Zardnaar
Legend
You know what? The value of this thread really has sunk to just about nil at this point. I think plenty of folks have concluded there's no reason to exclude the concept and that it can be done in some fashion that works. Clearly there are many people who find the idea of this class worthwhile. Its pointless to debate that any more with the few who are left who aren't ever going to agree. I'll just predict that we will get what we want, as it is one of the few things remaining that has significant traction and hasn't yet been introduced. Maybe Mike is digging in his heels, but he will come around, just as he's giving on PrCs and other things.
Mike indicated back in 2012 0r 13 that 5E was going to have PrCs. He has also said the Battlemaster is the tactical side of the warlord and the Valor Bard the inspirational part.
Ironically you could probably port the warlord more or less as is to AD&D rather than 5E. You could make the class as powerful as you like it just might level up slower than say a wizard because that class sucks at level 1 in AD&D and a Warlord would not.
THe ZNoble class has a lazylord type build that might be a good example of the problems with a Warlord. If you had the right party it looks like an outright broken class and I think 4E players would find that class a "weak" lazylord.