D&D General Arcane Subclasses UA Survey is up

[Corinnguard]

WotC needs to stop jerking around and reintroduce Prestige Classes.

They could be reintroduced for 5e/5.5e. But would they be introduced as they were in earlier editions of D&D, or could they be reintroduced in a new format such as a feat chain? If brought back as they were in 2e/3e, then you would have to deal with the drawbacks that come with multiclassing. As for the feat chain, it's something that's being used by Level Up to get that Prestige class-like feel.

Of course, it would be easier to bring back the Prestige classes as subclasses for a given class.

 

[leozg]

At this point I just don't expect much of WotC. All this subclasses seem just a bunch of abilities with few or no context. I do prefer prestige classes because they seem more organic but subclasses are an 'ok' mechanic. The problem is that since some years ago they are no more tied around a concept. They took a concept like an arcane hero and made a subclass for each class, so you can be anyclass/arcane. Even though it looks good at first sight, in fact contributes to diminish the idea of the classes, that they are a stereotype. What is a fighter when you can be a fighter that fights, a fighter that casts spells, a fighter that control minds with psi or a fighter that heal with their hands? Describe a fighter.
Anyway, I'm an old player, a conservative one, maybe I'm exhausting you so I'll finish this post.

 

[Leatherhead]

Necromancer and conjurer should really just be pet subclasses.

 

[Parmandur]

The Wizard updates are a pretty decent iteration on the 2014 counterparts. The Arcane Archer seems a good Elf-ish Fighter that is less spell-ish than the Eldritch Knight. Other than that, no super strong feelings.

 

[Weiley31]

The Hexblade doublesucked (the first one was better, and I don't understand why they are having so much difficulty with this. YOU ARE OVERCOMPLICATING IT!

They are so OBSSESSED with avoiding the Hexblade becoming a godlike single dip like before that they are just throwing darts at the wall at this rate. I kinda low key liked how the previous Hexblade had special maneuvers they could do against Hexed foes. Probably should've treated it more like a battle master lite in that aspect I don't know. Part of me as a DM wants to use the 2014 Hexblade for warlock players but slap on the first Hexblade UA maneuvers on there. (Since no well in Baator would my DM let me do that). Armor of Hexes on Hexblade 2 is baller tho!

At the same time, I feel like they are trying to make the Hexblade ala the Ranger 2024 with the focus on Hex/Bestow Curse instead of Hunter's Mark. And people aren't exactly thrilled about a gimmick relying on a single Spell.

there are a bunch of Wizard. Don't like Wizards. Maybe they're good? Don't care.

Look, it could've been worse: it could've been all Bards instead of Wizards. And we all know how much you love Bards.

 

[Mecheon]

We need to see how the 5e system handles elite class hybrids

I mean, we saw how 5E handled hybrid classes with those ones we saw in a previous UA. The ones clearly designed for Strixhaven.

It was downvoted so bad that I doubt prestige classes are happening simply due to the reaction folks had to them trying that sort of "Multiple classes taking one idea" thing

The way 5E's classes are designed pretty much won't allow prestige classes, or if they try it, we'll rip it to shreds.

 

[SkidAce]

I tried using feat chains as prestige classes, it worked okay (runecaster).

But it highlighted two concerns; waiting for feats to gain more abilities, and limiting other feat choices.

We determined that a three path feat chain was probably best, and some capstone prestige abilities would have to be more powerful than a regular feat to justify the effort (i.e. fourth or fifth in a chain)

 

[Corinnguard]

We determined that a three path feat chain was probably best, and some capstone prestige abilities would have to be more powerful than a regular feat to justify the effort (i.e. fourth or fifth in a chain)

The fourth or fifth feat in the chain would have to be something like a Boon Feat.

 

[Mistwell]

We know. You play exclusively bards.

I think he plays only Gnome Bards. For which I respect him. He knows what he likes.

 

[bedir than]

All this subclasses seem just a bunch of abilities with few or no context

UA in the 5e era almost never includes context/story/lore/fluff.

It was downvoted so bad that I doubt prestige classes are happening simply due to the reaction folks had to them trying that sort of "Multiple classes taking one idea" thing

They tried the Rune Carver as a Prestige Class in a UA ages ago. I rather liked it, but also I was someone coming back to the game after 20 years away so I didn't understand the baggage.