D&D 5E (2024) What’s the difference between sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards?

[Corinnguard]

They have different class features from each other, in all three pillars, that enforce the class fantasy.

And some of those class features offer more than one option for an extra tad of customization.

 

[Minigiant]

They have different class features from each other, in all three pillars, that enforce the class fantasy.

And some of those class features offer more than one option for an extra tad of customization.

The point is want them to provide different roles, weaknesses, and strengths within their class fantasies across the 3 pillars of play.

Much how the Fighter and Paladin provide different roles in combat (offense/defensive vs defense/support/nova), exploration (athlete vs horse), and social (tactical mind vs raw Charisma)

Basically like 4e roles for each pillar but softer than 4e.

 

[Corinnguard]

The point is want them to provide different roles, weaknesses, and strengths within their class fantasies across the 3 pillars of play.

Them being WoTC and EN Publishing? I certainly think the latter has done a better job at providing different roles, weaknesses and strengths that meet my class fantasies. Does EN Publishing meet everyone's class fantasies? Most likely not, which is why we players are drawn to the work of a particular RPG company that does. Ditto for homebrewers such as Laser Llama.

 

[Minigiant]

Them being WoTC and EN Publishing? I certainly think the latter has done a better job at providing different roles, weaknesses and strengths that meet my class fantasies. Does EN Publishing meet everyone's class fantasies? Most likely not, which is why we players are drawn to the work of a particular RPG company that does. Ditto for homebrewers such as Laser Llama.

Not class fantasies.
Roles

I want every class that are the same category of class to provide a different role in combat. And have a different role in exploration. And have a different role in Social interaction.

Some fans want this.
Some fans don't.

You cannot design a game for both unless you purposely designed the game for both. You cannot patch a game for one style to make it work for the other two via homebrew. Each design paradigm is built in the skeleton and structure of the game.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Not class fantasies.
Roles

I want every class that are the same category of class to provide a different role in combat. And have a different role in exploration. And have a different role in Social interaction.

Some fans want this.
Some fans don't.

You cannot design a game for both unless you purposely designed the game for both. You cannot patch a game for one style to make it work for the other two via homebrew. Each design paradigm is built in the skeleton and structure of the game.

Please define "category of class".

 

[Corinnguard]

Please define "category of class".

Since he mentioned 4e, he could be talking about roles such as Defender, Striker, Controller and Leader. Back in 4e, a Wizard was an Arcane Controller. Sorcerers and Warlocks were Arcane Strikers.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Since he mentioned 4e, he could be talking about roles such as Defender, Striker, Controller and Leader. Back in 4e, a Wizard was an Arcane Controller. Sorcerers and Warlocks were Arcane Strikers.

Ok, so are you asking for a game more like 4e then, @Minigiant ? Have you looked into Draw Steel? I've heard 4e was a major influence there. Or maybe PF2?

Of course, if you want the game to still be called D&D, that's a perfectly valid opinion to have.

 

[Minigiant]

Since he mentioned 4e, he could be talking about roles such as Defender, Striker, Controller and Leader. Back in 4e, a Wizard was an Arcane Controller. Sorcerers and Warlocks were Arcane Strikers.

Nope

Please define "category of class".

Like this

Class	Category	Primary Combat	Secondary Combat	Exploration	Social
Sorcerer	Mage	Blaster	Controller	Athlete	Charmer
Warlock	Mage	Sniper	Controller	Ritualist	Linguist
Wizard	Mage	Controller	Blaster	Ritualist	Sage

 

[Micah Sweet]

Nope

Like this

Class	Category	Primary Combat	Secondary Combat	Exploration	Social
Sorcerer	Mage	Blaster	Controller	Athlete	Charmer
Warlock	Mage	Sniper	Controller	Ritualist	Linguist
Wizard	Mage	Controller	Blaster	Ritualist	Sage

Ok. What about the other classes? You have to categorize them all if you're going to use that system.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

I mean, I have way more trouble shoehorning clerics into my more defined settings than warlocks, but that's because classic D&D henotheism is the worst.

Fair