As written, Playtest 5 Warlock is only worth playing as a splash, 2 levels max.
Turning pact magic slots into half caster slots is a severe nerf, and the other class features were not increased nearly enough to compensate.
So here's a change that would make those half slots more useful, and single class Warlocks worthwhile.
Add At Higher Levels effects to most ADP spells.
Warlock Feature: Upcasting: If you can cast a spell without using a spell slot, you can increase its potency by expending a spell slot. Add the slot's level to the spell's level, with a maximum total of 1 + half your Warlock level. You may use Upcasting on any single spell a number of times equal to half your Warlock level minus the spell's level. You regain expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
Examples:
A 5th level Warlock with Fiendish Vigor casts False Life using a 2nd level slot. 1+2 = 3rd level (aka 10 extra THP), upcast-able only once (2-1 = 1).
A 16th level Warlock with Mystic Incarnum Hold Monster casts that spell using a 4th level slot. 5+4 = 9th level (aka 5 targets), upcast-able up to 3 times (8-5 = 3).
A 20th level Warlock with Mystic Incarnum Wish can cast it twice (once slotless, 10-9 = 1 Upcasting) without even counting Epic Boon of High Magic.
Suddenly high level Warlocks are looking playable.
The Warlock is, in 5E, one of my favourite Classes and I have to agree that atm in the play test it is only worth playing as a splash.
In fact I think I would go further; I think all the flavour has been taken out of the class and I do not think it is even savable as a half caster. It will always be much weaker than the other half casters – much weaker than Paladin and even significantly worse than the Ranger and it's not even worth comparing it to any of the full casters.
Seriously I can see no reason anyone would play one.
As written, Playtest 5 Warlock is only worth playing as a splash, 2 levels max.
Turning pact magic slots into half caster slots is a severe nerf, and the other class features were not increased nearly enough to compensate.
So here's a change that would make those half slots more useful, and single class Warlocks worthwhile.
Examples:
A 5th level Warlock with Fiendish Vigor casts False Life using a 2nd level slot. 1+2 = 3rd level (aka 10 extra THP), upcast-able only once (2-1 = 1).
A 16th level Warlock with Mystic Incarnum Hold Monster casts that spell using a 4th level slot. 5+4 = 9th level (aka 5 targets), upcast-able up to 3 times (8-5 = 3).
A 20th level Warlock with Mystic Incarnum Wish can cast it twice (once slotless, 10-9 = 1 Upcasting) without even counting Epic Boon of High Magic.
Suddenly high level Warlocks are looking playable.
The Warlock is, in 5E, one of my favourite Classes and I have to agree that atm in the play test it is only worth playing as a splash.
In fact I think I would go further; I think all the flavour has been taken out of the class and I do not think it is even savable as a half caster. It will always be much weaker than the other half casters – much weaker than Paladin and even significantly worse than the Ranger and it's not even worth comparing it to any of the full casters.
Seriously I can see no reason anyone would play one.