D&D 5E SCAG Subclasses: Which do you like?

[TwoSix]

I am somewhat surprised that Purple Dragon Knight is doing so poorly, though. I think that it fits a niche that the other fighter subclasses do that -- that is, a socially competent frontline general. Sort of like (if you squint really hard and turn your head) the 4E D&D Warlord. I suppose there's nothing the Purple Dragon Knight thematically does that the Paladin already doesn't, but I do think that there's a place for a socially competent frontline general that doesn't have the magical and divine baggage of the paladin.

I think it's because it's only loosely like a warlord, which feels slightly defeating if you were really looking for a warlord; secondly, PDK is an overly Realms-specific name, I think more generic concepts tend to better liked.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I think it's safe to say that they absolutely will not publish two contradictory versions of the same subclass, or invalidate a version already published in a later book. Having a subclass be slightly underpowered is a far lesser sin than making people feel like their books are 'wrong'.

Well, revise is probably too strong a word, let say modify little things, just like they said they would with the swashbuckler (IIRC). The ''once per day'' restriction on some features (1d8+con Hp recovery on a Stabilize check once per day is beyond weak) are weird. I think it just a matter of changing it to short rest in XGtE and issue an errata for the SCAG.

 

[Mephista]

The Undying warlock lacks a new familar option that makes sense for a lich's apprentice, doesn't really synergize with Blade Pact well, and lacks new Invocations to make the new style take off. That's the kind of thing that makes me disappointed in a lazy design.

 

[gyor]

The Undying warlock lacks a new familar option that makes sense for a lich's apprentice, doesn't really synergize with Blade Pact well, and lacks new Invocations to make the new style take off. That's the kind of thing that makes me disappointed in a lazy design.

I think where Undying went wrong was in blending Immortal Patrons and Undead Patrons.

Gilgeam is immortal (of a sort), Acerak is undead liche.

That and the mechanics are too weak.

 

[SkidAce]

I bought a third party supplement with other Warlord type manoeuvres in. I will allow any player who takes this class a free martial adept feat to choose a couple of these to round out the class abilities.

Which supplement?

 

[CapnZapp]

Ideally they would use that space to create 4 brand new and awesome subclasses, but that is not the choice they made.

They will keep selling reheated porridge as long as we let them.

Sent from my C6603 using EN World mobile app

 

[Pauln6]

Which supplement?

The 5 minute work day maneuvers and commander supplement. It has additional battlemaster manoeuvres including some that are siphoned off under the commander subheading so that you can build a normal battlemaster with warlord focus. It also has a homebrew warlord build that is not dissimilar to the pdk but built around superiority dice. I read a review that suggested there might be potential bard multiclass abuse so I shied away from using it instead of the pdk but the manoeuvres themselves seem OK to the point where giving the pdk limited access should be OK imo.

I don't think the subclass is among the powerful. The biggest criticism seems to be that it doesn't have enough warlord tricks. Even if you give additional superiority dice and manoeuvres at higher levels (maybe give the same progression as a battlemaster with half as many dice staying at d6 like the feat) it's unlikely to make the pdk overpowered since it's helping its allies.

 

[Bitbrain]

Battle Rager Barbarian
Especially their recommendations for a Battle Rager in the Dragonlance setting--your rage being sheer frustration at having to use Gnome-Tech in battle

Arcana Domain Cleric
Oath of the Crown Paladin
Storm Sorcerer
Bladesinger Wizard

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I am somewhat surprised that Purple Dragon Knight is doing so poorly, though. I think that it fits a niche that the other fighter subclasses do that -- that is, a socially competent frontline general. Sort of like (if you squint really hard and turn your head) the 4E D&D Warlord. I suppose there's nothing the Purple Dragon Knight thematically does that the Paladin already doesn't, but I do think that there's a place for a socially competent frontline general that doesn't have the magical and divine baggage of the paladin.

While I haven't played it, it just seems unimpressive to me. I mean, Champion at least has passive combat abilities. Purple Dragon Knight feels like it gets too little too rarely. I'll probably add temporary hp equal to the healing they get from Second Wind. That will at least give the subclass some sort of personal combat benefit rather than being useless without allies to support.

 

[The-Magic-Sword]

Swashbuckler was confirmed on Twitter
Reprinting the Bladesinger would help compensate for wizards only getting the one new arcane tradition
Undying Warlock would allow them to give it eldritch invocation support
Oath of the Crown / Storm Sorcerer are probably competing for the last slot

I feel arcana domain cleric is very tied in with Mystara being a thing in FR, but eh.