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Message: <blockquote data-quote="CapnZapp" data-source="post: 4957669" data-attributes="member: 12731">The warlock isn't as bad as some make it out to be, but really, that's not saying very much: a class doesn't need to have huge issues before people abandon it for greener pastures elsewhere. (4E class design is that solid!)Generally, I agree much would be accomplished by simply relabeling it a Controller. Then people would go "Wow! This controller really does some awesome damage!" instead of comparing its damage output with Rangers and Rogues (which is completely natural to do: the main job of a Striker is to deal out damage. Nothing else)But the class does have issues no simple fix will ever patch:1) the core issue is probably that the class design is overreaching, trying to add in too much. The class is lacking focus. Feylocks and Hellocks have very little in common.2) Some of its choices are definite newbie traps. Starlocks have very cool fluff, but the idea to have two attack stats suck.3) The class is extraordinarily gear-dependant. When other classes reach their potential right out the gate, or are offered feats that allow them to reach that potential, a Warlock needs a highly specialized set of rods to reach its potential. The difference between a Warlock that gets a rod that assist in spreading the Curse as the first magic item, and one that does not is much larger an effect than one item has any right to have on a PC.4) Specialized gear. This is not a deal-breaker, given the official guidelines on wishlists. But if you run an adventure with the traditional way of handing out treasure (i.e. you get what is logical to find) there will be many more holy symbols and staffs than rods. (An issue the Warlock shares with the totem-wielders of PHB2)All in all, it's not surprising at all why the Warlock hovers near the top of peoples lists of "most failed 4E class". This doesn't mean it's utterly broken. In fact, it's very playable. It's just not as care-free as most other classes (and particularly strikers): why bother play a high-maintenance class when you can get the performance out of a Sorcerer with less effort?It's become an acquired taste, which I'm sure wasn't the intention (or they'd hold it back for PHB2).</blockquote>

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