D&D 5E How would you create an Alienist?

[EroGaki]

I'm a big fan of the old Alienist prestige class from 3.0; the 3.5 version wasn't as neat, but that's a different rant.

As a thought exercise, how would you go about creating a character whose modus operandi is dealing with alien horrors from beyond? The most obvious answer is a GOO Warlock, but that lacks tentacles.

 

[Paraxis]

Tiefling GOO Tome Warlock, refluff as needed. Change the appearance of yourself to more alien less demonic, change what your familiar looks like to something from the far realms but keep the stats of a sprite, pseododragon, quasit, or imp. Each time you pick up an invocation alter your appearance a bit more.

 

[Leatherhead]

Consider being a Sorcerer instead. Change the Draconic bloodline up a bit, get tentacles in place of the level 6 or 14 ability.

 

[Greenstone.Walker]

…a character whose modus operandi is dealing with alien horrors from beyond?

Isn't that the definition of an adventurer?

 

[Cernor]

Isn't that the definition of an adventurer?

No, you're confusing "dealing with" with "dealing with".

 

[Schmoe]

No, you're confusing "dealing with" with "dealing with".

You mean he's a blackjack dealer in the R'lyeh Casino?

 

[Kikuras]

If you want tentacles you'll first have to find some anime women to use as bait.

If you're determined, and think it would be fun, and the DM is game, pretty much any spellcasting class could be creatively spun into an alienist. Think of a re-imagined druid, or a bard. Re-skin spells and abilities as needed, or do a little light brewing if the DM is receptive.