D&D (2024) They butchered the warlock in the new packet

[Mirrorrorrim]

I can't even bring myself to be happy about warlock being a half caster (despite me asking for a PHB arcane half caster for 10 years). Because I can see from the overall community reaction to it that it's just going to go back to being a full caster (but spellcasting rather than pact magic because WotC doesn't want to program anything different for their VTT).

And once again, we'll be left with 4 arcane full casters and no arcane half caster in the PHB. Except this time around, the one I actually care about has had its identity turned into 'lolrandom'. So I won't be touching sorcerer again.

I LOVE that the warlock can opt into better spellcasting or become an awesome Gish that can pick between Wis and Cha.

I do wonder if they should remove that Pact ability limitation and allow each pact to be Cha, Int, or Wis. Allowing an Int-based Pact of the Blade would give Eldritch Knight and Bladesinger a run for their money.

 

[Frozen_Heart]

I LOVE that the warlock can opt into better spellcasting or become an awesome Gish that can pick between Wis and Cha.

I do wonder if they should remove that Pact ability limitation and allow each pact to be Cha, Int, or Wis. Allowing an Int-based Pact of the Blade would give Eldritch Knight and Bladesinger a run for their money.

I really hate gishes using their spellcasting ability for weapon attacks. To the point where I'm using my strength modifier with my armourer artificer for attacks.

 

[Reef]

This is probably the most persuasive argument I've seen about weaknesses in the warlock's pact magic. And I could see adding a couple of slots to power spells at lower than the warlock's max level to address it. But going half-caster with the warlock would be going too far in erasing a really different alternative to traditional D&D spell casting.

They could also solve it by keeping Pact Magic but using the optional spell point system from the DMG. That way, a warlock has enough points for two max level spells, or maybe one max level and a few low level if they choose. Keeps the separate flavour, but still gives the warlock a little flexibility.

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

I really hate gishes using their spellcasting ability for weapon attacks. To the point where I'm using my strength modifier with my armourer artificer for attacks.

Cool. Good thing you can still spec into Strength or Dex if you want to design that way. Me? I like magic warriors as an option and I will enjoy using magic to bolster that ability, rather than be forced to be MAD.

 

[Incenjucar]

MAD will remain a problem until we get an edition that seperates ability scores from to-hit/DC.

 

[Remathilis]

so we loose fly and counter spell and the Voice of the Chain Master
we gain firebolt, burning hands command scorching ray suggestion blind/deaf invisibility web and levitate

I don't know about voice of the chain master I never took it before but fly and counter spell sound way better then anything on the other list

VotCM got rolled into the Pact Familiar base ability. It's still there, but not a separate ability. That opened room for MA.

So you did lose potentially two 3rd level spells known. (I assumed you would always pick the highest level spell you could cast, but there is nothing stopping you from picking lower). I won't disagree it's a loss. What you are gaining though is more uses of your lower power effects.

In 2014, if you cast hex once and cast misty step once, you were done until you could rest. If you can't rest, then you're out of spell slots. In 24, you still have 3 first, 2 second, your pact cast, and MA banishment. That's 7 more spells that day. Of course, they all aren't 4th level slots, but again raw power vs versatility.

 

[OldSchoolGamerGirl]

MAD will remain a problem until we get an edition that seperates ability scores from to-hit/DC.

imagine a system that said "just pick your best stat for attacks"

 

[OldSchoolGamerGirl]

In 2014, if you cast hex once and cast misty step once, you were done until you could rest. If you can't rest, then you're out of spell slots. In 24, you still have 3 first, 2 second, your pact cast, and MA banishment. That's 7 more spells that day. Of course, they all aren't 4th level slots, but again raw power vs versatility.

except hex lasted hours so I could rest get the slot back and still have the hex up.

 

[Incenjucar]

imagine a system that said "just pick your best stat for attacks"

Still forces ability score primacy. I'd much prefer a system where your stats were used for things like damage and secondary effects so you could have generalists and hyper-focused sorts being equally effective.

 

[Reef]

except hex lasted hours so I could rest get the slot back and still have the hex up.

Until you failed a concentration check, which as a hex blade I got to make plenty of…