D&D (2024) How should the Warlord be implemented in 1DnD?

[bedir than]

A subclass which has "Kings Magic" - King's Magic is the kind of magic where true oaths can bring back the dead and your magic item only responds to those of your blood and oaths of allegience create brotherhoods whose unity grants them power. It might involve fated companions and is often focused through marks of authority. It can involve influence of followers, and those under your jurisdiction or whom you have mastered by force of arms. It could involve your lands health and prosperity being attached to yours like ancient Celtic Kings. It might include Fate and Destiny manipulation and it's price is often marked in units of charity or karma.

Isn't this the 5e take on the Paladin?

 

[Mirrorrorrim]

Isn't this the 5e take on the Paladin?

Oath of the Crown, yeah

 

[Garthanos]

As for names the historic William le' Marshal convinced me the name Marshal could be damn badass

 

[Garthanos]

Isn't this the 5e take on the Paladin?

Would you be building Aragorn as a Paladin? hmmmmm

 

[Garthanos]

Isn't this the 5e take on the Paladin?

The Paladin was a type of fighter originally and arguably the 2e Warrior included Warrior Lords/Paladins/Rangers.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

The thing I don't like about Captain is that at 3rd level I shouldn't be captain-y. Maybe lieutenant (but with the odd British pronunciation that includes an unwritten 'F')

Right but you should be a WarLORD? Anyone with a Soldier background could have been a captain before L1.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

giving them the commander's strike maneuvre as well as aura effects like the paladin and perhaps something comparible to bardic inspiration are definitely things a warlord should have, i'm going to list a few other things i've seen around in 5e's mechanics that i think ought to be the basis of something thrown into their mix. (some of these might not be word for word RAW but you get their intent)

hobgoblin's Fey Gift: this allows you to take the help action as a bonus action with one of three specific variants hospitality, passage and spite which each respectively give both of you 1d6+PB temp hit points, increase both your walking speeds by 10ft until your next turn and the next enemy the helped creature hits has disadvantage on the next attack it makes.
tandem tactician feat: lets you take the help action at 10ft range to assist up to two allies making an attack against the same creature.
inspiring leader feat: lets you perform a speech before a battle that gives allies temp hit points.
interception/protection fighting styles: lets you use your reaction to reduce the damage dealt by an attack/impose disadvantage on an attack roll made against an ally within 5ft.

providing a higher than average or AoE flanking bonus is something i could see them with.

i know people don't want a warlord with magic and i honestly agree but if it really came down to it i'd rather one with magic based healing than one that can't heal at all, healing word, cure wounds and their mass variants, healing spirit, some other support like bane/bless, shield of faith, aid, warding bond and suchlike.

Okay I like these.

I’d add a “mark” of sorts but the benefit goes to the team rather than you. The warlord can single out an enemy and make the whole team better at taking it down. Similar to my Bane idea for the ranger, but without any magic and it’s all Tactics.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Barbarian - Primal Path of the Warlord (it probably can't happen due to history but barbarian warlord is a trope)

Marital summoner. You put out the call at the beginning of the adventure and get some of NPC/sidekicks, and during the adventure, you can persuade humanoids and fey to join your entourage. Entourage size is based on your level and your prestige (charisma).

I'm surprised we haven't seen a Barbarian subclass with a Summon Horde ability.

 

[CreamCloud0]

ooh, i wonder if warlords could have an ability that moves allies up/pushes enemies down the iniative order?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I like the Captain - it's a very good name for it. Warlord has the "tradition", but it was never a good name for it.

Yeah Warlord truly is one of the worst names ever given to the concept.

I could go for General, Commander, or Tactician as well

Fair, but for me Captain is the only name that is also a rank that I’d be okay with, and commander truly necessitates hierarchical organizations, IMO, almost as much as general. But captain is applied much more loosely in pop culture and in history.

The thing I don't like about Captain is that at 3rd level I shouldn't be captain-y. Maybe lieutenant (but with the odd British pronunciation that includes an unwritten 'F')

Why? Captain doesn’t even necessarily have to do with an organization. The guy leading a band of outlaws is a captain.