D&D 5E WotC asks "If you could create one D&D subclass, what would it be and what would it do?

[JEB]

Not counting subclasses that have already showed up in UA?

Barbarian: Anti-magic barbarian (resists magic and good at killing casters); something akin to Pathfinder's bloodrager (taps into monstrous heritage in battle)
Bard: Death-themed bard (curses enemies, summons undead with creepy music)
Cleric: Nothing comes to mind
Druid: Plant druid (turns into plants and draws on their power); elemental druid (specializes in one of four elements, gets thematic powers)
Fighter: Unarmed fighter (monk without the mysticism, kinda like Pathfinder's brawler)
Monk: Iron shirt monk (tough and defensive)
Paladin: Paladin of freedom (chaotic good, frees the oppressed)
Ranger: Nothing comes to mind
Rogue: Nothing comes to mind
Sorcerer: Fey bloodline (taps into Feywild)
Warlock: Sha'ir (genie pact)
Wizard: Chronomancer (time magic)
Other: Runecaster/Runepriest (uses magic of runes), not as a prestige class but as a subclass of Cleric or Wizard

I've seen third-party or homebrew versions for most of these, but official takes would be nice.

 

[Phion]

To be honest at this point most things are coverrd with archetypes with a bit of imagination. More feats would be a better way to go if its to add additional character options, perhaps add a mechanic or two.

One archetype for the paladin I can think of is a self augmentation build that allows the paladin to push their physical body beyond its limits (perhaps temporary increases to stats or acting ad if their body is one size bigger or double their speed) by expending spell slots, their channel divinity could be to activate all the benefits at once.

Thats partly inspired by Allmight and dbz, the followers of the oath would likely follow gods such as Kord and strive for excellence in all they do instead of being a goody goody. I guess I would just call it the oath of endeavour.

 

[5ekyu]

Not counting subclasses that have already showed up in UA?

Barbarian: Anti-magic barbarian (resists magic and good at killing casters); something akin to Pathfinder's bloodrager (taps into monstrous heritage in battle)
Bard: Death-themed bard (curses enemies, summons undead with creepy music)
Cleric: Nothing comes to mind
Druid: Plant druid (turns into plants and draws on their power); elemental druid (specializes in one of four elements, gets thematic powers)
Fighter: Unarmed fighter (monk without the mysticism, kinda like Pathfinder's brawler)
Monk: Iron shirt monk (tough and defensive)
Paladin: Paladin of freedom (chaotic good, frees the oppressed)
Ranger: Nothing comes to mind
Rogue: Nothing comes to mind
Sorcerer: Fey bloodline (taps into Feywild)
Warlock: Sha'ir (genie pact)
Wizard: Chronomancer (time magic)
Other: Runecaster/Runepriest (uses magic of runes), not as a prestige class but as a subclass of Cleric or Wizard

I've seen third-party or homebrew versions for most of these, but official takes would be nice.

I like a lot of these. Bolded ones in particular.
italics ones noted below.

Dark Bard - while not enamoured of another undead themed guy the idea of a discordant bard of the old ones with insanity and prophesy playing heavier roles seems very appealing to me.

Plant Druid - i really like especially if instead it shifts to alternate uses of wild shape. The spore druid UA option is a start down that path.

Monk - i am kind of seeking a more healing monk flavor myself which could weave in with your defensive and tough - just not so much iron shirt as recovery oriented.

good list!!

 

[MechaTarrasque]

I am not sure if this counts as a subclass, but a musical instrument pact implement would be good for the warlock. From "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and urban legends of people selling their souls to be great blues musicians to the weird music in Lovecraft's work to (fey) satyrs and their pipes to heavenly harps and trumpets, pretty much every patron type is associated with some kind of music. Mechanically it could give something like mass suggestion that only works as long as you keep playing.

 

[Guest 6801328]

I am not sure if this counts as a subclass, but a musical instrument pact implement would be good for the warlock. From "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and urban legends of people selling their souls to be great blues musicians to the weird music in Lovecraft's work to (fey) satyrs and their pipes to heavenly harps and trumpets, pretty much every patron type is associated with some kind of music. Mechanically it could give something like mass suggestion that only works as long as you keep playing.

This is an great concept.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I liked the idea of the Daggerspell Mage and Daggerspell Adept as I felt they were some neat prestige classes, but they were some very niche concepts. I guess one could take some already existing feats for the concepts, but it's something I want back maybe as subclasses to the Rogue, Sorcerer or Druid.

I wouldn't mind a concept of College of Sorrows for the Bard, one that's more tuned to Doom Metal or other peoples stereotype on what Gothic/Post-Punk music is like.

I've always advocated the Chaotic Neutral Oath of Madness for Paladins, sort of a champion for the Great Old Ones or a personal delusion.

I feel that Fighters need to have a subclass that's good at using daggers or a light weapon, as they have no reason to use light weapons ever.

Rangers could do with a Witcher-like subclass.

Druids could use a Shaman subclass, wild shape could be shifted on the spirit companion instead.

 

[Wulffolk]

After some further thought, I think that I would prefer a greater selection of Sub-classes (enough to cover almost every 2-class multi-class combo) with the intent of getting rid of Multi-classing altogether.

For instance, creating a Sub-class for each Class that gives a splash of options from one of the other Classes. I would like to see Divine, Arcane, Eldritch, Monk, Rogue and Bard Sub-classes for almost every Class.

I know that the downside is option-bloat that might overwhelm newer players, but it would reduce indecision paralysis that they might feel when considering all of the multi-class options to create the character that they envision. There would also be less of a chance to make weak or ineffective decisions when such Sub-classes are pre-balanced from 1st through 20th levels.

 

[Wulffolk]

Bard: Death-themed bard (curses enemies, summons undead with creepy music)

College of Dirges Bard would be awesome.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Warlock - Shai'ir (genie pact) or Templar (Darksun Dragon King pact)
Cleric - Luck/Fate/Prophecy domain is the biggest hole I feel.
Barbarian - some kind of feral shapeshifting beastman class with a focus on natural weapons



I simply don't feel there's enough design space on the fighter chassis to do the warlord justice. At its core, the fighter is still a multi-attacking damage class. Going off the warlock chassis would be good, with attack/help action riders similar to EB riders, auras, more superiority dice than the battlemaster and larger short rest recharge effects.

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

I am not sure if this counts as a subclass, but a musical instrument pact implement would be good for the warlock. From "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" and urban legends of people selling their souls to be great blues musicians to the weird music in Lovecraft's work to (fey) satyrs and their pipes to heavenly harps and trumpets, pretty much every patron type is associated with some kind of music. Mechanically it could give something like mass suggestion that only works as long as you keep playing.

This is pure awesomeness. I'm sacrificing my own suggestions at your altar to seal the pact and bring this to the game. Where do I sign?