Xanathar's Guide - Official Videos describing Confirmed Subclasses

[Lombra]

There's a lot of subclasses left. Besides if Hexblade isn't in the final, there may be a revolt and people marching on WotC headquarters with Pitchforks and Torches

I actually didn't like the hexblade. Felt like a patch up for the poor work made on the pact of the blade. I'd rather get a reworked blade pact that actually works well with all warlock patrons rather then having a specific patron to make the pact effective.

[Arkhios]

Sounds like the re-worked Favoured Soul. I didn't like the "here, you get Cure Wounds and a healing feature" of Favoured Soul, so I'm hoping this handles it better. Also, two subclasses working in such a similar way would just be lame.

Though, that sounds like it could be identical to the last UA - Cure Wounds was part of the expanded spell list, and they got a dice version of Lay on Hands. That's not too bad I guess, but I am kind of sick of getting "it's a light themed subclass, so here, get used to healing".

That is actually pretty astute interpretation! I didn't even think about that! But really, Favored Soul as a Warlock makes much more sense than as a Sorcerer. As a bonus, Warlock chassis already has the built-in possibility to get Extra Attack and to be honest, I wouldn't be surprised at all, if along with the Celestial Patron there'd be a radiant version of Lifedrinker invocation.

Although, at least regarding the expanded spell list, you don't have to pick any of those spells if you don't want to. I have a feeling, though, that the dice pool version of lay on hands might not be in the book, except maybe as an invocation for the celestial patron.

[Spiritchaser]

I actually didn't like the hexblade. Felt like a patch up for the poor work made on the pact of the blade. I'd rather get a reworked blade pact that actually works well with all warlock patrons rather then having a specific patron to make the pact effective.

I understand what you mean, and would submit that with some invocation and pact tweaks, you could make any patron work more smoothly with pact of the blade

But

As is, hexblade is fun, powerful, versatile enough, can have a number of different sensible build styles and has play styles other than just “use eldritch blast on target” more often than many warlocks It is very close to a bird in hand. (I hope)

If blade pact, or even warlock in general sees revisions later then more power to us, but in the meantime let’s enjoy what we have... ( or what I hope we get)

[Maxilian]

Sounds like the re-worked Favoured Soul. I didn't like the "here, you get Cure Wounds and a healing feature" of Favoured Soul, so I'm hoping this handles it better. Also, two subclasses working in such a similar way would just be lame.

Though, that sounds like it could be identical to the last UA - Cure Wounds was part of the expanded spell list, and they got a dice version of Lay on Hands. That's not too bad I guess, but I am kind of sick of getting "it's a light themed subclass, so here, get used to healing".

Well i do like the options of more healers (not that many option for good ones) but you could also take the invocation that let all your heals be max and go tank :P

[jaappleton]

Celestial Warlock confirmed.

[samcifer]

I understand what you mean, and would submit that with some invocation and pact tweaks, you could make any patron work more smoothly with pact of the blade

But

As is, hexblade is fun, powerful, versatile enough, can have a number of different sensible build styles and has play styles other than just “use eldritch blast on target” more often than many warlocks It is very close to a bird in hand. (I hope)

If blade pact, or even warlock in general sees revisions later then more power to us, but in the meantime let’s enjoy what we have... ( or what I hope we get)

I like being a hexblade/favored soul multiclass. a wider list of spells on the sorc side and better defense as well as melee options on the warlock side so I can mix things up as well as have more survivability.

[rbstr]

It doesn't sound like the Celestial got changed much from what we saw.
Sounds good to me, the class was pretty ready to roll except for the level 6 feature.
Radiant Soul is piddly damage added a to big spell, doesn't enable anything to compete with eldritch blast and doesn't give really anything to someone that wants to go blade-pact.

As far as the desire to see Hexblade. That seems to mostly come from it being broken?
Like, it was really bad. I mean, the idea is cool and I'd love to see a hexblade but the implementation we saw was immense powercreep on how strong Warlock Patron features are and on official full-caster+melee archetypes. That's before you even get to how ridiculous a single-level multiclass dip is for any cha caster.
The best part of it all is that, even though everyone's like "this is a bladepact fix", it's the best eldritch blaster of all of them thanks to the Hexblade curse.
The quick fix would be to strip the Cha-to-hit and make the curse scale on warlock levels somehow, rather than proficiency bonus. Weapon/Armor profs and the curse is still a VERY strong first level feature for what is a full caster.

Besides the hexblade...the idea that bladelock needs more than just a couple small tweaks is mistaken given how the rest of the classes are designed and balanced. Improved pact weapon does a lot. They should probably also add something to bump damage at higher levels.
But, if they want some kind of extensive "fix" for bladelock, they can easily add invocations that are more powerful and basically supersede what we have. That works for all patrons. For example, have a new invocation be Thirsting Blade, except better

[prototype00]

Hmm, what were the other possible Warlock subclasses for the final (minimally) slot? Hexblade, Raven Queen... and thats it? (Well, it might be a reprint of the Undying from SCAG, that would suck).

I'm just hoping they reprint booming blade! That way, I get to play the mobile Raven Queen/Vengeance Paladin retribution-pal lock.

prototype00

[Aett_Thorn]

Hmm, what were the other possible Warlock subclasses for the final (minimally) slot? Hexblade, Raven Queen... and thats it? (Well, it might be a reprint of the Undying from SCAG, that would suck).

I'm just hoping they reprint booming blade! That way, I get to play the mobile Raven Queen/Vengeance Paladin retribution-pal lock.

prototype00

Honestly, I think that they're probably going to have the Raven Queen over the Hexblade. However, I am hoping that we will get to see some of the Hexblade features as invocations that you can take, which will hopefully help out Bladelocks a bit.

[jaappleton]

Honestly, I think that they're probably going to have the Raven Queen over the Hexblade. However, I am hoping that we will get to see some of the Hexblade features as invocations that you can take, which will hopefully help out Bladelocks a bit.

Having Pact of the Blade automatically grant Medium Armor and (possibly) Shield proficiency would go a LONG way toward making Bladelocks right.

[Spiritchaser]

Having Pact of the Blade automatically grant Medium Armor and (possibly) Shield proficiency would go a LONG way toward making Bladelocks right.

There also needs to be an advantage to being a bladelock, a reason you'd actually want to be in melee. You're taking considerably more risk than you are blasting from range.

Hexblade can have that with the right invocations. Opportunistic "smites" on short rest recharge aren't for everyone, but they're valid.

Now: There are a lot of other ways you could incentivize melee range for blade pact warlocks. This could be in the blade pact itself, or with invocations, or with base rule changes but hexblade was the thing that actually

Gave the warlock a good reason to be in melee
Gave the warlock the tools to be there.

You could even argue that the hexblade curse bonus damage should only have applied at melee range, or say, within 15' if you want to compromise.

I wouldn't argue.

I just hope we get it.

[DarkKnightJin]

Having Pact of the Blade automatically grant Medium Armor and (possibly) Shield proficiency would go a LONG way toward making Bladelocks right.

That would make me a happy camper. And it'd make sense for the pact boon, too.

Possibly an Invocation for Blade that lets you use Cha instead of Str or Dex, and we'll be happy as a clam.

[Maxilian]

That would make me a happy camper. And it'd make sense for the pact boon, too.

Possibly an Invocation for Blade that lets you use Cha instead of Str or Dex, and we'll be happy as a clam.

Pretty sure that was the whole reason many people liked Hexblade (the CHA instead of STR or DEX) -can't say i'm not one of those-, so yeah...

[Eragon123]

It doesn't sound like the Celestial got changed much from what we saw.
Besides the hexblade...the idea that bladelock needs more than just a couple small tweaks is mistaken given how the rest of the classes are designed and balanced. Improved pact weapon does a lot. They should probably also add something to bump damage at higher levels.
But, if they want some kind of extensive "fix" for bladelock, they can easily add invocations that are more powerful and basically supersede what we have. That works for all patrons. For example, have a new invocation be Thirsting Blade, except better

I'm playing a Fey Patron Blade Lock in a campaign and its a lot of fun but we did have some homebrews.
For thirsting blade we made a level 6 version that tacked on War Magic. So I could cast a cantrip or spell and make a bonus action swing. At first we limited it to just cantrips but then the DM expanded it to spells as warlocks don't have that many slots in the first place.

We also added an invocation for "Spectral Armor" that works just like the sword. It's prerequisites are level 4 and pact of the blade.

And honestly while the war magic may be a bit strong. I've had a ton of fun and haven't felt like I've overshadowed the table. Maybe that's because I'm using a suboptimal strategy; which is Armor of Agythy's and blade ward. Add on Heavy Armor Mastery and bam! you got yourself a thorns build.

[jaappleton]

Fellow playgrounder DracoKnight and myself realized something:

Any archetype that received a bonus spell list in UA... That bonus spell list is likely bull****.

XGtE has confirmed new spells.

None of these new archetypes are going to take advantage of those?

[Eragon123]

Fellow playgrounder DracoKnight and myself realized something:

Any archetype that received a bonus spell list in UA... That bonus spell list is likely bull****.

XGtE has confirmed new spells.

None of these new archetypes are going to take advantage of those?

Maybe maybe not. It's hard to speculate on that end right now. My prediction is probably closer to half and half. Half new half old.

[Kane0]

Awww yeah Celestial Lock love it!

[Beechgnome]

Hmm, what were the other possible Warlock subclasses for the final (minimally) slot? Hexblade, Raven Queen... and thats it? (Well, it might be a reprint of the Undying from SCAG, that would suck).

I'm just hoping they reprint booming blade! That way, I get to play the mobile Raven Queen/Vengeance Paladin retribution-pal lock.

prototype00

There was also The Seeker pact from the Faithful UA. I didn't like the star chain pact, but the rest of it was different enough from the other Warlocks. If it doesn't make it, I'd understand (I think Hexblade in some form fills a better need) but I'll still keep running my 7th level Seeklock/4th level Favored Soul Dr. Strange clone.

[Foxhound438]

There's a lot of subclasses left. Besides if Hexblade isn't in the final, there may be a revolt and people marching on WotC headquarters with Pitchforks and Torches

Hey, while you're there you can skewer whoever decided it would be okay to drop cardstock and print quality for MTG cards while simultaneously raising prices

[jaappleton]

Hey, while you're there you can skewer whoever decided it would be okay to drop cardstock and print quality for MTG cards while simultaneously raising prices

You’d have to go to the Hasbro offices for that one.

[RazDelacroix]

My apologies everyone, for this scene immediately popped into my head while I was watching the Celestial Warlock Video.

"We tried our best to raise our daughter right. My wife is a proper paladin, and I am a cleric, and we both thought that raising our daughter away from the villainous clutches of the wretched sinful city sprawl would be safest for her. Then... Well..."

"Mommy! Daddy! Look! I can shoot rainbows from my hands now!"

"Now she's a warlock! Oh where did we go wrong?!"

"Our daughter found a unicorn. No parent wants to hear how their child made a warlock pact, but here we are. All we can do now is try to help her down the right path."

"Boom boom! Evil sneaky goblins aren't going to be curdling any milk tonight!"

"No adventuring until your eighteen young lady!"

[Foxhound438]

You’d have to go to the Hasbro offices for that one.

eh, even so, it's just a short 934 hour walk

[jaappleton]

eh, even so, it's just a short 934 hour walk

One does not simply walk to Mordor...

[Temperjoke]

My apologies everyone, for this scene immediately popped into my head while I was watching the Celestial Warlock Video.

"We tried our best to raise our daughter right. My wife is a proper paladin, and I am a cleric, and we both thought that raising our daughter away from the villainous clutches of the wretched sinful city sprawl would be safest for her. Then... Well..."

"Mommy! Daddy! Look! I can shoot rainbows from my hands now!"

"Now she's a warlock! Oh where did we go wrong?!"

"Our daughter found a unicorn. No parent wants to hear how their child made a warlock pact, but here we are. All we can do now is try to help her down the right path."

"Boom boom! Evil sneaky goblins aren't going to be curdling any milk tonight!"

"No adventuring until your eighteen young lady!"

See this is cute.

What popped into my head was a Protector/Scourge Aasimar's guide serving a dual purpose as the Pact Patron too for a Celestial Pact (alongside that came the thought of a Fallen Aasimar having a Fiend Pact)

[samcifer]

My apologies everyone, for this scene immediately popped into my head while I was watching the Celestial Warlock Video.

"We tried our best to raise our daughter right. My wife is a proper paladin, and I am a cleric, and we both thought that raising our daughter away from the villainous clutches of the wretched sinful city sprawl would be safest for her. Then... Well..."

"Mommy! Daddy! Look! I can shoot rainbows from my hands now!"

"Now she's a warlock! Oh where did we go wrong?!"

"Our daughter found a unicorn. No parent wants to hear how their child made a warlock pact, but here we are. All we can do now is try to help her down the right path."

"Boom boom! Evil sneaky goblins aren't going to be curdling any milk tonight!"

"No adventuring until your eighteen young lady!"

Yay! Now tell us the one about the robot wizard who talks to empty barrels...

[Millstone85]

What popped into my head was a Protector/Scourge Aasimar's guide serving a dual purpose as the Pact Patron too for a Celestial Pact (alongside that came the thought of a Fallen Aasimar having a Fiend Pact)

Yeah, this is perfect if you want your race to also be your class, so to speak. You do not have to say that you made a pact, just that you are particularly attentive to the teachings of your angelic guide and how they resonate with your own celestial heritage.

[Naanomi]

Yeah, this is perfect if you want your race to also be your class, so to speak. You do not have to say that you made a pact, just that you are particularly attentive to the teachings of your angelic guide and how they resonate with your own celestial heritage.

Then multiclass with Favored Soul (just your aasimar powers growing stronger)

[Aett_Thorn]

So what class do we think that we're going to be getting a sublcass description of today?

So far, we haven't gotten Barbarian, Wizard, Paladin, or Monk. I am betting that we see Barbarian today.

[jaappleton]

I’m trying to think of how, and how well, they could do a video about something exciting and new, like spells or Feats, without actually revealing them. They could just rattle off a list of spell names, and the astute with knowledge of previous editions would pick up on some, but that’s really about it, I think. Huh.

That said, I agree, I think the Barbarian is in play. They’ve revealed two fighters, one Bard, one Cleric, one Sorc, one Rogue, one Ranger, one Druid, one Warlock, right?

Barbarian is very much in play.

Is it weird if I’m really hoping for a totally out of left field Monk archetype that they haven’t spoken of at all? Like out of left field, “Here’s the Dark Moon Monk!” I just wasn’t impressed at all with any of the UA Monk archetypes, except Tranquility, which simply isn’t my style.

[Millstone85]

Then multiclass with Favored Soul (just your aasimar powers growing stronger)

Or with paladin (empasizing your link to cosmic Good). A protector aasimar would likely go Devotion or Ancients, while a scourge aasimar would go Vengeance. Or you could be twice fallen.