D&D 5E How Do You Feel About The Pact of The Talisman?

[doctorbadwolf]

No sign of any change from the UA, so the basic thing is a talisman that gives you +1d4 on untrained ability checks. Cool! You can Counterspell more effectively, and it's a differently themed Jack of All Trades, that you can grant to someone else if you want.

ANyone have a problem with it? Anyone stoked for it? Anyone have cool ideas for more Pact Boons?

I have a whole setup I worked out where you get a bandolier of 7 bells, a la the Abhorsen series by Garth Nix, which boosts certain types of spellcasting if you are holding a bell in one hand, which each bell having a slightly different effect, and then invocations that make your use of the bells more powerful. Could be simplified to a single bell, of course, and could be generalized to any instrument, but bells work well because they are one-handed.

I also like the idea of a Cloak, which is a protective item that lets you absorb magic used against you. With Invocations, you could get spell slots back X/day by rolling a check when you take damage from a spell, or save against a spell, or something.

Another fun Boon might be a staff or rod or orb (pact of the impliment?) that enhances a type of magic. Maybe a staff boon enhances your range with spells, while a rod adds damage to evocations, and an orb makes spells last longer, etc.

Anyway, thoughts?

 

[MikalC]

It makes an interesting multiclass with bard. You’d theoretically be better on average in your UNTRAINED ability checks than most actual skills

 

[Ace]

I don't think its all that great but it has its own niche and wouldn't be bad if you are trying to capture some of that bardic jack flavor.

I oculd also see using with a Gish Warlock say Fighter 7 with Champion 6 Warlock and 7 Artificer/Armorer levels . This would give you a character with at least a small bonus on all saves and skills except Intelligence (and you could take resilient for that) and you'd take Luck and and maybe Human Determination along the way.

Basically you'd get a social (take backgrounds and skills as needed for social skills) blaster with a few spells here and there. It would be well armored, with good AC. OK HP and a bonus in basically everything.

 

[Charlaquin]

It makes an interesting multiclass with bard. You’d theoretically be better on average in your UNTRAINED ability checks than most actual skills

Or instead of multiclassing, use teamwork. The bard agrees to keep the warlock supplied with bardic inspiration whenever it’s available, and in exchange the warlock lets the bard wear their talisman.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

I think that it is a little underwhelming compared to the more character-defining capabilities of the other pacts. Untrained skill checks probably do not come up often enough for this small bonus to be used much, particularly since some of the major utility of this is to grant it to another character rather than the warlock themselves.

I would probably let it work with saving throws as well; talismans often being viewed as protective.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I don't think its all that great but it has its own niche and wouldn't be bad if you are trying to capture some of that bardic jack flavor.

I oculd also see using with a Gish Warlock say Fighter 7 with Champion 6 Warlock and 7 Artificer/Armorer levels . This would give you a character with at least a small bonus on all saves and skills except Intelligence (and you could take resilient for that) and you'd take Luck and and maybe Human Determination along the way.

Basically you'd get a social (take backgrounds and skills as needed for social skills) blaster with a few spells here and there. It would be well armored, with good AC. OK HP and a bonus in basically everything.

With the Warlock's ability to put out good HP and have good AC with basically two Invocations and a cantrip, it's easy to build them for versatility otherwise, and stick to your blasters for combat, which leads to all kinds of fun builds.

I think that it is a little underwhelming compared to the more character-defining capabilities of the other pacts. Untrained skill checks probably do not come up often enough for this small bonus to be used much, particularly since some of the major utility of this is to grant it to another character rather than the warlock themselves.

I would probably let it work with saving throws as well; talismans often being viewed as protective.

My experience is absolutely the opposite on that. I like the saving throw thing, though. I might add that as an Invocation.

But yeah the fact the warlock only gets 2 skills often frustrates my players, as we all kinda vaguely feel like the warlock should feel less like a full caster by having more proficiencies than a wizard or sorcerer. We also tend to want our warlocks to be full of tricks, and having the minimum numbr of skills doesn't help that. But most importantly, if you're at my table, you're going to make untrained skill checks, because you're going to use most of the skills, and make checks often.

 

[Ace]

With the Warlock's ability to put out good HP and have good AC with basically two Invocations and a cantrip, it's easy to build them for versatility otherwise, and stick to your blasters for combat, which leads to all kinds of fun builds.

My experience is absolutely the opposite on that. I like the saving throw thing, though. I might add that as an Invocation.

But yeah the fact the warlock only gets 2 skills often frustrates my players, as we all kinda vaguely feel like the warlock should feel less like a full caster by having more proficiencies than a wizard or sorcerer. We also tend to want our warlocks to be full of tricks, and having the minimum numbr of skills doesn't help that. But most importantly, if you're at my table, you're going to make untrained skill checks, because you're going to use most of the skills, and make checks often.

Half Elves fix so many warlock problems, +2 Charisma, +1 to whatever (usually Con) and 2 extra skills.

For the curious having a bit of time on my hands I actually built the L20 warlock I mentioned above and it came out as a combat creeper build (all social skills, insight, investigation perception) with solid saves in all categories , good hp and AC and enough kinds of magic to overcome any problem. +1d4 to untrained skills doesn't sound like much and in games that aren't like yours, it isn't but under the right circumstances, say with cantrips like guidance its pretty sweet.

In a game with a lot of unskilled skills checks and for people who don't invest in the skilled feat or aren't playing bards, its nice to have a bit better odds.