D&D 5E (Homebrew) Stalker0's Alternate Arcane Casters - Warlock

[Stalker0]

While I really like 5th editions, arcane casters, they aren't perfect to my eyes. One thing is I think the classes are distinctive enough.

In this version, I am focusing each class on a specific theme.

Wizard - Breadth of spells. Wizards know a lot of spells, and always have the right spell for the job.
Sorceror - Spell power. No one is stronger at casting spells. A spell in a sorceror's hands is just best than any other class.
Warlock - Spell endurance. Warlock's pact gives them a constant flowing source of power. This allows to cast spells more often than any other class.

So to kick this off, lets look at the Warlock. In this vision, the warlock is a wisdom based caster who communes with their otherwordly patron (similar to how a cleric communes with their god). While not as powerful as some other entities, the patron provides a constant supply of power to the warlock, allowing it endless magic.

Stalker0's Alternate Warlock

1 – Otherwordly Patron, Pact Magic
2 – Ritual of Invocation (1st level)
3 – Pact Boon
4 – Ability Score Improvement
5 -
6 – Greater Invocation (1st level)
7 – Ritual of Invocation (2st level)
8 – Ability Score Improvement
9 –
10 – Otherwordly Patron Feature
11 – Greater Invocation (2nd level)
12 – Ability Score Improvement , Ritual of Invocation (3rd level)
13 -
14 – Otherwordly Patron Feature
15 –
16 – Ability Score Improvement
17 –
18 – Greater Invocation (3rd level)
19 – Ritual of Invocation (4th level)
20 – Eldritch Mastery

Proficiencies, Skills, Saves, HP: As standard warlock
Otherworldly Patron – As standard warlock
Pact Magic: Warlock spellcasting is completely different. Uses the same spell list and spell slots as the Sorceror. Cantrip list is the same as the sorceror (no Eldritch Blast). Uses wisdom for DC
Invocations: Standard Warlock invocations are removed in favor of new abilities below.

Ritual of Invocation: The warlock gains the ritual caster ability. Whenever a 1st level warlock spell is cast, you may apply the Ritual tag to the spell and cast it as a ritual. The level of spell this effect can apply to increases at 7th, 12, and 19th level.

Pact Boon: As standard warlock

Greater Invocation: The warlock may choose a 1st level warlock spell they know. They can cast this spell at-will in its lowest level slot. However, the warlock cannot cast spells of a higher level than the invocation while this is active. After a short rest, the warlock may change the spell used as the greater invocation or turn off the ability. The level of spell the warlock can chooses increases at 11th and 18th level.

Eldritch Mastery: After communing with their patron for 1 minute, the warlock gains 1 additional 9th level slot. They can do this only 1 time before needing a long rest.


Summary of the Class: First, we toss all of the invocations and eldritch blast baggage of the core warlock. Instead of tying the warlock down to very specific at-will ability, we give the warlock more flexibility. The Ritual of Invocation gives warlock unlimited spellcasting on low level spells...but with the time restraint of rituals prevents the ability from being too abusive. However, the warlock does gain total at-will casting at certain points in the class, but with the restriction that it hinders their higher level casting.

 

[Gadget]

So, do the Warlocks still get two slots per short rest cast at the highest level (up to 5th level)? Does Mystic Arcanum still work the same way, with the exception of Eldritch Mastery? I've got to say this is quite a change, and I'm not sure I'm okay with it. Without EB and the Invocations, there is a lot of utility and flavor gone. Having unlimited 1st level spells sounds nice, but at sixth level, you really want some third level spells: sounds like it could be abusive with a really good selection of a 1st level spell, or kind of gimped.

I have thought about using Int instead of CHA for warlocks, as there are so many CHA casters already, but I guess WIS is okay. Maybe I was falling into the 'forced symmetry' trap because there is only one other INT class.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

Nope. Sorry. Not a fan. The original implementation of the Warlock when it came out in late 3.5 was completely built around the Eldritch Blast. For me, that ability is iconic and defining for the Warlock. Additionally, the Ritual Magic usage ensures that the Warlock may have unlimited spells, but very few will be usable in combat given a minimum of 10 min casting time. Additionally, I don't understand changing the Warlock to a Wisdom caster. A warlock is all about making deals with more powerful entities. That demonstrates an ability to haggle and a force of personality to garner some measure of influence or respect in order for such entities to find you worthy of their power. For me, that resonates more with Charisma than Wisdom.

Perhaps I'm missing something, or because you are only capturing the proposed changes it is harder to contextualize them in the larger picture of the class's structure. But the Invocations and Eldritch Blast are what make the Warlock. This seems more like a kind of Witch or Hag than a Warlock.

 

[Stalker0]

So, do the Warlocks still get two slots per short rest cast at the highest level (up to 5th level)? Does Mystic Arcanum still work the same way, with the exception of Eldritch Mastery?

So in this version, the Warlock has the exact same spellcasting as the sorceror, in terms of spell list, spells known and prepared, and number of spells per day. I will clarify that in the description.

So you already have the full Monty of higher level spells. The key is that when you activate your Greater Invocation, you are trading your ability to cast higher level spells to be able to cast a lower level spell at-will for a period of time. The warlock can change back and forth after a short rest.

This completely replaces the core invocation system.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

Personally, I really like the invocations.