Happy with the direction it has gone just needs a few tweaks.
1. Drop eldritch master down to level 7 and slap in a real capstone at level 20. Drop the once all slots are used line.
2. Expand pact of the tome with additional invocations so those who want to shield spam or other low level spell cast have a option.
3. Take the size limit off repelling blast.
4. Remove concentration from master of myriad forms otherwise mask of many faces is just flat out better.
5. Agonizing blast, eldritch spear just have it with on all warlock attack cantrips none of this pick one thing.
6. Some hex love with invocations.
Edit to add
7. Give a int caster option, it fits the theme of the class better than charisma imo. sure charisma is just better, but not every choice needs to be optimized.
There are people who wanted the short rest cast though. Go play a wizard if yo want a long rest class. don't take it away from the one caster class that has it.
I have.
I've played multiple warlocks, and multiple wizards.
The warlocks were flavorful and narratively rewarding.
The wizards were flavorful, narratively rewarding, and also effective in the field.
A small group's obsession with taking a hundred short rests a session and turning short-rest resources into at-will resources should not be allowed to make the class field ineffective for everybody else. Agreed? Agreed. Good.
I have done both as well and the warlock was effective in the field as well. A small groups obsession with homogenization of everything into a grey goo didn't win this time.
Happy with the direction it has gone just needs a few tweaks.
1. Drop eldritch master down to level 7 and slap in a real capstone at level 20. Drop the once all slots are used line.
2. Expand pact of the tome with additional invocations so those who want to shield spam or other low level spell cast have a option.
3. Take the size limit off repelling blast.
4. Remove concentration from master of myriad forms otherwise mask of many faces is just flat out better.
5. Agonizing blast, eldritch spear just have it with on all warlock attack cantrips none of this pick one thing.
6. Some hex love with invocations.
Edit to add
7. Give a int caster option, it fits the theme of the class better than charisma imo. sure charisma is just better, but not every choice needs to be optimized.
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
Edit: (As far as tome expansion goes I don't believe they need TOO much of that because of lessons of the first ones. Get Magic Initiate for shield + you have a first level slot from tome and that is 2 casts of that spell just as an example, of course combine this with new fey and you have a bunch of misty step casts as well).
Happy with the direction it has gone just needs a few tweaks.
1. Drop eldritch master down to level 7 and slap in a real capstone at level 20. Drop the once all slots are used line.
2. Expand pact of the tome with additional invocations so those who want to shield spam or other low level spell cast have a option.
3. Take the size limit off repelling blast.
4. Remove concentration from master of myriad forms otherwise mask of many faces is just flat out better.
5. Agonizing blast, eldritch spear just have it with on all warlock attack cantrips none of this pick one thing.
6. Some hex love with invocations.
Edit to add
7. Give a int caster option, it fits the theme of the class better than charisma imo. sure charisma is just better, but not every choice needs to be optimized.
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
Edit: (As far as tome expansion goes I don't believe they need TOO much of that because of lessons of the first ones. Get Magic Initiate for shield + you have a first level slot from tome and that is 2 casts of that spell just as an example, of course combine this with new fey and you have a bunch of misty step casts as well).
True on all of that, though I think you'd only have one misty step cast if not a archfey warlock. But a bit tome expansion could help for a couple level 2 spells as I don't think the complaint regarding using low level spells with high level pact slots is limited to first level spells. Like 2 invocations total(1 allowing them to learn any ritual spell from any class if they are a high enough level to cast it which also adds it to your known spell list and another that gives 1 more 1st level slot with a 1 2nd level slot. Maybe a 3rd that allows them a floating daily change spell known for 1st and 2nd level spells that aren't rituals.
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
I find it unlikely with WotC's conservatism. I don't believe OneDnD will bring any meaningful changes to warlocks. WotC's reverted all changes done to address the core problems of the class, no more access to arcane spell list, no more casting more than 2 spells per day, we're back to same old 2014 warlock with a crutch that is Magical Cunning.
Magical Cunning isn't even a crutch. It's a broken stick taped to the warlock's shin pretending to help it move further on its crippled leg but instead just reminding everyone of how slow and bad the poor thing is.
This is literally just the terrible 2014 warlock reprinted. Same with all the other classes. Why the hell are we even doing this anymore?
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
I find it unlikely with WotC's conservatism. I don't believe OneDnD will bring any meaningful changes to warlocks. WotC's reverted all changes done to address the core problems of the class, no more access to arcane spell list, no more casting more than 2 spells per day, we're back to same old 2014 warlock with a crutch that is Magical Cunning.
"No more casting more than 2 spells per day"? If that's the case, then your party isn't taking advantage of the Short Rest mechanic that the game and the classes were designed around.
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
I find it unlikely with WotC's conservatism. I don't believe OneDnD will bring any meaningful changes to warlocks. WotC's reverted all changes done to address the core problems of the class, no more access to arcane spell list, no more casting more than 2 spells per day, we're back to same old 2014 warlock with a crutch that is Magical Cunning.
The changes sucked. Pact magic is a better option. Its not conservatism to go with the better option.
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
I find it unlikely with WotC's conservatism. I don't believe OneDnD will bring any meaningful changes to warlocks. WotC's reverted all changes done to address the core problems of the class, no more access to arcane spell list, no more casting more than 2 spells per day, we're back to same old 2014 warlock with a crutch that is Magical Cunning.
The changes sucked. Pact magic is a better option. Its not conservatism to go with the better option.
Really pact magic is not a good design. Why? Well, basically because your ability to cast spells is at the whim of something as circumstantial as short rests.
And that goes in both directions. Do you do Short Rests whenever you feel like it? The Warlock is broken. Do you not do Short Rest, or do you only do them when circumstances allow it? So your magic is an anecdote.
Simply put, it is a design that leaves class in the hands of circumstances.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Honestly, even if they did nothing else, this warlock is still a definitive improvement over the 2014 warlock. I think they could have made adjustments to the previous one to make it work, but I am not opposed to this either.
The common way I played warlock was to cast a big Concentration spell and then spam eldritch blast. I also loved to use OOC utility spells when there isn't a time crunch. Invisibility to scout things and map things out followed by an hour rest and a plan was never a bad idea for me either.
Sometimes I would go 2 fights casting 1 big concentration spell on each, but then want to rest and be unable to. The ability to just take 1 minute and have 1 more slot left means the next fight I am not useless I still have my 1 bomb + EB spam. Usually after that third fight everyone wants to short rest anyway because low health and other resources and the need to spend hit dice. This set up easily extends my warlock into 5 fights with 1 spell per in a day. To top this off, invocations are even more flexible and are REALLY strong. Did some work with the Blade pact and without multiclassing I think I can honestly take any lock into melee without feeling like I am hurting my team and that isn't something I believe I could say before.
(Just as an example: 2014 vs new warlock level 6 Archfey pact of the chain halfling).
In addition to the same stuff I would get with 2014, I would have 1 more invocation (one was used on pact of the chain) so I can also take pact of the tome and get 2 more rituals 3 more cantrips and a first level slot that I will likely use to cast faerie fire, 4 casts of misty step instead of fey presence once per short rest. The invocations for several abilities are lower level. I do not have to use any of my 6 known spells on calm emotions, phantasmal force, sleep, faerie fire, plant growth or blink, or misty step (at least a couple I would have taken) Freeing me to take up dispel magic, Fear, Invisibility, Charm Person, speak with animals and Detect magic a couple I can now can cast as rituals. Then I also get a free first level feat like musician or lucky to become a super lucky halfling. (If I took magic initiate I might take druid for speak with animals and still take comprehend languages or unseen servant, or wizard for shield or absorb elements).
With rituals becoming on everything at least one extra invocation by level 5, of course the origin feat, free known spells to increase the bag of tricks and more consistent subclasses. Combined with on demand 1 more slot back it doesn't seem that bad.
So this is definitely an improvement of this class.
Melee I can take Pact of blade, Thirsting blade, Lessons of the first one for medium armor and shield, agonizing blast, and eldritch mind. And trade out speak with animals or detect magic for armor of agathys if I wanted. or not bother and use blink and misty steps for a hit and run melee trickster.
I think the big sign here is the 5 invocations at level 5 and the fact that there are a lot of good invocations at level 5 to help encourage staying in warlock. Haven't played with it, but it is clearly better than 2014. The question is if it is good enough.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
Honestly man, I think the solution is more in the invocations on this one than it is the Magical Cunning. It may not be as fun as the so called "Half-caster", but it could still be solid.
Random idea I had occur to me, that I feel might balance the issue of short-rest abundance and limited casting options:
Rather than a specific number of pact slots, you get a sum of Pact Points. You expend a number of Pact Points equal to the level of the spell you cast (upcasting being an option). When you finish a short rest, you regain Pact Points equal to half of your Warlock level, rounded up.
The main crux of such a system would be working out the ideal balance of Pact Points to level. Off of the top of my head, what might work is the following early-level progression:
Level 1 = 1 pt.
Level 2 = 2 pts.
Level 3 = 4 pts.
Level 4 = 5 pts.
Level 5 = 7 pts.
Level 6 = 8 pts.
Level 7 = 10 pts.
...followed by gaining one Pact Point every second level afterward (9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19) to a max of 16 points at Level 19. This would let the Warlock use lower-level spells more freely, while still having reasonable access to higher-level spells—each short rest would restore enough Pact Points for another use of their highest-level spell.
Adopting spell point system to replace spell slots would solve so many problems, but WotC will not do it. Especially not just for one class. If they will one day move from spell slots to spell points, the change will be made across the board for all casters.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
People rejected it because half caster spell slot level progression sucks. Full stop.
They are returning to Pact Magic because majority of people liked it more than the half-ass caster system, and in addition they are giving more classes features that refresh on short rest so warlocks are not the only ones dependent on taking short rests, and it is the better choice.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
People rejected it because half caster spell slot level progression sucks. Full stop.
They are returning to Pact Magic because majority of people liked it more than the half-ass caster system, and in addition they are giving more classes features that refresh on short rest so warlocks are not the only ones dependent on taking short rests, and it is the better choice.
From what I have seen here, some are rejecting it because it wasn't unique enough.
Something to remember is that particular "half-caster" at level 7 could cast the same number of 4th level spells as a full caster at level 7. Same at level 9 with 5th level spells, and all the way up to level 17 with 9th level spells. They were restricted in spells prepared at those levels, and couldn't upcast, but they still cast the same number of 4th level spells at 7 as a full caster.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
People rejected it because half caster spell slot level progression sucks. Full stop.
They are returning to Pact Magic because majority of people liked it more than the half-ass caster system, and in addition they are giving more classes features that refresh on short rest so warlocks are not the only ones dependent on taking short rests, and it is the better choice.
From what I have seen here, some are rejecting it because it wasn't unique enough.
Something to remember is that particular "half-caster" at level 7 could cast the same number of 4th level spells as a full caster at level 7. Same at level 9 with 5th level spells, and all the way up to level 17 with 9th level spells. They were restricted in spells prepared at those levels, and couldn't upcast, but they still cast the same number of 4th level spells at 7 as a full caster.
I've never said anything about the number of spells warlocks are able to cast. My argument always was that half caster spell slot level progression is bad, and I don't want it anywhere near Warlocks.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
People rejected it because half caster spell slot level progression sucks. Full stop.
They are returning to Pact Magic because majority of people liked it more than the half-ass caster system, and in addition they are giving more classes features that refresh on short rest so warlocks are not the only ones dependent on taking short rests, and it is the better choice.
From what I have seen here, some are rejecting it because it wasn't unique enough.
Something to remember is that particular "half-caster" at level 7 could cast the same number of 4th level spells as a full caster at level 7. Same at level 9 with 5th level spells, and all the way up to level 17 with 9th level spells. They were restricted in spells prepared at those levels, and couldn't upcast, but they still cast the same number of 4th level spells at 7 as a full caster.
I've never said anything about the number of spells warlocks are able to cast. My argument always was that half caster spell slot level progression is bad, and I don't want it anywhere near Warlocks.
The point was it wasn't "half caster progression". Because it wasn't half caster progression. You got spells at the same rate as full casters, just in a different way. Just like with pact magic now. "Half caster progression" was not what the previous warlock was.
Actually talking about the warlock halfcaster doesn't make much sense since they are not going to try it again.
Anyway, the warlock walfcaster progression was actually more like 3/4 caster through the Mystic Arcanum. The problem? They put Mystic arcanum into Eldritch Invocations. So there was a "tax" if you really wanted to do magic (and the same was true for other Warlock styles). That design wasn't the best, but it had a simple fix.
Still, that design was better than pact magic's. And I don't want to make assumptions, but I think a lot of people who voted against it didn't try it. Basically because many of the arguments that were given against it don't hold up once you've played it. You really have a lot more magic, and a lot more options than with pact magic. Pact magic has few really viable combinations. Shadow of moil + Armor of agathys, Sickening Radiance + hex + Repelling Blast (and/or the other Eldritch invocation that I don't remember the name of now), Darkness + Devil Sight, and little else. With the half caster you had many more options. Basically because you had spells of all levels.
Could a warlock be designed better than the half caster? Definitely. But going back to pact magic is worse than half caster. It is to continue dragging the flat walock gameplay. It is continuing along the path of the "must". And it's continuing the eldritch blast spam with a level spell from time to time (unless you do continuous short rests, which breaks the game and the immersion).
And finally, I would like to say that one of the main arguments I have heard against the half caster is that it lost uniqueness. Well, I don't share that argument but I understand it. However, being unique because of poor design is not a good thing. Instead, try designing something different for the warlock. Something new. I don't know, for example, shouldn't the warlock be a master of curses? Give him x curses per day that he can cast without spending spell slots. curses that depend on your subclass or that you can choose, for example. Or something else that makes it unique.
In the end my main complaint is that WoTC has chosen the cowardly route. Instead of saying, "Okay, people didn't like this. Let's try something new," what they've done is go back to 2014. Tremendously disappointing, but it shouldn't surprise us. This is what they have been doing throughout the playtest: We tried this. Doesn't it work? We return to what is. Maybe you should take that into account when you fill out the survey, unless you don't want any change (and for that, why publish a new book? It's a waste).
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
People rejected it because half caster spell slot level progression sucks. Full stop.
They are returning to Pact Magic because majority of people liked it more than the half-ass caster system, and in addition they are giving more classes features that refresh on short rest so warlocks are not the only ones dependent on taking short rests, and it is the better choice.
From what I have seen here, some are rejecting it because it wasn't unique enough.
Something to remember is that particular "half-caster" at level 7 could cast the same number of 4th level spells as a full caster at level 7. Same at level 9 with 5th level spells, and all the way up to level 17 with 9th level spells. They were restricted in spells prepared at those levels, and couldn't upcast, but they still cast the same number of 4th level spells at 7 as a full caster.
I've never said anything about the number of spells warlocks are able to cast. My argument always was that half caster spell slot level progression is bad, and I don't want it anywhere near Warlocks.
The point was it wasn't "half caster progression". Because it wasn't half caster progression. You got spells at the same rate as full casters, just in a different way. Just like with pact magic now. "Half caster progression" was not what the previous warlock was.
Half caster spell slot LEVEL progression. Not being able to upcast iconic warlock spells such as Armor of Agathys at the same rate of upcasting was THE CORE ISSUE with the half-caster bullshit, even if we could learn spells via MA at the same levels as full-casters.
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Happy with the direction it has gone just needs a few tweaks.
1. Drop eldritch master down to level 7 and slap in a real capstone at level 20. Drop the once all slots are used line.
2. Expand pact of the tome with additional invocations so those who want to shield spam or other low level spell cast have a option.
3. Take the size limit off repelling blast.
4. Remove concentration from master of myriad forms otherwise mask of many faces is just flat out better.
5. Agonizing blast, eldritch spear just have it with on all warlock attack cantrips none of this pick one thing.
6. Some hex love with invocations.
Edit to add
7. Give a int caster option, it fits the theme of the class better than charisma imo. sure charisma is just better, but not every choice needs to be optimized.
I have done both as well and the warlock was effective in the field as well. A small groups obsession with homogenization of everything into a grey goo didn't win this time.
I believe they also need to bring back Sculpter of Flesh, and add slow, bestow curse, confusion and compulsion to the warlock spell list.
Edit: (As far as tome expansion goes I don't believe they need TOO much of that because of lessons of the first ones. Get Magic Initiate for shield + you have a first level slot from tome and that is 2 casts of that spell just as an example, of course combine this with new fey and you have a bunch of misty step casts as well).
True on all of that, though I think you'd only have one misty step cast if not a archfey warlock. But a bit tome expansion could help for a couple level 2 spells as I don't think the complaint regarding using low level spells with high level pact slots is limited to first level spells. Like 2 invocations total(1 allowing them to learn any ritual spell from any class if they are a high enough level to cast it which also adds it to your known spell list and another that gives 1 more 1st level slot with a 1 2nd level slot. Maybe a 3rd that allows them a floating daily change spell known for 1st and 2nd level spells that aren't rituals.
I find it unlikely with WotC's conservatism. I don't believe OneDnD will bring any meaningful changes to warlocks. WotC's reverted all changes done to address the core problems of the class, no more access to arcane spell list, no more casting more than 2 spells per day, we're back to same old 2014 warlock with a crutch that is Magical Cunning.
Magical Cunning isn't even a crutch. It's a broken stick taped to the warlock's shin pretending to help it move further on its crippled leg but instead just reminding everyone of how slow and bad the poor thing is.
This is literally just the terrible 2014 warlock reprinted. Same with all the other classes. Why the hell are we even doing this anymore?
Please do not contact or message me.
"No more casting more than 2 spells per day"? If that's the case, then your party isn't taking advantage of the Short Rest mechanic that the game and the classes were designed around.
The changes sucked. Pact magic is a better option. Its not conservatism to go with the better option.
Really pact magic is not a good design. Why? Well, basically because your ability to cast spells is at the whim of something as circumstantial as short rests.
And that goes in both directions. Do you do Short Rests whenever you feel like it? The Warlock is broken. Do you not do Short Rest, or do you only do them when circumstances allow it? So your magic is an anecdote.
Simply put, it is a design that leaves class in the hands of circumstances.
Saying that Warlocks would have been more effective combatants with the crippled half caster spell slot level progression is pure delusion. Warlocks NEED spell slot level progression equal to that of full caster. Period.
Honestly, even if they did nothing else, this warlock is still a definitive improvement over the 2014 warlock. I think they could have made adjustments to the previous one to make it work, but I am not opposed to this either.
The common way I played warlock was to cast a big Concentration spell and then spam eldritch blast. I also loved to use OOC utility spells when there isn't a time crunch. Invisibility to scout things and map things out followed by an hour rest and a plan was never a bad idea for me either.
Sometimes I would go 2 fights casting 1 big concentration spell on each, but then want to rest and be unable to. The ability to just take 1 minute and have 1 more slot left means the next fight I am not useless I still have my 1 bomb + EB spam. Usually after that third fight everyone wants to short rest anyway because low health and other resources and the need to spend hit dice. This set up easily extends my warlock into 5 fights with 1 spell per in a day. To top this off, invocations are even more flexible and are REALLY strong. Did some work with the Blade pact and without multiclassing I think I can honestly take any lock into melee without feeling like I am hurting my team and that isn't something I believe I could say before.
(Just as an example: 2014 vs new warlock level 6 Archfey pact of the chain halfling).
In addition to the same stuff I would get with 2014, I would have 1 more invocation (one was used on pact of the chain) so I can also take pact of the tome and get 2 more rituals 3 more cantrips and a first level slot that I will likely use to cast faerie fire, 4 casts of misty step instead of fey presence once per short rest. The invocations for several abilities are lower level. I do not have to use any of my 6 known spells on calm emotions, phantasmal force, sleep, faerie fire, plant growth or blink, or misty step (at least a couple I would have taken) Freeing me to take up dispel magic, Fear, Invisibility, Charm Person, speak with animals and Detect magic a couple I can now can cast as rituals. Then I also get a free first level feat like musician or lucky to become a super lucky halfling. (If I took magic initiate I might take druid for speak with animals and still take comprehend languages or unseen servant, or wizard for shield or absorb elements).
With rituals becoming on everything at least one extra invocation by level 5, of course the origin feat, free known spells to increase the bag of tricks and more consistent subclasses. Combined with on demand 1 more slot back it doesn't seem that bad.
So this is definitely an improvement of this class.
Melee I can take Pact of blade, Thirsting blade, Lessons of the first one for medium armor and shield, agonizing blast, and eldritch mind. And trade out speak with animals or detect magic for armor of agathys if I wanted. or not bother and use blink and misty steps for a hit and run melee trickster.
I think the big sign here is the 5 invocations at level 5 and the fact that there are a lot of good invocations at level 5 to help encourage staying in warlock. Haven't played with it, but it is clearly better than 2014. The question is if it is good enough.
Did you try it? I say this because I tried it, and it is definitely better. Especially since it was so much more fun. And here I want to say that from the start, when I read it, the warlock halfcaster raised doubts in me. But I tried it, and I had a great time.
That doesn't mean other solutions can't be tried. And, in fact, I think that's the problem. A lot of people rejected the warlock halfcaster for whatever reason. Ok, nothing to say. But instead of trying to change that design, or trying to design a different one, the designers' response is to return to pact magic. And they haven't even fixed their problems. They're back at it, with the Magical Cunning anecdote that's going to have minimal impact.
In short, a cowardly and lazy decision that solves nothing.
Honestly man, I think the solution is more in the invocations on this one than it is the Magical Cunning. It may not be as fun as the so called "Half-caster", but it could still be solid.
Adopting spell point system to replace spell slots would solve so many problems, but WotC will not do it. Especially not just for one class. If they will one day move from spell slots to spell points, the change will be made across the board for all casters.
People rejected it because half caster spell slot level progression sucks. Full stop.
They are returning to Pact Magic because majority of people liked it more than the half-ass caster system, and in addition they are giving more classes features that refresh on short rest so warlocks are not the only ones dependent on taking short rests, and it is the better choice.
From what I have seen here, some are rejecting it because it wasn't unique enough.
Something to remember is that particular "half-caster" at level 7 could cast the same number of 4th level spells as a full caster at level 7. Same at level 9 with 5th level spells, and all the way up to level 17 with 9th level spells. They were restricted in spells prepared at those levels, and couldn't upcast, but they still cast the same number of 4th level spells at 7 as a full caster.
I've never said anything about the number of spells warlocks are able to cast. My argument always was that half caster spell slot level progression is bad, and I don't want it anywhere near Warlocks.
The point was it wasn't "half caster progression". Because it wasn't half caster progression. You got spells at the same rate as full casters, just in a different way. Just like with pact magic now. "Half caster progression" was not what the previous warlock was.
Actually talking about the warlock halfcaster doesn't make much sense since they are not going to try it again.
Anyway, the warlock walfcaster progression was actually more like 3/4 caster through the Mystic Arcanum. The problem? They put Mystic arcanum into Eldritch Invocations. So there was a "tax" if you really wanted to do magic (and the same was true for other Warlock styles). That design wasn't the best, but it had a simple fix.
Still, that design was better than pact magic's. And I don't want to make assumptions, but I think a lot of people who voted against it didn't try it. Basically because many of the arguments that were given against it don't hold up once you've played it. You really have a lot more magic, and a lot more options than with pact magic. Pact magic has few really viable combinations. Shadow of moil + Armor of agathys, Sickening Radiance + hex + Repelling Blast (and/or the other Eldritch invocation that I don't remember the name of now), Darkness + Devil Sight, and little else. With the half caster you had many more options. Basically because you had spells of all levels.
Could a warlock be designed better than the half caster? Definitely. But going back to pact magic is worse than half caster. It is to continue dragging the flat walock gameplay. It is continuing along the path of the "must". And it's continuing the eldritch blast spam with a level spell from time to time (unless you do continuous short rests, which breaks the game and the immersion).
And finally, I would like to say that one of the main arguments I have heard against the half caster is that it lost uniqueness. Well, I don't share that argument but I understand it. However, being unique because of poor design is not a good thing. Instead, try designing something different for the warlock. Something new. I don't know, for example, shouldn't the warlock be a master of curses? Give him x curses per day that he can cast without spending spell slots. curses that depend on your subclass or that you can choose, for example. Or something else that makes it unique.
In the end my main complaint is that WoTC has chosen the cowardly route. Instead of saying, "Okay, people didn't like this. Let's try something new," what they've done is go back to 2014. Tremendously disappointing, but it shouldn't surprise us. This is what they have been doing throughout the playtest: We tried this. Doesn't it work? We return to what is. Maybe you should take that into account when you fill out the survey, unless you don't want any change (and for that, why publish a new book? It's a waste).
Half caster spell slot LEVEL progression. Not being able to upcast iconic warlock spells such as Armor of Agathys at the same rate of upcasting was THE CORE ISSUE with the half-caster bullshit, even if we could learn spells via MA at the same levels as full-casters.