I disagree. The fewer choices you force on a first time player, and the less mechanics they have to contend with at 1st level, the better.
The only three classes that require picking a subclass at 1st level do so because the subclass is inseparable from being a member of that class. The default assumption is that every cleric has a deity and domain, every sorcerer has some origin for their powers and every warlock has made a pact with their patron. As a trade-off, those classes don't have anything else going on that level other than their subclass feature. It's pretty telling that the warlock class, which has the most choices to make, is still designed so the other major choices (invocations and pact boon) happen at 2nd and 3rd level.
And it also allows you to ‘get to know your character’ for a few levels before choosing their path. You can see where the story takes them, or what gap in the party they might fill.
Agreed, a basic idea of a class is important before introducing subclass options. Furthermore, a new player shouldn't be saddled with such an important choice. For some classes this isn't an option.
Warlock for instance, not having the subclass at level 1 would make no sense. Narratively, the subclasses of Warlock are the things that a Warlock would make a pact with. The pact is the source of all the Warlock's powers and you need to have it to start with. Now one may question why you can't have the narrative idea that you have a pact, but have the subclass later. The incredibly different nature of the things you make a pact with male this a poor idea. If you've made a pact with a celestial creature, it kind of makes sense to use celestial spells - something that other Warlocks don't have.
A similar argument comes up with Cleric and Sorcerer, the other two that get subclasses at level 1, though less as strong. They could be delayed, but it's better narratively and mechanically to establish them early. Not with Fighter, being a low level Archer means having a Bow and Fighting Style (Archery).
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Why? Why doesn't every class just get their subclass at first level? That would have simplified things SO MUCH.
I think the main reasons are for balancing in general and more specifically for multiclassing.
I disagree. The fewer choices you force on a first time player, and the less mechanics they have to contend with at 1st level, the better.
The only three classes that require picking a subclass at 1st level do so because the subclass is inseparable from being a member of that class. The default assumption is that every cleric has a deity and domain, every sorcerer has some origin for their powers and every warlock has made a pact with their patron. As a trade-off, those classes don't have anything else going on that level other than their subclass feature. It's pretty telling that the warlock class, which has the most choices to make, is still designed so the other major choices (invocations and pact boon) happen at 2nd and 3rd level.
And it also allows you to ‘get to know your character’ for a few levels before choosing their path. You can see where the story takes them, or what gap in the party they might fill.
Agreed, a basic idea of a class is important before introducing subclass options. Furthermore, a new player shouldn't be saddled with such an important choice. For some classes this isn't an option.
Warlock for instance, not having the subclass at level 1 would make no sense. Narratively, the subclasses of Warlock are the things that a Warlock would make a pact with. The pact is the source of all the Warlock's powers and you need to have it to start with. Now one may question why you can't have the narrative idea that you have a pact, but have the subclass later. The incredibly different nature of the things you make a pact with male this a poor idea. If you've made a pact with a celestial creature, it kind of makes sense to use celestial spells - something that other Warlocks don't have.
A similar argument comes up with Cleric and Sorcerer, the other two that get subclasses at level 1, though less as strong. They could be delayed, but it's better narratively and mechanically to establish them early. Not with Fighter, being a low level Archer means having a Bow and Fighting Style (Archery).