I've been mulling over character concepts for a DnD game that will start soon with my group and I noticed that these two classes are pretty similar. They can both have the core suite of healing spells; Bards have Bardic Inspiration, the Cleric has Guidance and Bless; both are skill monkeys, with the Bard having expertise and the Cleric getting on the fly proficiency once per day; they both have good sets of utility spells, with the Bard maybe being a bit behind because they're a spells known class. Overall, to me, they seem like they mostly do the same sorts of things, with the Bard being more social and having more control spells, but the Cleric having more damage and better armor.
Am I off base on this? Are there cool things that one can do and the other can't? What play experiences have you had with the two? Do they play more differently than it seems?
Am I off base on this? Are there cool things that one can do and the other can't? What play experiences have you had with the two? Do they play more differently than it seems?
Aug 22, 2019 I think some support needs to be provided to boost spells slots for many of the classes. Right now Wizard Universalist Wizard Specialist Sorcerer Cleric Druid/Bard. Outside of class feats, arcane casters can also boost spell slots with things like the ring of wizardry. Why is there such a big discrepancy? Is 2hp/level worth a slot.
Mockraven
Formerly 'mrlost'
Validated User
So to spin off from the other thread... I've notice a predilection among many different D&D groups, all things being equal, to try to take a Long Rest whenever possible. I also notice that people often either house rule or forget how long rests work in this edition. Furthermore when they do this it tends to be a disservice to the Warlocks in the party.
I was thinking why not change things up so spells slot recovery wasn't on the same timer as hit dice? Wizards and Warlocks already each get their own an alternative method for spell slot recovery. What if that was the only way a class recovered spell slots?
Regain Spell Slots Short Rest Cleric
Arcane Recovery
You have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your Spellbook. Once per day when you finish a Short Rest, you can choose expended Spell Slots to recover. The Spell Slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.
For example, if you’re a 4th-level wizard, you can recover up to two levels worth of Spell Slots. You can recover either a 2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level Spell Slots.
You have learned to regain some of your magical energy by studying your Spellbook. Once per day when you finish a Short Rest, you can choose expended Spell Slots to recover. The Spell Slots can have a combined level that is equal to or less than half your wizard level (rounded up), and none of the slots can be 6th level or higher.
For example, if you’re a 4th-level wizard, you can recover up to two levels worth of Spell Slots. You can recover either a 2nd-level spell slot or two 1st-level Spell Slots.
Pact Magic
Your arcane research and the magic bestowed on you by your patron have given you facility with Spells. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and chapter 11 for the warlock spell list.
Cantrips
You know two Cantrips of your choice from the warlock spell list. You learn additional warlock Cantrips of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Warlock table.
Spell Slots
The Warlock table shows how many Spell Slots you have. The table also shows what the level of those slots is; all of your Spell Slots are the same level. To cast one of your warlock Spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a spell slot. You regain all expended Spell Slots when you finish a short or Long Rest.
For example, when you are 5th level, you have two 3rd-level Spell Slots. To cast the 1st-level spell Thunderwave, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast it as a 3rd-level spell.
Maybe keep it where Warlocks get less spell slots but recover them after every rest, and other classes get something akin to Arcane Recovery where they can get a few slots back from a short rest, and then have to wait 4-5 hours before they can do it again. Divine classes could maybe recover spell slots after performing a ritual sacrifice to their deity which would take awhile. I haven't really come up with a specific mechanic. It's more something to think about, and more importantly have the Elder Brains of RPG.net think on...Your arcane research and the magic bestowed on you by your patron have given you facility with Spells. See chapter 10 for the general rules of spellcasting and chapter 11 for the warlock spell list.
Cantrips
You know two Cantrips of your choice from the warlock spell list. You learn additional warlock Cantrips of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Warlock table.
Spell Slots
The Warlock table shows how many Spell Slots you have. The table also shows what the level of those slots is; all of your Spell Slots are the same level. To cast one of your warlock Spells of 1st level or higher, you must expend a spell slot. You regain all expended Spell Slots when you finish a short or Long Rest.
For example, when you are 5th level, you have two 3rd-level Spell Slots. To cast the 1st-level spell Thunderwave, you must spend one of those slots, and you cast it as a 3rd-level spell.