Which option do you find the most interesting to play, even if not the strongest? Bard is one of the classes that has received subclasses both in Faerun and Ravenloft books.
Vestige Warlock presents a pretty unique way to establish a spell list, choosing among 4 base domains of clerics. I really like the idea, besides it is very thematic also. It's very transformative and unique in the way that there are actually four distinct versions of one subclass.
But at the same time... I still think this is a trapped concept. The four base cleric domains barely represent all possible deity themes. A lot of reflavouring is required to truly align the spell list with other domains. I believe Nature could be represented by Life, and Tempest could be represented by War, but that's all very far-fetched. In many ways, Light and Life depicts almost the same indentity, while War with Trickery isn't exactly a great representation of all evil domains.
I'd really like to see this idea not trapped behind only four base cleric subclasses, but futureproofed for any cleric domain. In this sense, Warlock is already one of the classes that will transform the most with the release of new books, because of Lessons from the Old Ones. But again, the Knowledge Domain effectively ruins this potential. 15 spells instead of 10 is very strong, and while there are a lot of divination spells (which aren't the strongest), there are still Confusion and Synaptic Static. Perhaps creatively writing something like "you gain the first two spells (first like position in spell list) of each level in the chosen domain" could fix this clause, but I don't believe the developers would do something so out-of-the-loop.
Ultimately, making one list (with some binding spells like magic circle and stuff) seems more "broad" for the theme, because four very thematic lists out of a huge number of thematic lists seem more limited, if that makes sense. Because "broad" list does not represent the power of god in that case, but the power of the warlock to bind the dying god. It could also prevent Vestige Warlock from taking Celestial authenticity with healing spells and other stuff. I actually think the coolest option would probably be if they made six one-spell lists for vestige's alignment (good/neutral/evil and lawful/neutral/chaotic), so they could represent all the deities from a different perspective (and fit into the existing cosmology). But obviously, the current method of obtaining lists is pretty dope.
What do you think? Will this be included in the Arcane Unleashed in the same form as in UA or not?
After looking at that sneak peek (https://www.enworld.org/attachments/arcanaunleashed-pagespread-jpg.430558/) I find something curious. It would be pretty strange if spell doesn't make Battle Familiar on par with usual summon spells, because you kind of supposed to make familiar... Battle. Basic Find Familiar also makes scout familiar by definition, so why spell if not for that?
If the spell does make a good summon, even slightly weaker summon, then not only it's 2nd level analogue for Summon Beast (that makes Wizards better at summoning imo), but more importantly, this spell doesn't require concentration (also does require pretty cheap material component and doesn't require find familiar nor time of casting). It's essentially second summon for hour, where Conjuration Wizard (in same screenshot) can give thp for both, that sounds pretty strong.
But generally like... Free concentration spell for wizards and druids sounds strong. I'm starting to doubt that summon will have strong stat block because of that, but then I don't really understand purpose of the spell.
So, this was a late thought of mine. I've been toying with the idea of playing a Warlock for a while, and when choosing a subclass, I keep asking myself. Isn't it almost undesirable to play a Fiend unless you specifically build it around Pact of the Blade? And isn't it technically the new Hexblade because of that?
The spell list isn't bad, for sure. But Command is very easy to find, and Fireball just... Idk, sad spell for casting on Warlock. On Warlock, you want to spam something that has a long-lasting impact or something drastic imo. It's may be strange that I find spells like the Geas more fascinating than Fireball on Warlock specifically? Because I already have a consistent way to deal damage via EB, I have many strategic spells like Jump without cost, and for spell slots, I just want to save them until they start doing something "cool".
Also one thing about Command, Suggestion and Geas. Mind-controlling spells just don't seem so desirable on Warlock in general, do they? Besides the fact that the base class has a ton of them, for some reason almost every subclass provides them. That's a completely different topic, but all these spells just feel completely non-unique and don't offer any new edge to Warlock.
My main point is that the 3rd level feature literally requires you to stand in melee, but that's not what I want to do on a "general warlock" at all. The 10th level feature is kind of not about standing in melee, but about tanking in general. 6th and 14th features no complaints, but 14th is too far and 6th so general, that with 3th and 10th it seems to just amplify the existing role.
I saw a recent poll there about Fiend being the least popular subclass. I always think it's because of this, because GOO and Fey deliver exactly that coolness, and Celestial simply adds a whole new layer of role, where Fiend seems to only support one playstyle of Warlock in general (or poorly support others, to put it more accurately).
UPD: The more I read the responses, the more I'm convinced that my premise was incorrect (including because I misread 3rd level feature). I'll say right away that I never considered PotB preferable or best/good way to play warlock at all - I just didn't really understand why I'd take Fiend if not for the blade (it is very different from saying that fiend bladelock worse or better than fiend non-bladelock). Thanks for your responses that correct me in my thinking, you help me become better!
Honestly, it might not be my most anticipated subclass in the pack, but it's the most intriguing for me. I think the subclass has seen the most controversy in UA, losing two really definitive features. One of which is unique randomness, which you can kind of control because you need to roll first and only then use it at the right moment (which I think is very drastic to lose), and the second of which is cheap version of Lore Bard secrets. In exchange it gains a buffed Spirit Guardian and free casting of it, that is really strong.
Are you expecting something like what happened with Banneret, when all the changes are removed and perhaps a lil' tweaking of wording (so that healing buff would simply works now)? Or you're expecting that UA bard will remain almost unchanged (he for sure looks like a “new generation” subclass, so to speak).
I personally have strong opinion only for randomness. I don't mind losing the spells, although it seems that thematically College of Spirit should be on par with casting Commune and Augury to Knowledge Domain and Diviner.