Genie seems to be a fairly decent patron design, not to mention very thematic. I suspect it'll be made official, but also that when it does, that 9th level added spell will be removed.

That is unfortunately likely. I wish they instead added extra mystic arcanums to other patrons too, but that does not seem very likely. 

I think this says more about me than anything else, but I'm surprised someone has suggested similar to the "Djinn Equip" from Magi as a higher level Genie pact ability potential Invocation that requires a Genie pact. So, think it's safe to say there aren't a whole lot of Magi fans here or on the dev team. And that's a real shame, Magi is showing off what a genie pact could potentially look like, and a potential new sort of Warlock pact that could make for a nice middle ground between support and offensive unit that could allow Warlocks a bit more versatility on the team. I recently put up thread on what the pact could start looking like and be called

IIRC, they actually WERE going to introduce a new Pact alongside the Genie patron at first... Pact of the Vessel, I think it was called. But from what I recall, the mechanics were fairly weak, and didn't seem to make much sense (it either involved "tethering" to a teammate, or assisting someone else somehow, I believe.) Plus, introducing a whole new pact, available to all patrons, that thematically only fits one patron type, seems a bit clunky.

I've only watched some of it, but I agree, the Magi series is pretty slick, and fits this really well. I think a lot of what they do in the series could be handled with Pact of the Blade, and maybe a few custom invocations specifically for genies (I don't think its common for patrons to add custom invocations, but they could start.)

I didn't hear anything about a Pact of the Vessel, I actually put up a thread for a Pact of the Vessel. I wrote it out as a bit of translation for some of the abilities displayed in Magi. I remember a while back there was a Pact of the Talisman, which was a pact that gave you an item that you could share and could give some bonuses, I haven't seen that pact or reworking of it show up though

Yeah, I really hadn't remembered the details to the original Genie patron that well (guess my mind thought it wasn't worth remembering mostly.)

Here's the link to the original Genie patron: https://media.wizards.com/2020/dnd/downloads/UA2020-Subclasses01.pdf

They hadn't exactly created a new pact, but tried to weave your vessel into your pact item in a clunky way:

Collector’s Vessel and Pact Boons
When you gain the Pact Boon feature at 3rd level, if you choose a boon that grants you a physical object, your vessel transforms into that object. For example, a warlock whose patron is a noble efreeti and chooses the Pact of the Tome might find their bottle transformed into an elaborate scroll made of a red dragon’s wing, with brass and iron rolling rods.

I remember watching a video where Nerdarchy discussed the original Genie patron bit

I don't think the 9th level Wish as a mystic arcanum is too strong rather than the current mystic arcanum options being simply weak or boring. The design of mystic arcanums in contrast to long rest spell slots is already limiting enough as is. God forbid Warlocks get at least some options to choose from.

Also it's always nice to see class design breaking the mold. A lot of homebrew patrons use patron-specific invocations or even pacts. It's a bit unfair for older subclasses but if they could manage to update them with patron-exclusive mystic arcanum choices or similar I wouldn't be against it.

Regarding new Pact Boons, I remember a Pact of the Talisman being introduced in UA Class Feature Variants.

 It also had some new Invocations, but the Pact Boon itself was rather.. lame.

THAT'S what I was thinking of! Yeah, it was a good attempt at a new pact, but...  just basically giving you a limited Guidance cantrip is embarrassingly underpowered compared to the other pacts.

 If it applied to also skills you are proficient with, the guidance without concentration would actually be quite good. Or, if alternatively it would be your proficiency bonus instead of 1d4.

Quote from Chrysostomus >>

 If it applied to also skills you are proficient with, the guidance without concentration would actually be quite good. Or, if alternatively it would be your proficiency bonus instead of 1d4.

If we used the proficiency bonus you'd just be proficient in every skill. Half the proficiency bonus is Jack of all Trades, which Bard gets at level 2.
This Pact Boon failed at being interesting because it's basically just the lovechild of a less reliable Jack of all Trades and Guidance.

Hmm... How about:

A: Wearer of the talisman can add your proficiency bonus to skill checks that you are proficient in. If the wearer is already proficient, they add 1d4 instead.

Or B: choose one ability score. The wearer of your amulet gains bonus to checks with that attribute equal to your charisma modifier. You can change the bound attribute when you gain a level. 

I think the biggest problem with talisman is that it doesn't help anyone do anything they would normally want to do, but it also doesn't help you enough that it would open up new gameplay options either, unlike Jack of all trades.

I think I like the option B, because instead of providing a minor buff, it gives more play style options like the other pact boons do. It could let you make your rogue buddy sneaky as a shadow or make a barbarian unbeatable wrestler. Or it could make all your speech sound convincing, or let you understand arcane secrets even though you are not the sharpest tool in the shed.

OR option C: ditch the skill boosting altogether. You could instead share self targeting spells with the wearer of your amulet and let them deliver touch spells for you. 

Quote from Chrysostomus >>

Hmm... How about:

A: Wearer of the talisman can add your proficiency bonus to skill checks that you are proficient in. If the wearer is already proficient, they add 1d4 instead.

Or B: choose one ability score. The wearer of your amulet gains bonus to checks with that attribute equal to your charisma modifier. You can change the bound attribute when you gain a level. 

 

A makes no sense whatsoever, and B breaks bounded accuracy if I get proficiency bonus +10 to all my Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion checks.

I think WotC abandoned the Talisman because bonus to skills is not only strong, but also very boring. All current Pact Boons are very active in nature, giving more options.

Skill boni are probably nothing to be expected in the future.

as a bonus action the bearer of the talisman can add your charisma modifier to their next skill check, saving throw, or their AC until the start of their next turn..  IF you are using the talisman to enhance your own skill checks or saving throws, still add your charisma modifier as a bonus, even if it is already a charisma skill or saving throw.

Quote from Zoken44 >>

as a bonus action the bearer of the talisman can add your charisma modifier to their next skill check, saving throw, or their AC until the start of their next turn..  IF you are using the talisman to enhance your own skill checks or saving throws, still add your charisma modifier as a bonus, even if it is already a charisma skill or saving throw.

 So then I could stack my CHA +5 to other relevant modifiers for an Athletics or Acrobatics or Stealth check? How about an Initiative check?

Talk about encouraging Warlock dips...

Maybe something like: you can store 1 spell in it. Goes up to 2 and 10th level, and 3 at 17th. Can be up to level 3. Makes more sense than proficiency stuff.

Quote from BramblefootDruid >>

Maybe something like: you can store 1 spell in it. Goes up to 2 and 10th level, and 3 at 17th. Can be up to level 3. Makes more sense than proficiency stuff.

 That seems like a good idea for an invocation. Maybe a bit strong for the base ability? I would also keep the limit at one spell, and only to pact magic. 

Returning to the topic of the genie patron, what interesting combinations it provides?

Conjure elemental+wish(planar binding) for elemental entourage. Unfortunately limited wish doesn't work for this because it specifies the casting time of one action.

Limited wish lets you have two concentration spells up, because you are the caster of only one of the spells. So, sickening radiance + force cage for example. Or 6th level spirit guardians+improved Invisibility. 

Dao warlock can combo spike growth with repelling blast and grasp of Hadar for extra damage 

Dao warlock can combine spike growth with grasp of Hadar and repelling blast for extra damage.

Bottled respite+familiar equals third level invisible flight.

Marid warlock can capsize ships with control water and use the bheur hag combo of flying sleet storm + cone of cold.

Flying + elemental boosted eldritch blast is actually a combo too, considering how early you get it. Cast darkness over the ranged enemies and whittle down the melee opponents that can't reach you. 

Quote from Chrysostomus >>

Limited wish lets you have two concentration spells up, because you are the caster of only one of the spells.

I don't know that that's a valid way of looking at the feature....

"You entreat your patron to grant you a small wish. As an action, you can speak your desire to your Genie’s Vessel, requesting the effect of one spell that is 6th level or lower and has a casting time of 1 action. The spell can be from any class’s spell list, and you don’t need to meet the requirements in that spell, including costly components; the spell simply takes effect as part of this action."

As a DM, I'd rule that you were in control of the spell (and so could end effects early,) and so, if concentration were required, that you'd be concentrating on it. It's a bit cheesy to say otherwise, especially with situations like summoning creatures that become hostile should you lose concentration.

This also makes sense in-game. How many warlocks does your patron have? Even if it's only you, nothing in the rules states the even patrons can concentrate on multiple spells. So it would be pretty strange (even dangerous) for the patron to be concentrating on a single spell for a single warlock somewhere in the mortal realm, leaving himself unable to do so for his own needs, or for any other warlock that needs a limited wish, when he could just make YOU do the concentrating.