D&D 5E (2014) For the Record: Mearls on Warlords (ca. 2013)

[doctorbadwolf]

Then the question might be... If I'm playing a battlemaster fighter (with warlord-y maneuvers, the soldier background to represent a grizzled veteran, and bothered to put points in charisma--all fairly common and do-able options), why am I not able to lead a charge like the guy over there? Did he go to a special, super-secret, how-to-lead-a-charge class that I didn't know about when I was in training?

Why cant the swashbuckler rogue use the dueling maneuvers the fighter has? Why cant wizards make pacts for even more power?
Because we are playing a class based game, which inherently means arbitrary and sometimes silly ability exclusivity.
In other words, because that's not the focus of that class.

 

[ChrisCarlson]

same reason why the eldrich knight can't cast wish. she was training to multi-attack, action surge, and fighting style, spending less time reading a spell book or studing tactics..

So, cuz premiere 9th-level spells is the defense? Did you just seriously implying that this proposed warlord "lead-the-charge" feature should be as powerful as a 9th-level spell!?!?!?!

 

[ChrisCarlson]

Sure, there is always the potential for bad material from any publisher. There's even some of it in WotC's 5e PHB.

Minority opinion and not an objective truth. Because what you might cite as "bad" 5e PHB material, others like. And visa-versa.

I never said the warlord needs to be better than the cleric.

But it would have to be as has been recently pointed out by several people around here. By I encourage you to try. I look forward to seeing your (or anyone else's) efforts.

 

[mellored]

So, cuz premiere 9th-level spells is the defense? Did you just seriously implying that this proposed warlord "lead-the-charge" feature should be as powerful as a 9th-level spell!?!?!?!

pick what ever spell you want. eldrich knight will never match a will never match a wizard in casting.
and i have no idea what the power level of lead-the-charge is., so i can't relate it to a spell level.
3d6 of burning hands = one person charges for +1d6 damage.
8d6 of fireball = 5 allies charge for +2d6 damage
20d6 of meteor swarm = an army charges for +3d6 damage.

balance also depends on how often it can be used. again, it's all in the numbers, if +1d6 is too much, it might be 1d4, or +1d8.

 

[Zardnaar]

Lead the charge could also be a foresight effect for the whole party but only for 1 minute instead of 8 hours. Multitarget over single target makes it a 1/day nova.

 

[MechaPilot]

Minority opinion and not an objective truth. Because what you might cite as "bad" 5e PHB material, others like. And visa-versa.

Sure, but what I might cite as bad also might have significant backing. Here is one item, admittedly it is a very small item, that is bad, and that i think a fair number of people also think is bad: the trident. The way it's written in the PHB, they may as well have just renamed the spear entry "spear/trident" and been done with it.

But it would have to be as has been recently pointed out by several people around here. By I encourage you to try. I look forward to seeing your (or anyone else's) efforts.

Not at all. A quality warlord that meets my two unyielding requirements is entirely possible in 5e, and it in no way needs to be better than the cleric. I just don't see anyone calling for a warlord to be better than a cleric.

 

[El Mahdi]

Did he go to a special, super-secret, how-to-lead-a-charge class that I didn't know about when I was in training?

The answer is Yes.

"Listen to me, young Henry. I've been one of the greatest military leaders of my time. I was trained by the greatest military leader of his time. I've had passed down to me through an unbroken chain, the military knowledge of Ancient Rome, Charlemagne, and William the Conqueror himself. I was recognized as having that ephemeral something-extra that others just don't have, and I can recognize that in others also. You have that. You will never be the greatest warrior. Oh you'll be a competent fighter, but you will never be known for your exploits in individual combat. However, you do have a keen mind and a personality that men will follow; that men will die for. I'm going to teach you everything I know. Sure, any soldier knows tactics and strategy, and some better than others, but I'm going to teach you the nuances of leadership that most never learn, let alone are ever exposed to. You will not be merely competent at tactics and strategy, not merely able to lead a charge or inspire men. No. You will be a Master of these things! Listen attentively, take to heart what I teach you, and someday you will be the greatest military leader of your time. Maybe even of all time."

 

[ChrisCarlson]

the trident. The way it's written in the PHB, they may as well have just renamed the spear entry "spear/trident" and been done with it.

One is martial the other simple. If you think it's "bad", what would you do differently to it to make it "good"?

 

[ChrisCarlson]

The answer is Yes.

"Listen to me, young Henry. I've been one of the greatest military leaders of my time. I was trained by the greatest military leader of his time. I've had passed down to me through an unbroken chain, the military knowledge of Ancient Rome, Charlemagne, and William the Conqueror himself. I was recognized as having that ephemeral something-extra that others just don't have, and I can recognize that in others also. You have that. You will never be the greatest warrior. Oh you'll be a competent fighter, but you will never be known for your exploits in individual combat. However, you do have a keen mind and a personality that men will follow; that men will die for. I'm going to teach you everything I know. Sure, any soldier knows tactics and strategy, and some better than others, but I'm going to teach you the nuances of leadership that most never learn, let alone are ever exposed to. You will not be merely competent at tactics and strategy, not merely able to lead a charge or inspire men. No. You will be a Master of these things! Listen attentively, take to heart what I teach you, and someday you will be the greatest military leader of your time. Maybe even of all time."

And that's the core concept for you proposed "class", right there. Coincidentally, also why there are so many fervent objections. That's a horrible basis for a class.

 

[Remathilis]

20d6 of meteor swarm = an army charges for +3d6 damage.

Just because I can't refuse saying it: you and whose army? Seriously, even at 20th level, who takes an army to adventure?