Good question. Partly I think it's for balance (or meant to be, ranger was intended to be balanced). But if you look at the descriptions of E-Knight and Arcane Trickster, both are people who have gained magic through study, as opposed to Paladins and Rangers, who get their magic just by being the sort of people they are. Cantrips are at-will according to RAW because of 'repeated practice', which isn't the same thing as saying repeated 'use'. Maybe the idea is that Pals and Rangers aren't sitting around practicing their magic and really studying, they just do it when they need it. So, no practice, no cantrips.
Why do 1/2 casters not have cantrips, but 1/3 casters do?
i like linguistics and, well, d&d, obviously. this bio hadn't been updated for 3 years so i figured i'd do that.
Good question. Partly I think it's for balance (or meant to be, ranger was intended to be balanced). But if you look at the descriptions of E-Knight and Arcane Trickster, both are people who have gained magic through study, as opposed to Paladins and Rangers, who get their magic just by being the sort of people they are. Cantrips are at-will according to RAW because of 'repeated practice', which isn't the same thing as saying repeated 'use'. Maybe the idea is that Pals and Rangers aren't sitting around practicing their magic and really studying, they just do it when they need it. So, no practice, no cantrips.
Just spitballing, but that's what I've got.
Looking for new subclasses, spells, magic items, feats, and races? Opinions welcome :)