your DPR since you get a second chance to apply your curse damage and it's great for taking out minions to trigger you pact boon. TIP: Use this early in the encounter, to get the most out of the minor action attacks!


• Curse of the Dark Dream (PHB) - vW CHARM deals solid 3d8+stat PSYCHIC damage and for CONTROL slides 3 squares, but nothing on a miss.  The SUSTAIN MINOR line can be confusing to many players (enough that they've stopped writing powers this way in new books). Basically it means that the target has a save ends condition that while active lets you slide him 1 square 1/round as a sustain minor action. Unfortunately the short distance of the slides limits the usefulness.


• Decree of Khirad (AP) - FRIENDLY CLOSE BLAST3 vW CHARM which first lets you slide the targets 2 to get them into the position you want them as an effect. On a hit you force an MBA against a target of your choice, and even if the target misses or if you miss, you deal 1d6+stat PSYCHIC damage. Basically this is an AoE dominate-like effect with a consolation prize for misses, and you also get some CONTROL out of the positioning slide, not to mention any conditions the monster MBAs might impose. The downside is that it is a close blast cha'lock power, but once a day I think you can manage the risk. Also, technically you only damage the targets on misses (yours or the enemy's) so it's possible you could miss out on your Curse damage if your DM is a RAW stickler. COMBO: Use this on targets marked by your defender to force their mark punishment!


• Dread Star (PHB) - vsWILL FEAR deals only 3d6+stat RADIANT damage and for CONTROL it immobilizes but for only 1 round, but nothing on a miss. Then as an Effect DEBUFF it imposes a -2 to the target's Will save ends.  COMBO: With allies' vs. will powers, this can act as a NOVA SETUP. 


• Fortune's Reversal (AP) - IMMEDIATE REACTION vW triggers when an enemy crits rolls a save. On a hit this deals 1d8+stat PSYCHIC plus ONGOING 5 plus a -2 save penalty (save ends). On a miss it just does ongoing 5. And thankfully the developers realized that since this triggers during a monster's turn they could save against it before it really had any effect on them, so it specifically states that they have to take the ongoing once before they can attempt a save. Dark'locks get an extra -1 to the save, and Fey'locks get an extra debuff of -2 to attacks but neither make a big enough difference to warrant a higher rating.


• Prophecy of Zhudun (DA09) - vW FEAR deals only 2d8+stat PSYCHIC, but has impressive CONTROL of dazed save ends as well as effectively -2 to melee/ranged attacks. On a miss it deals half damage, but no debuffs. 


• Star Shackles (D374) - FRIENDLY CLOSE BURST2 vF deals on 1d6+stat damage and grabs until escape on a hit. Then as a SUSTAIN STANDARD you can deal another 1d6+stat autodamage to anyone still grabbed, then spend a minor action on top of that to attempt to grab a new target within 2 squares of someone still grabbed. Sadly this could be a good power if it were only a Con'lock power, but Cha'locks are generally too fragile to lock themselves in melee and their Fort defense is likely rather easy to beat on an escape attempt. Also if you miss all targets on the initial attack, this does nothing!!


• Your Glorious Sacrifice (FRPG) - vF first off this gives you the option to deal Cha mod damage to an adjacent ally for +2 to hit. On a hit you deal a solid 3d8+stat (arguably NECROTIC as the power has the keyword but the text does not label the damage) damage and if you made the sacrifice (you did, didn't you?) deals ONGOING POISON damage equal to your Cha mod.  On a miss you still do half damage but lose out on the ongoing. The downsides are poison and necrotic are very common resists/immunities so you need to pick your target carefully and/or pick up something to beat resistance. Dark'locks get to add their INT mod to the ongoing damage making this an extremely good DPR power.

• Ashen Scourge (DSCS) - vF TOUCH or RANGED5 deals 2d8+stat FIRE damage and the target grants CA and takes ONGOING 5 NECROTIC on a hit and half damage on a miss. Then as an Effect you pull the target 2 (which is useless if you used this in melee!). Overall, mediocre damage which has 2 resistances to worry about and weak control.

• Cloud of Flies (AP) - vF deals only 2d6+stat ACID damage and grants CA. This is outshined by Frigid Darkness which offers slightly more damage and a more popular damage type. However, Hell'locks + Vestige'locks get the CA even on a miss, so they're better off with this unless they need that fear keyword or want the cold damage for frostcheeze.


• Fiery Bolt (PHB) - vR deals 3d6+stat FIRE damage plus deals 1d6+stat splash damage to adjacent creatures for a solid DPR power. The only things keeping this from sky blue are the Hell'lock rider adding INT mod to the splash damage instead of the primary target, the fact that the splash is party unfriendly, and fire resistance concerns.


• Fortune Binding (AP) - vF deals 2d8+stat PSYCHIC damage plus a potentially truly tide-turning effect of immediately transfering one save ends condition from yourself to the target. Unfortunately, at low levels getting hit with a save ends effect is rare (certainly not every encounter). Vestige'locks get to add their INT mod to damage, making it a solid DPR power. COMBO: With the L10 utility, Destiny Inversion, all you need is be damaged, then you trigger DI converting the damage to ongoing damage, then on your next turn you'll take the damage once (so you effectively take half damage) and then you use this power to inflict the ongoing damage on your target! Thanks to blipdroolploop for discovering this combo!


• Frigid Darkness (PHB) - vF FEAR deals 2d8+stat COLD damage and grants CA for a round. A very similar power to Cloud of Flies, it deals slightly more damage and has the fear keyword and cold instead of acid damage. In the end I have to give it a higher default rating for the small damage edge and feat options from cold damage. Star'locks get a rider that makes it a no brainer for setting up an ally's nova.


• Vestige's Calamity (AP) - vR Against a cursed target this deals 2d8+stat+INT mod COLD FIRE LIGHTNING and THUNDER damage, making it easy to trigger vulnerabilities and subject to a lot of upgrade feats/items. Vestige'locks, get to do the Int damage to adjacent creatures as well as their rider, but considering that it doesn't distinguish friend from foe it's a pretty crappy bonus.  

• Delban's Deadly Attention (AP) - IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT to being hit CLOSE BURST4 vW deals 1d8+stat NECROTIC damage plus another 1d8 or halves the damage (attacker's choice). The only thing holding this back is dealing with resistance. Star'locks get the INT mod to the extra damage making this a great DPR power.


• Eldritch Rain (PHB) - vR deals 1d10+stat; basically a 2 target version of Eldritch Blast. Fey'locks get to add INT mod to damage, but it's still not great.


• Hands of Ihbar (DA09) - vW deals 2d12+stat COLD damage, which is solid for DPR and even slows for some CONTROL. Star'locks get to debuff cold resistance (save ends!) which is great for frostcheeze.


• Lure of Minauros (D386) - vW FEAR deals 1d10+stat PSYCHIC and forces the target to make an MBA (even against itself!). By default this is decent but not great DPR since it requires 2 successful attack rolls, but it does scale very well. On a miss you get to exchange your level in damage for a reroll for half damage against a different target, which is only worth the trade if you have HP to spare. Hell'locks who get a retaliation rider on a hit, and also have the THP to fuel the reroll. COMBO: Use this to force an enemy to violate a Defender's mark for a possible triple hit!


• Otherwind Stride (PHB) - vF CLOSE BURST1 deals 1d8+stat damage and Immobilizes, which is great CONTROL for an AoE. WARNING: This can be a real trap since a Cha'lock really does not want to get themselves surrounded, and you are targetting Fort (generally the highest NAD for melee types). Still the TELEPORT escape is an Effect, so you can try to set this up with an Ethereal Stride into trouble, blast this and get the hell out. Fey'locks get to add their INT mod to the teleport distance which adds up to a VERY long teleport (enough that this can be used as a great out of combat utility!). COMBO: Follow this up with a damaging zone like Hunger of Hadar for 2 guaranteed rounds of damage. (credit to Crimson Lancer). Feytouched/Long Night Scions/Tiefling Hellfire Teleporters get auto damage on top and will likely get a crazy long teleport out of this.


• Pipes of Winter (AP) - vF RANGED5 deals only 2d6+stat COLD plus immobilization, which is solid CONTROL. But it's another short range Cha'lock power and it targets Fort so the melee monster that you could effectively stun with this is resistant. Fey'locks get to slow adjacent enemies as well, which will occasionally come up and be useful.


• Shared Agony (AP) - vW deals a solid 2d12+stat PSYCHIC damage. But the best part is that on a miss, you can sacrifice 10 HP for a second chance to hit, so with 2 chances to hit for solid damage, you get a great DPR power.  10 damage is a lot for most Cha'locks at 3rd level but that diminishes with time and you don't have to reroll it. Dark'locks even get to reduce the cost of the reroll.


• Upsetting Onslaught (FRPG) - vW deals only 1d8+stat damage, but for CONTROL it dazes. Now the target can negate the daze but only by taking an extra 2d8+mods damage. So this becomes either very high DPR powers or a low damage power with good control. The Dark'lock rider is a joke for the most part though, unless you know you're targetting a low fort, high will controller.


• Your Delicious Weakness (FRPG) - vR deals only 2d6+stat PSYCHIC, but it automatically triggers vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are rare thing, so generally this will just be a generic 2d6 to a single target spell, which is way behind other DPR powers which aren't so situational. 

• Sinister Extraction (DSCS) - vW TOUCH or RANGED5 deals 1d10+stat PSYCHIC damage and the next ally to hit in melee gains INT mod THPs. Fell Might: Lets the ally trigger on any attack, which is very weak IMO. Overall, weak damage and a very weak rider that requires 2 successful attacks to trigger equals a terrible power.

• Avernian Eruption (PHB) - vR UNFRIENDLY AREA BURST1 deals only 2d10+stat FIRE damage, then as an Effect deals ONGOING 5. Overall it makes a decent situational DPR power that is useful when enemies are bunched up w/o allies in the area. 


• Blistering Torrent (D382) - vF UNFRIENDLY CLOSE BLAST3 deals only 2d10+stat NECROTIC and deafens until the end of the encounter. Deafening is nigh useless, so only Hell'locks who get to slow (save ends) should even consider this.


• Hellsworn Blessing (D382) - You spend your standard action to do zero damage in order to add 2d8 FIRE damage and +2 to hit to an ally for the rest of the encounter. That is a big buff, but unless you use this power early in an encounter, it may take a while for the DPR boost this offers to catch up to the zero DPR you did for a turn. I will say that the exception is if you happen to have a TWF Ranger ally, since with their consistent multiattacks the rate of return doubles. The Hell'lock rider is almost useless since if fire resistance helps your ally, then the extra fire damage he's dealing is probably getting resisted.


• Tyrannical Threat (AP) - vW FRIENDLY CLOSE BURST3 deals only 1d10+stat PSYCHIC, but it also SPREADS YOUR CURSE on a hit. On a miss you just do half damage, except for Hell'locks who get to curse on a miss as well. Then as an Effect you get to retaliate INT mod damage whenever attacked. Overall, this is a solid utility spell especially for gishes and tanks.


• Vestige of Baatar (D383) - vF deals only 2d6+stat plus ONGOING 5 damage, but if they fail their first save then they fall unconscous! On a miss it only does half damage and slows (save ends). So with an accuracy boost and a save debuff, this has a lot of potential, but that's 2 big ifs. Vestige'locks get a solid pact boon that prevents 1 target from shifting or charging, which your Defenders will love, and an at-will upgrade that effectively adds a slide 1 to all subsequent hits for a round. 


• Vestige of Ugar (AP) - vR UNFRIENDLY AREA BURST2 deals only 1d10+stat FIRE damage, but as a Effect it creates a DAMAGING ZONE that deals another 1d10+stat whenever a creature enters or starts their turn in the zone (as well as cancel concealment!). Overall it is a good alternative to Hunger of Hadar. This does less auto damage, but actually deals a little upfront damage, it's bigger, it has a slightly better damage type, and it doesn't require you to sustain it. But probably my favorite part is this spell doesn't block line of sight meaning your party can continue to shoot at enemies stuck in the zone. Again COMBO: Any forced movement, including Flitting Shadows, can be used to force people back into the zone for more damage. But Vestige'locks have it best, as they gain the ability to move the zone 3 squares as their new pact boon and get a situational at-will upgrade that cancels concealment.


• Vestige of Xandor (AP) - vW deals only 2d6+stat PSYCHIC plus a status effect that lets the target choose each round between ONGOING Con mod x2 damage or being dazed. Unfortunately, it will always choose whichever affects it the least, and if it does choose to be dazed you lose half of the benefits for the first turn (gaining CA, can't make OAs or use immediate actions) because it doesn't become dazed until the start of its turn. The one perk is that on a miss it deals a full 2d6+stat and dazes for a round, which is a great miss effect. Vestige'locks get to roll a save or gain Con mod THPs as their pact boon and deal an extra 1d8 psychic as their at-will upgrade are worth it almost by themselves. 

• Crackling Fire (AP) - This probably would have been better if it were Con based; a close blast offensive spell is dangerous for a Cha'lock since you shouldn't be moving towards melee. Low damage, no control, and requires your party to follow up with fire or lightning attacks to get anything out of it. Con'locks have quite a bit of fire spells, but Cha'locks not so much, and neither have many lightning spells!


• Crown of Madness (PHB) - Pitiful damage for a daily plus a pseudo-dominate sustain effect is fun and flavorful but mechanically terrible. Per the RAW you can't sustain a power on the round that you cast it, so you can't make the target attack until after it attempts its first save. And on top of that you still have to hope that he is adjacent to another enemy since you don't get to move him and a smart/cruel DM will make sure his allies stay away!


• Curse of the Bloody Fangs (PHB) - An Implement power that targets AC?? *sigh* On the upside, sustain attack should let you apply your static mods, which makes for a very damaging friendly AoE. But the fact that it is a save ends sustain, makes it extremely unreliable (and confusing!).


• Forceful Assault (FRPG) - Now we're talking! Solid damage and nice control! And even a solid damage type for a change from this Dark Pact power. Dark'locks even get a nice range bump.


• Lure of Gibbeth (AP) - 2d10+Cha with half on a miss is mediocre damage but a decent size pull effect and the ability to keep pulling the target for the rest of the fight is solid control. While you can't really use it to pull someone into range (since there are very few spells you can get with longer range than 10), since pulls simply have to move the target 1 square closer to you, you can still use this to pull a target into a pit or zone between the two of you even if it isn't directly between you.  Also it's useful to help out a defender with stickiness problems or to deal with a flying enemy.


• Twilight of the Soul (FRPG) - Reliable means that you will get full effect out of the spell, but you may waste a standard action or two in the meantime (which kills your DPR). And this relies on ongoing necrotic damage to do the bulk of its damage which is hard to count on. Only worth it for Dark'locks who get to debuff the save.


• Venomous Webs (AP) - The initial damage is weak, but acid is at least hard to resist and save ends combat advantage is a great boost to your party's offense. The effect actually provides decent control as you force them to choose between immobilization and ongoing damage, however immobilization is best used against melee foes who will have high Fort. Combine with zones for 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' fun.


• Well of Death (D372) - 2d8 is crappy damage, but 4d8 is great damage, so this is only worth it if you get an ally to donate a surge and 95% of the time someone in the party has at least 1 surge to spare.  But be warned, this scales negatively with level as the HP in a surge increases while 2d8 stays the same. 

• Flames of the Smoking Crown (DSCS) - vR TOUCH or RANGED5 inflicts a save ends condition that deals ONGOING 5 FIRE and slides INT mod squares at the start of the target's turn, and then spreads the ongoing to adjacent enemies! Then as an Effect it deals 1d10+stat fire damage, which is solid DPR although strict RAW means you can't deal curse damage with this. Overall this is a very solid power, but you really want to hit for that awesome status effect, so wait for high accuracy. 


• Fury of Gibbeth (DA09) - This is a fully Int based spell (with a +2 to hit), so those of you with decent 2ndary scores can do well with this, and those of you with Int as a 2nd primary stat will love the free accuracy boost. The control effect oddly requires an acrobatics check based on your Charisma. It seems to work out to about a 50/50 chance depending on the Dex of the monster, less if the monster happens to actually be trained in acrobatics (very rare).


• Hunger of Hadar (PHB) - Automatic damage is very potent especially with the "enter or start their turn" language since you can potentially damage them multiple times per round, but this power sadly lacks any way of moving the zone and it blocks line of sight so you need ways to force enemies to move through the zone after the 1st round and those in the zone are invisible to you making it difficult to attack them. Basically if you are in a push-heavy party or if you have the Flitting Shadows feat, you will love this power! The sustain attack is gravy if you're Con based.

• Acrid Decay (AP) - vF deals only 1d12+stat ACID and NECROTIC which is decent for a 2-TARGET power, but double typed damage doesn't make up for a complete lack of control or significant damage. Vestige'locks add a -2 to hit penalty to both targets, but it's still weak.


• Hero's Arrow (AP) - vR deals only 2d8+stat, but it heals an ally adjacent to your target. Healing ain't your role, but INT mod surge free HPs every encounter is nothing to scoff at. Vestige'locks can heal multiple adjacent allies, which can be great in the right party.


• Howl of Doom (PHB) - vF FEAR UNFRIENDLY CLOSE BLAST3 deals 2d6+stat THUNDER, which is decent damage for an AoE, and pushes 2, which is decent CONTROL and a decent escape power.  COMBO: Draconic Arrogance or Iron Vanguard let you damage on a push, which makes this a solid DPR power. COMBO: Damaging zones give you somewhere nice to push everyone. Hell'locks get extra push distance, which helps especially with the zone combo.


• Infernal Moon Curse (PHB) - vF deals only 2d8+stat POISON, but solid CONTROL of immobilizing 1 square off the ground. This won't prevent a melee target from being able to attack, but it will help your melee allies reach a flying monster (credit to Veleria)! Hell'locks get to add their INT mod to damage. Overall, I wouldn't take this power for DPR since you have to worry about resistance, but it's a handy control power that gets better at high levels when flying enemies become more common.


• Mordant Rains of Dis (AP) - vR deals only 1d6+stat ACID damage, but it blinds the target for a round. Weaker than Cha'locks' Mire the Mind, but still a solid CONTROL power. Hell'locks get to deal INT mod splash damage to adjacent enemies, which sweetens the deal a bit.

• All the Sand, All the Stars (AP) - vW UNFRIENDLY CLOSE BLAST3 deals 2d6+stat PSYCHIC, which is decent for an AoE, and dazes, which is fantastic CONTROL for AoE! WARNING: this is another close Cha'lock power, meaning don't overextend yourselfand get yourself killed. Star'locks get to add their INT mod to damage.


• Deathboon (FRPG) - vR+2 deals 2d8+stat NECROTIC, but if you can manage to kill the target with this attack you get +1d8 damage with your next attack. This is accurate, but unless you target a minion (in which case you are wasting an encounter power to kill a minion and gain a small damage bonus next time if that attack hits as well), you have to know the monster is practically dead and then you still have to hit consecutively to gain the benefit. Dark'locks can triggering the damage bonus by bloodying the monster, but that is actually harder to predict.


• Death's Commands (FRPG) - Undead specific rider effects on a power that deals necrotic? *facepalm*


• Far Realm Phantasm (DA09) - vW FEAR deals only 1d6+stat PSYCHIC, but then has amazing CONTROL of forcing the target to waste its next standard action, which is better control than dazing (although you lose out on the CA and no immediate actions). COMBO: Because it specifically says the target "makes an attack" against the empty air, by RAW this will trigger most defender's marks making this a solid DPR power! (credit to EFinley for discovering this) Star'locks also add a -2 debuff to their Will.


• Influence of Acamar (DA09) - vR deals solid 3d8+stat NECROTIC and pulls Cha mod squares, which is solid CONTROL and respectable DPR. WARNING: this has a restriction that you must target the nearest enemy, so I recommend starting an encounter with this to set up your melee allies. The Star'lock get range 20, but with the targetting restriction, that will very rarely help.


• Lash of the Long Night (D374) - vF deals only 2d6+stat COLD but has great CONTROL of slow (save ends). For Fey'locks adding a 1+INT mod push makes this practically save ends stun to a melee foe (although they are resistant since it targets Fort)!


• Mire the Mind (PHB) - vW deals only 1d10+stat PSYCHIC, but high CONTROL as you you effectively blind the target. The Fey'lock rider of +INT mod to stealth checks is kinda build specific, but it can allow you hide from the target all encounter!


• Nypacian Serpents (AP) - vR deals only 2d8+stat intial damage but as long you or one of your allies can damage it again by the end of your next turn you deal an extra INT mod POISON damage. The fact that the extra damage is delayed, conditional and easy to resist makes this a weak power. Fey'locks, get double their Int from the 2nd hit, which makes it worth it.


• Pain to Pleasure (D386) - vR but lets you roll twice like an Avenger and deals 1d10+stat FIRE if 1 roll hits and 2d10+stat if both hit, plus you heal INT mod if at least 1 hits! Then you also get a 2nd CHANCE if you manage to miss both times for half damage, but still full healing. All of the conditional rolls make calculating the DPR very difficult but as best I can tell this is inferior to the L3 power, Shared Agony, but still better than other level 7 DPR powers. Hell'locks have it best since their THP offsets the reroll cost and they also get to add their Cha mod to the free healing.


• Shadow Strangler (AP) - vR deals only 2d8+stat and -2 to attack rolls is a very weak debuff especially considering Sign of Ill Omen below. But Dark'locks get to do Int damage for every attack roll they make which is awesome against Brutes, Elites, and Solos who get multiple attacks.


• Sign of Ill Omen (PHB) - vW deals only 2d6+stat but it forces the target to roll twice and take the lower, which is a fabulous DEBUFF! Star'locks add an INT mod hit penalty on top, which all but guarantees the target will miss.

• Sorcerer-King's Decree (DSCS) - vR TOUCH or RANGED5 deals only 2d8+stat LIGHTNING plus pushes the target and adjacent enemies INT mod squares, which is great CONTROL. Fell Might: You also deal INT mod damage to the adjacent enemies.

• Brood of Hadar (DA09) - Another power with a built-in accuracy bonus (in this case basically just makes up for it targetting Fort), this offers mediocre necrotic damage. The rider is mostly worthless due to the hard to predict trigger and the fact that the secondary attack uses Charisma!


• Feast of Souls (AP) - A nice zone power. The initial attack is rather low on damage, but very high on control. But then you get a nice auto DAMAGING ZONE that is also difficult terrain and doesn't hinder your attacks. But the best part is you can finally move it at-will, even if 2 squares is not far.


• Infectious Curse (D382) - Crappy damage, vs. Fort, and a weird rider effect that either gives you the utility of spreading your curse or controls the enemy not to bunch up with his friends. I only recommend it for Hell'locks due to the long distance slide they add on. 


• Iron Spike of Dis (PHB) - 3d10 is mediocre damage, but save ends immobilization is solid control, but be careful as you only do half damage and no immobilization on a miss.


• Ooze Incarnate (D375) - This gives you a long shift that lets you move through enemies spaces, attacking creatures whose spaces you shift through.  The damage isn't great since it does no damage on a miss, but it's not bad considering this is essentially an unusual AoE power--and it is essentially party friendly since you choose your path. You also get to push each creature 1 square, hit or miss, so pushers (especially Iron Vanguards) will like this. The one downside is it requires you to get in close, but for a Con'lock that's not a big deal and gishes will love it.


• Summons of Khirad (PHB) - 2d10+mods w/ no damage on a miss is terrible for this level, but a repeatable attack teleports isn't bad since you can teleport enemies up into the air and cause them to fall. However since they get to save against this it only works 45% of the time at best.  So if you are in a zone-happy party (or just like to gamble) this can be nice, otherwise I don't recommend it.


• Vestige of Ilmeth (AP) - Crappy damage plus a decent anti-mark does not make a good power. As usual, only Vestige'locks should bother for the mediocre pact boon upgrade, and decent at-will upgrade.


• Vestige of the Onyx Queen (D383) - vF UNFRIENDLY CLOSE BLAST3 deals only 2d8+stat POISON damage, but petrification (save ends) with immobilization (save ends) as an aftereffect is crazy good CONTROL, especially for an AoE. Vestige'locks get a pact boon which imposes a -2 Fort penalty to 1 monster, which is very conditional considering that it helps out powers that most players (rightly) avoid. They also get an at-will upgrade which boosts your DPR via +1d10 poison damage.


• Vestige of Shax (AP) - Same damage as Ilmeth above but you get to affect a close blast 3 and knock prone as an effect. Unfortunately it is another close pushing power that targets Fort, so this is only really for pusher builds. Vestige'locks get a situational pact boon (remember you don't have to change it when you use the power), and a nice at-will upgrade especially for pusher builds.

• Consuming Ray (D372) - Compared to the level 5 power, Well of Death, you do 1d8 more damage, but now you have to supply the surge rather than an ally, and as a Cha'lock you may not have any to spare.


• Curse of the Black Frost (PHB) - Because you add static mods again for each separate damage roll, this can do a lot of damage via the condition 1d8 damage as well as the sustainable 2d8 damage. However, this extra damage is contingent on the target failing his save, so if you can debuff the save, it is amazing, but otherwise it is quite possible to do zero damage with this daily.


• Death's Fond Caress (FRPG) - 3d10 is only mediocre damage, but it is the best Cha'locks can get at this level. It is reliable so you will get full value out of it, but you may waste a standard action or two in the meantime, which kills your DPR. Dark'locks finally get to unleash necrotic damage without consequences!


• Horrifying Hatching (AP) - Here is another power that is only worth it if you are in a party that can reliably debuff saves. The Dark'lock trade of 2d10+Int to end the ongoing 10 is a safer bet unless you can debuff the save. The Fey'lock trade is a joke unless there is a nasty zone or cliff 3 squares away.


• Ring of Pain (FRPG) - This does decent damage up front (though nothing on a miss), targets Will, and deals hard-to-resist psychic damage.  As usual, I will warn you not to rely on the rider effect of the ongoing damage spreading since it can only happen once and has only a 45% chance of doing so unless you can debuff the save. Dark'locks get to add their Int to the ongoing damage(s).


• Storm Countess's Kiss (AP) - This spell actually moves the target outside of melee reach for most monsters and restrains him, so great control for melee foes. The initial damage is a joke, but at least it is something so you can add your curse damage. And once the target saves you get to inflict 1d10 falling damage, knock him prone and slide him 2 squares. WARNING: the miss effect sucks and it targets Fort so the melee only foes will be the hardest to hit. Fey'locks get to move them up higher which means you can guarantee they'll be out of melee reach and the falling damage goes way up.


• Thief of Five Fates (PHB) - This deals zero damage (so no curse damage!) with this power. And as for the debuff: when your target rolls low you will most likely outroll him, but if he rolled low he probably would have failed the roll anyway, when he rolls high you will most likely not outroll him and that's when he'll hit. 

• Kalak's Burning Sands (DSCS) - vW TOUCH or RANGED5 deals 2d8+stat FIRE plus knocks prone and can't stand but gains cover (save ends). If they fail their save then it upgrades to ONGOING 5 fire plus removed from play (save ends), which is great CONTROL but low damage. On a miss you just deal half damage and immobilize for a round, which is quite a drop off, so wait for high accuracy.

• Accursed Coordination (AP) - Thanks to the PHB clarification that a target doesn't have to be cursed by you, just cursed, in order to apply your curse damage, this is a total waste.


• Allegiance to the Daughter (D382) - Infernal Pact - Creating mini Firewalls out of your victim's corpses can be a lot of fun, but most of the time 1 square is easy to avoid, and don't forget it isn't party-friendly.


• Arcane Implement Proficiency (AP) - Not everyone needs to take this since there are certainly some good rods and wands out now, but there are certainly some tempting items made available via this feat. Consider also many multiclass feats now grant proficiency in the other class’s implements. 


• Armor Proficiency (PHB) - Now that we have SWA, upgrading your armor is far less tempting. So this is mostly for a SPLIT’LOCK upgrading to Chain to offset their terrible Dex/Int bonuses, and for TANK builds who want all the AC they can get.


• Beguiling Enchantment (PHB3) - For a FEY’LOCK this is a lesser version of Psychic Lock, available 10 levels earlier, and it stacks!


• Bloodied Boon (D384) - This is a game-changing feat. This speeds up when you get boons and can potentially double the amount of boons you get in an encounter. My favorite part though, is that now you at least get 1 useful boon in Solo enounters!


• Brutal Curse (D384) - This is half as good as Killing Curse and so completely inferior. However, it does boost your DPR a little, so this might eventually be worth a feat.


• Cruel Whimsy (D381) - Fey Pact – Getting to shift when an enemy saves against one of your powers is very weak.


• Curse of Displacement (D384) - This is a pretty mediocre crit benefit, but teleport buffs do get more mileage out of it.


• Cursed Shot (D384) - This can allow you to hide behind the defender while still gaining Prime Shot, which is certainly a lot safer.


• Dark Thaumaturgy (D382) - Ritual Caster - Wow, this non-combat feat will make your Wizard jealous.


• Daughter's Promises (D382) - Infernal Pact - The range of the "attack" is extremely short, but I still think this is a worthy upgrade for anyone except for tanks.


• Deadly Draw (PHB3) - For ELDRITCH STRIKE users, this is easy CA.


• Devil's Favor (D382) - Infernal Pact - Only for Dwarves who have plenty of other healing.


• Diminishing Spirit Curse (D381) - Vestige Pact - A -2 penalty to a single save, and it's conditional? Yuck.


• Dooming Action (AP) – Getting to deal curse damage again on an AP would be excellent errata to the wording of Warlock's Curse, but as a feat? You can generally do better.


• Dual Implement Spellcaster (AP) - Req Dex 13 – Only control specialists can afford to skip this major boost to DPR. Don't take it until level 6 or so since it'll likely be while before you can afford an offhand implement. You'll see it referenced a lot in this guide, so I'm abbreviating it as DIS.


• Durable (PHB) - Cha'locks could certainly use the staying power.


• Echoes of Thunder (PHB2) - A nice untyped bonus that just requires you to hit with a THUNDER power to trigger a bonus to all damage rolls for the next turn. It's best if you can just keep spamming thunder powers, so consider Arcane Admixture.


• Empowering Shadows (AP) - If only this scaled with level, you can do a lot better than a conditional +1 damage.


• Exultant Shadow Step (D384) - Another mediocre crit benefit that is a little better for teleport buffs.


• Focused Mind (PHB3) – +4 to save vs daze/stun is a solid upgrade to Superior Will.


• Glasya's Rebuke (D382) - Infernal Pact, Hellish Rebuke – Getting to deal 5 to another enemy (i.e. pop a minion for a boon!) is a solid upgrade for Hellish Rebuke optimizers. 


• Great Fortitude/Lightning Reflexes/Iron Will (E:HFL) – Only +1 above Improved Defenses, which is just not worth a feat.


• Grounding Shot (PHB3) - Normally the enemy being prone sucks for ranged characters like you, since instead of gaining CA like your melee allies, you actually get -2 to hit. This makes prone good for you too.


• Hafted Defense (PHB3) - +1 AC & Reflex for Glaive'lock gishes.


• Headsman's Chop (PHB3) - Req AIP (H Blades) - Combined with Grounding Shot, this makes prone enemies very vulnerable to you.


• Hellbound Heart (D382) - Infernal Pact – Take Heat Adaptation if you want fire resist.


• Hidden Sniper (E:HFK) – A great alternative to SWA, which is available immediately (and works on non-cursed targets), but only applies to ranged attacks.


• Impending Victory (PHB3) - Buffing and spamming your at-wills is one of the best ways to boost Warlock DPR, so this is a worthy choice for you.


• Implement Focus (E:HFL) – A nice, easy +1/tier damage bonus with all your attacks (except Eldritch Strike).


• Improved Dark One's Blessing (PHB) - An absolute requirement at low levels if you want to get any use out of your pact boon, but at high levels it's hardly even noticeable.


• Improved Defenses (E:HFL) – Not as important for you as other classes, but this math fix for NADs is something worth fitting in eventually.


• Improved Fate of the Void (PHB) - This literally doubles the benefit of your already great pact boon!


• Improved Initiative (PHB) – Going first is always helpful, but not mandatory.


• Improved Misty Step (PHB) – You would be better off looking for an item (or the Mark of Passage feat) that boosts the range of all teleports.


• Infernal Soul (D382) - Infernal Pact – Take Heat Adaptation instead.


• Jack of All Trades (PHB) - You are one of the few classes that easily meets the Prereqs, but it's really only as useful as your DM makes it with skill challenges, etc.


• Killing Curse (D384) - Holy crap after 2 years we finally get our equivalent of Lethal Hunter! Ironically at this point with all of the other great feats out there, I am not convinced this is worth it for everyone, but it is still a good feat. COMBO: Stacks with Mindbite Scorn for 2d8 curse damage at heroic, which is awesome.


• Lucky Start (PHB3) - If you can manage a huge initiative bonus, one attack of avenger accuracy is pretty potent.


• Mindbite Scorn (DSCS) - Sorcerer King Pact - Probably the best part of being a King'lock: an extra 1d6 PSYCHIC curse damage. COMBO: Stacks with Killing Curse or any other dice upgrade to curse damage. COMBO: At Epic, this lets you trigger the psychic vulnerability from the Rod of Ulban with every attack.


• Moonbow Initiate (D386) - Must worship Sehanine - This is one hell of a combo feat. This is effectively Weapon Proficiency (Shortbow) plus Arcane (and divine!) Implement Proficiency (shortbow) plus weapon focus (shortbow)! Plus this opens op Bow Mastery for 19-20 crits w/o prereqs at epic!


• New Sarshel Enforcer (D370) - Req Impiltur background - An alternative to Imp Initiative for those who also want to boost their Intimidate checks.


• Nimble Blade (PHB) - Req AIP (light blades), Dex 15 - Considering how easy it is for you to get CA with SWA, this is almost a constant +1 to hit.


• Offering to the Prisoner (D381) - Infernal Pact - Not exactly earth-shattering, but it is a much needed offensive alternative.


• Oncoming Storm (PHB2) - Thunder powers are fairly common, lightning not so much, but combined with Arcane Admixture this can work well.


• Patron's Guidance (D381) - Shadow Walk feature - This is an easy +2 untyped bonus to 2 skills of your choice; solid.


• Prime Burst (PHB3) - Combined with Called Shot, this is very powerful but currently there is only 1 warlock area burst encounter power. So this really only helps dailies and multiclass powers, so it's very niche.


• Primed Curse (D384) – An extra +1 to hit from Prime Shot is a very worthwhile upgrade (especially combined with Called Shot!)


• Prolonged Curse (D384) - For ongoing specialists, this is a decent upgrade at Epic, but I don't think it's worth it before then.


• Psionic Scorn (DSCS) - Sorcerer King Pact - For HYBRID psionic classes only, getting an extra power point as a boon is a big deal.


• Radiant Soul (D371) - Cha 13 - Upgrading a single at-will against a specific enemy type is just too narrow to warrant a feat.


• Resilient Focus (E:HFL) - +2 to all saves is a big defense boost, but only really worth it for TANKS.


• Rod Expertise (E:HFK) – Our default expertise option gives +1 shield bonus to AC and Reflex like a light shield, which may not help you be a better striker, but it is a worthwhile bonus.


• Sacrifice to Caiphon (DA09) - Reliabillity for all of your encounter powers for just a little of your soul. Cha'locks probably don't have the HP to use this all the time, but Con'locks do.  


• Scornful Denial (DSCS) - Sorcerer King Pact - Getting to roll a save as a bonus to your pact boon is great for TANKs.


• Shadow's Eclipse (DA09) – Resist radiant will almost never come up.


• Shield Proficiency (Light/Heavy) (PHB) - Req Str 13/15 - For a TANK only as the prereqs are tough and losing out on DIS really hurts.
  
  
  
  • Battering Shield (PHB3) - Req Hvy Shield - A solid boost to Eldritch Strike for gish tanks.
  
  
  
  


• Skill Power (PHB3) - While most of the skill powers are weaker than class utility powers, get an extra one for a feat is a damn good deal.


• Spirit Poison (D381) - Dark Pact - Sadly many undead will still be a problem but this is still an improvement for those that specialize in POISON and/or NECROTIC powers. 


• Staff Expertise (E:HFL) – Fabulous option for a GISH since it covers weapon and implement attacks and cancels OAs.


• Starfire Womb (DA09) - Req Cha 13 – Getting to roll a save whenever you damage a target with a FEAR or RADIANT powers is pretty handy for a TANK, but others shouldn’t need saves often enough to make it worth it. Also it can’t help against stun, etc.


• Superior Fortitude (E:HFL) – Str/Con 15 - +1 Fort above Improved Defenses and DR vs. ongoing. Only worth it for TANKS or niche builds that center around ongoing.


• Superior Reflex (E:HFL) – Dex/Int 15 - +1 Reflex above Improved Defenses and free CA for round 1. Only worth it for TANKS especially since CA is easy for warlocks.


• Superior Will (E:HFL) – Wis/Cha 15 - +1 Will above Improved Defenses and the ability to shrug off any daze or stun at the start of your turn! Mandatory for TANKS and damn good for anyone else.


• Superior Implement Training (PHB3) - This is worth at least +1 to hit with all of your attacks, which is a big boost. Please see the Implement Selection section in post #3 for details on the various superior implement choices.


• Toughness (PHB) - Con'locks are already tougher than most non-Defenders, but this goes a long way towards making a CHA’LOCK less squishy.


• Ulban's Flare (D381) - Star Pact – Gaining +2/tier damage and a -2 attack penalty whenever you have concealment (ie Shadowwalk!) is a big upgrade for DIRE RADIANCE.


• Versatile Expertise (PHB3) – The default expertise option for a GISH since it applies to both weapon and implement attacks, sadly no extra bonus on this one.


• Vestige Adept (AP) - A decent upgrade to make managing your vestige easier (or a no-brainer depending on your DM's interpretation of "since your last short or extended rest").


• Vistani Heritage (D380) - A minor action ranged 10 power that gives you CA and holds enemies at bay is a hell of an encounter power to get from just a feat. But the best part are the follow up feats!
  
  
  
  • Eye of Paranoia (D380) - This is a big upgrade. There are a LOT of monsters out there with immediate action powers that are a huge pain. Plus this lets the party move around the target with ease, and it even prevents it from flanking!
  
  
  • Vestige of Vistan (D380) - Req Vestige Pact - This is a huge upgrade over the default vestiges. Sliding is very good control, especially that long of a distance for the pact boon!
  
  
  • Warlock's Eye (D380) - This makes the minor action encounter power effectively deal 1d6 (or d8) per tier, which is quite a nice DPR boost!
  
  
  
  


• Wand Expertise (E:HFL) – One of the weaker expertise options since ignoring cover is situational at best, but if you’re going with a wand you need this math fix.


• Warlock's Sight (D384) - Getting to ignore cover and concealment is quite obviously situational. So if cover/concealment comes up a lot in your games, then here is your answer.


• Weapon Focus (PHB) – This is now for a GISH only since it can’t apply to implement attacks.


• White Lotus Defense (D374) - Kind of a defensive anti-mark, which is pretty good for a ranged striker.


• White Lotus Enervation (D374) - Great if a lot of your attacks target the same defense, even more so if your party tends to attack that same defense.


• White Lotus Evasion (D374) - If you really want to shift, then odds are you want to do so before casting a spell.


• White Lotus Hindrance (D374) - Could help keep an enemy from closing, but too conditional to be worth it IMO.


• White Lotus Riposte (D374) - This is an offensive anti-mark that is a total a win-win: either they don't attack you or they do and you increase your damage output. The downside is it is only for At-Wills. Unlike its big brother this still works even if they are marked.


• Wintertouched (PHB) - Useless until you pick up Lasting Frost, but the combo is so infamous as to have the nickname 'Frostcheeze'.


• World Serpent’s Grasp (E:HFK) – Getting to knock slowed or immobilized targets prone on a hit is a great CONTROL boost.


• Yorgrix's Brutality (D381) - Dark Pact - Not bad if you specialize in ongoing damage, great if your party specializes in ongoing damage.

• Aberrant Mark of Contagion (EPG) - For those who like the Dailies that deal all their damage via ongoing.


• [color=blue]Aberrant Mark of Madness[color] (EPG) - Nice for Feylocks who have a lot of Will targetting powers.


• Aberrant Mark of Terror (EPG) - The target(s) getting -1 against only you? Only a really big AoE would make this worth it, and you don't get any.


• Mark of Detection (EPG) - There is a lot wrapped up in this one package, but odds are it's not for you as a Warlock.


• Mark of Passage (EPG) - Now this is right up your alley, you have a lot of teleporting powers and even a few shifting powers that are substantially boosted by this.


• Mark of Sentinel (EPG) - Not bad as an escape technique for most, but Gishes will really like this.


• Mark of Shadow (EPG) - Unless you have a way of easily hiding, this is just too limited to be worth it.


• Mark of Storm (EPG) - Adding a 1 square slide to all lightning & thunder powers is rather good, adding +1 to fly speed and the ritual access is just gravy.

Any Martial

• Rumbling Earthshock (MP2) - Genasi - Adding Strength to Earthshock's damage is decent, but take Earthshock Master first as the damage boost is comparable but it adds reliability as well.

Any Primal

• Longtooth Spirit Shifter (PP) - Longtooth Shifter - Since their regen is about the only reason you should be playing one, increasing it by 2 is a good feat.


• Manifest Healing (PP) - Genasi - Can't argue with free scaling THP, especially if you took Extra Manifestation plus it stacks with Primordial Surge.


• Primal Halfling Counterattack (PP) - Halfling - This big damage bonus makes a great upgrade to your racial power.


• Primal Resilience (PP) - Half-orc - A decent boost for a tank, just don't look at Manifest Healing of you'll weep.


• Reckless Charge (PP) - For CHARGERS getting an extra +1 to hit is worth the -2 AC.


• Rites of Spirit's Blood (PP) - Tiefling - A pretty good upgrade as long as you plan on keeping Infernal Wrath.


• Spirit's of the Primal Dragons (PP) - Dragonborn - A big damage boost but it requires you to get bloodied, so it's mostly for Tanks and Daredevils.

Any Psionic

• Mindfire Disciple (D388) - Tiefling - For PSYCHIC SPECIALISTS this is a fabulous consolation prize for all of your save ends effects.

Other Multiclass Feats

• Poisoner (D373) - Req Dungeoneering or Nature - If you have a lot of Poison powers (and Dark'locks in particular have a lot), this is the best way to get around all of the resistance/immunity you will face.
  
  
  
  • Poisoner Novice - Just adding ongoing 5 to an at-will is not worth an encounter power IMO.
  
  
  • Poisoner Expert - Now this is nice! If you bothered with this multiclass then you should have plenty of powers to trigger this encounter reroll.
  
  
  • Progressive Toxin - If you bothered with this multiclass then you probably have lots of ongoing powers, which I hope also means you have some way of debuffing saves and thus this is a great power for you.
  
  
  
  

• Academy Master (D374) - If you focus on AT-WILLS for DPR (using encounters for situational control or out of turn attacks) this is perfect for you because it is all about boosting at-wills.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - As long as you keep spamming your at-will you get +1 to hit, which is hard to top.
  L11 AP feature - Getting to reroll a miss is always nice, but the window is pretty short
  L11 power - Getting to boost the damage of an at-will by 2 dice 1/encounter is pretty good especially since this stacks with the features.
  L12 power - Floating reliablility 1/encounter is quite nice, although you don't use encounter powers much (other than the L11 power).
  L16 feature - A +3 damage boost that scales up to +5 at epic with at-wills is a welcome addition to your now uber at-wills.
  L20 power - This actually upgrades an encounter power, adding 2 dice of damage and making any effect of the power save ends! This can make a stun or a vulnerability power very potent!


• Astral Ascendant (D383) - Req Vestige Pact - Strangely leader and RADIANT themed, but still a great Striker path.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Holy cow. Dealing radiant all the time can be very powerful, but letting your allies trigger your curse for you is very powerful. It makes your curse damage practically autodamage since in a 4 or 5 person party at least one person should hit at least one of your curse victims every round.
  L11 AP feature - Giving the whole party Int mod THPs and a free shift is a very warlord-like benefit, which is odd for a Warlock, but also quite powerful.
  L11 power - 3d10 is good damage, radiant is a good type, plus an accuracy bonus for your allies, but the downside is you target Fort.
  L12 power - The ability to hover is crazy good for a ranged Striker (easy Prime shot for you!). Granting pseudo-regeneration to nearby allies on top of that is just beautiful.  If you need convincing just look at Wings of the Fiend, your L22 utility! 
  L16 feature - Necrotic is the most common damage type from monsters, so this is rather likely to come up, but still not every encounter. The fact that you grant the resistance to nearby allies too, will make you very popular! WARNING: In ongoing campaigns, this will make most undead fights easy enough for your party that your DM might decide to stop using undead, which makes this worthless.  Don't be afraid to talk to your DM to keep him honest.
  L20 power - At 20th level, 3d8 is crappy damage even in party-friendly AoE, but add on daze (save ends) and potentially AoE healing and you have a truly tide-turning power. then since you have to be a Vestige'lock to have taken this power, you also get a rather unimpressive pact boon for the level (+2 AC for one round, really?), but it's not worthless.  And the at-will upgrade is a huge DPR boost for your whole party!


• Dark Reckoner (AP) - Req Dark Pact - A NECROTIC and invisibility themed PP. The attack powers are terrible and you need to have some way of dealing with necrotic resistance for the features.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Gaining invisibility on a crit is nice, but weak for a PP feature IMO. At least the L16 feature guarantees that you're always dealing necrotic damage so this always applies.
  L11 AP feature - You should already have concealment from Shadow Walk, so this only helps allies which isn't bad, but it doesn't help you be a better striker. 
  L11 power - While it's not worthless, this is worse than some level 3 powers!
  L12 power - Invisiblity to all cursed enemies for 2 turns is good defense and offense (though the offense part is redundant with SWA).
  L16 feature - +1d6 necrotic to curse damage is a decent damage boost, and if you're taking this PP I trust that you have something to get around necrotic resistance.
  L20 power - All but worthless, but 4d8+one-time conditional ongoing damage is terrible for this level especially considering the timing of the ongoing means they get to save before they have to take damage even once! 


• Darkwalker (FRPG) - Req Dark Pact - The key feature here is the +Int to damage while INSUBSTANTIAL; unfortunately there are not many ways to become insubstantial and still be able to attack, the breakdown includes a list of applicable powers.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Getting to add your Int to damage with all of your attacks is awesome, but only getting to do so when you are insubstantially is only as good as how many times that can come up. I've listed the powers along with their usage and duration below, and as you can see with the exception of the 3 powers you get from this path, every other one requires multiclassing. And in case you missed it this only boosts damage with your Warlock powers, so the attack powers are kind of a red herring.
  L11 AP feature - Getting to be insubstantial when you spend an AP would be great if it wasn't instead of gaining an action. Gaining your damage bonus at the expense of an extra standard action is a god-awful trade.
  L11 power - mediocre damage, and it's necrotic vs. Fort. While it does provide a way of turning insubstantial you have to hit to trigger it, or it's wasted, and it happens after the hit, so you can't boost this attack.
  L12 power - The downside with this is that you have to wait for your Dark Spiral to be triggered, which most Dark'locks will tell you does NOT happen every encounter.
  L16 feature - Completely situational. Dealing full damage to insubstantial monsters is great when they come up... 5% of the time. /sigh
  L20 power - Solid damage and type on a hit, but no damage on a miss. Thankfully you target Will so missing should be rare.  The effect is what you want though: insubstantiality for the whole encounter, as long as you don't get bloodied, but that shouldn't be hard to avoid since your taking half damage.
  methods of gaining insubstantiality while still allowing attacks

  
  Battle Spirit Weapon (lvl 15+ Hvy Blade, works with charges only)
  Shadow Jaunt (Shadar-Kai racial encounter, move, SoyNT)
  Shadow Jack (Assassin L7 encounter, standard, SoyNT)
  Fog Form (Sorcerer L10 encounter, Immediate Interrupt, EoyNT)
  Ghostly Bane (your L11 encounter, standard, EoyNT) - this one you get for free
  Fading Spiral (your L12 encounter, free, EoyNT) - this one you get for free
  Body, No Body (Spellscarred L16 encounter, minor, EoyT)
  Phase Shift (Wizard L16 daily, minor, EoyNT)
  Temporal Strike (Ardent L17 at-will w/ 2 pt upgrade, standard, EoyNT)
  Spectral Charge (Avenger L17 encounter, standard, EoYNT)
  Consign to Shadow (Assassin L19 daily, standard, sustain minor)
  Wraithform Blast (your L20 daily, standard, until bloodied) - this one you get for free
  Shield of Providence (Avenger L22 encounter, immediate interrupt, EoyNT)
  Donning the Mudflesh (Spellscarred L22 daily stance, minor, until bloodied)
  Doorway to the Spirit World (Shaman L22 daily, minor, encounter while in zone)
  Storm Body (Sorcerer L22 encounter, minor, SoYNT)
  Wind Shape (Sorcerer L22 encounter, minor, SoYNT)
  Ghost Walk (Swordmage L22 encounter, minor, EoyNT)
  Hungry Ghost [movement technique] (Monk L23 encounter, move, EoyNT)
  Folded Shadow (Assassin L25 daily, standard, sustain minor)
  Walk With the Spirits (Primal Avatar L26 daily, minor, encounter)
  Winter Ghost Rage (Barbarian L29 daily, standard, while bloodied)
  Mist on the Storm (Monk L29 daily, Standard/immediate interrrupt, EoyNT)
  Spirits of the Mist (Shaman L29 daily, standard, encounter while in zone)


• Doomsayer (PHB) - Req Star Pact - The key feature with this one is the SAVE DEBUFF against FEAR powers, so you (and your party) need to pick save ends fear powers to make the path worth it. The breakdown includes a list of applicable powers.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Doubling the chance of failure for saves is huge (and it affects elites and solos equally!). Sadly the number of save ends fear powers is limited.
  L11 AP feature - Wow, this effectively makes your curse damage AoE and doubles it against your primary target. Oh and it auto hits!
  L11 power - Short range, low damage, but decent control and can be exploited if you're masochistic.
  L12 power - So good vs. a Solo that it is actually worth your standard action to do zero damage.
  L16 feature - Sucks that it is typed and only when bloodied, but +2 to hit is still a very solid feature and fear powers are pretty common.
  L20 power - A crying shame that this isn't save ends, but still it is a solid power.
  save ends powers with the Fear keyword

   
  Prophecy of Zhudun (warlock 1)
  Terrifying Visage (assassin 1)
  Tyrant's Rage (barbarian 1)
  Brilliant Beacon (invoker 1)
  Dread Star (warlock 1)
  Roar of Terror (druid 5)
  Fury of Gibbeth (Warlock 5)
  Predator to Prey (battlemind 5)
  Fourfold Invocation of Doom (Invoker 9)
  Malediction of Rigidity (invoker 9)
  Menacing Cry (Ranger 9)
  Face of Death (wizard 9)
  Visions of Ruin (wiz 9)
  Far Realm Glimpse (wlock 15)
  Evard's Dreadful Mist (wiz 15)
  Intellect Sunder (battlemind 15)
  Paralyzing Fear Strike (battlemind 15)
  Sacred Armistice (cleric 15)
  Courage Breaker (rogue 15)
  Lurker's Threat (rogue 15)
  Primal Lion (druid 19)
  Ferocious Roar (ranger 19)
  Howl of Wrath (warden 19)
  Baleful Gaze of the Basilisk (sorc 19)
  Astral Whirlwind (Astral Weapon, Paladin PP, 20)
  For Cormyr! (Purple Dragon Knight, Paladin PP, 20)
  Hell forged Blade (Avernian Knight, Fighter PP 20)
  Cascade of Fear (Divine Hand PP 20)
  Imperious Presence (Shiere Knight, Eladrin racial PP, 20)
  Blood Oath Fulfilled (Son of Mercy, divine PP, 20)
  Gibbeth's Embrace (wlock 25)
  Prismatic Spray (wiz 25)
  Aspect of Terror (avgr 29)
  Caiphon's Abominable Melody (wlock 29)
  Hurl Through Hell (wlock 29)


• Dragonbane Pactmaker (D369) - All of the dragon-themed paths in Dragon 369 are fun and flavorful, but way too specialized to be playable. 


• Entrancing Mystic (AP) - For CHARM specialists, there is a ton of synergy in these features and powers. You probably want RESERVE MANEUVER though.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - You have to be close, but that save penalty is worth it!
  L11 AP feature - Auto hitting 1 target for ONGOING 5 PSYCHIC which works even if you aren't using the extra action to attack is great. But limitation of within 5 squares and the low damage isn't that great (especially at later levels).
  L11 Power - Short range and not enough control to justify its extremely low damage, in my opinion.
  L12 Utility - If they errata this to last until the end of its next turn, then this would be black but as is, the worst it can do is rob a monster of its remaining actions (if any) and give combat advantage, OA/immediate action immunity to any allies that go between its turn and yours. Not exactly game changing.
  L16 feature - A +1 untyped BONUS TO HIT and free reliability for all charm powers is huge!
  L20 Power - I am not a fan of powers that let the enemy choose their condition since they are always going to choose whichever hurts them the least. But this one ain't bad since it affects them immediately and thanks to Mystic Rapture, if they pick the ongoing they get -5 to their save as long as you can keep them within 3 squares. 


• Evermeet Warlock (FRPG) - Another path for those that love to TELEPORT. Unfortunately I feel like this CONTROL-heavy, damage-light path is a little outdated now.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - You gain invisibility from targets you are adjacent to when you teleport. Combined with Ethereal Sidestep, that means at-will invisibility. But the adjacency limitation is harsh for a ranged striker. Also invisibility isn't as impressive now that you can get CA from SWA.
  L11 AP feature - An extra move action may not sound impressive but it can really come in handy like double shifting or since it is a true move action you can use it for minor action stuff like Cursing an extra target or sustaining a power.
  L11 power - Crappy damage, but long range, good type, and blinding is great control.
  L12 power - A completely situational power. Insubstantial/invisible enemies probably won't come up every day. But the worst part is it affects allies (and some DMs might rule you) as well, so you can really tick off other players who were counting on that invisiblity.
  L16 feature - Getting to bring an ally along for the ride every time you teleport can be a huge boon in the right party, but in the wrong party it might come up once a day.
  L20 power - A party friendly big area that lets you pick the defense and the debuff for each enemy individually is great control.  The down sides are this deals zero damage (so no curse damage either), and all you get on a miss is the leader-y effect line, which grants free Int mod HP to allies in the burst, plus potentially more each round. Again, with the right party this can be a tide-turner, but in the wrong party it could be a total dud.


• Feytouched (PHB) - Req Fey Pact - This path is best for TELEPORT builds and for PUPPETTEER builds, but it is honestly great for any Fey'lock.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Dealing INT mod autodamage whenever you teleport was enough to spawn an entire category of builds known as Slashers, but the nerf to 1/round has brought this back down to a fun and powerful feature that isn't game breaking.
  L11 AP feature - Boring perhaps, but one of the best AP boosts you can get. Just remember to use your AP before you spend your standard action.
  L11 Power - OMG is this good. The base damage is mediocre, but once you factor in the attack you force them to make (and potentially the effect of ignoring your defender buddy's mark!), it's rather good.  Add to that the control of teleporting 5 squares and dazing as an effect, and you have one of the best PP powers around. If you're a gambling man/woman (or just have no other enemies for the target to attack) teleport the target up in the air and make them take an extra 2d10 damage and fall prone, but be warned they get to cancel the teleport with a successful save if you try this.
  L12 Utility - Totally situational but it can really come in handy in those situations since any creature means you can move a melee ally up on that hard to reach precipice or teleport another enemy into the lava that killed the last guy.
  L16 feature - This gives you a random boost, which varies from worthless (+2 speed? shouldn't you be teleporting?) to very nice (d8s for curse damage--although this isn't as impressive now that you can get this with an always on feat). Overall, since you can choose anything lower on the list it always offers at least a situational upgrade.
  L20 Power - Big friendly AoE, situational to get the full effect though, does nothing on a miss due to the wording of the effect line, and it's unclear whether the attack happens immediately as a free action or if it costs the monster his standard action.


• God Fragment (AP) - Req Vestige Pact - A decent path for TANKS since most things are short range and defense oriented, but weak for anyone else.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Yuck. If you need this bonus then something is very wrong, except for Tanks maybe.
  L11 AP feature - Free healing that scales well is never bad, but may be overkill on Con'locks, other than Tanks.
  L11 power - mediocre damage, vs. Fort, and no control? Reserve maneuver bait.
  L12 power - A daily aura power that debuffs saves and attack rolls in a 2 square aura is pretty good, but compared to Entrancing Mystics' always on feature, it loses a lot of its luster.
  L16 feature - A slightly better version of a crappy feat is a real let down for a L16 feature, but it's not worthless.
  L20 power - Save ends dominate is always great, especially when you still get to daze (save ends) on a miss and you target Will so missing will be rare. The downside is you only do a little damage, and it's delayed so no curse damage. This is definitely a power that you want to debuff the save to get the most mileage out of it. The pact boon imposes a -2 to defenses (save ends) on any other cursed target, which is solid. The at-will upgrade offers autodamage to enemies near the target which doesn't help you kill the target any quicker, but now that you get to add static mods to the damage, it is massive AoE damage.


• Hellbringer (AP) - Req Infernal Pact - This path is for FIRE specialists, to deal with fire resistance, unfortunately it doesn't help with fire immunity and the features are unimpressive overall.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Getting CA from a crit is kind of worthless thanks to SWA, but vulnerable 5 fire is pretty good for a fire-themed path. However crits are rare and random enough, and the 1 round duration of the vulnerability is short enough, that this just doesn't help often enough to be worth much IMO.
  L11 AP feature - Dealing an extra 2d6 damage with AP attacks is pretty good especially when you autodamage enemies adjacent to the guy you hit. If your DM lets you overlap and thus stack this damage with AoEs, then this is crazy good.
  L11 power - Ugh, this is worse than the L3 power, Fiery Bolt.
  L12 power - Creating a 2-way portal is completely situational. It can make a normally difficult encounter a breeze or it could be of no use.
  L16 feature - The key feature, ignoring the all too common fire resistance, but unfortunately it does nothing against the all too common fire immunity!
  L20 power - This would be awesome for a Sorcerer who could add their Striker damage to every target, but as a Warlock spreading out a small out amount of damage that far (w/ no control) just isn't that powerful. Just look at Cursegrind, which is an L13 encounter power. Still since you now ignore fire resistance, it's not bad, just rather lackluster for the level. 


• Hexer (AP) - This path is all about SPREADING YOUR CURSE to the most enemies in the shortest time, which can be overkill for some Warlocks, but if your pact boon really helps you (star pact, dark pact, some vestiges) and/or if you get benefits that apply to multiple curse targets (bonus to defenses, etc.) then this is the path for you!
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature -  Getting to ignore the 'closest enemy' restriction on your curse within 5 squares is awesome for a GISH or TANK, and solid for everyone else.
  L11 AP feature - A -2 attack penalty is not very strong, but with as many targets as you should be auto-hitting with this, I think it adds up.
  L11 power - A big party friendly blast, that does pitiful damage, but that is okay because this is essentially a utility power because the value of this power is in the effect, which is a huge mass curse.
  L12 power - Another way to spread you curse, and this one isn't very impressive compared to Vengeful Curse, a heroic feat that Tieflings can take.
  L16 feature - Adding a slide 1 to your curse damage is a decent control boost, but you need zone powers and/or a way to increase the slide distance, to really get your money's worth.
  L20 power - 3d10 against one target was good at first level, now it's sad. The effect of imposing a cursing aura on the target is probably overkill considering all of the other ways you have of cursing targets, but getting to do autodamage when cursing in this way does serve as a minion-popper. Sadly the aura doesn't do anything to those already cursed.


• Life-Stealer (PHB) - Req Infernal Pact - I really want to give this at least a purple rating because of the flavor and the solid encounter power, but everything after 11th level is complete garbage as written.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - A very flavorful upgrade to your pact boon. Depending on your targets origin you can get a different bonus, some are great, some are awful.
  L11 AP feature - Half as good as Bloodmage's similar feature, but still adding this to an AoE is a big bonus.
  L11 power - 3d8 on a vs. Will attack is better than what most other paths offer, but considering the fact that most encounters feature monsters with all the same origin, it is very easy to get the extra 10 damage if you wait a round or two.
  L12 power - You can basically dominate a creature that died in the encounter for 1 round or until he gets hit once--embarrassing for a daily IMO.
  L16 feature - Considering that Hell'locks have a ton of surges, and rarely use half of them due to all the THPs, this is practically useless except maybe for Tanks.
  L20 power - This doesn't even make sense. Either this lets you get the soul spark even from non-cursed targets, or it lets you gain an extra spark in addition to the one you'd normally gain.  But that only matters if this pitifully low damage power could manage to kill someone.


• Long Night Scion (D374) - Req Fey Pact - For those who like COLD and especially TELEPORT powers, whether thematically or mechanically for the Wintercheeze feats, this is great path.
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - A free Energy Admixture feat that you can reassign every day and cold resistance is great.
  L11 AP feature - Really poorly written, but I am assuming that it requires you to use a power with the Cold keyword to do anything extra otherwise you just spend the AP as normal (as opposed to preventing you from using APs for anything but cold power attacks). Since this path is all about specializing in cold powers I can't see that being a problem.
  L11 power - This would be a great power, except I am sure if you are taking this path you have the Wintercheeze feats. If not, why??
  L12 power - The fact that this costs a standard action really hurts this. If you have an encounter power that is literally twice as good as your other powers then this is worth it.
  L16 feature - An even better version of the Feytouched feature that everyone loves; this adds slowing, and deals cold damage making it buffable via Wintercheeze!
  L20 power - Low damage, and targets Fort, but good control, which upgrades to great if you can debuff the save.


• Master of the Starry Night (AP) - Req Star Pact - Designed for SPLIT'LOCKS, it's actually best for CHA'LOCKS with RESERVE MANEUVER, though the utility and features are strong enough for even Con'locks to consider. 
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - A huge upgrade for your pact boon. Now your bonuses are reliable!
  L11 AP feature - Autodazing one creature (even one you're not attacking) is awesome from an AP.
  L11 power - Party unfriendly, terrible damage, and even a crappy debuff.  Reserve Maneuver Bait (which is great for Cha'locks, since this is the only Con based part of this path!)
  L12 power - *drool* You get to instantanously reap your pact boon benefits, which means a big attack bonus, and you can still curse everyone all over again getting the boon twice for the same enemy! Combined with your L11 feature, this dramatically boosts your accuracy.
  L16 feature - More speed is almost never useful to a ranged striker, a bonus to one defense is occasionally useful, but either way considering the L11 feature's incentive to use the bonuses on attack rolls, this is mostly useless.
  L20 power - Solid initial damage, good type, and has the perfect solo killer upgrade, however the drop off on a miss is substantial. Con'locks you are mostly SOL on this one. 


• Nightmare Weaver (D373) - Req training in Intimidate - This path is all about layering on attack penalties and it does it well!
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - A variation on the Relentless Curse feat, which costs you an immediate reaction but lets you slide the target 2 if he's already curse which is very handy but a little lackluster for a PP feature.
  L11 AP feature - Sliding 1 square is not very powerful, and neither is a -2 attack penalty for a round, but the penalty stacks with the L16 feature and all together it adds up especially considering that this could affect quite a few targets. NOTE: As written, the attack penalty only applies if you actually slide them!
  L11 power - 1d10 is crappy damage but when you factor in that this boasts solid control (daze) and effectively grants the whole party +2 to hit (from CA) and +5 damage against the target for a round, this is the perfect NOVA SETUP spell.  Note that the damage boost is exponentially increased if you can manage to give the target psychic vulnerability as well (Rod of Ulban FTW!).
  L12 power - Not as much of an upgrade thanks to SWA, but still 2 turns of invisibility every encounter is quite nice.
  L16 feature - Adding a -2 attack penalty for a round to all of your encounter powers is huge, just ask Psychic Lock users! 
  encounter power that , an awesome utility that Warlocks play ninja like the days before the stealth nerf, and a flavorful (if a little weak) daily and you have a very solid path.
  L20 power - 2d8+mods may not seem like much damage, but getting to deal it up to twice per round (once as immediate reaction, once as minor) in addition to your normal attacks is crazy good! This is the perfect solo killer spell.


• Planeshifter (MotP) - This is a very niche CONTROL focused path that is best for RITUAL CASTERS in campaigns where planar travel is commonplace. 
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - One free ritual and a bonus to a handful of rituals if you happen to have the Ritual Caster feat? This is complete garbage for 95% of warlocks.
  L11 AP feature - A bonus actual move action is great since it allows stand+shift or sustain+curse, etc. Having the option to teleport 10 with that action is gravy.
  L11 power - Zero damage (so no curse damage), but you get the control of a L19 daily (Wrath of Acamar): sequestering the target (save ends), which is huge for an encounter power.
  L12 power - This is beyond red. 3 surges and another surge per sustain standard for a link to a preexisting portal. Who does WotC think would want to cast this more than once a day??
  L16 power - Immunity to forced teleportation is nice when it comes up, but I would guess that would be a handful of times in the average characters entire 30 level career! As a daily utility this would be purple, as an always on class feature this is a slap in the face compared to what other paths offer.
  L20 power - If your DM rules that you can add static mods to each d8 separately then this is very powerful, but given the way this is written, that would be generous on your DM's part. Likewise if you can manage to buff the 4 separate ONGOING damages, it can add up, but the fact that 1 save ends all 4 really limits the power.


• Sea Tyrant Oracle (AP) - Req Vestige Pact - Other than the vestige upgrades from the daily, there is nothing here rated higher than black, meaning there is just nothing to get excited about and your Paragon Path should really get you excited. 
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - If this included attack rolls it would be much better. As is, rerolling a save or skill check 1/encounter is useful but rather underwhelming for a PP feature.
  L11 AP feature - Making the action itself reliable is quite powerful, but providing no benefit on a daily hurts.
  L11 power - Dazing and weakening is a pretty potent control combo, but I am not sure it is always worth dealing zero damage (so no curse damage).
  L12 power - Guaranteeing you go first in one encounter per day is nice, but not earth shattering.
  L16 feature - This would have been weak for a utility as a L16 feature it is a joke.
  L20 power - 3d6 in an (unfriendly!) area is low damage for a L5 daily, at L20 it is embarrassing. Adding a long push would be nice for a push build, but well that means a different PP. But the weak power is improved by the pact boon and at-will upgrade, which both let you slide one target a long distance. That's great control and can even cause damage in many encounter scenarios, but certainly if you are in a zone-happy party.


• Storm Scourge (AP) - Req Fey Pact - For all you LIGHTNING specced Fey'locks out there... *cricket, cricket*
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 features - The choice to do lightning with Eldritch Strike is great, but not earth shaking. Likewise lightning resistance is great when it comes up, but that won't be often. Together I think they add up to a decent feature.
  L11 AP feature - Getting to shift 1 square each time you make an attack is a lot of mobility, but only gishes would get much out of it IMO.
  L11 power - This is the L3 power Eldritch Rain except with lightning damage, and it just barely got a black rating for Fey'locks then! The only saving grace is the upgrade it gets at L16 when you can use this to overlap the damage onto adjacent targets for an extra +Int damage to each. 
  L12 power - For gishes/tanks melee retribution and mobility is great, but for everyone else it is unlikely to help much.
  L16 feature - This would be great if the L11 feature made all your powers deal lightning rather than just Eldritch Blast. Why? Because there is ONE warlock lightning spell that is Cha based. One. (Crackling Fire, lvl 5 daily) Obviously that excludes the 2 path powers, but seriously if they were going to include this path in the book you'd think WotC would have added more than 1 power to go with it...
  L20 power -  2d10+Cha+Int is pitiful damage for a L20 daily, but the effect is [Int mod]pseudo-vulnerability (save ends), which can really add up if you ready this attack for immediately after the target's initiative so you can guarantee your whole party gets to hit it before it can save. Also if you can figure out some way of giving the target actual vulnerability on top the effect doubles, but I don't know of any ways to do that.


• Student of Caiphon (DA09) - Req Star Pact - For RADIANT and/or FEAR specialists, this is worth it for the massive crit range alone, but the whole path is solid. Cha based, but only the encounter power so it's just as good for Con'locks with RESERVE MANEUVER. Post 3/2/10 errata, this is now a nice Warlock exclusive!
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - With the right power selection (or just the right equipment) you get 18-20 crits with all of your attacks, which is pure gold for a Striker.
  L11 AP feature - Not as much ongoing as Bloodmage, but a better type and it even clearly states that it adds the radiant keyword so you definitely get 18-20 crits with the attack. Best with AoE powers since you add the ongoing to every target hit.
  L11 power - Radiant, vs Will, but low damage and no control. The ability to ignore cover, concealment and invisiblity is nice but won't come up every encounter. Con'locks w/ Reserve Maneuver aren't missing out on much.
  L12 power - Invisibility and flight for 2 rounds every encounter is very handy. And ongoing 3 is not that scary plus you can always pick up some psychic resistance.
  L16 feature - 5 damage is a cheap price to pay for this massive offensive upgrade to your pact boon. Note that it doesn't cost you or the ally an action so you can unload a bunch of attacks in succession if you have a bunch of boons trigger at once! Sadly, as written, it doesn't work with Bloodied Boon.
  L20 power - Basically another utility power rather than an attack, but this is worth it. For the cost of a surge each, everyone gets a power back and 1/6th of the time the power is a daily!


• Umbral Cabalist (D383) - Req Vestige Pact - A mostly defensive path, so it is best for TANKS, but it is good for anyone and the pact boon from the L20 daily is a dream come true for Vestige Mastery!
  
  Breakdown

  
  L11 feature - Getting to add your primary to one NAD of your choice while you're bloodied is awesome for Daredevils, but the rest of you shouldn't be bloodied too often.
  L11 AP feature - You autorestrain one curse victim for a round, which is solid control and grants CA to everyone.
  L11 power - 1d6+mods may not be much damage, but any damage (since you get to add curse damage) plus stun on an encounter power is a winner in my book, especially when it is vsWILL. CONTROL
  L12 power - This probably won't come up every encounter (but probably more than once a day), but when it does you'll be glad you can ignore some of the worst conditions out there. SPREADING YOUR CURSE on top of that is pure gravy.
  L16 feature - Most modules/DMs "theme" their encounters, meaning that most of the time all the monsters in an encounter will use the same damage type. For Tanks, who are the most likely to be repeatedly attacked, this is awesome!
  L20 power - A 1d10 upgrade over Vestige of Kronata isn't overwhelming but it does push it above the curve and since you have to be a Vestige'lock to be able to take this power this rating includes the benefit my new favorite pact boon which lets you force one CREATURE who is either cursed by your OR within 5 squares, to make a BASIC attack vs. a target of your choice. I highlighted the word creature because this can be an enemy (potentially triggering your ally's mark in the process) or it can be one of your allies (giving your fighter another mark, or letting another Striker dish out extra damage). I highlighted basic attack because that includes ranged and melee, so you don't have to rely on a target being within reach, and while decent ranged basic attacks are uncommon for PCs, they are very good and very common on artillery and controller monsters. And lastly I highlighted the word "or" because the range is flexible enough to almost guarantee it can always work one way or another. The at-will upgrade however is worse than Kronata's since you can't force the trigger, so it is just mediocre control or mediocre damage, and it's the target's choice which. 
   

• Coldfire Vortex (PHB) - I hate it when WotC makes a higher level version of a power (L3 Fiery Bolt) and makes it worse.


• Harrowstorm (PHB) - vF deals only 2d10+stat yet what this spell is infamous for is sliding 5 squares (+INT mod for Hell'locks) which is mediocre CONTROL but opens up a lot of combos. COMBO: Any damaging zone since WotC confirmed that you can slide a target in and out of a damaging zone, triggering the damage multiple times (but you also have to pay any extra movement cost for the zone, e.g. Wall of Fire).


• Killing Flames (AP) - vF IMMEDIATE REACTION deals solid 3d8+stat FIRE damage, top DPR material. And the trigger should come up every fight. The only downsides are targetting Fort, and easy-to-resist fire damage--but Hell'locks can ignore the second part. WARNING: Because you can't use immediate actions on your turn, so you can't use this if you were the one who bloodied the target.


• Skirmisher's Volley (AP) - The damage is terrible (this would be a 3rd level ranger power if it dealt 1[W] instead of 1d8), and getting a free shift afterwards doesn't save it.


• Soul Flaying (PHB) - vW deals only 2d8+stat and it's easy-to-resist NECROTIC damage (though Hell'locks get to add their INT mod), but Weakened is a solid DEBUFF. 

• All Must Sacrifice (FRPG) - Unfortunately because of the clarification to when you add static mods to damage, this power has become a trap. Per RAW, your allies would take 1d8+mods while you would only add a flat 1d8 extra damage to the target. 


• Bewitching Whispers (PHB) - Zero direct damage (i.e. no curse damage either) and it's highly situational and conditional on your DM. In 4e, targets know the consequences of their actions while under the effect of a power, but it's unclear whether monster A knows the consequences of his actions due to monster B being under the effect of a power. IMO they shouldn't, but some DMs will rule differently (or just cheat) and have the other monsters shift to avoid OAs from the target in which case this power did nothing except exert some very odd control on the adjacent monsters. 


• Blaze of Ulban (DA09) - Terrible damage for its level and odd control. Even with the Star'lock rider I can't recommend this.


• Cursegrind (FRPG) - vF CLOSE BURST20 deals 2d10+stat NECROTIC which is solid for such a large AoE. Compared to Cursebite at 1st level, you get to do 2 plus your Cha mod more damage on average. Not spectacular, but it's at least a clear upgrade. What makes this so much better though is simply its timing. At this level it will be much easier for you to SPREAD YOUR CURSE. Dark'locks again get to add their INT mod for more damage.


• Dark Reach of Xevut (AP) - vW IMMEDIATE REACTION deals 2d8+stat PSYCHIC, which is great for an out of turn DPR. Wow, now this is a fun spell. You effectively cancel a successful save by transfering it to a new target. The only downsides are the short range (3) between the old victim and the new one might be hard to manage, and of course your enemies need to be making saves every encounter to even use the power, that shouldn't be too hard in a full size party at 13th. Star'locks even get a +INT mod save bonus for a round.


• Korred's Tune (AP) - vW deals 3d6+stat initial damage, but that DPR goes way up if the target ignores the SOFT CONTROL: they have to move at least 3 or take an extra 1d6+mods PSYCHIC.  TIP: Since the damage is likely high enough to ensure the target would choose to move, I highly recommend using this on an immobilized target or on a target that would provoke an OA! Fey'locks up the required move to 6 squares!


• Ice Blades of Levistus (D386) - vW deals only 2d10+stat COLD, but has great CONTROL due to the mark and immobilize combo. Plus it's another of the 2nd CHANCE, this time offering half damage and half the control on the 2nd try. Hell'locks get to retaliate for another 2d10+stat if the initial mark is violated!


• Wraith's Shadow (AP) - vF deals only 2d8+stat NECROTIC and weakens, which is a solid DEBUFF. Overall this is a weaker version of the Con'lock power, Soul Flaying above, and the Dark'lock rider is a terrible trade.

• Break the Will (DSCS) - vW TOUCH or RANGED5 deals only 2d6+stat but it dazes, which is solid CONTROL. Fell Might: lets you deal INT mod and curse adjacent enemies which is beautiful for minions!

• Blasphemous Utterance (D382) - Crappy damage, but a nasty effect. Unfortunately the nice big unfriendly area, makes this a liability to your friends unless you can somehow get in a position where you are surrounded by enemies and more than 3 away from the nearest ally--not very likely if you ask me. I consider this a trap.


• Caution of Dispater (AP) - vW CHARM PSYCHIC and a potentially multi-damaging power, but only if your party can avoid attacking it--generally a bad strategy for a single target daily. TIP: if you ready/delay this attack until right before the target's turn, you can guarantee at least 1 extra hit out of it, making it a great DPR power. Hell'locks on the other hand can freely attack the target (though his/her party still can't), which is awesome for fights with multiple tough monsters.


• Evil Expulsion (D382) - Solid damage with a little control and some nice curse spreading utility (especially for Hell'locks). But I think that Tendrils of Thuban offers better bang for your buck thanks to the AoE and much better control. YMMV. 


• Fireswarm (PHB) - I would probably recommend this power if you got to do half damage on a miss with the initial attack. As is, you get an all or nothing attack for good FIRE+POISON damage and then can SUSTAIN STANDARD to attack for weak damage in subsequent rounds. It works as a way to stay effective in a long fight after you've used up all your encounter powers, but it only lasts until you miss (and targetting Fort means it probably won't take long).


• Hellfire Soul (D372) - First off, be careful that this power is erroneously Charisma based in the Character Builder/Compendium! I want to like this power, but the effect is another crit bonus style effect, where it is just too hard to count on triggering. If you had some way of knowing the enemy's exact HP total (and for the record a reasonably optimized DPR with this is only 33, so they have to be rather low on HP), with the perfect enemy (strong basic attack and regen) you could clean up with this power since there death is the only way to break the dominate. But that's a lot of ifs, and without getting anything from the effect marginally better than a level 1 daily.


• Tendrils of Thuban (PHB) - vF 4d10+stat COLD is great damage for AoE and save ends immobilize is great CONTROL but nada on a miss. Then you can SUSTAIN MINOR for another 1d10 damage vs. anyone in the ZONE but they nerfed away the immobilization on the sustain, so you need high accuracy+save debuffs and/or a PUSH PARTY to make this work.


• Thirsting Maw (PHB) - RANGE5 vF 4d8+stat is crappy damage, but healing half that is nice. Then we have another poorly worded SUSTAIN MINOR it could mean you refresh ongoing 2d8+mods every round (again healing for half that) or it could mean that you get to inflict the damage every round until they save. Either way you should get at least 2 hits out of this, so it is solid.


• Vestige of Leraje (AP) - Worse than Flames of Phlegethos and that got a purple rating at level 1. For Vestige'locks the pact boon grants a conditional +2 to defenses, and the at-will upgrade adds immobilization which is excellent control, but the power is bad enough that I still can't recommend this.


• Vestige of Solis (AP) - If the secondary attack were part of the effect it would be a lot better. As is, the secondary attack requires 2 consecutive successful attacks to trigger which is terrible accuracy. And even if everything does hit 2d8 + daze + deaf + ongoing 10 is still weak for 15th level. For Vestige'locks, the pact boon is too short range except for gishes, but the at-will upgrade effectively marks the target, so except for Tanks or those who can retaliate and make this a lose-lose scenario, it sucks.


• Vestige of the Unknown Arcanist (D383) - Low damage, but targets will and offers solid control and a solid miss effect. Vestige'locks get a solid pact boon which has a lot of potential especially for teleport buffs and those with zone-happy wizards. Their at-will upgrade is useful, but unimpressive for 15th level.

• Curse of the Golden Mist (PHB) - *sigh* This is a fantastic CONTROL power, however your primary role is Striker and this is another power that deals zero damage. Still powers that work like this where instead of save ends it ends when you miss, actually give you a decent chance of controlling a Solo for more than 1 round.


• Dark Rain of Mutuz-Vot (AP) - This affects a very large area for a Striker power and the zone is pure, good control, but unfortunately the damage is low considering it deals zero on a miss. But the main reason for the low rating is that you can't move the zone and it affects your allies just as much as your enemies. Dark'locks get to ignore the zone, but their allies still don't.


• Dark Lady's Gift (FRPG) - 2d10 is pretty crappy damage, especially with nothing on a miss. The effect of ongoing 5 damage (that deals 5 dmg in a friendly AoE whenever the target fails a save) helps, but that only puts it on par with Flames of Phlegethos or Your Glorious Sacrifice--L1 dailies!


• Far Realm Glimpse (DA09) - This is another power with a built in accuracy bonus offsetting targetting Fort. This packs mediocre initial damage with save ends daze. On top of that it forces the target to either retreat at full speed with its one action or take almost double damage (and reset the save ends daze if the target somehow managed to save already). Unfortunately they forgot to have the power do anything on a miss (even after the Dragon Annual edit!), which makes this an all or nothing power--so take this only if you can manufacture very high accuracy.


• Kimmeriel's Smile (FRPG) - Weak damage with interesting control. With the proper setup you can keep the target dazed for a while: either target a melee-only monster outside of charge range, or make sure to debuff its attack bonus enough that it has little to no chance to hit. Make sure you set this up though, otherwise its no better than a level 1 daily. Dark'locks get a range boost that can make it possible to keep even most ranged monsters from being able to attack back (and thus break the daze).


• Plague of Frogs (AP) - Cha'locks rejoice, you finally get a charisma based zone power and boy is it a good one! The initial damage is weak, but the zone is big, the repeat damage is quite high and it's difficult terrain. And best of all you can easily move the zone, oddly enough getting both a free 1 square move out of the sustain and a respectable 3 squares out of a move action. Fear the hopping carnivorous frogs of DOOM!


• Visage of Zhudun (DA09) - Another zone power for Cha'locks, and this one is obviously modeled after Hunger of Hadar. It has no initial damage, but high zone damage. The sustain attack isn't bad since it targets will, does a little extra damage and slows. But it blocks line of sight in and out, and you can't move it so it's just as much of an obstacle to your side as theirs after the first round. So, you need a push-heavy party to make this work, but personally I'd just recommend going with Plague of Frogs instead.  

• Touch of the Two Moons (DSCS) - vF TOUCH FEAR deals 4d10+stat with half on a miss. Then as an Effect, you get a secondary attack in a vW FRIENDLY CLOSE BURST5 that pushes equal to the target's speed and makes them grant CA (save ends). So the control is a little weak, but it helps. COMBO: push synergy from Polearm Momentum, Draconic Arrogance, Iron Vanguard, etc. makes the secondary attack much stronger.

• Amaan's Continuance (AP) - You have several damage/attack avoidance options that can be used to deny a death blow and they actually save you the HP.


• Caiphon's Disquieting Liberty (DA09) - Movement denial is usually not that big of a problem for Warlocks since you're primarily a ranged character, this is just for situations where a monster has you locked in melee with it and in my experience that's just not a common enough experience to be worth this high level power with a price every encounter.


• Cloak of Shadow (PHB) - WotC was really paranoid about players abusing flight and insubstantiality. At least that's the only reason I can come up with for this terrible power.


• Eye of the Warlock (PHB) - Not a useless power only because you can use this on your allies as well as enemies. Sadly your ally can't volunteer to fail his/her saves.


• Fail me Not (DSCS) - MINOR SUSTAIN MINOR stationary ZONE that gives allies (and not yourself) +2 to hit and + INT mod to damage, but only with melee and ranged attacks and if they miss they get vulnerable 5 all. A selfless buff that costs you your precious minor action and comes with this big of a trade off is terrible for 16th level, unless you happen to be in a party with nothing but Rangers.


• Hero's Defense (AP) - Wow, now this is a good defense power. Your best defense +4 will likely be hard to hit, and getting to halve the damage regardless is awesome. Having this to use every encounter will make you very very tough.


• Infuriating Elusiveness (PHB) - The more versatile, proactive alternative to Hero's Defense. In one power you get the mobility of a 4 square teleport, the offense of combat advantage (though if you have Shadow Warlock's Armor this part is moot), and the defense of invisibilty for a round. 


• Painful Transference (AP) - Ironically this power is weak as intended for Cha'locks, but Con'locks especially Tanks can abuse this with little to no cost at all!


• Ruinous Resistance (FRPG) - They couldn't have at least tried to make this worth the trade off? Not only will your friends string you up if you try this, but it's a weak trade at this level anyway.


• Warp Space (AP) - This is a leader power, why do we get it again? For a Striker, this is a waste of a standard action.  


• Vile Resonance (D382) - Not recommended for fragile Cha'locks, but the trade off is worth it for everyone else IMO especially since you can turn it off if things go sour. Hell'locks get some nice control to go with the damage boost.

• Insightful Riposte (Insight) - a slightly weaker version of a human's Heroic surge. Very nice indeed!

• Despair of Zhudun (AP) - Since monsters know the consequences of their actions in 4e, there is very little reason for them to stand up. Being prone means you grant CA to adjacent enemies, get a -2 penalty to attacks, and can't walk or run. This power makes the target grant CA (to all enemies!) if he stands up, and he's already spent a move action to stand so unless he wants to skip an attack this round to move again or wants to charge, the only thing he gains is the removal of the attack penalty. And Star'locks don't even let them cancel the attack penalty! Now that you officially get to add static mods to the 2d8 damage he takes if he stands up, it is even more of a no-brainer for the target to stay prone. A smart DM will just have the monster stay prone 99% of the time, which makes this a very low damage spell with mediocre control.


• Life Force Reclaimed (AP) - Now this power grants a truly significant amount of THP! The damage is pretty good too. Vestige'locks get even more THP, kind of to the point of overkill. This power is best when combined with something that you know will hurt you (Doom of Delban, the Bolstering Blood Blood Mage feature, etc.) or if you are your party's back up defender.


• Sea Tyrant's Fury (AP) - A nice control power as pushing that far plus knocking prone can easily waste a melee monsters entire next turn. And since this targets Reflex it also makes a great defensive power as you can reliably hit brutes and other melee monsters who get into melee with you. The only downside is this is not a party-friendly power, so be careful where you aim it and/or pick up War Wizardry or something to try to spare your allies. The Vestige'lock rider is odd to me, flavor-wise, but a save bonus can't hurt.


• Warlock's Bargain (PHB) - This power does a large amount of damage, but comes at a hefty price. If the cost and the damage bonus were the same and thus scaled the same it'd be a much better power, but as is, it scales terribly becoming worse and worse as you level up. Short range, but thankfully that doesn't hurt a Con'lock as badly as a Cha'lock. Hell'locks are much better equipped for this power between the cost reduction and all their THPs.

• Claws of the Magpie (AP) - The damage is rather low, but the control will cripple the right target--unfortunately the "right target" won't come up every encounter so this becomes a very situational power. Fey'locks also get a few THPs as well to give them some much needed toughness.


• Delban's Eye (DA09) - 3d10 cold is solid, but it targets Fort and marking is very weak control without any retaliation to back it up. Cancelling concealment is nice but certainly won't come up every encounter. Star'locks however grant a massive damage boost to all attacks against the target, which makes this a big DPR bump for the whole party but not as big as Strand of Fate below (and be careful that this bonus damage only applies to damage from attacks, meaning ongoing damage, zone damage, and other miscellaneous damage isn't affected).


• Devouring Death (AP) - WotC was really short on ideas this level, this makes the 3rd power Cha-lock power this level that (effectively) grants vulnerability. This is by far the weakest since the vulnerability is only to 2 damage types (and they are even rare types for PCs to deal). Dark'locks also get to cancel resistance to the damage types, which is worthwhile at least for necrotic, enough to make it a decent pick for them.


• Dire Portents of Malbolge (D386) - 3d10 generic is decent damage, targeting Will is nice. The control is pitiful though, because of the duration; dazed until the start of the targets turn means it provides brief CA, and briefly prevents OAs and immediate actions. That is awful. The 2nd chance on this one offers half damage, but full (though still crappy control). Hell'locks get to slide all nearby enemies [Int] squares away on the initial attack, which vastly improves the control making the power pretty good.


• Strand of Fate (PHB) - Very similar to Delban's Eye (and Devouring Death) above, this does significantly less initial damage but grants more of a damage boost (and it's not just for Star'locks). Since the damage boost gets multiplied by the number of times your party can damage the target in a turn it more than makes up for the low initial damage. Note this combos especially well with powers that damage the target in multiple instances including ongoing damage! (thanks to Ian Demagi!) Star'locks get even more of a damage bonus, making this the ultimate nova setup spell.


• Thirsting Tendrils (PHB) - Odd flavor-wise, but a welcome departure IMO as cha-locks are far more fragile than Con-locks and can really use a power that lets them heal themselves. The downsides are the damage is rather weak for the level and it targets Fort so accuracy could be a problem, which really hurts a power that you want to use in emergencies (try to target artillery or controller monsters to avoid this). Fey'locks get a significant amount of extra free healing.


• Unholy Glee (FRPG) - As one of the very few encounter powers to inflict a save ends effect, this is quite powerful. 2d8+mods damage is low, but as long as they don't manage to save before their turn, 2d8+10+mods is great. If the monster is desperate enough to take the extra 4d6--all the better! Dark'locks rider is worthless unless you happen to be targetting an artillery or controller monster that you know has a lower Fort than Will.


• Your Delectable Pain (FRPG) - As the big brother of Your Delicious Weakness, this suffers from the same limitation: vulnerabilities are just not a very common trait in monsters. Still this is a long range, high damage spell that targets reflex, so it's good even without the rider effect. If you are in a party with someone with the frostcheeze feats, or are in an adventure where undead or other monsters with vulnerabilities are common, then this gets much better.  

• Obedience's Reward (DSCS) - TOUCH or RANGED5 This lets you play Warlord and hand out a MBA or Charge to an ally with a whopping INT mod attack bonus and +2d8 damage. And if they miss your ally takes your Con or Cha mod damage, but you regain the power! Fell Might: lets your ally deal your curse damage as well!

• [color=purple]Hellfire Eruption (D382) - Solid damage that is better if you can debuff saves. But be warned the rider effect is unfriendly and thus can be turned against you and your allies, so this is recommended only for parties with some fire resistance!


• Minions of Malbolge (PHB) - The big brother of Armor of Agathys has a few trade offs compared to its predecessor. The THP amount is larger but doesn't even attempt to scale. The damage is higher and it has a control effect, but it only triggers when they enter adjacency not if they start their turn adjacent. But the biggest loss is duration, since this power only lasts as long as your THP do. You can invest in THP granting powers (or hope desperately that the infernal pact boon will trigger often enough) to extend the life span, just be warned that it would still only take is a few too many hits in a row to lose it, and it still only triggers defensively or by using a slide power (so Eldritch Strike really helps).


• Vestige of Amaan (AP) - Crappy initial damage, but immobilization isn't bad control, and save ends vulnerability 10 is a big boost to your party's offense. Tip: Have your party use readied actions to make sure that the whole party gets to go before the target can try to save. Unfortunately it targets Fort and you don't get the vulnerability on a miss, which is the best part of the power! Without any other particularly good options, Con-locks who can manufacture high accuracy should take this, otherwise they should probably look at a lower level power or a multiclass swap. Vestige'locks are the exception since they get a nice versatile pact boon and at-will upgrade both of which let you move monsters long distances.


• Vestige of Kronata (D383) - Low initial damage, but ongoing 10 in an area, with half damage plus ongoing 5 on a miss, is solid. However you have to be very careful of fire resistance when the damage is spread out like this. Vestige'locks get a nice offensive pact boon, especially for pusher builds. Thanks to the static mods ruling, their at-will upgrade makes the target choose between weak control or 1d10+mods damage, 95% of the time smart DMs will just not approach you.  But if you can add a pull or slide to the attack or follow up the attack with one, you can force the trigger which basically doubles your damage!


• Vestige of the Burned Emperors (AP) - The bar for pure damage at this level is set at 6d10 (avg 33), this does 2d10 (avg 11) plus adjacent allies x Int mod. So you need 22 to break even which works out to roughly 3 allies x Int 7 or 4 allies x Int 6--not very easy to count on. On the upside it scales well with level, so it might be worth retraining into once your Int mod gets to 8 or 9. Vestige'locks don't get any real help as the pact boon and at-will upgrade while not worthless, are extremely weak for the level.


• Void Star (AP) - Sorry Con-locks, this is your last choice this level. The damage is still mediocre, and its necrotic, and the rider is highly situational. Against a regenerating monster or one with a leader ally, it will be awesome but they are few and far between, so most of the time you won't get anything out of it. So only those in an adventure that features a lot of regenerating monsters should consider this. 

• Dark Side of the Moon (DA09) - A very accurate power, but unfortunately it doesn't have much else going for it. The damage is mediocre, and the control is very unimpressive for a daily. If it lasted more than a round it'd be great, but as is, this is just a glorified encounter power.


• Delusions of Loyalty (PHB) - Another power with unusual mechanics to fit some fun flavor. First off, I have to warn again that this power deals zero damage and thus will not allow you to add your Curse damage. Second, it does nothing at all on a miss. But if you can manufacture high accuracy you essentially dominate the monster for as long as you keep hitting it, which is awesome control.


• Dread Briars (D375) - A necrotic fey'lock spell? Odd.  Compared the Tendrils of Thuban that Con'locks get, you trade 2d10 damage for 10 ongoing, trade the AoE & zone effect for 1/2 damage & 1 turn of slow on a miss, and cold damage for necrotic damage. Overall that is a bad trade, and Tendrils is only black by default. Fey'locks get to ignore necrotic resistance which helps a lot.


• Explosive Contagion (FRPG) - This RANGE20 VS FORT power does low 2d10+Cha NECROTIC damage, but adds ONGOING POISON 10 (+INT mod for dark'locks) then if the target fails at least 1 save you get to spread ongoing 5 (again +Int for dark'locks) to enemies within 5. However on a miss you just do half damage plus ongoing 5, which can't spread. So to make sure this power works you need to be able to hit the typically highest NAD, pierce necrotic and poison resistance/immunity and you need to SAVE DEBUFF. COMBOS: Persistent Poison debuffs the saves, and Icy Clutch of Stygia and Hellfire Master help offset the loss of a successful save, but you still want to debuff that first save so they can apply to the spread damage; . Ultimately there are too many hoops to jump though in my opinion especially when Maelstrom of Despair is available below.


• Force of Nature (AP) - Wow, a real striker power. 6d10 is some of the highest damage Warlocks (sadly) ever get. Getting to push and knock prone on top of that is gravy. The only downsides are generic damage doesn't give you many upgrade options, and targetting Fort means you have to be careful with whom you target.


• Maelstrom of Despair (AP) - This VS WILL power does mediocre 3d10+Cha PSYCHIC damage plus ONGOING 5 on a hit. But then as an Effect you get to deal INT mod damage (double for dark'locks!) every time it attempts a save regardless of what it is saving against which you can SUSTAIN MINOR. So this is a great solo-killer when you use it with the combos. COMBOS: Lots of save ends powers from you party are needed to ensure the effect keeps triggering especially since this power deals zero on a miss, Icy Clutch of Stygia and/or Hellfire Master help add to the lose-lose scenario for the target, and the Rod of Ulban makes the damage potential disgusting!


• Passionate Betrayal (AP) - A very interesting power, save ends dominate is great control. Tacking on a built-in cumulative save penalty is unheard of! Of course there's a catch: attacking the target gives him free saves and bloodying the other monsters reduces his save penalty so the clock is ticking. Also I have to mention that this is another power that deals zero direct damage so no curse damage, and the miss effect is quite a drop off. Dark'locks get a much better bang for their buck out of the puppeteered attacks.


• Wrath of Acamar (PHB) - This is a true all-or-nothing power. On a hit you do solid initial damage, sequester the target, and (thanks to the static mods ruling) effectively do 1d10+mods ongoing damage as well!  On a miss, you do nothing. Zip. Nada. So it is another power that is only good if you can manufacture high accuracy.

• Voice of the Dictator (DSCS) - vW CHARM CLOSE BURST5 (but only 1 target) deals no initial damage on a hit, but dominates save ends which is awesome CONTROL. Then each FAILED SAVE deals Con or Cha damage and gives an ally Con or Cha THP. On a miss you deal 2d12+stat PSYCHIC damage. To be worth it you really need accuracy and save penalties.

• Arcane Admixture (AP) - Ever wish that your favorite power dealt Cold damage so you could use Frostcheeze or Thunder so you could increase the burst size with Resounding Thunder? Here ya go.


• Arcane Reach (PHB) - Dex 15 - The prereq is kind of tough until maybe epic for most but this really makes close powers a lot more flexible.


• Arcane Ritualist (AP) - Ritual Caster - This is a great way to handle the ones based on heal.


• Armor Specialization (PHB) - Another +1 AC and you get rid of the armor check or speed penalty, which is only worth it for a TANK.


• Beseech Patron (D381) - A free proactive pact boon is a great AP boost.


• Bleak Guide's Return (D381) - Vestige Pact - This is practically useless due to the layered conditional triggers. They might as well have called for the planets to align too.


• Called Shot (D368) - A huge boost, and makes getting in close very worth it, but note that it only applies to ranged attacks not area or close attacks. 


• Curse of the Blind Stars (D384) - By default this only applies to 9 powers, so it sucks. But if you use a radiant weapon or take Sibling to the Stars/Radiant One/Arcane Admixture, then it is a pretty nice control option.


• Demonweb Spiral (FRPG) - Dark Pact - This only hurts enemies that retreat after attacking and that is way too situational to be worth a feat.


• Devastating Critical (PHB) - This adds 5.5 times your crit chance in DPR, so with 19-20 crits this is +.55 DPR. For comparison, at this level Weapon Focus gives 2 times your hit chance in DPR, so with a 50/50 chance to hit that's +1 DPR--almost twice as good!


• Dominating Gaze (D371) - Vampiric Heritage - This is a damn good 15th level daily; a minor action save ends dominate with save ends with daze as an after effect! Con'locks need a high Int to pull it off though.


• Eochaid's Lure (D381) - Fey Pact - I guess this could work if you built around it...?


• Evasion/Mettle (PHB) - Even for tanks damage on a miss attacks are just too rare in 4e to make these worth a feat slot.


• Fey Revel Glamor (D384) - Fey Pact - Meh. Adding slow/upgrading to immobilization to 1 target of your dailies isn't bad, but it's not great either.


• Fleet-Footed (PHB) - You should be plenty mobile already without this.  


• Flitting Shadows (D382) - The control potential of this is huge especially considering the prevalence of ways to buff teleport distance. But on top of control, now that vertical teleportation is officially allowed, you can use this to teleport foes up into the air and drop them for falling damage plus knocking prone.  However due to the saving throw they get to avoid this, it is a gamble, but statistically the odds are in your favor.  A standard monsters has a 45% chance of failing their saving throw, and giving up 2d6 of your curse damage lets you teleport them 6 squares up, which equates to 3d10 falling damage.  .45 * 3 * 5.5 = 7.425 damage > 2 * .5 = 7 damage. TIP: This is an easy way to force enemies back into damaging zones, however as Eric888 pointed out you do have be able to see into the zone (unless you can drop them in from above it).


• Grazing Shot (PHB3) - Only hybrids or niche builds have the Dex to make this worth it


• Great Fortitude/Iron Will/Lightning Reflexes (PHB) - Very helpful defensive feats, but as an offensive character I highly recommend Paragon Defenses instead for the feat slot savings.


• Gritty Determination (PHB3) - A good amount of Con based THP for free with every daily is pretty solid for a feat.


• Hellfire Hex (D384) - Infernal Pact - Adding/increasing ongoing fire damage to (one target of) all your dailies is a pretty good buff, but nothing earth shattering.


• Improved Dark Spiral Aura (FRPG) - Dark Pact - As long as your DM actually triggers your aura then this is a nice upgrade (especially for getting the 12+ damage bonus).


• Lasting Frost (PHB) - The infamous frostcheeze, basically as long as you keep hitting with cold powers you get a big damage bonus (and CA if you took Wintertouched too).


• Liberating Teleport (PHB3) - Even for teleport buffs, a conditional +2 feat bonus to saves is pretty weak.


• Message of Doom Spurned (D381) - Star Pact - A decent defensive option as long as you find yourself getting large bonuses at a time (since +1 or 2 is not very likely to turn a hit into a miss). 


• Overwhelming Critical (PHB3) - Combined with Grounding Shot and Headsmans's Chop, this is a solid crit boost.


• Persistent Poison (D373) - For Poison spec - An absolute necessity if you want to try to use the ongoing poison spells, but even with this I think you are taking a big gamble.


• Prime Punisher (D373) - For Gishes - this lets you gain Prime Shot bonuses (including other upgrades like Called Shot) in melee.


• Prisoner's Resolve (D381) - Infernal Pact - You Hell'locks should have the HP/THP to spare for this, but be careful as this only grants a second chance. Meaning don't use this to try to shake off ongoing 10 thinking "well I'm gonna take 10 damage either way" because you'll actually end up taking 20 if you miss your save.


• Protective Hex (D384) - This is basically a mark feature, so it is awesome for a TANK.


• Psychic Lock (PHB) - There are a lot of psychic spells (especially for Fey'locks) and the penalty really adds up, but be warned that it is counterproductive on dominate and pseudo-dominate spells. 


• Relentless Curse (AP) - A solid alternative (or addition) to Twofold Curse, as dropping one cursed enemy is exactly when you want to curse your next victim.


• Repel Charge (PHB3) - For a TANK or GISH this will probably generate free attacks in many encounters.


• Reserve Maneuver (PHB2) - By default this offers the versatility of having a back up move that you only use is the right circumstances (or one you can always fall back on)--probably to account for resistances/immunities. But this feat also allows you to swap out a lackluster Paragon Path power for another class power making many more PPs viable!


• Resounding Thunder (PHB) - By default this is not applicable to many warlock powers, but if you build around it, especially for the ZONES it can be a massive boost.  


• Shadow Born Warlock (D371) - Necrotic is the most common monster damage type, so this is quite effective as long as you aren't forsaking Int.


• Shared Pact (AP) - I wish the range was farther, but still this is a great upgrade for basically all Pacts. Fey'locks and Hell'locks can avoid their boons being wasted, Star'locks can play Leader, and Dark'locks can give monsters a lose-lose choice by putting the Aura on the Defender!


• Shield Mastery (PHB3) - Shield Prof - For a TANK this stacks with Great Fortitude.


• Sickening Shadows (D382) - Shadow Walk feature - For Tanks with a good Int this is an awesome reward.


• Twofold Curse (PHB) - This offers action advantage, but best of all the ability to curse the second closest enemy. Consider Relentless Curse as a possible alternative/addition.


• Twofold Pact (DA09) - The feat that every single warlock should take: a free at-will, an alternative pact boon, and you qualify for twice as many pact-specific power riders! An absolute no-brainer.


• Veil of Waking Dreams (D384) - Star Pact - Getting to add daze (save ends) or ongoing 5 psychic to (one target of) all your dailies is a great upgrade (much better than the similar fey/infernal feats IMO).


• Vestige Versatility (AP) - Vestige Pact - Almost a necessity for Vestige'locks.


• War Wizardry (FRPG) - If you use any AoE, especially zones, this feat is vital. (note it even helps if you ever get dominated!)


• White Lotus Master Evasion (D374) - White Lotus Evasion - I didn't think the prereq was worth it, eating up two slots for this is even worse.


• White Lotus Master Hindrance (D374) - White Lotus Hindrance - This adds a lot of control to your at-wills.


• White Lotus Master Riposte (D374) - White Lotus Riposte - Post errata, this is no longer a no-brainer since you can't set up Catch-22s with marks, but it is still a major boost to at-wills if your DM throws many attacks your way.

Any Martial

• Bloody Tenacity (MP) - Human - Not bad, extra defense right when things get tense.


• Dragonbreath Warrior (MP) - Eldritch Strike - A +1[W] boost for using a minor action which is already an attack is crazy good.

Any Divine

• Hell's Chosen (D384) - Req Infernal Pact - I really don't know why this requires divine multiclassing, but for fire specialists, this is very nice especially since turning everything to fire damage is an option, so you don't have to deal fire damage when you're up against Efreet.


• Sibling to the Stars (D384) - Star Pact - I really don't know why this requires divine multiclassing, but getting to deal radiant damage with Eldritch Blast and your curse damage is a very nice option to have.