Warlord Class v3.1.0 - Public Update

Happy New Year’s Eve!

I’ve decided to end 2023 with an update to my Warlord Class, the final update in a sweeping series of updates for all of my Alternate Martial/Exploit classes!

If you are unfamiliar with the Warlord Class, it is my take on the fan-favorite concept from Dungeons & Dragons 4e, a martial (non-magical) support class that can swing a sword and motivate their allies from the front lines (or the back if you’re craven).

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

~laserllama

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THE WARLORD CLASS v3.1.0

Not a lot of sweeping changes to the class or subclasses this time around, but there are a handful of small, targeted changes that I think will help the class to play a lot better:

Inspiring Word:
Brace yourselves, it’s non-magical healing for real hit points! As a bonus, it now scales off the target’s hit die (but doesn’t require them to spend it).

Leadership Styles:
Captain (CHA), Mentor (WIS), and Strategist (INT) have all been tweaked at all three levels (1st, 7th, and 15th) to reflect the Inspiring Word changes.

Academies of War:

Chivalry has had Inspiring Presence reworked to provide an (optional) burst of temporary hit points to your allies when you roll initiative.

Ferocity has had Primal Ambush restrictions on maneuvering order lifted.

Tactics has had its Brains over Brawn bonus action widened to include a Disengage or issuing an “order Exploit”, and Know your Enemy clarified.

Skalds has had Songs of War & Peace now allows a bonus action attack (once again).

Tactical Exploits:
First aid has been added to the Warlord class. Parry & riposte has been reworked - no scaling, but it now requires finesse/versatile weapons. Finally, final strike was clarified to allow your allies to make use of Extra Attack.

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WARLORD CLASS CHANGE LOG v3.0.0  ->  v3.1.0

• Inspiring Word // Reverted to healing equal to Hit Die + Leadership mod.
• Fighting Style // Classical Swordplay // Excludes heavy armor.
• Fighting Style // Protector // Reaction triggers on hit (testing this out).
• Valiant Leader // Captain // Reworked - You can use Inspiring Word on creatures at 0.
• Valiant Leader // Strategist // Reworked - AoE initiative bonus equal to INT.
• Tactical Superiority // Also regains a use of Rallying Cry. Doubles the range of features.
• Exalted Leader // Captain - Grant temp hit points with Warlord features.
• Dauntless // Cut unlimited Inspiring Word (no unlimited healing)
• Chivalry // Inspiring Presence // Reworked - Burst of temp HP on initiative rolls.
• Ferocity // Primal Ambush // Creatures don’t need to move closer to your prey.
• Tactics // Brains over Brawn // You can BA Disengage or issue an "Order Exploit”.
• Tactics // Know Your Enemy // Clarified this is once per creature, per rest.
• Schemes // Inscrutable Mind // Now correctly listed as an 18th-level Schemes feature.
• Skalds // Songs of War & Peace // Adjusted second half to be a BA attack.
• Exploits // 1st // First Aid // NEW Exploit for the Warlord
• Exploits // 1st // Parry & Riposte // Renamed (Parry) and reworked.
• Exploits // 2nd // Enlivening Order // Also grants Adv. on Acrobatics/Athletics checks.
• Exploits // 2nd // Menacing Shout // Moving to “Warlord: Expanded”
• Exploits // 5th // Final Strike // Clarified this allows Extra Attacks.