Warlock as Full Caster

[Baumi]

That would not work since the Subclasses need the Incovations. A Bladepact without the second Attack or damage-boost later on is useless. Also the Warlock Spelllist is very limited compared to the Sorcerer/Wizard.

Of course just taking another Class and working the Character around that would work (the Pact just as a Story thing), but I really like the Warlock-Theme of the Invocations and Pacts.

 

[Irda Ranger]

I love Warlock too, and I've looked into tweaking their system.

The problem with your suggestion is that Warlocks already get something to account for their limited slots: Eldritch Blast and Invocations. Their Pacts (Chain, Tome, and Blade) also have stronger benefits than the Wizard Traditions.

I think it's pretty balanced, honestly, even when SRs are hard to come by.

My issue with the Warlock is that (1) spamming Eldritch Blast all the time gets old, and (2) the Spells Known list is super-restrictive compared to any other class, even Sorcerer, and (3) the limitation that the Mystic Arcanum slot can only be used to cast that level's Mystic Arcanum spell once per day and for nothing else is needlessly restrictive.

I'd advise that you just lobby for more SR's occasionally. You can only travel 8 hours per day without Exhaustion anyway. Take a long lunch and convince your DM that setting up camp in the evening counts as an SR. There, now you've got 2 SR's per day.

The other fix I'd look at is making the "____ Blast" Invocations apply to any cantrip. Why limit the push to just Eldritch Blast? Using that with Shocking Grasp or Green Flame Blade would be fun.

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Vymair]

I think the uniqueness of the warlock versus the wizard/sorcerer is a feature, not a bug. My warlock is 8th level now and I think it's an amazing class. As noted by others, Eldritch Blast plus Invocations adds a lot above and beyond the spell casting. The fact that your spells always cast at higher level means you can get a lot of mileage from your spells. I've really come to appreciate how powerful it is to cast my spells as 4th level spells. Admittedly, this isn't true of all spells on the warlock list, but is for many of them. Hold Person and Invisibility to name a few have wonderful scaling abilities. I also think it is important that the warlock not be able to cast too many spells in a single encounter. Choosing your spots is part of the limitations of the class.

 

[Baumi]

The other fix I'd look at is making the "____ Blast" Invocations apply to any cantrip. Why limit the push to just Eldritch Blast? Using that with Shocking Grasp or Green Flame Blade would be fun.

Thats a really Interesting Idea. The Warlock has access to a lot of Attack-Cantrips but get ignored since they pale compared to Eldritch Blast because of the Invocations. My upcoming Warlock will actually be without Eldritch Blast, but he will be a Hexblade and I took Toll of the Dead for my ranged attack .. mainly for Story Reasons. I know it's weaker, but it is not that bad since he will be primarily in Close Combat anyway.

 

[DEFCON 1]

That would not work since the Subclasses need the Incovations. A Bladepact without the second Attack or damage-boost later on is useless. Also the Warlock Spelllist is very limited compared to the Sorcerer/Wizard.

Of course just taking another Class and working the Character around that would work (the Pact just as a Story thing), but I really like the Warlock-Theme of the Invocations and Pacts.

You have to give up something to get something. To get invocations and pacts you give up full spellcasting. If you go the way of the sorcerer, you potentially give up Extra Attack, invocation boosts to Eldritch Blast, and you have less spells in your spell list than a sorcerer/wizard. But that's the price of doing business.

To think you can get full access to pacts and invocations *and* a suite of full spellcasting is a little unlikely if you ask me. Unless of course you and your DM choose and agree to give you that sort of additional power. But if that's what happens, then happy gaming!

 

[TwoSix]

1) Modify Agonizing Blast to affect all cantrips.
2) Drop Eldritch Blast and every invocation that affects only Eldritch Blast.
3) Change invocations that are "Use X spell once per Long Rest" to add the spell to your spells known list.

 

[akr71]

That is a very neat idea!

Does it take an action or can you do it and cast in the same rou nd?

As an action. I assumed that it would be used before combat - as in "oh, we're still adventuring? OK, I spend xx HD to regain a spell slot. OK, let's go!"

However if a player made a compelling argument why it should be a Bonus Action, I could live with it.

 

[jgsugden]

My 6th level Tome / Great Old One Warlock has:

Eldritch Blast boosted by Hex (d10+d6+4) (uses one slot, lasts all day)
Unlimited Silent Image, MInor Image, Prestidigitation, Mage Hand, Guidance, Mold Earth, Telepathy speaking
Ritual Casting with several spells (8 already)
1 Free spell slot per short rest (after hex) of 3rd level
1 Free spell slot per long rest (from rod)
Wand of Web with 7 charges per day

I don't feel constrained.

 

[abirdcall]

The issue is playing 5e in a weird way, not as intended. Most overland travel can be hand waived. If that is the adventure the solution should be to change how rests are acquired. Otherwise you're just removing short rests and making everything easy for the long rest classes.

Warlocks are definitely full casters. The most powerful ones. An average of 6 full strength spells per long rest is hugely powerful.