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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Aldarc" data-source="post: 6733837" data-attributes="member: 5142">The warlord is explicitly labeled a "leader" as is the cleric, bard, shaman, artificer, etc. in 4th edition. This label has no place in 5e. Support, IMHO, is the primary role of the Warlord as opposed to notions of 'leadership.' Because I had hoped to avoid quoting a giant wall of text that was completely beside the point of the Soldier background in question. This is facepalm levels of pedantry here - almost insulting - and one that completely misses the point. I did not imply that the "Soldier background automatically meant Sergeant or General." I said one could obtain those ranks via the Soldier background. It is automatic in so far as one can obtain any military rank at level 1 via the background. It is not automatic in so far as these ranks (i.e. sergeant, general) are not explicitly mentioned - not that they need to be - but they are, however, within the explicit purviews of the background: you and the DM decide the rank you obtained and you then have it along with the benefits, privileges, and responsibilities that it confers. That rank may include 'sergeant' or 'general.' That rank may include 'leadership.' So indeed, you can take the Soldier background and "congratulations, you are now an 'apprentice general or level 1 sergeant,'" borrowing the flippant words of the person I originally quoted. This was all so obvious that I never thought that I would need to write a paragraph entry that's longer than the Soldier background entry to explain the contents therein. That is bullocks since the beginning of D&D. First level characters are not newly borns. They are not even necessarily young pups. Some may go their entire lives being level 1 with an assortment of experiences before adventuring or "leveling up." Eberron, for example, had all sorts of low level NPCs with character classes in positions of authority, leadership, and command. More facepalm-inducing pedantry. The chart does not list "sergeant," but you could choose "sergeant" as your rank, but have your specialty be infantry. "Officer" is not a rank, but "general" is. That's great. All I am saying is that the rules do permit you to be a sergeant or general at 1st level with a feature that imparts history, organization, rank, and authority. I'm sure that's true but it's also completely irrelevant to discussing the Warlord or the benefits of the 5e Soldier background.</blockquote>

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