2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
I could see making the “extra attack to cast a cantrip” Bladesincer/New-EK feature be applied to the Paladin as;
When you take the Attack Action, you may substitute one of your attacks to cast True Strike or a cantrip you have learned via the “Blessed Warrior” Fighting Style.
But if that’s the way it’s going to be worded, I would want to see it applied to all of those (sub)classes that get this feature: it only works with cantrips learned through that class.
Every Half caster or 1/3 caster should have the new EK feature that use cantrips as regular attacks.
EK needed that because they give up way more by only attacking once than other gishes do.
How do you figure that? By 20th level, the Paladin and Ranger get 2 attacks. The EK gets 4 (2 of which can be cantrips).
That's the playtest - in the current rules, an EK gets to make ONE attack if they cast a cantrip. That gets upgraded to one attack when casting a spell of any level at level 18. They don't even get the ability to cast a cantrip and attack in the same round until level 7 - which is a level later than the bladesinger.
Or were you responding to the first post and not the second?
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
The last time I saw the "Blessed Warrior" fighting style suggested was when the Dungeon Dudes were building an all Paladin party - the 4th character was going to focus as the spellcaster and I think it was considered for that one.
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
How about a melee attack replaced by a melee cantrip restriction?
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
I would support that qualifier for any class that gets the spell/cantrip substitution for an attack: It has to be a spell/cantrip learned through that class.
(I might specifically call out "Blessed Warrior" and "Druidic Warrior" for the Paladin and Ranger respectively, because they _could_ in theory take that fighting style more than once via Feats or something -- while there aren't a lot of great attack cantrips for Clerics (and therefore Paladins), I could see also using it for Spare the Dying, in a pinch where you need to make an attack, but you also need to stabilize an ally)
Having it called out to be class specific then undermines going out of your way to pick up a grab-bag of cantrips via small level dips into full caster classes, or Magic Initiate. I think undermining that is a good thing. And it also makes the Bladesinger still shine because they become the only (sub)class with it that have extensive attack cantrips, and more than just 3 of them. This means giving the feature to Paladins and Rangers (and maybe an Artificer subclass) doesn't diminish the Bladesinger. It also means that the Bladesinger isn't a "oh, I have to take 5 levels of that in order to get this special version of Extra Attack", helping to preserve the actual flavor of Bladesinger.
As for how often Blessed Warrior gets taken ... I think Word of Radiance is a pretty compelling thing to use when you're surrounded, and my Paladins always end up surrounded. I've gone out of my way to get that cantrip (though, usually via a 1 level dip into Divine Soul Sorcerer ... but that now will require a 3 level dip, unless I settle for Sword Burst I guess). Being able to attack a primary target and then also cast Word of Radiance via Quicken Spell ... it's a pretty stereotypical battle technique for my Paladins when they're not in a 1:1 fight (but also requires more than a 1 level dip, but it's worth it). Now add the choice of "2nd attack against the main target ... or another Word of Radiance against the cluster of targets" ... that would excel. It's a compelling choice, IMO even without the cantrip-substitution. But, if the cantrip-substitution feature is limited to cantrips learned via Paladin's Smite or Blessed Warrior (which it should be), then Blessed Warrior almost becomes a Must-Have, IMO (almost, but not absolutely).
I also will take Blessed Warrior for a Paladin who doesn't wear armor (such as a Tortle Paladin), because they can't take the Defensive fighting style (and the offensive fighting styles, other than Archery, are less compelling, IMO).
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
I would support that qualifier for any class that gets the spell/cantrip substitution for an attack: It has to be a spell/cantrip learned through that class.
(I might specifically call out "Blessed Warrior" and "Druidic Warrior" for the Paladin and Ranger respectively, because they _could_ in theory take that fighting style more than once via Feats or something -- while there aren't a lot of great attack cantrips for Clerics (and therefore Paladins), I could see also using it for Spare the Dying, in a pinch where you need to make an attack, but you also need to stabilize an ally)
Having it called out to be class specific then undermines going out of your way to pick up a grab-bag of cantrips via small level dips into full caster classes, or Magic Initiate. I think undermining that is a good thing. And it also makes the Bladesinger still shine because they become the only (sub)class with it that have extensive attack cantrips, and more than just 3 of them. This means giving the feature to Paladins and Rangers (and maybe an Artificer subclass) doesn't diminish the Bladesinger. It also means that the Bladesinger isn't a "oh, I have to take 5 levels of that in order to get this special version of Extra Attack", helping to preserve the actual flavor of Bladesinger.
As for how often Blessed Warrior gets taken ... I think Word of Radiance is a pretty compelling thing to use when you're surrounded, and my Paladins always end up surrounded. I've gone out of my way to get that cantrip (though, usually via a 1 level dip into Divine Soul Sorcerer ... but that now will require a 3 level dip, unless I settle for Sword Burst I guess). Being able to attack a primary target and then also cast Word of Radiance via Quicken Spell ... it's a pretty stereotypical battle technique for my Paladins when they're not in a 1:1 fight (but also requires more than a 1 level dip, but it's worth it). Now add the choice of "2nd attack against the main target ... or another Word of Radiance against the cluster of targets" ... that would excel. It's a compelling choice, IMO even without the cantrip-substitution. But, if the cantrip-substitution feature is limited to cantrips learned via Paladin's Smite or Blessed Warrior (which it should be), then Blessed Warrior almost becomes a Must-Have, IMO (almost, but not absolutely).
I also will take Blessed Warrior for a Paladin who doesn't wear armor (such as a Tortle Paladin), because they can't take the Defensive fighting style (and the offensive fighting styles, other than Archery, are less compelling, IMO).
I don't mind it working with any cantrip except eldritch blast, to be more specific, disabling it from working with eldritch blast is the main goal since eldritch blast+attack+bonus action, is basically pretty broken. Limiting to class is one way to do it, the other is to make eldritch blast a feature instead of a spell, but I do not think they'll convert eldritch blast to be a feature as currently stands.
Word of Radiance does have it's uses, it's basically the main reason to consider Blessed Warrior but as of the current UAs, with magic initiate being a level 1 feat, that seems like a less costly way to get it than sacrificing the one fighting style, since magic initiate gives more than blessed warrior gives, unless they bump blessed warrior up to basically be the same thing...
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
I would support that qualifier for any class that gets the spell/cantrip substitution for an attack: It has to be a spell/cantrip learned through that class.
(I might specifically call out "Blessed Warrior" and "Druidic Warrior" for the Paladin and Ranger respectively, because they _could_ in theory take that fighting style more than once via Feats or something -- while there aren't a lot of great attack cantrips for Clerics (and therefore Paladins), I could see also using it for Spare the Dying, in a pinch where you need to make an attack, but you also need to stabilize an ally)
Having it called out to be class specific then undermines going out of your way to pick up a grab-bag of cantrips via small level dips into full caster classes, or Magic Initiate. I think undermining that is a good thing. And it also makes the Bladesinger still shine because they become the only (sub)class with it that have extensive attack cantrips, and more than just 3 of them. This means giving the feature to Paladins and Rangers (and maybe an Artificer subclass) doesn't diminish the Bladesinger. It also means that the Bladesinger isn't a "oh, I have to take 5 levels of that in order to get this special version of Extra Attack", helping to preserve the actual flavor of Bladesinger.
As for how often Blessed Warrior gets taken ... I think Word of Radiance is a pretty compelling thing to use when you're surrounded, and my Paladins always end up surrounded. I've gone out of my way to get that cantrip (though, usually via a 1 level dip into Divine Soul Sorcerer ... but that now will require a 3 level dip, unless I settle for Sword Burst I guess). Being able to attack a primary target and then also cast Word of Radiance via Quicken Spell ... it's a pretty stereotypical battle technique for my Paladins when they're not in a 1:1 fight (but also requires more than a 1 level dip, but it's worth it). Now add the choice of "2nd attack against the main target ... or another Word of Radiance against the cluster of targets" ... that would excel. It's a compelling choice, IMO even without the cantrip-substitution. But, if the cantrip-substitution feature is limited to cantrips learned via Paladin's Smite or Blessed Warrior (which it should be), then Blessed Warrior almost becomes a Must-Have, IMO (almost, but not absolutely).
I also will take Blessed Warrior for a Paladin who doesn't wear armor (such as a Tortle Paladin), because they can't take the Defensive fighting style (and the offensive fighting styles, other than Archery, are less compelling, IMO).
I don't mind it working with any cantrip except eldritch blast, to be more specific, disabling it from working with eldritch blast is the main goal since eldritch blast+attack+bonus action, is basically pretty broken. Limiting to class is one way to do it, the other is to make eldritch blast a feature instead of a spell, but I do not think they'll convert eldritch blast to be a feature as currently stands.
IIRC, originally (3e?) it was a feature and not a spell. I wouldn't mind seeing it go back to being a class feature that is a Magic Action (comparable to the Cleric's Divine Spark).
Word of Radiance does have it's uses, it's basically the main reason to consider Blessed Warrior but as of the current UAs, with magic initiate being a level 1 feat, that seems like a less costly way to get it than sacrificing the one fighting style, since magic initiate gives more than blessed warrior gives, unless they bump blessed warrior up to basically be the same thing...
I've thought about whether or not that is the reason Blessed Warrior and Druidic Warrior haven't come back... except for one detail: The way Fighting Style (the class feature) currently works for 1DD, it's basically a bonus feat that is only usable for one set of Feats (Fighting Style Feats). In that light, the value add of Blessed Warrior (or Druidic Warrior) over Magic Initiate is that it doesn't cost you one of your regular Feats to get it. Is that worth the 1st level spell? I am agnostic about that.
In this context specifcially, then I would word the extra attack option to be limited as follows:
Paladin: the cantrip must be a cantrip you learned via the Paladin class*, or a cantrip you learned via Magic Initiate with the Cleric spell list (or a celestial based race?).
Ranger: the cantrip must be a cantrip you learned via the Ranger class*, or a cantrip you learned via Magic Initiate with the Druid spell list (or a fey based race?).
( * including the possible return of the Blessed Warrior or Druidic Warrior fighting styles, or possibly awarded by a subclass)
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
Retort: Eldritch Blast is still a ranged spell attack, so the rules on ranged attacks in melee range applies disadvantage. You can side-step this by attacking from range with a throwing weapon or a bow, or tip-toeing with a reach weapon and push-back Eldritch Blast. Or you can awkwardly invest in Crossbow Expert. I mean it can be done but is it overshadowing all other choices? I don't think so. Is it overshadowing most other class cantrips? Possibly, due to the Charisma synergy between the two classes and Warlock's new take on a tried and tested invocation.
If you're interested in comparing numbers, please see the spoiler below. However first I would like to point out that if Paladin would get the Bladesinger-treatment on their Extra Attack, what is to stop Warlock from wanting the same? In the UA their Thirsting Blade (Extra Attack feature equivalent) actually upgrades on level Warlock 11 to +2 extra attacks. They are even better at striking opponents than the Paladin are, and the class is evidently more focused on spell casting than Paladins. However with this proposed change Paladins would get to interweave spells between their attacks whilst Warlock doesn't? There's some themes here that seems to clash against their own nature.
The new Warlock invocations in UA PT7 has Agonizing Blast (the +CHA mod to Eldritch Blast damage) apply to whatever singular Warlock cantrip you select, which could be Eldritch Blast, as is tradition. But we could also go for Sword Burst or Green-Flame Blade (there is also Booming Blade or Thunder Clap, but Booming is less abusable and Clap hits CON save where Sword Burst hits DEX save and it's Thunder damage versus Force). I know Sword Burst and G-F Blade are Tasha's Cauldron optional rules, but I doubt that will cause people to not use the extended spell lists. The best part: Agonizing Blast allows you to reselect your buffed cantrip whenever you gain a Warlock level, so you're not even locked in.
Lets take Sword Burst first as the best theoretical application. That's 1d6 + CHA mod +1d6 at each of level 5, 11, 17 per target. That's 3.5 * cantrip stage (1 through 4) + CHA mod per target on average. If we desire the lvl 5 Paladin for Extra Attack + lvl 1 Warlock as the earliest time to achieve this situation, on level 6 with a +4 CHA mod, that's 11 damage per target on average.
In comparison Eldritch Blast deals ( 5.5 + CHA mod ) * cantrip stage (1 through 4) on average. On level 6 with +4 mod, that's 19 damage on average. So you just need to hit two targets with Sword Burst to surpass it in damage.
Now I don't know the likelihood between you clearing ACs compared to enemies clearing DEX saving throws, which at level 6 is DC 15 with CHA mod +4 versus average attack of 10.5 +3 +4 for 17.5 against AC.
Finally lets take Green-Flame Blade. The way Agonizing Blast and the wording on Green-Flame Blade leaves some interpretation as to how it would interact on the primary target before the level 5 upgrade as the spell doesn't technically add any damage on the primary target, but it should still count the weapon damage as part of the spell's damage rolls. Additionally it is a bit wonky as to how it functions with the secondary target that specifically deals damage equal to your spellcasting modifier. Can you add your spellcasting modifier twice or is it a case of "you are already using it, so you lose out". However we are looking at level 6 so the pre level-5 problems don't apply and lets assume the worst that you don't get the extra damage on the secondary target and that we're using a non-Pact of the Blade weapon (STR +2 instead of CHA +4) and lets go for a Longsword used in two hands. The primary target suffers: 1d10 + 2 + 1d6 + 4 (CHA) and the second target suffers 1d6 + 4 for a total average of 22.5 damage. The very next level of Warlock lets us pick up Pact of the Blade to upgrade that STR +2 to CHA +4. At level 11 GF Blade only upgrades 2d6 for an average of +7 damage with CHA +5 to a new average of 31.5 damage, the same as Eldritch Blast, with Sword Burst at 15.5 damage per target.
Now of course Eldritch Blast is a much more flexible cantrip and can focus fire just one target with the full benefit the way it is worded, but again that ranged disadvantage in melee kinda botches the entire purpose of having both an attack and a cantrip cast. Having to invest in Crossbow Expert to remove this penalty seems like a major reason against doing it at all. And any attempt to get more out of the feat either has you invest in War Caster (because both hands are occupied and you need a Somatic component for Eldritch Blast) or to go with a singular Hand Crossbow and forfeit the use of CHA modifier from Pact of the Blade - at least until you can find a magical hand crossbow that is.
All in all I don't think Eldritch Blast is that overpowered for this particular proposed change to Paladin, but I do feel like there's some identity crisis between Paladins interweaving cantrips with their attacks and Warlocks getting 3 attacks. I like the concept that Paladins can enhance their attacks with Smites and I wish this is where they put their emphasis in the class, but I'm not sure about other types of magic being used alongside their attacks.
That being said, the above scenario can already be achieved by a level 6 Wizard Bladesinging or a level 7 Fighter Eldritch Knight, although with less spell synergy as they are INT based. With the UA changes you can however use their spell slots to cast Warlock spells, partially eliminating some of the reduced synergy. The UA change actually makes multiclassing a Warlock into another spellcasting class a very tempting choice (with Sorc being no-investment barrier) if just to snap up some additional low level spell slots for utility or non-scaling spells like Hex. Just 3 levels adds 4 lvl 1 slots and 2 lvl 2 slots.
2- The class Feature grants the new True Strike cantrip instead of a Divine Smite spell. (also: give Paladins and Rangers the enhanced version of Extra Attack, that Bladesingers have; and EK's sort of get now as a subclass benefit).
More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
Retort: Eldritch Blast is still a ranged spell attack, so the rules on ranged attacks in melee range applies disadvantage. You can side-step this by attacking from range with a throwing weapon or a bow, or tip-toeing with a reach weapon and push-back Eldritch Blast. Or you can awkwardly invest in Crossbow Expert. I mean it can be done but is it overshadowing all other choices? I don't think so. Is it overshadowing most other class cantrips? Possibly, due to the Charisma synergy between the two classes and Warlock's new take on a tried and tested invocation.
If you're interested in comparing numbers, please see the spoiler below. However first I would like to point out that if Paladin would get the Bladesinger-treatment on their Extra Attack, what is to stop Warlock from wanting the same? In the UA their Thirsting Blade (Extra Attack feature equivalent) actually upgrades on level Warlock 11 to +2 extra attacks. They are even better at striking opponents than the Paladin are, and the class is evidently more focused on spell casting than Paladins. However with this proposed change Paladins would get to interweave spells between their attacks whilst Warlock doesn't? There's some themes here that seems to clash against their own nature.
The new Warlock invocations in UA PT7 has Agonizing Blast (the +CHA mod to Eldritch Blast damage) apply to whatever singular Warlock cantrip you select, which could be Eldritch Blast, as is tradition. But we could also go for Sword Burst or Green-Flame Blade (there is also Booming Blade or Thunder Clap, but Booming is less abusable and Clap hits CON save where Sword Burst hits DEX save and it's Thunder damage versus Force). I know Sword Burst and G-F Blade are Tasha's Cauldron optional rules, but I doubt that will cause people to not use the extended spell lists. The best part: Agonizing Blast allows you to reselect your buffed cantrip whenever you gain a Warlock level, so you're not even locked in.
Lets take Sword Burst first as the best theoretical application. That's 1d6 + CHA mod +1d6 at each of level 5, 11, 17 per target. That's 3.5 * cantrip stage (1 through 4) + CHA mod per target on average. If we desire the lvl 5 Paladin for Extra Attack + lvl 1 Warlock as the earliest time to achieve this situation, on level 6 with a +4 CHA mod, that's 11 damage per target on average.
In comparison Eldritch Blast deals ( 5.5 + CHA mod ) * cantrip stage (1 through 4) on average. On level 6 with +4 mod, that's 19 damage on average. So you just need to hit two targets with Sword Burst to surpass it in damage.
Now I don't know the likelihood between you clearing ACs compared to enemies clearing DEX saving throws, which at level 6 is DC 15 with CHA mod +4 versus average attack of 10.5 +3 +4 for 17.5 against AC.
Finally lets take Green-Flame Blade. The way Agonizing Blast and the wording on Green-Flame Blade leaves some interpretation as to how it would interact on the primary target before the level 5 upgrade as the spell doesn't technically add any damage on the primary target, but it should still count the weapon damage as part of the spell's damage rolls. Additionally it is a bit wonky as to how it functions with the secondary target that specifically deals damage equal to your spellcasting modifier. Can you add your spellcasting modifier twice or is it a case of "you are already using it, so you lose out". However we are looking at level 6 so the pre level-5 problems don't apply and lets assume the worst that you don't get the extra damage on the secondary target and that we're using a non-Pact of the Blade weapon (STR +2 instead of CHA +4) and lets go for a Longsword used in two hands. The primary target suffers: 1d10 + 2 + 1d6 + 4 (CHA) and the second target suffers 1d6 + 4 for a total average of 22.5 damage. The very next level of Warlock lets us pick up Pact of the Blade to upgrade that STR +2 to CHA +4. At level 11 GF Blade only upgrades 2d6 for an average of +7 damage with CHA +5 to a new average of 31.5 damage, the same as Eldritch Blast, with Sword Burst at 15.5 damage per target.
Now of course Eldritch Blast is a much more flexible cantrip and can focus fire just one target with the full benefit the way it is worded, but again that ranged disadvantage in melee kinda botches the entire purpose of having both an attack and a cantrip cast. Having to invest in Crossbow Expert to remove this penalty seems like a major reason against doing it at all. And any attempt to get more out of the feat either has you invest in War Caster (because both hands are occupied and you need a Somatic component for Eldritch Blast) or to go with a singular Hand Crossbow and forfeit the use of CHA modifier from Pact of the Blade - at least until you can find a magical hand crossbow that is.
All in all I don't think Eldritch Blast is that overpowered for this particular proposed change to Paladin, but I do feel like there's some identity crisis between Paladins interweaving cantrips with their attacks and Warlocks getting 3 attacks. I like the concept that Paladins can enhance their attacks with Smites and I wish this is where they put their emphasis in the class, but I'm not sure about other types of magic being used alongside their attacks.
That being said, the above scenario can already be achieved by a level 6 Wizard Bladesinging or a level 7 Fighter Eldritch Knight, although with less spell synergy as they are INT based. With the UA changes you can however use their spell slots to cast Warlock spells, partially eliminating some of the reduced synergy. The UA change actually makes multiclassing a Warlock into another spellcasting class a very tempting choice (with Sorc being no-investment barrier) if just to snap up some additional low level spell slots for utility or non-scaling spells like Hex. Just 3 levels adds 4 lvl 1 slots and 2 lvl 2 slots.
Are you forgetting weapon masteries in this? You can use a push weapon like a Warhammer or a Pike then do a thunderous smite, then trade your second attack for eldritch blast, which if you have repelling blast, now gets into some crazy push back. The issue with Eldritch blast is not just the damage, it is that eldritch blast gets quiet a few invocation options and would give Paladin by far the best battlefield control of any of the "tanks", easily surpassing anything Barbarian or Fighter gets. It's not purely about damage in this instance while also still getting the ability to smite.
You know what, yes I am forgetting about weapon masteries. Sorry there's a lot of stuff in the UAs and I only recently started indulging myself in them, and the push property was not among the things I retained. That certainly helps the combo. Thunderous Smite is a lot more dubious as you knock the target prone, so ranged attacks again get disadvantage.
Still it stands that if there are two nearby enemies, which as one of the tanks is not unlikely, you will have to deal with ranged disadvantage in melee range.
As for upgrades to Eldritch Blast, it seems to be limited to damage upgrade, range upgrade, 10 feet push back, and the once per turn 10 feet slow (and there's also a pull option, but we're talking control, so I guess this isn't a major player). I'm not saying the utility is bad, but for the Extra Attack feature to actually do something over currently just casting Eldritch Blast as it is, you need a target within movement + striking distance. You can also only push 10 feet per beam with a maximum of 4 beams at level 17. Usually that just means the target can move right back into your face (pre lvl 17), which of course means they are less likely to be able to attack your backline. However the enemy basically has to be intelligent and/or have a good reason (read being commanded, seeking revenge, or similar purpose with no sense of self preservation) in rushing your backline, they generally shouldn't go past a threat nor suffer the opportunity attack.
Barbarians and Fighters both surpass the Paladin in damage dealing and there's good arguments to believe they also can sustain more or at least equivalent amounts of damage. If Paladin is the better control class of the three, I don't think that's an issue - and its not even the Paladin class which enables it, it would just improve on Warlock's already superb control abilities. The Smite changes will likely do a lot to mellow out Paladins for their damage representation, so they will not excel in that many areas. I think you're overrating what a Bladesinger-esque Extra Attack feature for Paladin would do for the class.
Again that being said; I would prefer if Paladins would stick to either: Hit enemies hard with the power of Smites! Or do some spellcasting to support themselves or their team. I'm not a huge fan of Smites being spells on a half-caster class in the first place, which generally means you have much fewer spell slots per class level, meaning you run out rather quickly while attempting to keep up in damage or utility with other classes.
You know what, yes I am forgetting about weapon masteries. Sorry there's a lot of stuff in the UAs and I only recently started indulging myself in them, and the push property was not among the things I retained. That certainly helps the combo. Thunderous Smite is a lot more dubious as you knock the target prone, so ranged attacks again get disadvantage.
You only get the disadvantage if you're over 5 foot away, else wise you get advantage if you're within 5 foot, so you walk up to the prone target and then eldritch blast them, all rays resolve at the same time so all are made as normal attacks since advantage and disadvantage cancel each other out, this also means you get insane damage if you're concentrating on a spell like spirit shroud. But spirit shroud aside for a second, you're potentially talking up to 60 foot push back, with 10 foot reduced movement and the prone condition at level 17, which is rather insane.
Still it stands that if there are two nearby enemies, which as one of the tanks is not unlikely, you will have to deal with ranged disadvantage in melee range.
As for a second creature in range, to be able to do an up to 60 foot push back is often going to be worth taking an opportunity attack, since an opportunity attack is one attack while the creature you shoved over 50 foot away from you may have multi-attack, or may even be sent over a cliff, into a river or ravine or some other place quiet out of range. When you get to 3 creatures and taking two opportunity attacks it's less favourable but then you can eldritch blast in the first round before approaching any target and then make a weapon attack.
As for upgrades to Eldritch Blast, it seems to be limited to damage upgrade, range upgrade, 10 feet push back, and the once per turn 10 feet slow (and there's also a pull option, but we're talking control, so I guess this isn't a major player). I'm not saying the utility is bad, but for the Extra Attack feature to actually do something over currently just casting Eldritch Blast as it is, you need a target within movement + striking distance. You can also only push 10 feet per beam with a maximum of 4 beams at level 17. Usually that just means the target can move right back into your face (pre lvl 17), which of course means they are less likely to be able to attack your backline. However the enemy basically has to be intelligent and/or have a good reason (read being commanded, seeking revenge, or similar purpose with no sense of self preservation) in rushing your backline, they generally shouldn't go past a threat nor suffer the opportunity attack.
pulling one forwards and one/two back 10 feet is quiet powerful actually, more so with polearms, since you can then go in for an attack afterwards and go for the thunderous smite, if you move 10 foot forwards and 20 foot back, the only way all those creatures get to the next round is dashing, for a lot of creatures, some higher speed creatures or creatures which can bonus action dash might be able to bridge the gap enough to make an attack before the next round.
Barbarians and Fighters both surpass the Paladin in damage dealing and there's good arguments to believe they also can sustain more or at least equivalent amounts of damage. If Paladin is the better control class of the three, I don't think that's an issue
Depends, Paladin can get the highest AC out of the three (i.e. shield of faith) and has Aura of Protection for most saves, with magic initiate as a background feat, can pick up shield and use 1st level spell slots to get the +5 AC too, late game with polearms, this can be preferable to equipping a shield since polearm BA attack is near surpassing 1st level smite for damage. Barbarian can take more damage but Paladin simply may not have to take anywhere near as much to begin with.
and its not even the Paladin class which enables it, it would just improve on Warlock's already superb control abilities. The Smite changes will likely do a lot to mellow out Paladins for their damage representation, so they will not excel in that many areas. I think you're overrating what a Bladesinger-esque Extra Attack feature for Paladin would do for the class.
I'm not, I'm stating how much ELDRITCH BLAST on such an Extra Attack would do, it currently isn't an issue with Bladesinger since Wizard is INT & DEX while Warlock CHA, making the MAD for it quiet excessive and difficult with point buy or standard array. Warlocks control ability is from casting eldritch blast, they aren't casting another spell or performing another attack with that, an attack that can then be further enhanced itself. This is fine of course, because that is what that Warlock does, they aren't standing on front with full plate, a d10 hit die and aura of protection from their own class features. Personally I think most other cantrips would be fine, of course the other fix is to make Eldritch Blast a feature instead of a spell, I just don't see WotC doing that.
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More choices on poll might help but gotta give a strong nope to the above suggestion one, just due to all the Hexadin multiclasses... if it were limited to paladin cantrips only (so eldritch blast is not an option), then might work with the idea you're going down. It'd need True Strike to also be changed to say that you can use your spellcasting ability (the cantrip UA version requires you do so which would cause it's own issues). It'd reduce paladin nova but the increased passive damage would be relatively balanced.
Every Half caster or 1/3 caster should have the new EK feature that use cantrips as regular attacks.
When everything is the exact same the game gets boring like 4e. They should each have something similar, but slightly different.
EK needed that because they give up way more by only attacking once than other gishes do.
What is wrong with that? That sounds like the exact reason the Cleric class was created in the first place.
Are you specifically embracing the True Strike part of that, and rejecting the Extra Attack part? Because that bullet item is more about True Strike than Extra Attack, and your push-back was non-specific.
How do you figure that? By 20th level, the Paladin and Ranger get 2 attacks. The EK gets 4 (2 of which can be cantrips).
I could see making the “extra attack to cast a cantrip” Bladesincer/New-EK feature be applied to the Paladin as;
When you take the Attack Action, you may substitute one of your attacks to cast True Strike or a cantrip you have learned via the “Blessed Warrior” Fighting Style.
But if that’s the way it’s going to be worded, I would want to see it applied to all of those (sub)classes that get this feature: it only works with cantrips learned through that class.
That's the playtest - in the current rules, an EK gets to make ONE attack if they cast a cantrip. That gets upgraded to one attack when casting a spell of any level at level 18. They don't even get the ability to cast a cantrip and attack in the same round until level 7 - which is a level later than the bladesinger.
Or were you responding to the first post and not the second?
My push back is against the bladesinger version specifically, since it allows any cantrip, which as Paladin and Warlock are both Charisma casters, would make Eldritch Blast potentially very very overpowered a choice in multiclassing, of course the other fix would be making eldritch blast a feature and not a spell... but don't see that happening unfortunately. So what I'm saying is that it should be limited to cantrips that came from the paladin class (and paladin gets true strike in your example), then that'd be fine since it's not as abusive as true strike, it'd also mean there is more point to taking Blessed Warrior as a "fighting style", to get 2 more paladin cantrips. Word of Radiance or sacred flame exist as a a few good choices then, (tho can never ignore guidance if nobody else has it). As I currently see it, Blessed Warrior is a subpar choice for fighting style currently.
The last time I saw the "Blessed Warrior" fighting style suggested was when the Dungeon Dudes were building an all Paladin party - the 4th character was going to focus as the spellcaster and I think it was considered for that one.
That's exactly my point. Without this feature, the Paladin and Ranger would only give up one attack, while the EK would give up three.
How about a melee attack replaced by a melee cantrip restriction?
I would support that qualifier for any class that gets the spell/cantrip substitution for an attack: It has to be a spell/cantrip learned through that class.
(I might specifically call out "Blessed Warrior" and "Druidic Warrior" for the Paladin and Ranger respectively, because they _could_ in theory take that fighting style more than once via Feats or something -- while there aren't a lot of great attack cantrips for Clerics (and therefore Paladins), I could see also using it for Spare the Dying, in a pinch where you need to make an attack, but you also need to stabilize an ally)
Having it called out to be class specific then undermines going out of your way to pick up a grab-bag of cantrips via small level dips into full caster classes, or Magic Initiate. I think undermining that is a good thing. And it also makes the Bladesinger still shine because they become the only (sub)class with it that have extensive attack cantrips, and more than just 3 of them. This means giving the feature to Paladins and Rangers (and maybe an Artificer subclass) doesn't diminish the Bladesinger. It also means that the Bladesinger isn't a "oh, I have to take 5 levels of that in order to get this special version of Extra Attack", helping to preserve the actual flavor of Bladesinger.
As for how often Blessed Warrior gets taken ... I think Word of Radiance is a pretty compelling thing to use when you're surrounded, and my Paladins always end up surrounded. I've gone out of my way to get that cantrip (though, usually via a 1 level dip into Divine Soul Sorcerer ... but that now will require a 3 level dip, unless I settle for Sword Burst I guess). Being able to attack a primary target and then also cast Word of Radiance via Quicken Spell ... it's a pretty stereotypical battle technique for my Paladins when they're not in a 1:1 fight (but also requires more than a 1 level dip, but it's worth it). Now add the choice of "2nd attack against the main target ... or another Word of Radiance against the cluster of targets" ... that would excel. It's a compelling choice, IMO even without the cantrip-substitution. But, if the cantrip-substitution feature is limited to cantrips learned via Paladin's Smite or Blessed Warrior (which it should be), then Blessed Warrior almost becomes a Must-Have, IMO (almost, but not absolutely).
I also will take Blessed Warrior for a Paladin who doesn't wear armor (such as a Tortle Paladin), because they can't take the Defensive fighting style (and the offensive fighting styles, other than Archery, are less compelling, IMO).
I don't mind it working with any cantrip except eldritch blast, to be more specific, disabling it from working with eldritch blast is the main goal since eldritch blast+attack+bonus action, is basically pretty broken. Limiting to class is one way to do it, the other is to make eldritch blast a feature instead of a spell, but I do not think they'll convert eldritch blast to be a feature as currently stands.
Word of Radiance does have it's uses, it's basically the main reason to consider Blessed Warrior but as of the current UAs, with magic initiate being a level 1 feat, that seems like a less costly way to get it than sacrificing the one fighting style, since magic initiate gives more than blessed warrior gives, unless they bump blessed warrior up to basically be the same thing...
IIRC, originally (3e?) it was a feature and not a spell. I wouldn't mind seeing it go back to being a class feature that is a Magic Action (comparable to the Cleric's Divine Spark).
I've thought about whether or not that is the reason Blessed Warrior and Druidic Warrior haven't come back... except for one detail: The way Fighting Style (the class feature) currently works for 1DD, it's basically a bonus feat that is only usable for one set of Feats (Fighting Style Feats). In that light, the value add of Blessed Warrior (or Druidic Warrior) over Magic Initiate is that it doesn't cost you one of your regular Feats to get it. Is that worth the 1st level spell? I am agnostic about that.
In this context specifcially, then I would word the extra attack option to be limited as follows:
Paladin: the cantrip must be a cantrip you learned via the Paladin class*, or a cantrip you learned via Magic Initiate with the Cleric spell list (or a celestial based race?).
Ranger: the cantrip must be a cantrip you learned via the Ranger class*, or a cantrip you learned via Magic Initiate with the Druid spell list (or a fey based race?).
( * including the possible return of the Blessed Warrior or Druidic Warrior fighting styles, or possibly awarded by a subclass)
Retort: Eldritch Blast is still a ranged spell attack, so the rules on ranged attacks in melee range applies disadvantage. You can side-step this by attacking from range with a throwing weapon or a bow, or tip-toeing with a reach weapon and push-back Eldritch Blast. Or you can awkwardly invest in Crossbow Expert. I mean it can be done but is it overshadowing all other choices? I don't think so. Is it overshadowing most other class cantrips? Possibly, due to the Charisma synergy between the two classes and Warlock's new take on a tried and tested invocation.
If you're interested in comparing numbers, please see the spoiler below. However first I would like to point out that if Paladin would get the Bladesinger-treatment on their Extra Attack, what is to stop Warlock from wanting the same? In the UA their Thirsting Blade (Extra Attack feature equivalent) actually upgrades on level Warlock 11 to +2 extra attacks. They are even better at striking opponents than the Paladin are, and the class is evidently more focused on spell casting than Paladins. However with this proposed change Paladins would get to interweave spells between their attacks whilst Warlock doesn't? There's some themes here that seems to clash against their own nature.
The new Warlock invocations in UA PT7 has Agonizing Blast (the +CHA mod to Eldritch Blast damage) apply to whatever singular Warlock cantrip you select, which could be Eldritch Blast, as is tradition. But we could also go for Sword Burst or Green-Flame Blade (there is also Booming Blade or Thunder Clap, but Booming is less abusable and Clap hits CON save where Sword Burst hits DEX save and it's Thunder damage versus Force). I know Sword Burst and G-F Blade are Tasha's Cauldron optional rules, but I doubt that will cause people to not use the extended spell lists.
The best part: Agonizing Blast allows you to reselect your buffed cantrip whenever you gain a Warlock level, so you're not even locked in.
Lets take Sword Burst first as the best theoretical application. That's 1d6 + CHA mod +1d6 at each of level 5, 11, 17 per target. That's 3.5 * cantrip stage (1 through 4) + CHA mod per target on average. If we desire the lvl 5 Paladin for Extra Attack + lvl 1 Warlock as the earliest time to achieve this situation, on level 6 with a +4 CHA mod, that's 11 damage per target on average.
In comparison Eldritch Blast deals ( 5.5 + CHA mod ) * cantrip stage (1 through 4) on average. On level 6 with +4 mod, that's 19 damage on average. So you just need to hit two targets with Sword Burst to surpass it in damage.
Now I don't know the likelihood between you clearing ACs compared to enemies clearing DEX saving throws, which at level 6 is DC 15 with CHA mod +4 versus average attack of 10.5 +3 +4 for 17.5 against AC.
Finally lets take Green-Flame Blade. The way Agonizing Blast and the wording on Green-Flame Blade leaves some interpretation as to how it would interact on the primary target before the level 5 upgrade as the spell doesn't technically add any damage on the primary target, but it should still count the weapon damage as part of the spell's damage rolls. Additionally it is a bit wonky as to how it functions with the secondary target that specifically deals damage equal to your spellcasting modifier. Can you add your spellcasting modifier twice or is it a case of "you are already using it, so you lose out".
However we are looking at level 6 so the pre level-5 problems don't apply and lets assume the worst that you don't get the extra damage on the secondary target and that we're using a non-Pact of the Blade weapon (STR +2 instead of CHA +4) and lets go for a Longsword used in two hands. The primary target suffers: 1d10 + 2 + 1d6 + 4 (CHA) and the second target suffers 1d6 + 4 for a total average of 22.5 damage. The very next level of Warlock lets us pick up Pact of the Blade to upgrade that STR +2 to CHA +4.
At level 11 GF Blade only upgrades 2d6 for an average of +7 damage with CHA +5 to a new average of 31.5 damage, the same as Eldritch Blast, with Sword Burst at 15.5 damage per target.
Now of course Eldritch Blast is a much more flexible cantrip and can focus fire just one target with the full benefit the way it is worded, but again that ranged disadvantage in melee kinda botches the entire purpose of having both an attack and a cantrip cast. Having to invest in Crossbow Expert to remove this penalty seems like a major reason against doing it at all. And any attempt to get more out of the feat either has you invest in War Caster (because both hands are occupied and you need a Somatic component for Eldritch Blast) or to go with a singular Hand Crossbow and forfeit the use of CHA modifier from Pact of the Blade - at least until you can find a magical hand crossbow that is.
All in all I don't think Eldritch Blast is that overpowered for this particular proposed change to Paladin, but I do feel like there's some identity crisis between Paladins interweaving cantrips with their attacks and Warlocks getting 3 attacks. I like the concept that Paladins can enhance their attacks with Smites and I wish this is where they put their emphasis in the class, but I'm not sure about other types of magic being used alongside their attacks.
That being said, the above scenario can already be achieved by a level 6 Wizard Bladesinging or a level 7 Fighter Eldritch Knight, although with less spell synergy as they are INT based. With the UA changes you can however use their spell slots to cast Warlock spells, partially eliminating some of the reduced synergy. The UA change actually makes multiclassing a Warlock into another spellcasting class a very tempting choice (with Sorc being no-investment barrier) if just to snap up some additional low level spell slots for utility or non-scaling spells like Hex. Just 3 levels adds 4 lvl 1 slots and 2 lvl 2 slots.
Are you forgetting weapon masteries in this? You can use a push weapon like a Warhammer or a Pike then do a thunderous smite, then trade your second attack for eldritch blast, which if you have repelling blast, now gets into some crazy push back. The issue with Eldritch blast is not just the damage, it is that eldritch blast gets quiet a few invocation options and would give Paladin by far the best battlefield control of any of the "tanks", easily surpassing anything Barbarian or Fighter gets. It's not purely about damage in this instance while also still getting the ability to smite.
You know what, yes I am forgetting about weapon masteries. Sorry there's a lot of stuff in the UAs and I only recently started indulging myself in them, and the push property was not among the things I retained. That certainly helps the combo. Thunderous Smite is a lot more dubious as you knock the target prone, so ranged attacks again get disadvantage.
Still it stands that if there are two nearby enemies, which as one of the tanks is not unlikely, you will have to deal with ranged disadvantage in melee range.
As for upgrades to Eldritch Blast, it seems to be limited to damage upgrade, range upgrade, 10 feet push back, and the once per turn 10 feet slow (and there's also a pull option, but we're talking control, so I guess this isn't a major player). I'm not saying the utility is bad, but for the Extra Attack feature to actually do something over currently just casting Eldritch Blast as it is, you need a target within movement + striking distance. You can also only push 10 feet per beam with a maximum of 4 beams at level 17. Usually that just means the target can move right back into your face (pre lvl 17), which of course means they are less likely to be able to attack your backline. However the enemy basically has to be intelligent and/or have a good reason (read being commanded, seeking revenge, or similar purpose with no sense of self preservation) in rushing your backline, they generally shouldn't go past a threat nor suffer the opportunity attack.
Barbarians and Fighters both surpass the Paladin in damage dealing and there's good arguments to believe they also can sustain more or at least equivalent amounts of damage. If Paladin is the better control class of the three, I don't think that's an issue - and its not even the Paladin class which enables it, it would just improve on Warlock's already superb control abilities. The Smite changes will likely do a lot to mellow out Paladins for their damage representation, so they will not excel in that many areas. I think you're overrating what a Bladesinger-esque Extra Attack feature for Paladin would do for the class.
Again that being said; I would prefer if Paladins would stick to either: Hit enemies hard with the power of Smites! Or do some spellcasting to support themselves or their team.
I'm not a huge fan of Smites being spells on a half-caster class in the first place, which generally means you have much fewer spell slots per class level, meaning you run out rather quickly while attempting to keep up in damage or utility with other classes.
You only get the disadvantage if you're over 5 foot away, else wise you get advantage if you're within 5 foot, so you walk up to the prone target and then eldritch blast them, all rays resolve at the same time so all are made as normal attacks since advantage and disadvantage cancel each other out, this also means you get insane damage if you're concentrating on a spell like spirit shroud. But spirit shroud aside for a second, you're potentially talking up to 60 foot push back, with 10 foot reduced movement and the prone condition at level 17, which is rather insane.
As for a second creature in range, to be able to do an up to 60 foot push back is often going to be worth taking an opportunity attack, since an opportunity attack is one attack while the creature you shoved over 50 foot away from you may have multi-attack, or may even be sent over a cliff, into a river or ravine or some other place quiet out of range. When you get to 3 creatures and taking two opportunity attacks it's less favourable but then you can eldritch blast in the first round before approaching any target and then make a weapon attack.
pulling one forwards and one/two back 10 feet is quiet powerful actually, more so with polearms, since you can then go in for an attack afterwards and go for the thunderous smite, if you move 10 foot forwards and 20 foot back, the only way all those creatures get to the next round is dashing, for a lot of creatures, some higher speed creatures or creatures which can bonus action dash might be able to bridge the gap enough to make an attack before the next round.
Depends, Paladin can get the highest AC out of the three (i.e. shield of faith) and has Aura of Protection for most saves, with magic initiate as a background feat, can pick up shield and use 1st level spell slots to get the +5 AC too, late game with polearms, this can be preferable to equipping a shield since polearm BA attack is near surpassing 1st level smite for damage. Barbarian can take more damage but Paladin simply may not have to take anywhere near as much to begin with.
I'm not, I'm stating how much ELDRITCH BLAST on such an Extra Attack would do, it currently isn't an issue with Bladesinger since Wizard is INT & DEX while Warlock CHA, making the MAD for it quiet excessive and difficult with point buy or standard array. Warlocks control ability is from casting eldritch blast, they aren't casting another spell or performing another attack with that, an attack that can then be further enhanced itself. This is fine of course, because that is what that Warlock does, they aren't standing on front with full plate, a d10 hit die and aura of protection from their own class features. Personally I think most other cantrips would be fine, of course the other fix is to make Eldritch Blast a feature instead of a spell, I just don't see WotC doing that.