D&D 5E New class niche?

[Greg K]

I don't think WOTC is going to publish an arcane gish class. You might want to check out the following:
The Warmage (Mage Hand Press), The Magus (Sterling Vermin), and, maybe, The Magus (LaserLlama)

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Agreed. 5.5e Warlock is massively buffed in terms of being an actual Gish. Hexblade patron is nearly obsolete because you get their offensive kit from a single invocation while still getting to pick another Patron that supports spellcaster capabilities. You lose out on armor/shield proficiency but can easily grab that with a level dip elsewhere.

While it was buffed, it's really really frustrating that in order to just keep up with melee stuff, you have to use something like half of your 10 total invocations: Pact of the Blade, Thirsting Blade, Lifedrinker, Devouring Blade, Eldritch Smite. Meanwhile, a non-Blade Warlock spends one: Agonizing Blast.

I get that they didn't want things to be overly powerful. I really do. But the sheer investment you need in order to be merely adequate in combat is severe. Doubly so since Blade Warlocks don't get weapon mastery properties--if something like Lifedrinker or Eldritch Smite let you pick one weapon mastery property you could benefit from, it'd be a lot less frustrating to justify so many resources invested.

 

[Zardnaar]

While it was buffed, it's really really frustrating that in order to just keep up with melee stuff, you have to use something like half of your 10 total invocations: Pact of the Blade, Thirsting Blade, Lifedrinker, Devouring Blade, Eldritch Smite. Meanwhile, a non-Blade Warlock spends one: Agonizing Blast.

I get that they didn't want things to be overly powerful. I really do. But the sheer investment you need in order to be merely adequate in combat is severe. Doubly so since Blade Warlocks don't get weapon mastery properties--if something like Lifedrinker or Eldritch Smite let you pick one weapon mastery property you could benefit from, it'd be a lot less frustrating to justify so many resources invested.

Mostly a waste of time imho. That includes the hexblade.

 

[Zardnaar]

I've articulated the missing 12 archetypes I believe need to be in there. Not really sure what "a sorcerer version of the blade dancer" would be--can you explain the idea further?

Anyway, the 12 "missing" archetypes/class fantasies I mentioned in previous threads were, in alphabetical order. Those marked with a dagger are, IMO, the most likely to actually be implemented.

Spoiler: Missing Class Fantasies

• Alchemist†, the chemist-as-magician, who uses magical ingredients and concoctions to control the world...or themselves.
• Assassin†, the warrior-of-shadow, whose skill with all the subtle ways to stalk (and un-alive) someone transcends mortal limits.
• Avenger†, the warrior-of-zeal, whose absolute focus is both shield and sword against their enemies, who executes the turncoat apostate.
• Invoker, the emissary-as-magician, who calls down disaster upon the foes of the faith, Elijah calling fire down against the altar of Baal.
• "Machinist" (not my fav name), the warrior-of-technology, who uses guns, machines, and tools to overcome their foes.
• Psion† (etc.), the telepath-as-magician, who draws on ESP, the paranormal, occult "science" etc. to bend the rules of reality in their favor.
• Shaman, the spiritualist-as-magician, who straddles the line between material and spirit, the bridge connecting these realms.
• Summoner, the overseer-as-magician, whose magic lies in getting other beings to use magic for her.
• Swordmage†, the warrior-as-magician, for whom swordplay is magic, and magic is swordplay (or other weapons), one and inseparable.
• Warden, the warrior-of-the-land, who wears Nature's power like a cloak, and wreaks Her wrath where he walks.
• Warlord†, the warrior-of-tactics, who transcends limits by cooperating with others rather than purely through her own mettle.

I loved the playtest sorcerer as a concept, so if you can bring it to life, I'm all for it. I might suggest, however, making it be d10 or even d8, but having subclasses that get bonus HP on gaining more levels of this class. That way, you can capitalize on varied flavor--some of your bloodline-disciple characters might be linked to shadow (sneaky and brutal), fey (glamourous and beguiling),

A sorcerer with 2 attacks a round say by level 6. A'la valor/sword bard, Blade singer/dancer, sword pack Warlock.

 

[Scribe]

While it was buffed, it's really really frustrating that in order to just keep up with melee stuff, you have to use something like half of your 10 total invocations: Pact of the Blade, Thirsting Blade, Lifedrinker, Devouring Blade, Eldritch Smite. Meanwhile, a non-Blade Warlock spends one: Agonizing Blast.

I get that they didn't want things to be overly powerful. I really do. But the sheer investment you need in order to be merely adequate in combat is severe. Doubly so since Blade Warlocks don't get weapon mastery properties--if something like Lifedrinker or Eldritch Smite let you pick one weapon mastery property you could benefit from, it'd be a lot less frustrating to justify so many resources invested.

The UA Warlock being the best Melee class was egregiously offensive.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

A sorcerer with 2 attacks a round say by level 6. A'la valor/sword bard, Blade singer/dancer, sword pack Warlock.

That feels subclass territory to me. Perhaps a "wind" sorcerer as opposed to a "storm" sorcerer.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

The UA Warlock being the best Melee class was egregiously offensive.

Without mastery properties, I'm not sure how that's possible.

 

[Scribe]

Without mastery properties, I'm not sure how that's possible.

A few folks were quibbling over the math at the time, to me that it was even a close call was enough to turn away. A caster shouldnt be the best in Melee under any scenario.

 

[DrJawaPhD]

Without mastery properties, I'm not sure how that's possible.

Warlock is definitely a contender for best melee DPS in 5.5e. They might not be number one but they're in the running for sure

 

[Zardnaar]

That feels subclass territory to me. Perhaps a "wind" sorcerer as opposed to a "storm" sorcerer.

Yeah it's a subclass idea.