I’m curious, What combination of abilities would it take to be a warlord at level 1?
For my part, level 1 only truly
requires two things.
The first is some ability to actually heal (not THP, not damage prevention, not any other thing that isn't actual regain of HP,
actually regaining HP) during combat. Warlords need to be able to fill the "support" role in the absence of any other class that actually does healing, and all classes that can fulfill that role have (partially or fully opt-in) access to such tools every day, albeit with associated resource costs. Given first-level characters have only 1 HD and I do think linking recovery to HD expenditure is warranted, I don't see a need to harshly restrict how frequently this ability can be used.
The second is some form of buffing or aiding allies to do better in combat. Actual numerical buffs (e.g. attack or AC increases), allowing allies to make saving throws, repositioning allies (e.g. to pull an ally out of harm's way or push an ally into a better spot), or setting up a particular enemy so that allies perform better against them, would all be perfectly cromulent possibilities for the character to get
one option from. I imagine this is where you would differentiate subclasses at 1st level.
So....yeah. One ability to heal, dependent on HD spending, and one ability to buff/aid/support.
I personally say the class should have d8 HP,* light and medium armor, shields, and all simple and martial weapons. Saves are Str/Dex.** Class skill options: Athletics, Deception, History, Intimidation, Medicine, Perception, Persuasion, Survival.*** Requires Charisma 13 and Strength 13 to multiclass.
*Some subclasses may follow the Draconic Sorcerer model of giving +1 HP/class level, the sort of faux-HD-increase feature.
**I expect there to be a "tactic" (invocation-type stuff) that allows the choice of either Wis or Con as an additional save.
***I think it would be cool, and distinctive, to give each Warlord subclass a thematically-appropriate additional skill training, e.g. Sappers and Skirmishers might get Stealth, Knight-Enchanter would obviously get Arcana, Vanguard could get Survival, etc.