Unearthed Arcana New Unearthed Arcana: Rune Knight, Swarmkeeper, The Revived

Another new Unearthed Arcana! "In today’s Unearthed Arcana, three classes each receive a playtest option. The fighter gets a Martial Archetype option: the Rune Knight. The ranger gains a Ranger Archetype option: the Swarmkeeper. And the rogue acquires a Roguish Archetype option: the Revived."

 

[Parmandur]

undead rogue doesn't exclude undead sorcerer, warlock, or fighter at some point.

They've already published two out of three of those.

 

[gyor]

It dawned on me that the Revived could be linked to the Returned of Theros, whose shape comes in different forms depending upon race of origin, instead of the Nameless One who was one of a kind. It would explain why the Revived are Rogues, any race can come back as one of the Returned in Theros.

 

[gyor]

Poor Undying patron. It gets no regard.

Undying Patron is not the Undead Patron, it can include that, but it's broader then that, it's basically the Immortals who used to be Mortal Patron, so that includes Undead yes, but also those who undergone Apothesis, Yaun Ti Athemas, certain powerful wizards, FR deities in general, the Sorcerer Kings of Athas, and a lot more, it's not restricted to Undead.

It drives me nuts when people just treat the Undying Patron as the Undead Warlock Subclass, its theme is broader then that. The Undying Patron is actual about Transhumanism, not undeath (that is just one means). Its really the Transhumanist Patron, a mortal that finds a way to evovle beyond its mortal limitations and helps the Warlock to the same to some degree.

 

[Azzy]

Personally, I like the Rune Knight as a Fighter subclass. I also like the the Swarm Ranger... there's just so much you could do with that.

 

[gyor]

They've already published two out of three of those.

No they haven't, there is a Shadow Sorcerer, but no Undead Sorcerer and there is an Undying Warlock but no Undeath Warlock.

For example the Divine Soul has way, way more necromatic spell access then the Shadow Soul. And the Hound of Ill Omen is not undead.

And the Hexblade has more power over undeath then the Undying Warlock.

 

[gyor]

Personally, I like the Rune Knight as a Fighter subclass. I also like the the Swarm Ranger... there's just so much you could do with that.

I agree.

 

[Parmandur]

It dawned on me that the Revived could be linked to the Returned of Theros, whose shape comes in different forms depending upon race of origin, instead of the Nameless One who was one of a kind. It would explain why the Revived are Rogues, any race can come back as one of the Returned in Theros.

Worth noting that the next Magic block is all about the Underworld, and Crawford & Co. probably have insider information.

I think it opens up some very interesting design space, abstractly, similar to the Dragonmarked Subraces.

 

[Parmandur]

No they haven't, there is a Shadow Sorcerer, but no Undead Sorcerer and there is an Undying Warlock but no Undeath Warlock.

For example the Divine Soul has way, way more necromatic spell access then the Shadow Soul. And the Hound of Ill Omen is not undead.

And the Hexblade has more power over undeath then the Undying Warlock.

Well, Shadowfell related. And the Undying Nature feature for the Warlock is just as undeadish as this Rogue.

 

[gyor]

Well, Shadowfell related. And the Undying Nature feature for the Warlock is just as undeadish as this Rogue.

No most feature is transhumanism related. And a Shadowfell themed subclass is very different from a Undeath themed subclass. The Death Cleric, Blackguard, and Necromancer are Undeath flavoured, but not Shadowfell flavoured at all.

 

[Parmandur]

No most feature is transhumanism related. And a Shadowfell themed subclass is very different from a Undeath themed subclass. The Death Cleric, Blackguard, and Necromancer are Undeath flavoured, but not Shadowfell flavoured at all.

For the Warlock, the Undying Nature feature reads as:

"
Beginning at 10th level, you can hold your breath indefinitely, and you don't require food, water, or sleep, although you still require rest to reduce exhaustion and still benefit from finishing short and long rests."

"In addition, you age at a slower rate. For every 10 years that pass, your body ages only 1 year, and you are immune to being magically aged."

Sure, not "undead" undead, but it has the same "u dead" features this Rogue does.