D&D 5E Adapting the Warlock Chassis for other Classes

[mamba]

I haven't been following playtest material for 2024 in general, since I already know odds are against it will appeal to me, but is there anything in particular about the 2024 playtest chassis versus the others?

the one I liked was a full rest half-caster, but now it is back to slightly changed short-rest warlock

 

[ezo]

the one I liked was a full rest half-caster, but now it is back to slightly changed short-rest warlock

Ah, yeah, I would have liked that more, too.

 

[Zardnaar]

I agree think I pointed out something similar years ago.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I have always wondered whether the warlock would work for the monk: you spam flurry of blows like EB, you get two big anime moves (like the spells) per short rest-maybe from the subclasses, and you get to customize things with something like invocations, so you can be wild like Jackie Chan, a ninja, or something else, and like the warlock, these are more for fun or out of combat (or in the monk's case to avoid combat) than for combat power. Or if you wanted to move more power into the invocations, you could have it so that the monk can deliver a touch spell with an unarmed strike, and the monk can pick up touch spells via invocations.

 

[Chaltab]

I have both written and seen someone else make a version of a Swordmage/Magus that uses it. I think it's a good idea that could be applied to more archetypes to vary class design a bit. It's strange to have multiple martial/caster/half-caster progression classes but only one Warlock-esque.

For example:
Warlord: Instead of patrons, your subclasses are Schools of Battle. Invocations are strategic specialties. Your pact spells are orders you can give in combat or inspiring speeches that give your allies bonuses.

Shaman: Your sub-classes are primal spirits you've bonded with. Invocations are special enhancements to your primal spirit. You get similar spells to Druids but more on the buffing and healing instead of control and damage.

 

[TwoSix]

Shaman: Your sub-classes are primal spirits you've bonded with. Invocations are special enhancements to your primal spirit. You get similar spells to Druids but more on the buffing and healing instead of control and damage.

The Shaman Class by laserllama

The Shaman Class by laserllama - Created with GM Binder.

www.gmbinder.com

 

[Chaltab]

The Shaman Class by laserllama

The Shaman Class by laserllama - Created with GM Binder.

www.gmbinder.com

Oh did Llama's take on the class do that? I was aware it existed but hadn't read it.

 

[TwoSix]

Oh did Llama's take on the class do that? I was aware it existed but hadn't read it.

Yep, pact caster + invocations. But has some of its own tweaks.

 

[deadman1204]

I haven't been following playtest material for 2024 in general, since I already know odds are against it will appeal to me, but is there anything in particular about the 2024 playtest chassis versus the others?


I'll wait for @Reynard to reply. I think the other classes have plenty of choices... but that's just my view.

What choice is that? I choose my subclass and my ENTIRE ability set is decided. Thats literally 1 decision. I cannot change course with my class partway through, because there is no offramp, no new choices. Only an ASL which again is a false choice, because one option is usually VERY strong compared to rest.
Even if you coun the ASL, its rare for a game to last more than 10 levels, so in the ENTIRE campaign you make literally 3 choices for your character - subclass, and 2 ASLs. Thats not fun, thats boring as crap.

THIS is why people multiclass alot, because thats the only functional way to develop your character. Even in the rare game that goes to high level, its rare to have a single class because there are literally no options. Every open fist monk or whatever plays the same (unless you make BAD asl decisions, then your just worse). The only way to not be identical to literally every other matching subclass is to multiclass.

 

[ezo]

What choice is that? I choose my subclass and my ENTIRE ability set is decided. Thats literally 1 decision. I cannot change course with my class partway through, because there is no offramp, no new choices. Only an ASL which again is a false choice, because one option is usually VERY strong compared to rest.
Even if you coun the ASL, its rare for a game to last more than 10 levels, so in the ENTIRE campaign you make literally 3 choices for your character - subclass, and 2 ASLs. Thats not fun, thats boring as crap.

THIS is why people multiclass alot, because thats the only functional way to develop your character. Even in the rare game that goes to high level, its rare to have a single class because there are literally no options. Every open fist monk or whatever plays the same (unless you make BAD asl decisions, then your just worse). The only way to not be identical to literally every other matching subclass is to multiclass.

As I said: I think the other classes have plenty of choices... but that's just my view.

Feel free to disagree with it all you want, it makes no difference to me, my game, or my views on it. I find plenty of choices I get to make and my character (even of the same subclass) feel very different to me.