How does warlock invocations work exactly?

[Almostdead]

These two descriptions confused me.

1. A warlock's invocations are spell-like abilities; using an invocation is therefore a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity.

2. All invocations, including eldritch blast, have a somatic component.

Are these two descriptions always true?

If they are always true, then you can't apply Quicken Spell-Like ability on invocations (even the book clearly says you can). Since using an invocation is always a standard action.

If they are not always true, then some invocations should not include somatic component. Like Flee the Scene which mimics Dimension Door (no somatic component but need verbal component).

So, which one is it?

[RedWarlock]

Both are true.

In the case of 1, they are SLAs that usually, but not always, take a standard action. The general statement is not ALWAYS true, and there are specific invocations that do say they take a full round or other action, not just a standard.

In the case of 2, because it functions as that other ability, it references the other ability but is able to overwrite those details. If this wasn't possible, you could never have another spell that says "as X but with Y" because those details couldn't be overwritten. But because they can, this can be true.

[Particle_Man]

Yeah it is like how Quicken spell changes the casting time of spells.

[Zaq]

Specific beats general.

[Alcore]

1. A warlock's invocations are spell-like abilities; using an invocation is therefore a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity.

2. All invocations, including eldritch blast, have a somatic component.

Are these two descriptions always true?

You bet they are! Unless further modified by feats/descriptions and the like.

If they are not always true, then some invocations should not include somatic component. Like Flee the Scene which mimics Dimension Door (no somatic component but need verbal component).

So, which one is it?

both yet neither.

The spell does indeed need vocal (but we are not casting, are we?) and the invocation does indeed use only somatic. Unless otherwise stated in the invocation or in a feat modifying the invocation all spells mimicked use a standard action and somatics. Meaning they are quite silent and stealthy if out of sight.


Your problem is you're caught on the spell part but invocations only behave like spells. They are not the spells.