Alternate Warlock v2.0.0

Hey all! I hope you are ready to strike an eldritch bargain as strong as the one Taylor Swift entered to make her famous, because I’ve got a massive update for the Alternate Warlock!

For those unfamiliar with the project, my Alternate Warlock, this class rework is my attempt to better make the mechanics match the fantasy of the class, while making sure that every option is equally viable in play. (Whether I succeeded or not remains to be seen).

As always, I’m open to any feedback and constructive criticism you have!

~laserllama

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ALTERNATE WARLOCK v2.0.0

The 1.0.0 version of this class frankly got an overwhelming amount of feedback, and I’ve done my best to address some of those issues with a host of sweeping changes!

Eldritch Blast now adds your INT modifier to the damage by default. Since this feature now scales with Warlock level, multiclassing to get this juicy blast won’t get out of hand.

Pact Focus (Tome) has had INT mod to Eldritch Blast damage removed, and replaced with a bonus Eldritch Invocation and some seriously flexible spellcasting options.

Pact Master has been reworked to be powerful, but not infinite 5th-level spells.

Eldritch Invocations have had the levels adjusted for when you learn them. A few of the low-level ones have been buffed, while some of the lackluster options have been merged/cut. There are a host of new options as well, that especially Eldritch Blade users will like.

Elder Arcanums have been greatly expanded with many more options beyond the single casting of a high level spell. Each Pact Focus (Blade, Familiar, and Tome) now has exclusive options at every level you gain a new Elder Arcanum.

Eldritch Familiars have all had their health buffed so they can hang around longer.

As far as Otherworldly Patrons go, the basic four options (Archfey, Ancient Wyrm, Great Old One, and Fiend) have had some small “quality of life” changes along with some minor buffs to lackluster abilities. This update also includes FIVE brand new Otherworldly Patrons based on the official options for the Warlock beyond the Players’ Handbook: 

The Deep One (Fathomless)

The Darklord (updated Hexblade, based on the Darklords imprisoned in the Shadowfell)

The Exalted (Celestial)

The Noble Genie (Genie)

The Undying (fusion of Undying & Undead).

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Alternate Warlock v1.0.0  ->  v2.0.0

Warlock Class

• Eldritch Invocations // Eldritch Blast // you add your INT modifier to the damage.
• Quick Build // Changed suggested Invocations to more flavorful options.
• Eldritch Invocations // Changed when you learn more. Now caps at 9.
• Pact Focus // Blade // Can be used as a Trinket for an Invocation (and therefore can produce Eldritch Blasts and be a spellcasting focus for Warlock spells).
• Pact Focus // Familiar // You can now use Eldritch Blast from your Familiar.
• Pact Focus // Tome // “INT mod to Eldritch Blast/cantrips” cut, instead your Tome now becomes a Trinket for one prerequisite-free Invocation of your choice.
• Pact Focus // Tome // You only swap spells on a long rest.
• Pact Master // Reworked // Once per long rest regain all spell slots.

Otherworldly Patrons

• General // Patron Magic // Updated with changes to Eldritch Blast.
• General // Clarified your Patron features use your Warlock Spell save DC.
• Archfey // Terrible Delights // Allows you to treat immunity to the charmed condition as advantage on saving throws against being charmed. Reworked Illusory Reality effects.
• Ancient Wyrm // Warm Magic // Replacing spells list now limited to enchantment or evocation Sorcerer/Warlock spells. Updated spell list with some non-blasting spells.
• Ancient Wyrm // Regal Presence // You now add your INT mod to cantrips.
• Ancient Wyrm // Draconic Wings // Clarified these are physical dragon wings.
• Fiend // Dark Blessing // Renamed (Dark One’s Blessing). Now triggers whenever you reduce a hostile creature to 0 hit points (no range).
• Fiend // Dark Bargain // Renamed (Dark One’s Own Luck) and reworked. Sacrifice!
• Fiend // Hurl Through Hell // Reverted back to psychic damage.
• GOO // Aberrant Magic // Clarified how Eldritch Blast works.
• GOO // Psionic Ward // Now INT mod uses per long rest.
• GOO // Create Thrall // Rewritten for clarity.

Eldritch Invocations

• NEW Invocations! // Cloak of Decay, Maddening Blast, Vitality of Every-living Ones, Otherworldly Nature, Ethereal Sight.
• Eldritch Sight // Added a 10 minute duration, now requires concentration.
• Gift of the Deep Ones // Removed prerequisite, one cast of water breathing at 5th level.
• Otherworldly Vigor // Renamed (Infernal Vigor).
• Misty Visions // You can only have one image at a time.
• Sylvan Speech // Renamed (Beast Speech) // You learn Sylvan - can speak to plants.
• Thief of Five Fates // Added 3rd level prerequisite.
• Tome of Ancient Secrets // Reworked. Allows you to add all ritual spells to your Tome.
• One With Shadows // Buffed so you can move around Scales at 9th level.
• Thirsting Blade // Extra Attack for Eldritch Blade, and you can change the damage!
• Eldritch Smite // Moved to 7th level (not longer an Elder Arcanum).
• Ascendant Step // Temp flying speed (combo of Ascendent Step/Otherworldly Leap).
• Occult Servant // Renamed (Favored Servant).
• Lifedrinker // Cut (now part of the Undying Patron).
• Master of Myriad Forms // CUT! Redundant with Gift of the Deep/Mask of Many.
• Shroud of Shadow // CUT! Redundant with buffed One With Shadows.
• Witch Sight // Moved down to 9th level, scales at 15th level.

Elder Arcanums

• CUT // Occult Strikes, Otherworldly Transposition, Ancient Familiar
• NEW // Elder Focus, Minion of Chaos, Occult Scholar, Greater Magicks, Occult Warrior, Arcana of the Ancients, Awakened Blade, Distort Reality, Eldritch Domination.
• Otherworldly Step // Renamed (Eldritch Step). Moved down to 11th level. Teleport limited to 10 feet, but it also grants an additional attack.
• Bond of the Master // Added the spell part of Otherworldly Transposition here.
• Chains of the Abyss // Renamed (Chains of Carcerai). Now Eldritch Familiar Arcanum.
• Eldritch Wind // Renamed (Ancient Blade). Moved down to 15th level. Reworked.

Warlock Spells

• Spell List // Added dancing lights, bane. Levitate moved to its actual level.
• Witch Bolt // Changed how targets can break out of the spell (Strength check).

Eldritch Familiars

• Eldritch Familiars // All had their Hit Points boosted.
• Eldritch Familiars // Faerie and Infernal had Invisibility and Shapechanger swapped.
• Draconic Familiar // Draconic Essence // Removed Thunder as an option.
• Fiendish Familiar // Shapchanger // Rat has a climb speed, cut spider but added snake.

NEW Otherworldly Patrons

• The Deep One // NEW Patron based on The Fathomless from TCoE
• The Darklord // NEW Patron based on the Hexblade. Spellcasting mod for attacks removed (now Blade Focus), now more focused on cursed and the Hex spell.
• The Exalted // NEW Patron based on the Celestial.
• The Noble Genie // NEW Patron based on the Genie.
• The Undying // NEW Patron that fuses the Undying and Undead.