D&D 5E (2024) The new Warlock is so much better Thematically

[Paul Farquhar]

You could consider Prospero a warlock. He got his power by binding Ariel, a fey/elemental spirit, to his service.

 

[DEFCON 1]

You could consider Prospero a warlock. He got his power by binding Ariel, a fey/elemental spirit, to his service.

Sure thing. But then again, the game is and always has been flexible enough that a player playing in a Core Four game (for example) could have the same backstory with the fey spirit while playing the Wizard class.

That's what makes the game what it is... even things like classes are merely Descriptive rather than Proscriptive. Warlock might be the closes class for a character like Prospero... but there's no reason a lot of others couldn't be jury-rigged to fit as well.

 

[Ancalagon]

Well, I find that by finding the pact item at level 1 and the subclass at level 3... it suggests a story. The item is a "lure" a "first time it's free" device. A would be warrior finds a strange magic sword, which grants them power. So instead of, I don't know, practicing their action surge, they start investing and focusing on the sword (or secret-filled familiar, ancient tome etc etc). At level 3, the characters is fully "hooked" and the patron becomes fully apparent.

I like this story, it works for me, it makes sense. BUUUT I don't think it's the only way a relationship with a Patron could develop. So in a way I am pleased about the changes, I do feel it's too "narrow" a path.