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I like the new Warlock
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<blockquote data-quote="Ashrym" data-source="post: 9022694" data-attributes="member: 6750235"><p>Here is a comparison based on my testing with a tome warlock. First a chart for the pact magic vs caster progression table:</p><p></p><table style='width: 100%'><tr><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>Level</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>0 SR</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>1 SR</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>2 SR</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>3 SR</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>UA Progression</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>5e Arcanum</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>UA Arcanum</strong></p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>3</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>2</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>2</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>3</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>3</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">5</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-2</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-3</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">7</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>7</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-4</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>7</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-4</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">9</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-5</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">10</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>6</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-5</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">11</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>10</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-6</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>10</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">1</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-6</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">13</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>11</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-7</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">14</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>11</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">2</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-7</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">15</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>12</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-8</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">16</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">6</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>9</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">12</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>12</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">3</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-8</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">17</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>12</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">16</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>14</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-9</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">18</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>12</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">16</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>14</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-9</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">19</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>12</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">16</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>15</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-9</p> </td></tr><tr><td><p style="text-align: center">20</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">8</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>12</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">16</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center"><strong>15</strong></p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">4</p> </td><td><p style="text-align: center">0-9</p> </td></tr></table><p></p><p>Note that at 5th level the option exists to take <em>mystic arcanum</em> and to swap out a previous invocation for another <em>mystical arcanum</em> of a different level, and at 6th level the other invocation preceding 5th level can also be swapped out for a <em>mystic arcanum</em>. I wouldn't do this because I prefer at-will invocations but the chart notes that it's possible to spend all invocations on <em>mystic arcanum</em>.</p><p></p><p>Other than low levels, the actual number of spell actions between the two isn't heavily in favor of the standard assumption. Only the spell levels are the significant concern. And it is a fair point that it's a significant concern. </p><p></p><p>I went vanilla with a human. The default gave me <em>resourceful</em>, <em>skillful</em>, and <em>versatile</em>.</p><p></p><p>I went cultist for the background. That gave me +2 INT, +1 CHA, arcana proficiency, religion proficiency, disguise kit proficiency, <em>magic initiate</em>.</p><p></p><p>I usually use point buy, but standard array is more typical of rolling method or array so went that route for playtesting. I know I could manage the ability scores better but I choose my perception of the character over eeking out advantages. ;-)</p><p></p><p>STR: 8</p><p>DEX: 13</p><p>CON: 12</p><p>INT: 14+2=16</p><p>WIS: 10</p><p>CHA: 15+1=16</p><p></p><p>So the first level is rather extremely different. Giving up the short rest recharge gave me 3 cantrips instead of 2 based on the class because <em>Eldritch Blast</em> and <em>Hex</em> are free for all warlocks as bonus spells now. I went tomelock (INT), which gave me <em>book of shadows</em> immediately so at 1st level...</p><p></p><p>warlock cantrips: eldritch blast, prestidigition, minor illusion</p><p>magic initiate (arcane) cantrips: mage hand, mending</p><p>book of shadows cantrips: guidance, resistance</p><p></p><p>warlock spells: hex, shield, sleep</p><p>magic initiate (arcane) spell: thunderwave</p><p>book of shadows spells: find familiar, detect magic</p><p></p><p>Gaining the pact ability at 1st level instead of 3rd level makes a big difference for the class. A background feat isn't part of the class but it also clearly makes a big difference to the overall character. I was not struggling with using magic at 1st level. </p><p></p><p>skill proficiencies: arcana, religion, persuasion (skillful), history (skilled), deception (skilled), insight (skilled)</p><p>armor training: light, medium</p><p></p><p>At 2nd level I picked up <em>armor of agathys</em> for a prepared spell, <em>misty visions</em> (invocation), and <em>agonizing blast</em> (invocation). The number of cantrips available and free casting of <em>silent image</em> at will continues to make a caster warlock doable.</p><p></p><p>At 3rd level I grabbed <em>alarm</em> because the ritual caster feature is no longer necessary. This also granted me <em>burning hands</em> and <em>command</em>. </p><p></p><p>At 4th level INT bumped to 18 with the ability score feat, and I added <em>identify</em> and <em>message</em>.</p><p></p><p>At 5th level I swapped out <em>sleep</em> for<em> levitate</em> and added <em>darkness</em>. I replaced <em>agonizing blast</em> invocation with <em>devil's sight</em> because the book of shadows upgrades damage enough at that point, and I added <em>fireball </em>via <em>mystic arcanum</em>. The patron features added <em>suggestion</em> and <em>scorching ray</em>.</p><p></p><p>6th level was the subclass feature and not part of the spells specifically but <em>dark one's own luck</em> is useful. At 7th level I added <em>detect thoughts,</em> and <em>wall of fire</em> via <em>mystic arcanum</em>.</p><p></p><p>8th level was the ability increase feat to change INT to 20 and felt like a bit of a dead level. At 9th level I added <em>fear</em> and <em>stinking cloud</em> as patron spells, <em>clairvoyance</em> and <em>dispel magic</em> via spells prepared, and <em>animate objects</em> as <em>mystic arcanum</em>. Replaced <em>alarm</em> with <em>Leomund's tiny hut.</em></p><p></p><p>10th level was another subclass feature. Added the <em>friends</em> cantrip.</p><p></p><p>11th level adds <em>contact other plane</em> as a class feature. I added <em>comprehend languages</em> for the spells prepared. I replaced the <em>fireball</em> mystic arcanum with <em>circle of death</em> via mystic arcanum, and added <em>whispers of the grave</em>.</p><p></p><p>12th level I increased CON to 14. At 13th level the patron spells added <em>wall of fire</em> and <em>blight</em>. I replaced <em>wall of fire</em> from <em>mystic arcanum</em> with <em>teleport</em>. I added <em>polymorph</em>. I added <em>gift of the protectors</em>.</p><p></p><p>14th level adds <em>hurl through hell</em>. At 15th level I added <em>dimension door</em>. I added <em>glibness</em> through <em>mystic arcanum</em>. </p><p></p><p>At 16th level I took the durable feat. CON went up to 15 and the warlock could expend HD for healing using a bonus action.</p><p></p><p>17th level adds <em>flame strike</em> and <em>insect plague</em> as patron spells. I added <em>animate objects</em> and <em>scrying</em>. I replaced the <em>animate objects </em>from<em> mystic arcanum</em> with <em>wish</em>. I added <em>master of myriad forms</em>.</p><p></p><p>At 18th level <em>hex </em>becomes at will. I traded replaced <em>teleport</em> from <em>mystic arcanum</em> with <em>forcecage</em>. At 19th level I added <em>misty step</em>, and bumped DEX to 14 and CON to 16. </p><p></p><p>20th level added +2 INT and <em>epic boon of the night spirit</em>. We played around with epic and I later added <em>epic boon of energy resistance.</em></p><p></p><p>Build at the end of playing was:</p><p></p><p>AC 19 (+3 breastplate)</p><p>163 hp</p><p></p><p>STR: 8 (saves -1)</p><p>DEX: 14 (saves +2)</p><p>CON: 16 (saves +3)</p><p>INT: 24 (saves +7)</p><p>WIS: 10 (saves +6)</p><p>CHA: 16 (saves +9)</p><p></p><p>athletics (-1); acrobatics (+2), sleight-of-hand (+2), (stealth +2); arcana (+13), history (+13), investigation (+7), nature (+7), religion (+13); animal handling (+0), insight (+6), medicine (+0), perception (+0), survival (+0); deception (+9), intimidation (+3), performance (+3), persuasion (+9)</p><p></p><p>cantrips: <em>eldritch blast, prestidigitation, minor illusion, mage hand, mending, guidance, resistance, message, friends</em></p><p></p><p>1st-level -- <em>hex, shield, thunderwave, find familiar, detect magic, armor of agathys, burning hands, command, Identify, comprehend languages</em></p><p>2nd-level -- <em>suggestion, scorching ray, darkness, levitate, detect thoughts, misty step</em></p><p>3rd-level -- <em>fear, stinking cloud, clairvoyance, dispel magic, leomund's tiny hut</em></p><p>4th-level -- <em>wall of fire, blight, polymorph, dimension door, hurl through hell</em></p><p>5th-level -- <em>contact other plane, flame strike, insect plague, animate objects, scrying</em></p><p></p><p>6th-level -- <em>circle of death</em></p><p>7th-level -- <em>forcecage</em></p><p>8th-level -- <em>glibness</em></p><p>9th-level -- <em>wish</em></p><p></p><p>Invocations: <em>mystic arcanum</em> (x4), <em>misty visions</em>, <em>devil's sight</em>, <em>whispers of the grave</em>, <em>gift of the protectors</em>, <em>master of myriad forms</em></p><p></p><p>There is a free casting of <em>thunderwave</em>, <em>hurl through hell</em>, <em>contact other plane</em>, and one of the patron spells. The following spells can be cast at will: <em>hex</em>, <em>silent image</em>, <em>alter self</em>, <em>speak with dead</em>. The following spells can be cast as rituals: <em>find familiar</em>, <em>detect magic</em>, <em>identify</em>, <em>comprehend languages</em>, <em>leomund's tiny hut</em>, <em>contact other plane</em>.</p><p></p><p>Medium armor was added, <em>dark one's own luck</em> increased uses, and<em> fiendish resilience</em> is fairly flexible. Access to spells like <em>shield </em>helps now and I'll point out that <em>absorb elements</em> seem to have been removed from the arcane spell list. With epic boons, <em>epic boon of the night spirit</em> granted resistance to all damage types other than force, psychic, and radiant with some darkness. <em>Epic boon of resistance</em> added resistance to psychic and radiant.</p><p></p><p><em>Find familiar</em> was a bit disappointing. Now that the familiar from the arcane list spell is based on spell level warlocks using the spell have a worse familiar. <em>Wish</em>, OTOH, can still replicate any spell of 8th level or lower, which becomes problematic when creating class only spells. I could use <em>wish</em> to cast the <em>pact familiar</em> cantrip.</p><p></p><p>A sorcerer can use wish to grab <em>book of shadows</em> and <em>pact familiar</em>. And all kinds of shenanigans during downtime by being immune to losing <em>wish</em> forever.</p><p></p><p>I did not feel weaker in low levels. I do think shared spell lists look like more trouble than they're worth.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ashrym, post: 9022694, member: 6750235"] Here is a comparison based on my testing with a tome warlock. First a chart for the pact magic vs caster progression table: [TABLE] [TR] [TD][CENTER][B]Level[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]0 SR[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]1 SR[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]2 SR[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]3 SR[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]UA Progression[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]5e Arcanum[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]UA Arcanum[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]3[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]2[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]2[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]3[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]3[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]5[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-2[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-3[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]7[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]7[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-4[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]7[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-4[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]9[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-5[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]10[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]6[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-5[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]11[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]10[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-6[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]10[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]1[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-6[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]13[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]11[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-7[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]14[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]11[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]2[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-7[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]15[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]12[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-8[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]16[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]6[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]9[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]12[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]12[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]3[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-8[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]17[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]12[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]16[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]14[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-9[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]18[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]12[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]16[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]14[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-9[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]19[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]12[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]16[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]15[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-9[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][CENTER]20[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]8[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]12[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]16[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER][B]15[/B][/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]4[/CENTER][/TD] [TD][CENTER]0-9[/CENTER][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Note that at 5th level the option exists to take [I]mystic arcanum[/I] and to swap out a previous invocation for another [I]mystical arcanum[/I] of a different level, and at 6th level the other invocation preceding 5th level can also be swapped out for a [I]mystic arcanum[/I]. I wouldn't do this because I prefer at-will invocations but the chart notes that it's possible to spend all invocations on [I]mystic arcanum[/I]. Other than low levels, the actual number of spell actions between the two isn't heavily in favor of the standard assumption. Only the spell levels are the significant concern. And it is a fair point that it's a significant concern. I went vanilla with a human. The default gave me [I]resourceful[/I], [I]skillful[/I], and [I]versatile[/I]. I went cultist for the background. That gave me +2 INT, +1 CHA, arcana proficiency, religion proficiency, disguise kit proficiency, [I]magic initiate[/I]. I usually use point buy, but standard array is more typical of rolling method or array so went that route for playtesting. I know I could manage the ability scores better but I choose my perception of the character over eeking out advantages. ;-) STR: 8 DEX: 13 CON: 12 INT: 14+2=16 WIS: 10 CHA: 15+1=16 So the first level is rather extremely different. Giving up the short rest recharge gave me 3 cantrips instead of 2 based on the class because [I]Eldritch Blast[/I] and [I]Hex[/I] are free for all warlocks as bonus spells now. I went tomelock (INT), which gave me [I]book of shadows[/I] immediately so at 1st level... warlock cantrips: eldritch blast, prestidigition, minor illusion magic initiate (arcane) cantrips: mage hand, mending book of shadows cantrips: guidance, resistance warlock spells: hex, shield, sleep magic initiate (arcane) spell: thunderwave book of shadows spells: find familiar, detect magic Gaining the pact ability at 1st level instead of 3rd level makes a big difference for the class. A background feat isn't part of the class but it also clearly makes a big difference to the overall character. I was not struggling with using magic at 1st level. skill proficiencies: arcana, religion, persuasion (skillful), history (skilled), deception (skilled), insight (skilled) armor training: light, medium At 2nd level I picked up [I]armor of agathys[/I] for a prepared spell, [I]misty visions[/I] (invocation), and [I]agonizing blast[/I] (invocation). The number of cantrips available and free casting of [I]silent image[/I] at will continues to make a caster warlock doable. At 3rd level I grabbed [I]alarm[/I] because the ritual caster feature is no longer necessary. This also granted me [I]burning hands[/I] and [I]command[/I]. At 4th level INT bumped to 18 with the ability score feat, and I added [I]identify[/I] and [I]message[/I]. At 5th level I swapped out [I]sleep[/I] for[I] levitate[/I] and added [I]darkness[/I]. I replaced [I]agonizing blast[/I] invocation with [I]devil's sight[/I] because the book of shadows upgrades damage enough at that point, and I added [I]fireball [/I]via [I]mystic arcanum[/I]. The patron features added [I]suggestion[/I] and [I]scorching ray[/I]. 6th level was the subclass feature and not part of the spells specifically but [I]dark one's own luck[/I] is useful. At 7th level I added [I]detect thoughts,[/I] and [I]wall of fire[/I] via [I]mystic arcanum[/I]. 8th level was the ability increase feat to change INT to 20 and felt like a bit of a dead level. At 9th level I added [I]fear[/I] and [I]stinking cloud[/I] as patron spells, [I]clairvoyance[/I] and [I]dispel magic[/I] via spells prepared, and [I]animate objects[/I] as [I]mystic arcanum[/I]. Replaced [I]alarm[/I] with [I]Leomund's tiny hut.[/I] 10th level was another subclass feature. Added the [I]friends[/I] cantrip. 11th level adds [I]contact other plane[/I] as a class feature. I added [I]comprehend languages[/I] for the spells prepared. I replaced the [I]fireball[/I] mystic arcanum with [I]circle of death[/I] via mystic arcanum, and added [I]whispers of the grave[/I]. 12th level I increased CON to 14. At 13th level the patron spells added [I]wall of fire[/I] and [I]blight[/I]. I replaced [I]wall of fire[/I] from [I]mystic arcanum[/I] with [I]teleport[/I]. I added [I]polymorph[/I]. I added [I]gift of the protectors[/I]. 14th level adds [I]hurl through hell[/I]. At 15th level I added [I]dimension door[/I]. I added [I]glibness[/I] through [I]mystic arcanum[/I]. At 16th level I took the durable feat. CON went up to 15 and the warlock could expend HD for healing using a bonus action. 17th level adds [I]flame strike[/I] and [I]insect plague[/I] as patron spells. I added [I]animate objects[/I] and [I]scrying[/I]. I replaced the [I]animate objects [/I]from[I] mystic arcanum[/I] with [I]wish[/I]. I added [I]master of myriad forms[/I]. At 18th level [I]hex [/I]becomes at will. I traded replaced [I]teleport[/I] from [I]mystic arcanum[/I] with [I]forcecage[/I]. At 19th level I added [I]misty step[/I], and bumped DEX to 14 and CON to 16. 20th level added +2 INT and [I]epic boon of the night spirit[/I]. We played around with epic and I later added [I]epic boon of energy resistance.[/I] Build at the end of playing was: AC 19 (+3 breastplate) 163 hp STR: 8 (saves -1) DEX: 14 (saves +2) CON: 16 (saves +3) INT: 24 (saves +7) WIS: 10 (saves +6) CHA: 16 (saves +9) athletics (-1); acrobatics (+2), sleight-of-hand (+2), (stealth +2); arcana (+13), history (+13), investigation (+7), nature (+7), religion (+13); animal handling (+0), insight (+6), medicine (+0), perception (+0), survival (+0); deception (+9), intimidation (+3), performance (+3), persuasion (+9) cantrips: [I]eldritch blast, prestidigitation, minor illusion, mage hand, mending, guidance, resistance, message, friends[/I] 1st-level -- [I]hex, shield, thunderwave, find familiar, detect magic, armor of agathys, burning hands, command, Identify, comprehend languages[/I] 2nd-level -- [I]suggestion, scorching ray, darkness, levitate, detect thoughts, misty step[/I] 3rd-level -- [I]fear, stinking cloud, clairvoyance, dispel magic, leomund's tiny hut[/I] 4th-level -- [I]wall of fire, blight, polymorph, dimension door, hurl through hell[/I] 5th-level -- [I]contact other plane, flame strike, insect plague, animate objects, scrying[/I] 6th-level -- [I]circle of death[/I] 7th-level -- [I]forcecage[/I] 8th-level -- [I]glibness[/I] 9th-level -- [I]wish[/I] Invocations: [I]mystic arcanum[/I] (x4), [I]misty visions[/I], [I]devil's sight[/I], [I]whispers of the grave[/I], [I]gift of the protectors[/I], [I]master of myriad forms[/I] There is a free casting of [I]thunderwave[/I], [I]hurl through hell[/I], [I]contact other plane[/I], and one of the patron spells. The following spells can be cast at will: [I]hex[/I], [I]silent image[/I], [I]alter self[/I], [I]speak with dead[/I]. The following spells can be cast as rituals: [I]find familiar[/I], [I]detect magic[/I], [I]identify[/I], [I]comprehend languages[/I], [I]leomund's tiny hut[/I], [I]contact other plane[/I]. Medium armor was added, [I]dark one's own luck[/I] increased uses, and[I] fiendish resilience[/I] is fairly flexible. Access to spells like [I]shield [/I]helps now and I'll point out that [I]absorb elements[/I] seem to have been removed from the arcane spell list. With epic boons, [I]epic boon of the night spirit[/I] granted resistance to all damage types other than force, psychic, and radiant with some darkness. [I]Epic boon of resistance[/I] added resistance to psychic and radiant. [I]Find familiar[/I] was a bit disappointing. Now that the familiar from the arcane list spell is based on spell level warlocks using the spell have a worse familiar. [I]Wish[/I], OTOH, can still replicate any spell of 8th level or lower, which becomes problematic when creating class only spells. I could use [I]wish[/I] to cast the [I]pact familiar[/I] cantrip. A sorcerer can use wish to grab [I]book of shadows[/I] and [I]pact familiar[/I]. And all kinds of shenanigans during downtime by being immune to losing [I]wish[/I] forever. I did not feel weaker in low levels. I do think shared spell lists look like more trouble than they're worth. [/QUOTE]
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