D&D 5E An alternative version of Warlock Spell Slots

[jgsugden]

So in a non-combat day, they just get fewer slots? As in 1 per rest? How is that an improvement?

Ignore that comment - I was going to post two variants but only posted one. In the one I posted, the only thing that happens is if a Warlock begins a combat with no spell slots, they get one lesser powered slot. It is an addition to the capabilities of the warlock with no subtraction. The other version I was going to post had a subtraction and a different addition.

So, for a 'non-combat day', they'd have the same number of slots. However, if they're called upon to do battle and have no slots available, they get one lower level slot.

 

[Blue]

It seems the goal is to make sure warlocks have something available but with reduced power. I like putting that choice in the hands of the player. Maybe play with the fact that Warlock spell slots are always at their highest level.

If a warlock uses a spell slot at their highest level, the slot returns at the end of a short rest assuming the spell has ended.
If you downgrade the slot by 1, it comes back an hour after the spell ends, regardless if there is a rest.
If you downgrade the slot by 2, it comes back 5 minutes after the spell ends, regardless if there is a rest.
If you downgrade the slot by 3 or more, once the spell ends the Warlock recharges the slot on a 5-6.

This handles utility casting and it make sure there aren't overlapping spells. It doesn't always give a slot - but it makes it so that based on the players choices there can be slots.

"Hour" basically is "not immediately if we're doing combats in a row, but if enough time passed I could have rested, I've got it". "5 minutes" is basically "once per encounter" under most circumstances.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

Give them Sacrifice to the Patron: if the first enemy a warlock damages in a combat takes the damage from the warlock's familiar, pact weapon, or a cantrip from the Book of Shadows, they regain 1 spell slot if they have an empty one.

If I was in charge of 5.5 or 6e, warlocks would get all their spell slots from damaging enemies with their pact implements .

 

[Redwizard007]

In what game is a 10 minute short rest a problem for your group

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

An alternative:
-Warlocks regain all spell slots on a long rest
-Regain none on a short rest
-Regain one expended spell slot when rolling initiative

Takes away the reliance on short rests, but always gives them at lest one spell to toss in a fight.


Warlock and Arcane Archer (Fighter subclass) have the same recharge abilities for Arcane Shot options and Warlock spell slots.
So a good way to see if changing Warlock spellcasting is to apply the same change to Arcane Archers and see if it causes any issues.
If it works for both, a better chance it won't cause issues in your game.

I love bags of rats.

 

[Umbran]

Or how about - they may spend a point of Inspiration to regain a spell slot?

May just generalize to any spellcaster being able to regain a spell slot - it just means a bit more when you only have, like, two of them.

 

[Flamestrike]

In what game is a 10 minute short rest a problem for your group

And if it still is, make them 1 minute, and no more than twice a day.