Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana: Sorcerer and Warlock

There's a new Unearthed Arcana from WotC today, hot on the heels of the recent one for barbarian and monk. "Two classes, the sorcerer and the warlock, discover new playtest possibilities this week. The sorcerer receives a new Sorcerous Origin feature: the Aberrant Mind. Meanwhile, the warlock gains a new Otherworldly Patron feature: the Lurker in the Deep. We’ve also included a new cantrip: mind sliver."

 

[Blazestudios23]

But there is...you say to your DM, "Hey, could I play a character that's like a warlock, but with Int or Wis as their casting stat?"

Of course, but if you show up to organized play or like to use D&D Beyond, there's were the trouble begins. Not that this can't be gotten around, but I feel like Warlock is the one class that should multiple ability options, as each patron type fits better with a different ability.

 

[cbwjm]

Of course, but if you show up to organized play or like to use D&D Beyond, there's were the trouble begins. Not that this can't be gotten around, but I feel like Warlock is the one class that should multiple ability options, as each patron type fits better with a different ability.

I would like that functionality for DnDBeyond as well. You can update spell DCs/Attack bonuses manually but it would be nice to be able to have a toggle that lets you switch all instances of Charisma in a class like the warlock over to intelligence or wisdom instead. I actually requested that in one of the threads on the DnDBeyond forums.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I would like that functionality for DnDBeyond as well. You can update spell DCs/Attack bonuses manually but it would be nice to be able to have a toggle that lets you switch all instances of Charisma in a class like the warlock over to intelligence or wisdom instead. I actually requested that in one of the threads on the DnDBeyond forums.

Could probably do a workaround for it with a magic item that changes your casting stat?

 

[Blazestudios23]

I would like that functionality for DnDBeyond as well. You can update spell DCs/Attack bonuses manually but it would be nice to be able to have a toggle that lets you switch all instances of Charisma in a class like the warlock over to intelligence or wisdom instead. I actually requested that in one of the threads on the DnDBeyond forums.

They need to make some skills ability score base changeable too. For example, a hippy with a guitar will always be more intimidating than a seven foot tall half orc-barbarian, who spends all his days working out but isn't so good at social skills.

But that's part of the problem with Charisma, it's become the catch all for all things not thought of by Gygax, and accounts for things that aren't even correlated, like will power and degree of likableness. The collage party girl is very likable but has almost no will power, a despot would have a strong will but would probably not be well liked. Per the dictionary Charisma is likableness, and power of persuasion.

 

[CleverNickName]

Intimidate doesn't necessarily have to be linked to the Charisma skill. The DM is allowed to call for a Strength (Intimidate) check for a scary barbarian, just as he is for a Dexterity (Persuasion) check for a tobacco auctioneer.

 

[Blazestudios23]

Intimidate doesn't necessarily have to be linked to the Charisma skill. The DM is allowed to call for a Strength (Intimidate) check for a scary barbarian, just as he is for a Dexterity (Persuasion) check for a tobacco auctioneer.

Yes, obviously. The point is that D&D Beyond should allow options to change the base ability score for skills.

I have a few other gripes with intimidate and the overuse of Charisma as the class ability score, but it has nothing to do with D&D Beyond.

 

[CleverNickName]

Yes, obviously. The point is that D&D Beyond should allow options to change the base ability score for skills.

I have a few other gripes with intimidate and the overuse of Charisma as the class ability score, but it has nothing to do with D&D Beyond.

Ah, gotcha. I don't use D&D Beyond.

 

[Weiley31]

I really wish there was an option to make an Intelligence or Wisdom based Warlock.

There is a WIS Warlock TECHNICALLY, but it's third party.

 

[cbwjm]

They need to make some skills ability score base changeable too. For example, a hippy with a guitar will always be more intimidating than a seven foot tall half orc-barbarian, who spends all his days working out but isn't so good at social skills.

But that's part of the problem with Charisma, it's become the catch all for all things not thought of by Gygax, and accounts for things that aren't even correlated, like will power and degree of likableness. The collage party girl is very likable but has almost no will power, a despot would have a strong will but would probably not be well liked. Per the dictionary Charisma is likableness, and power of persuasion.

You can customise it on the character sheet to another ability score. There are quite a few things you can mess around with like changing a fighter's saves from strength and constitution to intelligence and wisdom (if you wanted). You can grant half proficiency, proficiency, and expertise to saves and skills and grant extra feats above what PCs normally have. I was actually surprised at the amount of customisation they have on the sheet.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I wouldn't be shocked if they eventually come up with some kind of school of law wizard that specializes in complicated contracts with patron-type entities. It could have access to the warlock spells and maybe get an chainlock style familiar (that you have to give up your action to have attack, so don't get too excited). I know it isn't the same thing as int warlock, but I think it as close as it will officially get (if it ever gets made).