Highlights
- Playtests for One DnD are underway, with significant changes and additions to base classes like the Warlock and mechanics like backgrounds, ensuring useful feedback for adjustments.
- The Warlock class in One DnD saw adjustments, including the restoration of Pact Magic and reworking of Pact Boon, making the class stronger and more customizable.
- The Great Old One subclass’ new Level 3 feature lets players mix up their Warlock Spell so that it deals Psychic damage, and striking a pact with The Archfey now grants access to Misty Step.
Playtests for One DnD, the latest edition of Dungeons & Dragons, are well underway, and fans have noticed significant changes and additions to almost all the base classes, with the Warlock in particular receiving some big adjustments to its core features. Apart from classes, other mechanics like backgrounds were also targeted for changes. The playtest will help the developers get useful feedback in adjusting One DnD’s new features before its 2024 release.
New DMs will feel right at home in One DnD, as Wizards of the Coast have made the Dungeon Master's Guide more user-friendly. It's restructured to tackle basic gameplay first before moving on to worldbuilding. The players are also in for a treat, as the game will add a way to create and customize a headquarters for their party. There are plenty of other additions and modifications coming to One DnD, but the developers have reassured players that they don’t have to worry about big changes to the game’s core rules. This is because the new edition is made to be backward compatible with DnD 5e.
The Warlock Lost and Regained its Pact Magic in the One D&D Playtest
The devs are continuously experimenting with the Warlock class during the ongoing One DnD playtest period. Subclass selection now takes place on the third level instead of the first, which may seem awkward at first, but buffs to early-level Invocations and Pact Magic make up for it. In the latest version, the class’ spell slots (from its Pact Magic feature) and primary attribute (Charisma) are the same as in 5e. This was not a big change at first, but it was actually in response to a more significant adjustment made to the class in previous iterations of the playtest.
The Warlock's main spell casting feature, Pact Magic, increased its spell slot level and amount when it hit a certain level. It was replaced with a kit that’s more similar to a wizard, with more slots but weaker spells. The change was met with a lot of criticism, with designer Jeremy Crawford pointing out that the class had a positive rating below 70% based on recent playtest surveys. As such, they had to make changes for the seventh One DnD Playtest.
Bringing Pact Magic back was the best way forward. However, Wizards of the Coast didn’t want to give up on its objective of getting Warlocks to cast more spells. As such, they added a second-level feature called Magical Cunning, which lets players regain half their spell slots after a quick ritual.
One D&D Reworks Warlock’s Pact Boon for the Better
The Warlock's Pact Boon will no longer be a feature. Instead, its core pacts (Blade, Chain, and Tome) are now invocations. Plus, there is no limit to which one players can activate. So, players can fight with a pact-powered blade, familiar, and spell book all at the same time, if they want to. Pact of the Blade, in particular, got a significant buff. Conjuring an existing pact weapon or creating a bond with a magical weapon only takes a bonus action now. The duration used to be a full action for the former and a full-hour ritual for the latter.
The Otherworldly Patrons also received significant upgrades. First, a sourcebook subclass named “Celestial Patron” is now included in the base roster. This patron is best for players who want access to strong healing and defensive tools. Those looking to improve their mobility can strike a pact with The Archfey, which now grants access to Misty Step, letting the player teleport up to 30 feet. Meanwhile, the Great Old One subclass’ new Level 3 feature lets players mix up their Warlock Spell so that it deals Psychic damage. Overall, these changes and additions not only make Warlock builds stronger, but also more customizable.
One DnD is currently in development and is set to release in 2024.