D&D 5E [Poll] Are any of the subclasses underpowered?

[Stoutstien]

Warlock is excellent at tier 1 (level 1-4). The problem is that Warlock becomes subpar compared to other full casters at tier 2 (level 5-9), and outright not functional at tier 3 & 4.

Should warlocks even be compared to full casters? They seem kinda on their own as far as design principal.
They can definitely get boring if they don't diversity with Invocations but never thought they fell behind.

 

[JackOfAllTirades]

If minmaxers knew what they were doing they wouldn't value many of the things as highly as they do.

It's true. If they actually understood how to play a single-class warlock, they wouldn't be stopping after two levels.

 

[TwoSix]

Warlock is excellent at tier 1 (level 1-4). The problem is that Warlock becomes subpar compared to other full casters at tier 2 (level 5-9), and outright not functional at tier 3 & 4.

That's certainly strongly worded for an (IMO) incorrect opinion. Warlock gets really fun at Tier 3, when they get their 3rd slot. It opens up a lot of play strategies.

 

[Gladius Legis]

I think PDK just suffers from being a late bloomer. I think a high level PDK looks fine. It's the lower level ones that are blah.

I've always been a proponent of switching around the Lv. 3 and Lv. 10 features on the PDK, which would give the PDK much more bite at the levels most people play at.

 

[Gladius Legis]

The Assassin really shines in a party that does Stealth well because then there isn't the same need to go solo. In a party full of clanking fighter types who couldn't sneak around in a room padded with cotton the Assassin struggles a lot.

The advantage first round for beating initiative is an underrated part of Assassinate. Starting the fight with an almost certain hit and Sneak Attack without any other actions or bonus actions needed, and without having to wait on the party to set you up, is quite nice.

It just doesn't sound as sexy as "omg auto crits."

 

[FrogReaver]

It's true. If they actually understood how to play a single-class warlock, they wouldn't be stopping after two levels.

Oh I've got to hear this...

 

[FrogReaver]

The advantage first round for beating initiative is an underrated part of Assassinate. Starting the fight with an almost certain hit and Sneak Attack without any other actions or bonus actions needed, and without having to wait on the party to set you up, is quite nice.

It just doesn't sound as sexy as "omg auto crits."

Yep. It makes for one of the best archer rogues as you don't risk missing out sneak attack on the first round. It's also one of the rogues best multiclass abilities - amazing 3 level dip for any archer based multiclass.

 

[Stoutstien]

I've always been a proponent of switching around the Lv. 3 and Lv. 10 features on the PDK, which would give the PDK much more bite at the levels most people play at.

Switching the 3rd and 14th lv ablity for berserker barb works as well.