Warlord Class v3.0.0 - Public Update

Hey everyone!

Today I’ve got a major update to one of my favorite homebrew creations: The Warlord Class!
For those not familiar with the concept, the Warlord first appeared in 4e and was a “Martial Support Class”. My take on this iconic class uses my Exploit system to make this fantasy a reality in 5e.

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

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THE WARLORD CLASS v3.0.0

Leadership Styles:
A “Pact Boon” type choice for the Warlord that determines if your leadership is based on your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. The initial options have been buffed, and new features have been added at 7th level (Valiant Leader) and 15th level (Exalted Leader) to build on your choice.

Inspiring Word:
The iconic Warlord ability has been reworked.
Now, please take a deep breath, because it is non-magical healing. Personally, I think this works thematically since “hit points” represent more than wounds, but also stamina and the will to fight. You now have a set number of uses per level, and other abilities now build on Inspiring Word.

Fighting Styles:
Some adjustments here to bring these in line with the latest changes to my Fighting Styles. Namely Classical Swordplay, Mounted Warrior, Protector, Strongbow, and Versatile Fighting.

Rallying Cry:
This feature has been reworked as a direct analog to the Fighter’s Indomitable. Instead of rerolling your own saving throw, you can allow your allies to do so.

Tactical Superiority:
A new feature that makes sure you always have a use of *Inspiring Word* and makes it easier for you to regain your Exploit Dice.

Academy of Chivalry:
Some QoL changes to make it more rewording for you to be in melee, leading from the front!

Academy of Ferocity:
The Packleader feature has been reworked to be easier to use and grant better benefits to your allies. Streamlined the rest of the features as well.

Academy of Schemes:
Cheap Shot has been buffed and combined into a single condition. Your later features make it much easier for allies to capitalize on Cheap Shot.

Academy of Skalds:
A few minor changes to make this subclass flow better with the action economy of 5e.

Academy of Tactics:
The theme is the same, but the subclass has been reworked to be less of a problematic “dodge tank”, and is now the Warlord’s counterpart to the Alternate Fighter’s Master at Arms (a flexible subclass that emphasizes the use of Exploits).

Tactical Exploits:
A TON of changes here (check out that [change log below). Clarified that you cannot target yourself with most Tactical Exploits, “Skill Exploits” now match my other Alternate Martial Classes, degrees of a few Exploits have been adjusted, redundant options have been cut, and 5th-degree Exploits are limited to once per long rest!

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CHANGELOG WARLORD v2.0.0 -> v3.0.0

• Art and Formatting updates!
• Multiclassing // Proficiencies // Replaced the Warlord Skill with a Gaming Set.
• Proficiencies // Weapons // Added hand crossbows.
• Starting Equipment // Replaced the shield options with five javelins.
• Leadership Style // Captain // Renamed (Commander). Grants heavy armor and a skill.
• Leadership Style // Mentor // Now a reaction d4 to failed attacks and ability checks.
• Inspiring Word // Reworked. Bonus action temp hit points, uses scale with Warlord level.
• Fighting Style // Classical Swordplay // Bonus increased to +2 to attacks, but only with finesse weapons. You can now use this Fighting Style with heavy armor.
• Fighting Style // Mounted Warrior // Reworked/Clarified how this works.
• Fighting Style // Protector // NEW Fighting Style to replace Protection.
• Fighting Style // Standard Bearer // Clarified what it means to hold a banner.
• Fighting Style // Strongbow // Now adds +1 to damage with those weapons as well.
• Fighting Style // Versatile Fighting // Reworked.
• Academy of War // Academy Exploits // (Renamed from Signature Exploits).
• Valiant Leader // NEW 7th level feature that improves on your Leadership Style.
• Rested and Ready // CUT
• Rallying Cry // NEW 9th level feature that buffs allied saving throws.
• Steadfast Leadership // CUT
• Tactical Superiority // NEW 11th level feature that grants a use of Inspiring Word on initiative roll. Valiant Leader ability moved up to here.
• Exalted Leader // NEW 15th level feature that improves on your Leadership Style.
• Dauntless // Renamed (Warlord of Legend). At will Inspiring Word and Rallying Cry.
• Chivalry // Chivalric Exploits // Updated for Exploit changes.
• Chivalry // Anointed Knight // Cut Heavy Armor, added choice of one skill.
• Chivalry // Inspiring Presence // Renamed (Emboldening Presence). Cut adv on charm and fear effects (made Unwavering Will redundant). Added the ability to expend extra uses of Inspiring Word to cause more creatures to auto succeed.
• Chivalry // Lead the Charge // You only need to make one attack but it must be in melee.
• Chivalry // Paragon of Chivalry // Reworked.
• Ferocity // Ferocious Exploits // Updated with Exploit changes.
• Ferocity // Bestial Instincts // Added a skill floor for Survival/Perception when sniffing.
• Ferocity // Packleader // Renamed (Thrill of the Hunt). Your Mark is now your “Prey”. Removed the (now) redundant bonus to Survival checks.
• Ferocity // Primal Ambush // Replaced the Initiative bonus with a Stealth bonus.
• Ferocity // Thrill of the Hunt // Renamed (Savage Frenzy). Added options for the benefit.
• Ferocity // Apex Predatory // Reworked to grant bonuses to creatures you command.
• Schemes // Cheap Shot // Buffed. Now a DEX save that forces a slow-like effect.
• Schemes // Dastardly Talent // Renamed (Cunning Ingenuity). Reduced the proficiencies.
• Schemes // Scheming Exploits // Updated with Exploit changes.
• Schemes // Ruthless Focus // Only creatures’ first attacks get the bonus, but the Hide action has been added as a bonus action option.
• Schemes // Devious Tactics // Clarified a creature can purposefully fail the save.
• Schemes // Inscrutable Mind // NEW 18th level feature (from Alt Mastermind Rogue).
• Skalds // Skaldic Exploits // Updated with Exploit changes.
• Skalds // Gallant Charge // NEW feature!
• Skalds // Songs of War & Peace // BA can only be used for Enlivening Order.
• Skalds // Warsong // Updated to work with Inspiring Word and Rallying Cry.
• Tactics // Tactical Exploits // CUT
• Tactics // Advanced Tactics // NEW feature that improves your Exploit Dice, gives you an Extra Exploit Die, and lets you pick your “Academy Exploits”.
• Tactics // The Art of War // Renamed (The Science of War).
• Tactics // Brains over Brawn // Streamlined to give you Disengage Action benefits.
• Tactics // Know Your Enemy // NEW 6th level ribbon feature.
• Tactics // Gifted Strategist // Removed the option to take the Ready action.
• Tactics // Secret Gambit // Now grants the Contingency Plan Exploit with some benefits.
• Exploits // “Order Exploits” // Clarified you cannot target yourself with these.
• Exploits // 5th-degree Exploits are now once per long rest.
• Exploits // 1st // Added Feint, Parry.
• Exploits // 1st // Commanding Presences replaced Commander’s Presence.
• Exploits // 1st // Cunning Instinct // NEW Exploit (for the Warlord).
• Exploits // 1st // Defensive Order // Moved to 1st-degree. Grants Dodge Action benefits.
• Exploits // 1st // Inquisitive Eye // Renamed (Keen Observation). Dropped Perception.
• Exploits // 1st // Lightstep // No longer works with Initiative rolls.
• Exploits // 1st // Menacing Shout // Lasts until the end of your next turn.
• Exploits // 1st // Rustic Intuition replaced Survivalist’s Craft.
• Exploits // 1st // Scholarly Recall replaced Scholar’s Insight.
• Exploits // 1st // Steadfast Order // Moved to 1st-degree. Only effects saving throws.
• Exploits // 1st // Subtle Con // Renamed (Charlatan’s Guile).
• Exploits // 2nd // Added Exposing Strike
• Exploits // 2nd // Crescendo of Violence // Scales with multiple Exploit Dice. Temp hit points are limited to 1 minute and dispel if the creature is incapacitated.
• Exploits // 2nd // Enlivening Order // Also doubles jump distance.
• Exploits // 2nd // Hold the Line // Can’t stack with cover and you can’t leave the space. Also added a minimum Strength prerequisite.
• Exploits // 2nd // Resilient Order // Moved up to 2nd-degree. Only effects saving throws.
• Exploits // 3rd // Added Inspirational Speech
• Exploits // 3rd // Perilous Gambit // Renamed (Warlord’s Gambit). Reworked!
• Exploits // 3rd // Stand the Fallen // Scales with multiple Exploit Dice. Removed the reaction and hit die cost of this one. Can target unconscious creatures.
• Exploits // 4th // Fortifying Order // Cut.
• Exploits // 4th // Heroic Order // Moved up to 4th-degree
• Exploits // 4th // Revitalizing Order // Moved up to 4th-degree
• Exploits // 4th // Rally to Me // Cut - Redundant with Tactical Reposition.
• Exploits // 5th // Contingency Plan // NEW Exploit