Unearthed Arcana WotC Removes Latest Unearthed Arcana

WotC has removed this week's Unearthed Arcana from its website. Not only has the article's web page itself been removed, the actual PDF has been replaced with last month's "Subclasses, Part 1" PDF (although it's URL still reads... /UA2020-Subclasses02.pdf).

The article included three new subclasses, the bardic College of Creation, the cleric's Love Domain, and the sorcerer's Clockwork Soul.

[NOTE - NSFW language follows].

I don't know if it's linked, but WotC came under criticism on Twitter for its treatment of the Love Domain. The main argument isn't that mind-control magic has no place in the game, but rather that coercive powers should not be described as "love", and that the domain might be poorly named.

People like game designer Emmy Allen commented: "It seems WotC have tried to create a 'Love' domain for clerics in 5e. By some sheer coincidence they seem to have accidentally created a 'roofie' domain instead. Nothing says 'love' like overriding your target's free will to bring them under your power."


That domain was introduced as follows: "Love exists in many forms—compassion, infatuation, friendly affection, and passionate love as a few facets. Whatever form these feelings take, the gods of love deepen the bonds between individuals."

The powers were Eboldening Bond, Impulsive Infatuation ("Overwhelm a creature with a flash of short-lived by intense admiration for you, driving them to rash action in your defense”), Protective Bond, and Enduring Unity.

Whether the criticism was a factor in the article's withdrawal, I don't know. It might be that it just wasn't ready for prime-time yet. It seems the domain itself would be better named a "control" or "charm" domain than a "love" domain, which seems to be the main thrust of the criticism on Twitter.

WotC's Jeremy Crawford commented: "The official version of the Unearthed Arcana article “Subclasses, Part 2” is still ahead of us, later this week or sometime next week. Our team will hold off on answering questions until you’ve seen the real deal!"

 

[jasper]

Since the document has been taken down, reedited and put back up; can we lock this thread as it appears to be a dead horse now?

 

[Olrox17]

So, they caved to the rage mob, pulling away a playtest before it had a chance to be fairly evaluated in a survey. And in doing so, they overreacted, butchering the concept wholesale, instead of making little adjustments.

I mean, a lot of people thought the subclass would be fine if they just changed its frigging name. But no.

 

[Panda-s1]

So, they caved to the rage mob,

it's alarming what qualifies as a "rage mob" nowadays

pulling away a playtest before it had a chance to be fairly evaluated in a survey.

ah yes, if only people played with the original domain they might change their mind on the relationship between love and mind control.

And in doing so, they overreacted, butchering the concept wholesale, instead of making little adjustments.

I mean, a lot of people thought the subclass would be fine if they just changed its frigging name. But no.

they also changed the other two subclasses, but I guess that doesn't mean anything to you. we also got a new CD ability that's actually cool and not a rehash of a different ability. actually yeah, I don't think anyone is saying this new domain is inherently worse so I'm not sure what the issue is here.

also that original document is still floating around the internet, nothing's stopping you from using it lol

 

[Son of the Serpent]

At the time that book was released, the question was whether game players had matured to the point where they could conceive or adapt to using rules such as that

I think its pretty resoundingly aparent that the gaming culture (most culture really) has gotten fairly broadly and consistantly less mature.

Actually, i think Bovd is in excellent taste. Why? Its a book meant to embody transcendant evil. I would feel as if my maturity and intelligence was disrespected if it was toned down. Id feel like i was being called a baby who cant handle revolting things in a book i only opened BECAUSE I WAS LOOKING TO BE REVOLTED.

Food for thought.

 

[Horwath]

ah yes, if only people played with the original domain they might change their mind on the relationship between love and mind control.

If mind control goes into your brain through the neurons that are designated to be used for love, then to the target of that ability it is one and the same.

And domain is called love, as it uses love as a tool.

Sure, it can be called mind or charm or whatever, but love is also correct.

Also, I like mechanically new domain better, it's more refined, but I do not like the way Love domain was bulldozed out of the playtest before giving it it's one month of playtesting.

I think that there is room for both, but now Love domain should focus more on control that protection, and it had more protection than control in the first place.

 

[Mr. Patient]

So, they caved to the rage mob, pulling away a playtest before it had a chance to be fairly evaluated in a survey. And in doing so, they overreacted, butchering the concept wholesale, instead of making little adjustments.

I mean, a lot of people thought the subclass would be fine if they just changed its frigging name. But no.

Leaving aside the question of whether they 'caved to the rage mob' or 'heard feedback from a couple of people and realized that they were saying something they probably didn't mean to say, and revised the material in an attempt to be as inclusive as possible', I guess what I find surprising is the attachment that some folks are feeling to the original version of the document. Like, its sanctity has been violated or something. It wasn't given a chance to live! I don't know, it feels like we've raised the stakes here way beyond what the developers probably felt about it.

 

[Son of the Serpent]

it's alarming what qualifies as a "rage mob" nowadays

ah yes, if only people played with the original domain they might change their mind on the relationship between love and mind control.

they also changed the other two subclasses, but I guess that doesn't mean anything to you. we also got a new CD ability that's actually cool and not a rehash of a different ability. actually yeah, I don't think anyone is saying this new domain is inherently worse so I'm not sure what the issue is here.

also that original document is still floating around the internet, nothing's stopping you from using it lol

1 i dont think so. Now on the other hand i used to be alarmed daily at how many roving bands of feces throwing shreiking monkeys there are these days but at this point to my great surprise its been happening so much for the past couple decades at an ever increasing pace that im horrified to say ive become used to it. Perhaps you need some hearing aids so you can hear them out your window? You might just be going deaf.

2 implying without evidence that contrary to what is at least typical in all known human history the insignifficantly tiny group of people who shreiked the loudest and the most out of turn spoke for the majority accurately? Fascinating. I must know how you gained this superhuman insight. Yeah...i kinda doubt very many people cared relative to how huge the player population is.

3 the other new sub classes are cool. No disagreement there.

4 i mean sure. That not really a reasonable argument though. Would you be singing the same tune if it was something you cared about? I doubt that. You fail to convince me.

 

[Morrus]

I guess what I find surprising is the attachment that some folks are feeling to the original version of the document.

Some people really want a roofie domain, I guess!

 

[Horwath]

Leaving aside the question of whether they 'caved to the rage mob' or 'heard feedback from a couple of people and realized that they were saying something they probably didn't mean to say, and revised the material in an attempt to be as inclusive as possible', I guess what I find surprising is the attachment that some folks are feeling to the original version of the document. Like, its sanctity has been violated or something. It wasn't given a chance to live! I don't know, it feels like we've raised the stakes here way beyond what the developers probably felt about it.

It should have stayed till the next round of UA, survey would have told what the broader community thinks of it.

Now it was just few loud people on Twitter, being loud=/=being right.

In the survey, we could have had questions:

1. Do you like the name Love domain?
A: Yes
B: No. Why "no" and what name can you suggest instead?

or

2. Did you like the general theme of the domain?

Yes

or

No, If no then why not and what should change?

etc...

 

[Horwath]

Some people really want a roofie domain, I guess!

People want option to play enchanter/mind bender.

Love is one avenue of mind control,

it can also be fear or wrath(like forcing someone into barbarian rage and attacking in melee closest target),
or put someone in matrix-like illusion while you drain life out of them.

etc...