Unearthed Arcana Revived, Noble Genie and Archivist Revisited in UA

The latest Unearthed Arcana replaces the Revived, Noble Genie, and Archivist subclasses with new versions called the Phantom, the Genie, and the Order of Scribes.

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[Mistwell]

You saw it grants basically permanent advantage on Con saves and death saves? I think that is the main benefit and it is pretty good.

Yes, and while that's fine, it's essentially always active (because you can always have one of them on you) and so loses any real association with the tokens and their use. It's using a token that appears to be the mechanic in question, and nobody is going to actually "use" them until much later levels.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I like the Phantom, but the psychic splash damage seems a bit large. It is a 50% damage buff to sneak attack. I enjoy the flavor of harnessed souls to ask questions and use as bargaining chips with death (advantage on death saving throws). Ghostwalk is thematic.
The Genie lock is ok. The free bag of holding for your stuff and rope trick is maybe a bit strong but works the theme. Limited wish as a class feature worries me but is very thematic and a great capstone.
I love the Scribe. I would play this right now. The scroll ability might need a limit on it, but fits so well. I have been waiting for this subclass since the playtest when they were talking about your choice of focus would shape your abilities.

I love the phantom but I agree on the damage boost being unneeded. I’d trade it for the ability to apply a condition to the target or a creature near them, or something.

 

[Parmandur]

I'm curious where these would appear. A setting book? Another Volo/Xanathar type book? Genie has a definite flavor, but it could be a Planar book as well.

Literally everything they have done would fit in a Planescape Setting book comfortably. Or a Xanathars Guide 2 (not much difference, in effect).

 

[jaelis]

Yes, and while that's fine, it's essentially always active (because you can always have one of them on you) and so loses any real association with the tokens and their use. It's using a token that appears to be the mechanic in question, and nobody is going to actually "use" them until much later levels.

Ah I see, but I think its fair to take the save benefits as the meat, and the token mechanism itself as more a flavor thing. I understand if that doesn't float your boat thought.

 

[Mistwell]

Ah I see, but I think its fair to take the save benefits as the meat, and the token mechanism itself as more a flavor thing. I understand if that doesn't float your boat thought.

If that's the flavor, why does it re-use that mechanic in a much more powerful and meaingful way later in the class?

In the very least let the rogue bargain or persuade or intimidate or deceive a truthful answer from the soul (explicitly in the text). Or compel a truthful answer in exchange for release.

 

[Jester David]

I'm curious where these would appear. A setting book? Another Volo/Xanathar type book? Genie has a definite flavor, but it could be a Planar book as well.

It will likely appear in November, in a book titled:
<Proper Noun>'s <Term for Book> to/of <Noun>s

Like Zagyg's Lexicon of Mystery or Tenser's Folio of Wonders or Elminster's Logbook to Adventurers.

 

[Parmandur]

It will likely appear in November, in a book titled:
<Proper Noun>'s <Term for Book> to/of <Noun>s

Like Zagyg's Lexicon of Mystery or Tenser's Folio of Wonders or Elminster's Logbook to Adventurers.

I think their naming abilities may have leveled up in the past year and a half (Kate Welch herself already proved way more capable of coming up with better names, she suggested "Ghosts of Saltmarsh" in her first week on the job, IIRC), actually, so we might get something outside that mold.

 

[TheDelphian]

I think they are also testing the use this a number of times equal to your proficiency mechanic as well.

Just a side note

I like the use of proficiency in things other than just an add to the d20. I used it a lot in rewrite of gamma world. especially in feats and stuff so they level up some with a character.

 

[JPL]

I love Unearthed Arcana. Just a free monthly peek at work-in-progress, and we all weigh in now instead of after publication.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

It will likely appear in November, in a book titled:
<Proper Noun>'s <Term for Book> to/of <Noun>s

Like Zagyg's Lexicon of Mystery or Tenser's Folio of Wonders or Elminster's Logbook to Adventurers.

Robilar's Reader of Retorts and Tall Tales
Tenser's Treatise of Terrors and Disks
Leomund's Libram of Legendary Lands and Huts
Vecna's Vexing Volume of Artifacts, Relics, and Body Parts
Iggwilv's Illuminated Manuscript of Ill-gotten & Illegal Instruments
Tharizdun's Black Book