The Warmage -- Specialist Wizard-replacement pt 1 PEACH

[PhoenixPhyre]

Homebrewery link: https://homebrewery.naturalcrit.com/share/PiDBSNRPLLcP

The end goal is to break out the things that the wizard class does into smaller, more tightly-thematic chunks. This is the first pass and is a serious WIP. All the features are in place, but nothing is set in stone.

Thematics
Taking a page from the Hobgoblin Devastator, but slightly more general. These mages train to accompany squads of soldiers, providing close fire support and other tactical support. Very not information gathering or summoning or even logistics. More direct fire support and defensive support.

TL;DR
* INT-based.
* Full caster as far as slots, but spell list only goes through 5th level. Spells known with bonus spells per subclass.
* Support for enhanced upcasting
* Light armor, although some subclasses get medium + shields.
* d8 HD
* Focused on direct offensive and defensive magic, with tactical (not as much strategic) utility.
* New mechanic: Siphon Motes (gained when you cast a spell). By default, they can be used to "upcast for free", but each subclass also has other ways to spend them. Sort of the inverse of Sorcery Points -- instead of starting full, you start empty and build by doing other things.

Subclasses
Themed around what squad they're trained to accompany and support:

* Heavy Infantry -- close support. Medium armor, more defensive.
* Special Forces -- infiltration. Sort of kinda rogue-like (gets limited sneak attack)
* Artillery -- Things go boom. Basically a drop-in replacement for the Evoker.
* Heavy Weapons -- Kill the big thing. Self-healing/vampiric/tanky. Gets actual healing as well as temp HP.

[noob]

Will it get a direct non spell blast seeing it is meant to be a simplified offensive caster?
(I do think the warlock thing with an eldritch blast cantrip you enhance is more complicated than it needed to be)

[PhoenixPhyre]

Will it get a direct non spell blast seeing it is meant to be a simplified offensive caster?
(I do think the warlock thing with an eldritch blast cantrip you enhance is more complicated than it needed to be)

In this case, no. Both because I'm not particularly fond of that model even for NPCs, and even less so for PCs. And this is less about being simplified (I think it's actually got more moving parts than the regular wizard), but about being focused and specialized.

As a complete side note, I have a strong hunch that in 5.5e all attack cantrips will go the way of EB (getting more beams instead of more dice). Whether they'll get the stat to damage or not, I have no idea on.

[Jervis]

First thoughts i really like it. That said i wouldn't let a player recover motes with cantrips, it leads to bag of rats optimization and means once you hit level 7 you can always starts with full motes. Not sure if thats a bug or feature though. I would also up the cost of quickening a spell but it seems like this class is built on the assumption of casting fireball then booming blade full attacking every turn so YMMV, you get that instead of 6th level spells.

[PhoenixPhyre]

First thoughts i really like it. That said i wouldn't let a player recover motes with cantrips, it leads to bag of rats optimization and means once you hit level 7 you can always starts with full motes. Not sure if thats a bug or feature though. I would also up the cost of quickening a spell but it seems like this class is built on the assumption of casting fireball then booming blade full attacking every turn so YMMV, you get that instead of 6th level spells.

Personally, anyone who tries to bag of rats at my table will face the wrath of my rulebook (metaphorically, of course). All the numbers need to be tweaked, especially those around the motes (gaining and spending them). I started with INT + Proficiency motes, but that's way too dippable and not big enough for full-class people. Maybe.

And yeah, this is supposed to be roughly akin to a magus-type gish (ie cast and attack in the same turn).

[clash]

At first glance this looks mostly good. Would have to run the numbers on damage to really see how the balance holds up. It's a bit strange that they don't get spells known above 5th level. I think I would include those. You could also switch to a pact magic design and have something else replace music arcanum

[PhoenixPhyre]

At first glance this looks mostly good. Would have to run the numbers on damage to really see how the balance holds up. It's a bit strange that they don't get spells known above 5th level. I think I would include those. You could also switch to a pact magic design and have something else replace music arcanum

The whole point is that they don't get spells above 5th--they're based around upcasting. Sort of a 2/3 caster (get full slots but not full spells). They're not a wizard--they shouldn't get that full range of magic (because they also get Extra Attack).

Pact magic doesn't fit because it's too few spells/rest. The point here is that you've got lots of slots and are incentivized to burn high slots for big damages to fuel your siphon mote pool, then either use motes for your subclass abilities or to upcast other spells as needed.

In effect, their "Mystic Arcanum" is their upcasting.

[clash]

The whole point is that they don't get spells above 5th--they're based around upcasting. Sort of a 2/3 caster (get full slots but not full spells). They're not a wizard--they shouldn't get that full range of magic (because they also get Extra Attack).

Pact magic doesn't fit because it's too few spells/rest. The point here is that you've got lots of slots and are incentivized to burn high slots for big damages to fuel your siphon mote pool, then either use motes for your subclass abilities or to upcast other spells as needed.

In effect, their "Mystic Arcanum" is their upcasting.

I still don't like it but I'll concede to give you that one. I've always been off the mind that wizard and fighter classes were the biggest issues with class design so I'm really curious to see how this project turns out.

[noob]

I do like how it gets the higher level slots late: it discourages dipping out at level 17 like many other casters.

[PhoenixPhyre]

I do like how it gets the higher level slots late: it discourages dipping out at level 17 like many other casters.

I must confess...that's entirely unintentional. The template I was using (because markdown tables are obnoxious) has that delayed progression, likely to avoid copyright issues and I just never checked. May leave it though.