So Ive seen this push with the new UA of making each subclass some weird hybrid class setup. I'm not really a fan of it conceptually. Like a Gish can be fun, but this took that to a whole new level that not only brings in mechanics, but also theme, or just use sub classes from other classes at its own. We have Bard wanting to be druid, but not multi class druid. The fighter that is just a Drakewarden. A Paladin that wants to be a Genie Pact Warlock, without multi classing into warlock (and lets not even talk about the super weak oaths that seem to be written as an afterthought). The rogue that basically wants to be a cleric of death and destruction, without multi-classing cleric. Yet another Sorcerer that wants to be a healer without multi-classing.
I like The change to knowledge cleric, and appreciate that, although it steps on the feel of the skill based classes a bit, it is highly focused on being a cleric of knowledge, and not like some sort or wizard rogue cleric hybrid.
The updates to Bladesinger are decent. I still say that Warlock is the better route for a Gish (even if I think warlock's spell list is terrible for the role it should be filling), but the update seems to make Gandalf styled "Sword and Sorcery" style wizard doable.
I wont comment on "Cold Ranger" that much since I think they have completely missed the mark with ranger in the new edition, and making one that is 100% cold themed (a relatively highly resisted damage type) seems like a bad idea.
Id like to see more updates to 2014 sub-classes, and more core thematic presentations of classes. I know 4th ed wasn't the greatest, but at least each class had a pretty clear role, and each subclass either amplified that role, or let you take a minor in another role. Going into 2014 5e, the game designers seemed to understand we needed each class to be distinct, and have a clear role. Sub-classes still did that. A cleric was support, and with the right sub-classes, you could be an off tank, off DPS, off crowd control, or a god of support. But this UA isn't that. This is taking the worst lessons from 4th ed and putting them on display. The complaint many people had for 4e was, very quickly everything felt the same. All DPS classes felt the same as all others.
there is a lot of design space I think they could have fixed with this update (Rangers should have wild shape so they can become predators, Druids should have companions since they are friends of the forest, Warlocks should be the core Gish class, focused on concentration spells to maximize their limited spell slot usage, as a few examples), but overall I liked the update to 2025. This being the first thing they show us, and these being the core sub-classes for one of the oldest, most well developed settings in D&D, seems like a poorly thought out expansion. If genies are so common, Genie pact should come. A bard class that focuses on telling the stories of the world (since we have so many) and using those stories to confuse, charm, and psychically attack their enemies. Paladins devoting themselves to overcoming the hardships in life by forging their oaths in the bitterest climates. All that feels more on brand with both the setting and classes, than most of the stuff I saw in the UA.
Anyway, I only put this all here, since they didnt ask for input in the survey past specific abilities, meaning they likely are so far into the development, none of this will matter, but hopefully someone that works at WotC sees this and takes it to heart for whatever comes next
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So Ive seen this push with the new UA of making each subclass some weird hybrid class setup. I'm not really a fan of it conceptually. Like a Gish can be fun, but this took that to a whole new level that not only brings in mechanics, but also theme, or just use sub classes from other classes at its own. We have Bard wanting to be druid, but not multi class druid. The fighter that is just a Drakewarden. A Paladin that wants to be a Genie Pact Warlock, without multi classing into warlock (and lets not even talk about the super weak oaths that seem to be written as an afterthought). The rogue that basically wants to be a cleric of death and destruction, without multi-classing cleric. Yet another Sorcerer that wants to be a healer without multi-classing.
I like The change to knowledge cleric, and appreciate that, although it steps on the feel of the skill based classes a bit, it is highly focused on being a cleric of knowledge, and not like some sort or wizard rogue cleric hybrid.
The updates to Bladesinger are decent. I still say that Warlock is the better route for a Gish (even if I think warlock's spell list is terrible for the role it should be filling), but the update seems to make Gandalf styled "Sword and Sorcery" style wizard doable.
I wont comment on "Cold Ranger" that much since I think they have completely missed the mark with ranger in the new edition, and making one that is 100% cold themed (a relatively highly resisted damage type) seems like a bad idea.
Id like to see more updates to 2014 sub-classes, and more core thematic presentations of classes. I know 4th ed wasn't the greatest, but at least each class had a pretty clear role, and each subclass either amplified that role, or let you take a minor in another role. Going into 2014 5e, the game designers seemed to understand we needed each class to be distinct, and have a clear role. Sub-classes still did that. A cleric was support, and with the right sub-classes, you could be an off tank, off DPS, off crowd control, or a god of support. But this UA isn't that. This is taking the worst lessons from 4th ed and putting them on display. The complaint many people had for 4e was, very quickly everything felt the same. All DPS classes felt the same as all others.
there is a lot of design space I think they could have fixed with this update (Rangers should have wild shape so they can become predators, Druids should have companions since they are friends of the forest, Warlocks should be the core Gish class, focused on concentration spells to maximize their limited spell slot usage, as a few examples), but overall I liked the update to 2025. This being the first thing they show us, and these being the core sub-classes for one of the oldest, most well developed settings in D&D, seems like a poorly thought out expansion. If genies are so common, Genie pact should come. A bard class that focuses on telling the stories of the world (since we have so many) and using those stories to confuse, charm, and psychically attack their enemies. Paladins devoting themselves to overcoming the hardships in life by forging their oaths in the bitterest climates. All that feels more on brand with both the setting and classes, than most of the stuff I saw in the UA.
Anyway, I only put this all here, since they didnt ask for input in the survey past specific abilities, meaning they likely are so far into the development, none of this will matter, but hopefully someone that works at WotC sees this and takes it to heart for whatever comes next