If you're beginning from level one, choose a base class, Paladin or Warlock, probably Paladin, then multiclass into the other. But if the player wants a bit of both, encourage them to choose variant human as their race and pick up the magic initiate (warlock) feat.
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
If I understand this correctly, the player's class is paladin - but you're replacing all its normal features, such as Divine Sense, with warlock's Pact Magic? And beginning at level 1?
In essence, a warlock with a Fighting Style, more health, and more proficiencies.
It's fairly powerful, but it could be worse. Taking away variant human's feat is already punishment enough in my opinion, if not too much punishment. I say this because a variant human without a feat is effectively not a race at all - compare a variant human with no feat with a half-orc, elf, or any type of dwarf, and see what they lose if you only give them a +1 to two ability scores and one skill. That's a hefty chunk of their low level features gone before class features really develop.
I would consider giving the feat back to the player - and instead say they have 1 less spell known than a warlock of the equivalent level would - and restrict them from taking the Eldritch Blast cantrip. Perhaps give them a small negative to hit points, to simulate a warlock's hp as opposed to a paladin's, if they really do seem too strong at level 1.
If you're beginning from level one, choose a base class, Paladin or Warlock, probably Paladin, then multiclass into the other. But if the player wants a bit of both, encourage them to choose variant human as their race and pick up the magic initiate (warlock) feat.
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Astromancer's Homebrew Assembly
"The relevant equation is: Knowledge = power = energy = matter = mass; a good bookshop is just a genteel Black Hole that knows how to read." - Terry Pratchett
If I understand this correctly, the player's class is paladin - but you're replacing all its normal features, such as Divine Sense, with warlock's Pact Magic? And beginning at level 1?
In essence, a warlock with a Fighting Style, more health, and more proficiencies.
It's fairly powerful, but it could be worse. Taking away variant human's feat is already punishment enough in my opinion, if not too much punishment. I say this because a variant human without a feat is effectively not a race at all - compare a variant human with no feat with a half-orc, elf, or any type of dwarf, and see what they lose if you only give them a +1 to two ability scores and one skill. That's a hefty chunk of their low level features gone before class features really develop.
I would consider giving the feat back to the player - and instead say they have 1 less spell known than a warlock of the equivalent level would - and restrict them from taking the Eldritch Blast cantrip. Perhaps give them a small negative to hit points, to simulate a warlock's hp as opposed to a paladin's, if they really do seem too strong at level 1.
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