D&D 5E [poll] Warlock Satisfaction Survey

[Sacrosanct]

Once a year or so, I think it would be interesting to get a pulse on the satisfaction of the various classes. The game's been out for a few years now, and that's plenty of time to get a good experience on how each plays out.

For the purpose of this poll, I am keeping the answers to a minimum intentionally. When you have too many options, it's harder to really evaluate the results. And for the purposes of this, a general feeling is more than adequate.

Long term goal: Have a survey of each class, then compiled results to be easily referenced for future discussions that may want said information.

Previous polls here (voting still open, so #'s may change):

Barbarian: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?571787-poll-Barbarian-Satisfaction-Survey
Bard: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?572038-Poll-Bard-Satisfaction-Survey
Cleric: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?572311-Poll-Cleric-Satisfaction-Survey
Druid: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?572570-poll-Druid-Satisfaction-Survey
Fighter: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?572847-Poll-How-Satisfied-Are-You-With-the-Fighter-Class
Monk: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?573153-poll-Monk-Satisfaction-Survey
Paladin: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?573453-Poll-Paladin-Satisfaction-Survey
Ranger: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?573683-Poll-Ranger-Satisfaction-Survey
Rogue: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?574023-Poll-Rogue-Satisfaction-Survey
Sorcerer: http://www.enworld.org/forum/showthread.php?574273-poll-Sorcerer-Satisfaction-Survey

 

[Sacrosanct]

I guess I'd have to put mostly satisfied, because we've had fun with them. I think EB is too powerful though. Not only does every warlock and their grandma's dog have it, but I've seen many players take magic initiate feat just to get it.

Most warlocks I've seen are blasters, and not the insidious sneaky types out of a Robert E Howard or David Eddings novel like I've always pictured them to be.

 

[Aldarc]

Most warlocks I've seen are blasters, and not the insidious sneaky types out of a Robert E Howard or David Eddings novel like I've always pictured them to be.

To be fair, that may be because 3e and 4e warlocks were designed as at-will magical blasters.

I am somewhere between "mostly satisfied" and "dissatisfied." I think that it is clear from some of the recent UA warlocks, such as the Hexblade, that even WotC recognizes that the warlock, particularly the Bladelock, could have used some additional polish.

 

[Sacrosanct]

To be fair, that may be because 3e and 4e warlocks were designed as at-will magical blasters.
.

Ah. There you go. Two editions I never really played

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I have a hard time deciding:

On one hand, it is good for the game to have a class where you can pick a cantrip (and an invocation or 2), and not have to worry about "carrying your weight" in a fight.

On the other hand, the connotation of the warlock would be have been better served to have upped the sneaky/creepy factor and have put the class in the DMG instead of the PHB (forbidden fruit always tastes better). A secondary benefit of that is that it would have freed up the spam blaster spot for the sorcerer......

Although Mike Mearls doesn't seem to like the warlock's grid, I think it is one of the better design elements in 5e, and honestly, most of his concerns could be addressed by borrowing from 4e: you are devil patron bladelock, you get a hellsword (axe, or whatever), you are a fey patron bladelock, you get the sword of the moon........

The third martial subclasses for the caster classes in the PHB all suffer from an effectiveness perspective, and that is definitely true for the bladelock. I think the hexblade patron exists to make it more of a half martial.

There is a little false advertising in the chainlock. The familiars aren't great for combat after 4th level or so, but they are always good scouts. Adding new ones for some of the new subclasses would be appreciated.

 

[green_destiny]

Warlocks are fun to play, great chassis for multi-classing, can be powerful too. Though the number of short rests per game can be subjective. Mostly Satisfied but...

1. More invocations (that are not once per day and also consumes a spell slot)
2. More Patron options
3. Bladelock needs improvements to be a viable/sensible option for Warlocks
4. Pact of chain improvement on higher level - great utility ability this loses steam at higher levels

 

[nicaetinismo]

Not sure if i can comment too well on a pure warlock, but I had a multiclassed warlock-monk-rogue (dont ask, it was trying to be a shadow assassin type), and i think if i had to redo the character it would be a pure warlock as that was the most enjoyable part of it, as a first time 5e player, id say i was satisfied with warlock

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I guess I'd have to put mostly satisfied, because we've had fun with them. I think EB is too powerful though. Not only does every warlock and their grandma's dog have it, but I've seen many players take magic initiate feat just to get it.

Most warlocks I've seen are blasters, and not the insidious sneaky types out of a Robert E Howard or David Eddings novel like I've always pictured them to be.

Eldritch Blast needs to be good, because Warlock's have jack for spellcasting resources for most of their career, and organically paced adventures don't often allow for hour long naps in enemy territory. If they're going to be spamming cantrips, those cantrips need to be better than the casters who can go nova whenever they feel like it. The ability to burn through your entire day's resources to crush a low encounter day needs to come at a premium. If we aren't gutting daily casters, the short rest guys need to be flat out better than them on baseline, because their peak performance is lower.

Eldritch Blast/Strike should have been a warlock feature (which would prevent poaching), and agonizing blast given for free. Maybe add patron spells automatically to their list of spells known too. Paladins get more spells known/prepared than they get spells known, and paladins are supposed to be half casters.

Bladelocks just need to be completely reworked.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

The class is very well designed and most patron are really interesting.

1) I think bladelock should have an invocation that allows for a melee Eldritch blast.
2) To improve the chainlock, I think its just matter of adding more touch spells to use tru your familiar.
3) Tome is really good, I just like it less than the others.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

The class is very well designed and most patron are really interesting.

1) I think bladelock should have an invocation that allows for a melee Eldritch blast.

The problem lies in that the bladelock is still spending too many limited resources for no real gains. The opportunity cost is massive. They have to give up their pact slot to then give up more invocation slots to still be weaker than the warlock who just grabs eldritch blast and agonizing blast and calls it a day. You can make them functional with system mastery and feats, but they're a poorly designed option.

They should have taken a page from valor bards. Give them medium armor/shields, 1 bonus HP a level and extra attack for free at 6th. All in the pact. That's how deep the hole they start out in is.