I mean, a 12 DC isn't disqualifying; having a starting 16 in your main stat is hardly a requirement of the current system. I know several players who have happily had 14s and 15s in their main stat at Tier 1.
Sure, but a player that wants to advance their spell DC earlier cannot. You are proposing the loss of choice there is balanced by the increase in choice of where to put your stats.
Or just 8 + 2x proficiency. A little better at epic tier but otherwise pretty close the the current numbers.
Not as close as 14+1/3rd Warlock Level. That's why I was considering it over 8+2x Proficiency.
Starting at 14 is really high, though - that's the equivalent of an 18 charisma. And it stays ahead the whole time, since it caps at 20 as well.
Starting a little high is more fun than starting a little low, at least in my book. And it's only a little high during the levels that tend to go by the fastest. It's more accurate to say 8+2x Proficiency "stays behind" until Level 13.
I'm OK with that. It fits the narrative that the power is external to the warlock, that the power of the magic is out of the character's control.
That narrative can be used to justify anything, including fish flying out of your nostrils because the magic is out of the character's control. More power, less power, it's all out of control.
True. The narrative is simply a convenient gloss for something that's a mechanical change at its core.
I've considered this as well. Divine Soul could use WIS, Shadow might use CHA, Dragon Bloodline might use CON, Wild Magic might change every long rest!
