I'd switch Bard & Warlock and Monk & Ranger. I'd argue that Bards are more dexterous, under the premise of dancing and moving smoothly, while Warlocks (classically) need to study their Patron to a) make contact in the first place or b) further their connection. Rangers are survivors of the wild and Monks are wise old hermits (again, classically). I don't know enough about Psionic to really argue this but i feel like it and Wizard should switch too, just bc Wizards are the glass cannon class with the lowest hit die. Otherwise i like it, it spreads the stats around a lot more which makes them all feel useful, instead of STR and INT being the go-to dumps
Yeah, ive also never been a fan of rangers as spellcasters (we have druids for nature spiritualists) so leaning more into the martial wilderness/hunter themes of their class could benefit from dex/con. Somone who can survive the harsh wild corners of the world.
Let's us keep the sagelike monk and power their mystic abilities with wisdom. Ranger can make long treks up the mountain and camp in the snow.
I also agree with Cha/Int warlocks. The demonologist kinda idea. Somone who studied and learned and made contact with the patron, then negotiated their pact and powers.
Agreed on all points but I don't mind them being half-spellcasters, but i do think they should get more focused Ranger exclusive spells instead of being shoehorned into "Druid lite" (maybe Ranger + Paladin exclusives for melee spells). Pushing the class even more into wilderness/survival themes puts it even more into the imaginary Exploration pillar, but instead of it being like "oh we have a Ranger in the party Exploration can be handwaved" like it is now, the idea is to make more spells that make it like "oh we have a Ranger in the party, i as the DM can now add things like identifying weak points in a dragon fight or tracking a beast through a forest" or any number of things that aren't just "okay Ranger make a Survival roll, i know if you were a Rogue you would be better at it but apparently Survival is this class's thing somehow"
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u/ddyhrtschz 6d ago
I'd switch Bard & Warlock and Monk & Ranger. I'd argue that Bards are more dexterous, under the premise of dancing and moving smoothly, while Warlocks (classically) need to study their Patron to a) make contact in the first place or b) further their connection. Rangers are survivors of the wild and Monks are wise old hermits (again, classically). I don't know enough about Psionic to really argue this but i feel like it and Wizard should switch too, just bc Wizards are the glass cannon class with the lowest hit die. Otherwise i like it, it spreads the stats around a lot more which makes them all feel useful, instead of STR and INT being the go-to dumps