Grynning
2008-06-23, 03:09 AM
So, after a few reads of the PHB, and perusal of various threads on this board, I've had an idea that's been nagging at me. It seems to be agreed that Warlocks have the fewest options available due to the railroading associated with the pacts. There also seems to be a lot of disagreement about their fluff (How they get their powers, etc) and whether they're a good class to play.
To me, it also kind of seems like they were shoehorned into the PHB after the other classes were done. They have some funky mechanics that kind of break the mold of the others, suggesting perhaps that the designers were experimenting (the Life-stealer PP, for instance). It also seems like maybe they're filling in for someone else...and I think it's the Psion...
Here's why I believe this:
1) The class role-call: In the PHB, we have 2 Defenders. We have 2 Leaders. Since there are 8 classes total, it would follow that there are 2 of each. But no, we have instead 3 strikers, and only one controller. The Warlock seems like the extra striker, since Rangers and Rogues are more firmly entrenched in D&D tradition. Now, if you were to include another controller, Psion seems like the obvious choice, since it has been stated by the developers that mind control and charms will be their purview, and they definitely filled a similar role in 3rd.
2) Playtest reports: The first playtest report I read on 4th edition had one of the players as a Psion (who the writer described as a "wizard with a paint job"). I don't remember where this article was (pretty sure it was on the WotC site), but I distinctly remember that quote. Perhaps the Psion was too much like the Wizard and needed more refinement to be distinct?
3) Page 50-51 of the PHB. That guy that's front and center. Tattoos, shaved head, holding a crystal...sure looks like a Psion from 3rd ed. doesn't it? I know that illustrations aren't always related to the book they're placed in, but this piece of art was showcased as the heading for the class section, and I'm pretty sure it's brand new. I doubt the artist just randomly decided to drop a psion in if they knew that class wasn't going to be in the book. Also, a lot of the art for warlocks looks like it may not have been meant for them - the tiefling picture on p. 129 could be a Tiefling of any class, and the one of the Dragonborn on 142 is looks like he freezing the kobolds in ice, not stealing their souls or life force as the accompanying text would suggest. It could easily be a wizard.
So there's my conspiracy theory for the week. Discuss as you will.
To me, it also kind of seems like they were shoehorned into the PHB after the other classes were done. They have some funky mechanics that kind of break the mold of the others, suggesting perhaps that the designers were experimenting (the Life-stealer PP, for instance). It also seems like maybe they're filling in for someone else...and I think it's the Psion...
Here's why I believe this:
1) The class role-call: In the PHB, we have 2 Defenders. We have 2 Leaders. Since there are 8 classes total, it would follow that there are 2 of each. But no, we have instead 3 strikers, and only one controller. The Warlock seems like the extra striker, since Rangers and Rogues are more firmly entrenched in D&D tradition. Now, if you were to include another controller, Psion seems like the obvious choice, since it has been stated by the developers that mind control and charms will be their purview, and they definitely filled a similar role in 3rd.
2) Playtest reports: The first playtest report I read on 4th edition had one of the players as a Psion (who the writer described as a "wizard with a paint job"). I don't remember where this article was (pretty sure it was on the WotC site), but I distinctly remember that quote. Perhaps the Psion was too much like the Wizard and needed more refinement to be distinct?
3) Page 50-51 of the PHB. That guy that's front and center. Tattoos, shaved head, holding a crystal...sure looks like a Psion from 3rd ed. doesn't it? I know that illustrations aren't always related to the book they're placed in, but this piece of art was showcased as the heading for the class section, and I'm pretty sure it's brand new. I doubt the artist just randomly decided to drop a psion in if they knew that class wasn't going to be in the book. Also, a lot of the art for warlocks looks like it may not have been meant for them - the tiefling picture on p. 129 could be a Tiefling of any class, and the one of the Dragonborn on 142 is looks like he freezing the kobolds in ice, not stealing their souls or life force as the accompanying text would suggest. It could easily be a wizard.
So there's my conspiracy theory for the week. Discuss as you will.