Baron Opal II
Legend
For me, warlocks take the short-cut to power.Sorry for the confusion then, but I think that is part of the problem.
Apart from the patron, what is the core fantasy of being a warlock?
- They don't / won't train their bodies to peak performance (Fighter, Monk, Rogue)
- They don't / won't develop their minds to harness magical power (Wizard)
- They don't / won't merge their spirit / psyche with a greater being / power (Cleric, Druid)
- They don't have inborn talents, or have the discipline to manage their talents (Barbarian, Bard, Sorcerer)
They make a bargain with something so they get power for "free". So, again for me, such abilities that they have should bring out the aspects of the pact that are unobvious or special clauses. This plays up there is a pact, rather than highlighting a pact with a specific entity.
(I realize you answered your own question, but I thought I would throw mine in there, too.)