I've done the darker version of that. Fire Genasi Genie Warlock. "So you work for your mom?" "Yep, she sort of pressgangs all of her thousands of children into her service. She was hoping I'd be a sorcerer, but no such luck. Warlock I be, so she's fitting the bill for all of this."
I played a water genasi marid warlock, similar concept except it was my great great grandma who was my patron but really I guilt tripped her because I grew up in such squalor and horrible times and cried out to her for help and basically said “you’re so powerful why don’t you help me? You will help me, give me some of these powers so I never am helpless again” And she visited me in a dream and we made my genie vessel (a ship in a bottle she wears around her neck). Now she’s a crime boss of a magic item smuggling ring and has her own speakeasy. 😂
The increasing insanity from "Why doesn't Warlock get all of their expanded spell list spells by default" to "Giving Fighter's Green-Flame Blade" helped me crack up after a shitty day. Thanks for the laugh fellas.
it kinda felt like the vampire patron warlock was designed to fit with the vampire transformations from the book, so I'm surprised they didnt bring it up
Same, or the Sangromancy spells. Crimson Lash gives you a melee weapon that uses your spellcasting for attack and damage, and using higher slots grants more attacks. The Vampire transformation gives them added melee potential that lets them use DEX for ANY weapon that does slashing damage.
I don't know...my first reaction to the vampire patron warlock was, "this is for a setting that incorporates being an actual vampire as a character option, so why not be a different kind of warlock who is on the vampire transformation path?" I think the vampire patron warlock is still an interesting option, but it fits into the specific niche of the vampire-adjacent person, the mortal servitor of the vampire who uses their spells to basically live the vampire fantasy. That makes it a niche within a niche, whereas in a non-Grim Hollow campaign where vampires are not a PC option, (and also not so common as "they literally rule one of the two most powerful nations in the setting") I think it would actually work better.
In defense of spell siphon, there are a few ways to take a long rest without going unconscious. For example, a tome warlock with the aspect of the moon invocation. Or racially, a warforged's sentry's rest specifies you don't go unconscious. Elven Trance also specifies you retain consciousness.
I'd love to see you both take a look at Valda's Spire of Secrets from Mage Hand Press. Between their 10 fully featured classes and half a dozen subclasses for each of the PHB classes, there's a ton of neat and unique stuff to make videos about.
I think ocer the weeks the Warlock has solidified itself as my favorite class to make characters for. The variety of patrons, deals, pacts and all around flavors the class gives is such a treat every time with every patron.
For the Parasite: the spell siphon actually works on allies spells as well, and they can fail on purpose, so it becomes an extremely versatile option that let's you learn all of your parties best spells. I'd say it's WAY stringer than an expended spell list.
Does that make it that much better though? That just makes it so you can spend one of your two spell slots casting a spell a party member can already cast and in return your party member can't cast it anymore.
You think casting back to back fireballs is a bad thing? lol...And i don't understand this attitude of "they can't cast it anymore". they get the spell back once you cast it. It requires you to be smart about how you play but it's incredibly rewarding@@RicardoGuecardo
Unless you were wanting to double up on one spell in the same round. I could see this being especially useful if it was a spell that Warlocks couldn't get.
@@RicardoGuecardoActually, as long as the Warlock casts the copied spell before their friend's next turn the friend will get their spell back. When the Warlock casts a copied spell they immediately forget it allowing the original caster to use their spell again. As an example, the Wizard casts Fireball, the Warlock copies it, then it's the Warlock's turn, they cast Fireball and then forget it, letting the Wizard cast Fireball again if they wish. I'm not saying it's a great feature, but it's pretty reasonably thought out and can be party friendly.
Barbarian expanded spell list: Hideous Laughter, Cause Fear Crown of Madness, enlarge/reduce Haste, Fear Confusion, stoneskin Wrath of Nature, Dominate Person
@@aidandunne5978My problem is that you listed a bunch of combat spells that require concentration And rage just completely destroys that So while I really like the theme, these just wouldn't really work
Valda's Spire has a "symbiont" warlock patron, that is much more venom themed, you can transform, making your AC 10+Dex+Cha but you can't cast spells while transformed... very fun for an eldritch smite build
The image of a plague doctor giving a potion of Tenser's Transformation to a monk (especially if the DM allows unarmed strikes to gain the 2d12 force damage bonus) or a fighter is glorious
Also for the Plague Doctor Barbarian wouldn't get much use from the potions either bc they can't concentrate while raging. With that said I would still 100% love to play one bc it sounds so cool!
But if you chose spells that target only one and don't require concentration like mirror image you could get around some of the barbarian can't cast spells stuff.
I'm actually planning on playing a plague doctor wizard and path of the fractured multiclass. I love how path of the fractured gives you bonuses for not raging and being a wizard that can cast when raging fit perfectly for that theme. Plus with potion craft I can give buff spells to my party and they concentrate on it, not me. So it actually can function pretty well. I'm very excited to try this unusual multiclass build.
The Fighter can be flying and hasted from the same caster. You can concentrate on flying, and they can be concentrating on their haste. That is AMAZING.
Another nice thing about potion craft you didn't mention is that the spells you turn into potions only need to be in your spell book, you don't need to have them prepared, which turns them into like pseudo ritual spells (they still expend spell slots but you don't need to prepare them).
I would love for you guys to review the Grim Hollow Vile Transformations. Going over how good some of the abilities are and what other classes go well with them. Ghostfire has done it so I would love your unbiased opinion on them.
11:30 spell siphon seems really good if you have another spell caster in the party. Example: sorcerer twins haste and the warlock siphons that and casts haste on a third party member. The sorcerer won’t need to cast the spell gain anytime soon anyway. Also you can siphon a counter spell and stop the enemy from casting it or make them use a legendary resistance every time they try to counter spell
11:12 Honestly, I really like the idea, since I've always wanted a Blue Mage-style character who steals spells and abilities from enemies, just for the massive customization options. With Warlock being the most "build-a-bear" class in the game with all their invocations, it be a cool idea to explore. Spell Siphon definitely had potential but it really needs a rework.
I think it only needs an increase to its Drain Life's Range (if it were 15 feet I think that'd be great) and a few changes to the spell list. I love the 6th and 14th level features, just perfect.
@@gaminreasons8941 yeah that sounds good. I’m having a hard time coming up with notes on it because it does just feel redundant next to the undead. That subclass was made to be the vampire patron and even despite the theme the mechanics overlap a little bit
@@ShadestheMothman Well both patrons are Undead no matter how you slice it, there's gonna be some overlap. But I think it's worth noting that the Undead Patron's themes and mechanics were purpose built to fit more broadly applicable rather than how specific the Vampire Patron is molded to be the Vampire Warlock. It's kinda like how the Fiend Warlock is built to hit that broad, generic idea of making a deal with a Demon or the Devil, it doesn't necessarily map perfectly with all the Demon Lords or Arch Devils, like Levistus. But the Genie Patron maps perfectly with the Elemental Genies idea that DnD does rather than going with a more generic "Elemental" Warlock that might had pacts with a Genie, or other very powerful Elementals like Primordial Elementals or the Princes of Elemental Evil.
@@ShadestheMothman Yes but both this and The Undead exists because Undying was terrible. Third party doing something that WoTC also had do, doesn't make it redundant, it makes it a problem that two groups of people both took a shot at.
For the parasite, it could make for a high-risk play style where you go all-out and get yourself killed on purpose to reincarnate into an interesting species or one of the BBEG's lieutenants.
So with the idea you mentioned about the parasite warlock, that being stealing your friends spells, can be a good combo. If your team has a cleric for example they can go before you, cast spirit guardians, choose to fail the save to have it stolen, and then your warlock also has that spell up that combat. It is secretly insane with a spellcaster friend or two.
Played the blood mage and he was very powerful and fun to play. I used a ton of the blood spells and let me tell you, a wizard riding blood-shotgun with a rogue and letting them use the blood whip while throwing shields on them is beastly.
Kobold Press’s Tome of Heroes has a LOT of subclasses in it, ranging from the very powerful to the niche and very flavourful. The ranger, cleric, and fighter especially have some awesome ones
Would love to see a review of the "Heliana's Guide to Monster Hunting" sub-classes, as well as the whole Tamer class brought out recently! Lots of awesome theming in all of those, especially the School of Biomancy wizard. Also anything that MCDM has put out - they make dope shit.
All the subclasses sound fun and on theme for Grim Hallow campaign. Each video honestly had a subclass I’d try in that setting. Everyone did a fantastic job.
Pact of the blade actually seems like it would work really well with the vampire warlock subclass and I think would make for a solid B+ if not A tier build.
I think the ONLY tweak I'd actually make to the Vampire Warlock's features is to increase the Drain Life's potential range so that it's more friendly with using Eldritch Blast. I'd make it 15ft, it's short but it'll work with both ranged and Melee warlocks. The only other things would be a few of the spells. I'd definitely trade out False Life but that's just because I hate that Spell, I'd trade that for Command to show off a low level ability to compel others to do my will. Alter Self isn't necessary since we could just take Mask of Many Faces or later on Master of Myriad Forms, instead I would suggest Enhance Ability to showcase an overall enhancement physical or mental. Levitate is okay, but I prefer my Warlock spells to scale with my slots or at least be worth my higher level slots in a pinch, so I might instead take Pass without Trace to show off supernatural stealth capabilities. Those are my only critiques, I think it's actually great otherwise.
I usually hate ads in content, somehow you guys have found the ultimate niche for advertising, because when I get ads for campaign books and tabletop related content I’m genuinely interested, and when you do coverage like this, which is quasi-advertising a channel sponsor, it is still really interesting content. Nice
I think Spell Siphon is an incredible ability, and one that I'd much rather have over the standard Warlock's expanded spell list. "Once you cast it, the spell is no longer siphoned." If you use it to copy an ally's spell, once you cast it, your ally can cast it again. Sorcerer: I cast Fireball. Warlock: Siphon! I cast Fireball. Sorcerer: I cast Fireball. Your expanded spell list becomes all your friends' spells they wish they had Action Surge to cast twice. Also, a lot of enemy spellcasters typically have one "go to" spell that's their obvious best option to cast and once they Lightning Bolt the party once, you just hold that spell so their best damage option is off the table. That and the fact that you can shut down an enemy's ability to cast Counterspell after they do it the first time is major.
I'd be OK with giving every class an expanded spell list, with a few caveats. *Full spellcasters get 2 spells up to level 5 spells. *Half casters get 1 spell up to level 5 spells. *Martial classes would use an innate class ability to cast spells (Superiority Die, Ki/Discipline Points, Raging Wild Magic, etc.) But their spellcasting would scale like an Eldritch Knight or Arcane Trickster. Not quite a half caster, but can still use some leveled spells.
Valda’s Spire, Steinhardt’s Guide and Ryoko’s. They’re all fantastic, and Steinhardt’s in particular is right in line with your cosmic horror penchant - lots of eldritch nasties. A series on any of these would be amazing!
Im gonna throw my hat in at the defense of Spell Siphon. You can use this on spells that you allies don't want to use multiple times or can't repeatedly use. Aid, Longstrider, Mage Armor, Mirror Image, and any other spell they they may not have the slot for. This is rare, but it could happen. It also helps keep enemies from spamming the same spell, like Counterspell.
To be fair, if you go with Parasite, than you would probably take "aspect of the moon" invocation so you don't need sleep at all and that comes also with 3 more cantrips to boot. Only issue with that set up is that you can't choose pact of the blade (at least until new core rulebook comes out and pacts became invocations) and flavor pact weapon as gooey black spike growing from your hand... Also, if drinking of Plague Doctor potion have to concentrate I don't think you will get any flying Barbarians...
I'm currently prepping a Grim Hollow campaign, excited to see what if any of these subclasses the players will choose. The setting itself is incredibly detailed and new to most people. It should be a fun time for everyone involved
Potion wizard means party members have to use their action to take a potion so you could give it to the fighter or Paladin but they’re going to spend a turn before benefitting from it
Gonna go to bat for Valda's Spire of Secrets by Mage Hand Press. They do great work and that book in particular is very full of subclasses, as well as classes, and should keep you occupied for a while.
A couple of dudes did some pretty neat subclasses based on their own campaign that they play & livestream. Would be cool to get a conpletely unbiased review of those.
Sangromancy is so cool to me - I can’t get enough. Running a Grim hollow campaign and am pretty much giving all of the Ebon Syndicate Sangromancy abilities
I feel like the parasite warlock could work to echo the other party members spells, as written it does not seem to break concentration on the person being siphoned from, so it could effectively be used to twin concentration spells.
Interesting note on the parasite warlock spell siphon, since it is based on losing consciousness and death as the method to lose your siphons, if you take aspect of the moon as an invocation, you never need to sleep, so you would only lose them to combat
DnD Unleashed has a lot of fun subclasses you guys could look at. They've put out two (pdf) books, one focused on the four elements and one focused on "dark magic" like undead, blood, lycanthropy, poison, disease, ect. I really enjoy their stuff and have been sprinkling it into my game that I run.
Valda's spire of secrets. Even if you don't look at the new classes introduced, the subclasses that the base phb classes get access to are worth a look.
You basically called yourselves ouit (between this video and the last in this series) - your next series could be 'expanded spell lists for those classes that didn't have them before"
Just a note on the parasite warlock, Spell Siphon absolutely can be used on allies. The first sentence, as always, is flavour text. The second sentence starts with the requirements for the spell, and it states that the target has to be a creature. This can absolutely be used to steal an allies spell and use it on your turn, thereby freeing it up for use by your allies next turn. Hell, it doesnt say that it doesnt interrupt concentration so double max level spirit guardians, double wall of flame and double hold monster are all valid.
Please do a video of giving each wizard, sorcerer, druid and warlock subclass a expensed spell list for ones who don't. My favorite sorcerer subclass is the storm sorcerer but it doesn't have an expensed spell list.
I'm running a Grim Hollow campaign. My wife is playing the Haunted sorcerer and having a lot of fun with the possibilities for exploration, getting through walls with her specter and attacking while invisible with the first attack. Having this at low levels is a great advantage as she has saved her spell selection for more utility spells. Our warlock is playing the parasite and the theme is great for the campaign. His story is quite central to these initial adventures we are playing. The problem is that his spell syphon does not come to play that often. I have tried to include a bit more spell casters but still, he does not use most of the spells he syphons. I'll soon discuss options with him on making the character more interesting (for example, through the transformations in grim hollow) or perhaps changing subclass or character completely if he wishes so.
In my current weekly campaign I’m playing a Dhampir Sangromancy Wizard, totally leaned into the theme. My go to spells have been Sense Lifeblood to add 2d12 to my cantrips against any target under half. Though it does combo with any damage spell. So you could combine it with Scorching Ray and hit the same target with all the rays, doing increased damage as it gets lower. We also have a player playing the First vampire Warlock. She’s loving it. We started her with 2 levels of fighter and she’s going pact of the blade.
First off, mega props for dropping a Legacy of Kain reference. As for the Vampire Warlock, how is it not an A? You are still a Warlock and you get a bunch of great spells and solid abilities. I don't think this subclass would have any problems in any campaign unless there was a lot of daytime encounters and radiant damage. The Parasite Warlock should have had an expanded spell list with the ability to steal a single spell per combat encounter. That would have made this a strong subclass with an even better thematic portion. The Plague Wizard is the subclass I've been wanting for decades. A magic user who makes potions to use on allies or throw at enemies. This is what the Artificer Alchemist should have been.
Great stuff. I think Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt would be great for you all to review next. Currently, the book isn't out but PDFs are available, and I think you all would really like/appreciate the content provided. Take care.
Here's a thought - Parasite warlock multiclassed into wizard. After you steal a spell instead of casting it, scribe it into your wizard spellbook. Boom, you now have it full time. It's stretching the rules a bit, so would probably need DM approval, but I think that would be an interesting way to go about expanding your spell list. Character becomes a wizard hunter seeking out more and more powerful wizards in order to steal their spells.
I think you guys should definitely take a deep look for all the changes in One D&D for a video again, I would love to hear what you think of everything.
I can’t wait for you to get back to the Apothecary subclasses! Playing a Mutagenist in a few months and would love to hear what y’all have to say about it!
I like Morgrave Miscellany a lot, some unique concepts if nothing else. Particularly of note is that it also has a new Pact Boon, Pact of the Host, that goes very well thematically with the Parasite warlock.
Voting for Kobold Press Tome of Heroes for the next subclass rankings. On a sidenote, other than the What if everyone plays a… videos, these 3rd party products videos have been my favorite. Thanks again.
Both subclasses in this book are great. Parasite might have been my favorite warlock subclass because the features work really well with my playstyle. Then I got my copy of Sebastion Crowe's Guide to Drakkenheim and now Flesh Patron is my favorite warlock subclass. Chef's kiss! I'm currently playing a Loxodon Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan)/Warlock (Parasite). His hybrid form takes him into a mammoth-loxodon form. I like this character. In another campaign, I have a Changeling Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan)/Warlock (Flesh Patron) ready (just in case).
Would love to see you talk about The Islands of Sina Una! It’s such a different take on traditional fantasy and I’m very excited to get together a group to play there.
For the first vampire - I think you also should have added to the whole hunger-thing when they back a spell slot if they kill a target using it, that they also when a target is within kill range for a none-crit from it, the warlock would know (be told by dm - maybe flavour as their patron whispers that the pray is within kill to sate it's thirst or something) that it would finish the potential target off.
Just with the draining attack I think a blade warlock vampire would be really cool, putting down some concentration spells, swinging a rapier, and bonus action draining foes, enhancing it when you need to restore your health, and of course once you have Greater Invisibility you become a super deadly ghost.
Would like to hear more of your thoughts on expanded spell lists or other homebrew that you guys would implement as 3rd party designers. That being said, a tier ranking of griffins saddlebag subclasses or a tier ranking of the upcoming valikan clans subclasses would be pretty cool.
As a DM and player, warlocks are my single favorite class in the game. Their mechanics could use a little polishing but the flavor just has so much potential 😁
Is that a YTV sweatshirt, holy elder vampire I am both so happy to see this review uploaded right before I jump into a grimhollow campaign AND a fellow Canadian who knows whats up. YTV was dope with Carlos and Sugar (maybe before ur time)
Playing sangromancy in a campaign now. Fighter2wizard18 currently level 7. Built him as a brawler who uses the sangromancy spells to heal up and augment unarmed strikes. It's very fun.
Honestly think the Plague Doctor subclass is S tier, full stop. Potion craft is a barely more tame, but significantly more usable version of arcane abeyance, the feature that makes chronurgy as broken as it is. Good medicine is also insane for doing the one thing wizard subclasses never do - give wizards healing. It'd be a great subclass if it earned either of these things as you leveled your wizard, but it learns both right at level 2. Perfect
Totally agree. I was a Downcast/Plague Doctor/Primordial and my potential was only growing as I learned new spells. I wish my GH campaign continued and didn't fizzle out because my teammates were going to be eating good.
What I'm looking for in a subclass is pretty different from one class to another, because some classes are more generous than others. If the class is really solid without including subclass input, I'm looking for the subclass to highlight strengths or eliminate limitations of the base class. If the class gives lots of options and gimmicks but doesn’t give the player much meat to work with, the subclass needs to supply the class's vital strength. Wizard is a really solid class, which has a great spell selection and lots of spell slots to use them. Its subclasses give niche enhancements to particular spells so you can really fine tune your character to be better as a trickster, powerhouse, ally support, disruptor, etc. Warlock has no strong points as a base class. It can't hit harder than other classes, runs out of spell uses faster, has a smaller repertoire of spells to choose a spell list from, has very limited opportunity to change what spells they have available, and while their spellcasting has been effectively limited to that of a half-caster, they don't include the martial benefits other half-casters have. Their core effectiveness thus needs to come from their subclass. It has to either give them functionalty as a melee combatant, effectiveness as a spellcaster, or increase the viability of eldritch invocations. The subclasses of warlock are taking the various flavors of useless which is the warlock's baseline features and giving them a viable skeleton to contribute toward effectiveness within.
I'd be interested to hear your take on Raiders Guide to Valika when it comes out. That way you'll have all of Grim Hollow covered! Also, Historica Arcanum has some AMAZING subclasses that are worth a look!
Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt was my first and still favorite homebrew book I bought, honestly I'm super shocked it doesnt have more traction since it used to hold the record for the highest amount pledged for a homebrew sourcebook, and I believe its still #3, right behind The Crooked Moon and Ryoko's. Both those are still in beta, so I think Steinhardt's would be perfect to cover!
Ryoko's Guide to the Yokai Realms should be next!!!
It’s hard since Ryoko’s still in a pre-release state
@Jojrre
True. Maybe Heliana? I do want to see Ryoko eventually though.
It should be Valda's Spire first. It's been out for long enough to get a feel for it.
Agreed!
YES PLS!
You guys should absolutely tier rank the subclasses from The Griffons Saddlebag!
When you guys talked about making Eldrich Blast able to work with Drain Life, I went, "I'm hearing an optional invocation pick"
I'm a dampihr first vampire warlock
DM: okay whose your patron
My dad, it's my first quest so he's keeping an eye on me
I've done the darker version of that. Fire Genasi Genie Warlock. "So you work for your mom?" "Yep, she sort of pressgangs all of her thousands of children into her service. She was hoping I'd be a sorcerer, but no such luck. Warlock I be, so she's fitting the bill for all of this."
I played a water genasi marid warlock, similar concept except it was my great great grandma who was my patron but really I guilt tripped her because I grew up in such squalor and horrible times and cried out to her for help and basically said “you’re so powerful why don’t you help me? You will help me, give me some of these powers so I never am helpless again” And she visited me in a dream and we made my genie vessel (a ship in a bottle she wears around her neck). Now she’s a crime boss of a magic item smuggling ring and has her own speakeasy. 😂
@@Dndoctor cool, when you go into your vessel are you just shrunk down and chilling in your boat?
@@benry007 yeah just chilling and drinking and probably writing music 🙃
On the Parasite Warlock: if you play as an Elf or a Warforged you don't go unconscious when you take a long rest.
The increasing insanity from "Why doesn't Warlock get all of their expanded spell list spells by default" to "Giving Fighter's Green-Flame Blade" helped me crack up after a shitty day. Thanks for the laugh fellas.
it kinda felt like the vampire patron warlock was designed to fit with the vampire transformations from the book, so I'm surprised they didnt bring it up
I agree.
Same, or the Sangromancy spells. Crimson Lash gives you a melee weapon that uses your spellcasting for attack and damage, and using higher slots grants more attacks. The Vampire transformation gives them added melee potential that lets them use DEX for ANY weapon that does slashing damage.
I don't know...my first reaction to the vampire patron warlock was, "this is for a setting that incorporates being an actual vampire as a character option, so why not be a different kind of warlock who is on the vampire transformation path?" I think the vampire patron warlock is still an interesting option, but it fits into the specific niche of the vampire-adjacent person, the mortal servitor of the vampire who uses their spells to basically live the vampire fantasy. That makes it a niche within a niche, whereas in a non-Grim Hollow campaign where vampires are not a PC option, (and also not so common as "they literally rule one of the two most powerful nations in the setting") I think it would actually work better.
In defense of spell siphon, there are a few ways to take a long rest without going unconscious. For example, a tome warlock with the aspect of the moon invocation. Or racially, a warforged's sentry's rest specifies you don't go unconscious. Elven Trance also specifies you retain consciousness.
Was coming here to mention that invocation!
I'd love to see you both take a look at Valda's Spire of Secrets from Mage Hand Press. Between their 10 fully featured classes and half a dozen subclasses for each of the PHB classes, there's a ton of neat and unique stuff to make videos about.
This! It's so good
I think ocer the weeks the Warlock has solidified itself as my favorite class to make characters for. The variety of patrons, deals, pacts and all around flavors the class gives is such a treat every time with every patron.
Anyone who plays with me knows almost all of my characters get a 4-level dip into Warlock at some point.
For the Parasite: the spell siphon actually works on allies spells as well, and they can fail on purpose, so it becomes an extremely versatile option that let's you learn all of your parties best spells. I'd say it's WAY stringer than an expended spell list.
Does that make it that much better though? That just makes it so you can spend one of your two spell slots casting a spell a party member can already cast and in return your party member can't cast it anymore.
You think casting back to back fireballs is a bad thing? lol...And i don't understand this attitude of "they can't cast it anymore". they get the spell back once you cast it. It requires you to be smart about how you play but it's incredibly rewarding@@RicardoGuecardo
Unless you were wanting to double up on one spell in the same round. I could see this being especially useful if it was a spell that Warlocks couldn't get.
@@RicardoGuecardoActually, as long as the Warlock casts the copied spell before their friend's next turn the friend will get their spell back. When the Warlock casts a copied spell they immediately forget it allowing the original caster to use their spell again.
As an example, the Wizard casts Fireball, the Warlock copies it, then it's the Warlock's turn, they cast Fireball and then forget it, letting the Wizard cast Fireball again if they wish.
I'm not saying it's a great feature, but it's pretty reasonably thought out and can be party friendly.
But it only let's them cast it once. Eh
Wouldn't mind seeing you guys go over the MCDM classes!
Yes! I would especially like to see the Talent reviewed.
All classes should have expanded spell list yes I approve of this.
Barbarian expanded spell list:
Hideous Laughter, Cause Fear
Crown of Madness, enlarge/reduce
Haste, Fear
Confusion, stoneskin
Wrath of Nature, Dominate Person
Monk?
@@spencervance8484
Sanctuary, Long strider
Calm Emotions, Lesser Restoration
Beacon of Hope, Clairvoyance
Freedom of Movement, Greater Invisibility
Greater Restoration, Bigby's Hand
@@aidandunne5978My problem is that you listed a bunch of combat spells that require concentration
And rage just completely destroys that
So while I really like the theme, these just wouldn't really work
@@yournewmessiah3582 that's the point
22:00 Kelly doing charades while Monty describes all of the different things you can do with potions is the best part of this video
Yes, yes, yes!
Valda's Spire has a "symbiont" warlock patron, that is much more venom themed, you can transform, making your AC 10+Dex+Cha but you can't cast spells while transformed... very fun for an eldritch smite build
There's so much great stuff in this book!
Pact of the Blade, let's go!
Also, does it have scaling melee damage as well or at least something higher than a d4 or d8?
Yeah they should definantly cover Valda's
The image of a plague doctor giving a potion of Tenser's Transformation to a monk (especially if the DM allows unarmed strikes to gain the 2d12 force damage bonus) or a fighter is glorious
Kelly killing it with his acting of Montys description for the plague doctor!
Also for the Plague Doctor Barbarian wouldn't get much use from the potions either bc they can't concentrate while raging. With that said I would still 100% love to play one bc it sounds so cool!
But if you chose spells that target only one and don't require concentration like mirror image you could get around some of the barbarian can't cast spells stuff.
@dakotahines8569 True, although not sure if the Barbarian wants to bother with the extra setup I guess that would depend on the situation.
I'm actually planning on playing a plague doctor wizard and path of the fractured multiclass. I love how path of the fractured gives you bonuses for not raging and being a wizard that can cast when raging fit perfectly for that theme. Plus with potion craft I can give buff spells to my party and they concentrate on it, not me. So it actually can function pretty well. I'm very excited to try this unusual multiclass build.
@@matthewmiller1847 Jeckal & Hyde?! That sounds cool!
@steel5315 thanks! I'm very excited to play this character soon
The Fighter can be flying and hasted from the same caster. You can concentrate on flying, and they can be concentrating on their haste. That is AMAZING.
Another nice thing about potion craft you didn't mention is that the spells you turn into potions only need to be in your spell book, you don't need to have them prepared, which turns them into like pseudo ritual spells (they still expend spell slots but you don't need to prepare them).
I would love for you guys to review the Grim Hollow Vile Transformations. Going over how good some of the abilities are and what other classes go well with them. Ghostfire has done it so I would love your unbiased opinion on them.
I agree that would be awesome to see their opinion on those options
11:30 spell siphon seems really good if you have another spell caster in the party. Example: sorcerer twins haste and the warlock siphons that and casts haste on a third party member. The sorcerer won’t need to cast the spell gain anytime soon anyway. Also you can siphon a counter spell and stop the enemy from casting it or make them use a legendary resistance every time they try to counter spell
Can we get videos on Valda´s Spire of Secrets next?
Love the Content!
Agree, would love to see Valda's Spire of Secrets. Even if it doesn't include new classes
11:12 Honestly, I really like the idea, since I've always wanted a Blue Mage-style character who steals spells and abilities from enemies, just for the massive customization options. With Warlock being the most "build-a-bear" class in the game with all their invocations, it be a cool idea to explore.
Spell Siphon definitely had potential but it really needs a rework.
While reviewing the vampire warlock, their criticisms were “I wish this was more like the Undead warlock”
I think it only needs an increase to its Drain Life's Range (if it were 15 feet I think that'd be great) and a few changes to the spell list. I love the 6th and 14th level features, just perfect.
@@gaminreasons8941 yeah that sounds good. I’m having a hard time coming up with notes on it because it does just feel redundant next to the undead. That subclass was made to be the vampire patron and even despite the theme the mechanics overlap a little bit
@@ShadestheMothman Well both patrons are Undead no matter how you slice it, there's gonna be some overlap. But I think it's worth noting that the Undead Patron's themes and mechanics were purpose built to fit more broadly applicable rather than how specific the Vampire Patron is molded to be the Vampire Warlock. It's kinda like how the Fiend Warlock is built to hit that broad, generic idea of making a deal with a Demon or the Devil, it doesn't necessarily map perfectly with all the Demon Lords or Arch Devils, like Levistus. But the Genie Patron maps perfectly with the Elemental Genies idea that DnD does rather than going with a more generic "Elemental" Warlock that might had pacts with a Genie, or other very powerful Elementals like Primordial Elementals or the Princes of Elemental Evil.
@@ShadestheMothman Yes but both this and The Undead exists because Undying was terrible. Third party doing something that WoTC also had do, doesn't make it redundant, it makes it a problem that two groups of people both took a shot at.
@@LupineShadowOmega fair point I hadn’t thought about it that way
For the parasite, it could make for a high-risk play style where you go all-out and get yourself killed on purpose to reincarnate into an interesting species or one of the BBEG's lieutenants.
So with the idea you mentioned about the parasite warlock, that being stealing your friends spells, can be a good combo. If your team has a cleric for example they can go before you, cast spirit guardians, choose to fail the save to have it stolen, and then your warlock also has that spell up that combat. It is secretly insane with a spellcaster friend or two.
I've always loved that you guys are aware that you have biases. Anyone else been on a dungeon dudes binge as of late?
Yeah my recommended stopped showing their videos for a little while, felt like a present when I went to their channel and found a bunch of new videos
Next, you should rank the Spells from Grim Hollow.
Played the blood mage and he was very powerful and fun to play. I used a ton of the blood spells and let me tell you, a wizard riding blood-shotgun with a rogue and letting them use the blood whip while throwing shields on them is beastly.
Since you guys are starting to feature third party content lately, I'd really like to hear your thoughts on Kibblestasty's classes and subclasses!
Kobold Press’s Tome of Heroes has a LOT of subclasses in it, ranging from the very powerful to the niche and very flavourful. The ranger, cleric, and fighter especially have some awesome ones
Would love to see a review of the "Heliana's Guide to Monster Hunting" sub-classes, as well as the whole Tamer class brought out recently! Lots of awesome theming in all of those, especially the School of Biomancy wizard. Also anything that MCDM has put out - they make dope shit.
All the subclasses sound fun and on theme for Grim Hallow campaign. Each video honestly had a subclass I’d try in that setting. Everyone did a fantastic job.
Pact of the blade actually seems like it would work really well with the vampire warlock subclass and I think would make for a solid B+ if not A tier build.
I think the ONLY tweak I'd actually make to the Vampire Warlock's features is to increase the Drain Life's potential range so that it's more friendly with using Eldritch Blast. I'd make it 15ft, it's short but it'll work with both ranged and Melee warlocks. The only other things would be a few of the spells.
I'd definitely trade out False Life but that's just because I hate that Spell, I'd trade that for Command to show off a low level ability to compel others to do my will. Alter Self isn't necessary since we could just take Mask of Many Faces or later on Master of Myriad Forms, instead I would suggest Enhance Ability to showcase an overall enhancement physical or mental. Levitate is okay, but I prefer my Warlock spells to scale with my slots or at least be worth my higher level slots in a pinch, so I might instead take Pass without Trace to show off supernatural stealth capabilities.
Those are my only critiques, I think it's actually great otherwise.
I usually hate ads in content, somehow you guys have found the ultimate niche for advertising, because when I get ads for campaign books and tabletop related content I’m genuinely interested, and when you do coverage like this, which is quasi-advertising a channel sponsor, it is still really interesting content. Nice
I think Spell Siphon is an incredible ability, and one that I'd much rather have over the standard Warlock's expanded spell list.
"Once you cast it, the spell is no longer siphoned." If you use it to copy an ally's spell, once you cast it, your ally can cast it again.
Sorcerer: I cast Fireball.
Warlock: Siphon! I cast Fireball.
Sorcerer: I cast Fireball.
Your expanded spell list becomes all your friends' spells they wish they had Action Surge to cast twice. Also, a lot of enemy spellcasters typically have one "go to" spell that's their obvious best option to cast and once they Lightning Bolt the party once, you just hold that spell so their best damage option is off the table. That and the fact that you can shut down an enemy's ability to cast Counterspell after they do it the first time is major.
I would love some kind of expanded spell list video
I'd be OK with giving every class an expanded spell list, with a few caveats.
*Full spellcasters get 2 spells up to level 5 spells.
*Half casters get 1 spell up to level 5 spells.
*Martial classes would use an innate class ability to cast spells (Superiority Die, Ki/Discipline Points, Raging Wild Magic, etc.) But their spellcasting would scale like an Eldritch Knight or Arcane Trickster. Not quite a half caster, but can still use some leveled spells.
I want to see the hour long discussion on every class having an expanded spell list 😅🤪
I appreciate Kelly's YTV sweater, it was my favorite channel as a child
I'd like to see Mr. Rhexx's Monster Classes done next. I think it'd be fun to show how combining player races with classes can interesting.
Valda’s Spire, Steinhardt’s Guide and Ryoko’s. They’re all fantastic, and Steinhardt’s in particular is right in line with your cosmic horror penchant - lots of eldritch nasties.
A series on any of these would be amazing!
Im gonna throw my hat in at the defense of Spell Siphon. You can use this on spells that you allies don't want to use multiple times or can't repeatedly use. Aid, Longstrider, Mage Armor, Mirror Image, and any other spell they they may not have the slot for. This is rare, but it could happen. It also helps keep enemies from spamming the same spell, like Counterspell.
To be fair, if you go with Parasite, than you would probably take "aspect of the moon" invocation so you don't need sleep at all and that comes also with 3 more cantrips to boot. Only issue with that set up is that you can't choose pact of the blade (at least until new core rulebook comes out and pacts became invocations) and flavor pact weapon as gooey black spike growing from your hand...
Also, if drinking of Plague Doctor potion have to concentrate I don't think you will get any flying Barbarians...
I'm currently prepping a Grim Hollow campaign, excited to see what if any of these subclasses the players will choose. The setting itself is incredibly detailed and new to most people. It should be a fun time for everyone involved
Potion wizard means party members have to use their action to take a potion so you could give it to the fighter or Paladin but they’re going to spend a turn before benefitting from it
Gonna go to bat for Valda's Spire of Secrets by Mage Hand Press. They do great work and that book in particular is very full of subclasses, as well as classes, and should keep you occupied for a while.
A couple of dudes did some pretty neat subclasses based on their own campaign that they play & livestream. Would be cool to get a conpletely unbiased review of those.
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR WARLOCKS. WOOOOO. I love these videos
As usual it's a delight watching you.
Odyssey of the Dragonlords have lots of intresting sublcasses that i'd love to have your intake on.
Sangromancy is so cool to me - I can’t get enough. Running a Grim hollow campaign and am pretty much giving all of the Ebon Syndicate Sangromancy abilities
I feel like the parasite warlock could work to echo the other party members spells, as written it does not seem to break concentration on the person being siphoned from, so it could effectively be used to twin concentration spells.
I for one would love the look on Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt. Keeping the team of dark lore going.
Interesting note on the parasite warlock spell siphon, since it is based on losing consciousness and death as the method to lose your siphons, if you take aspect of the moon as an invocation, you never need to sleep, so you would only lose them to combat
DnD Unleashed has a lot of fun subclasses you guys could look at. They've put out two (pdf) books, one focused on the four elements and one focused on "dark magic" like undead, blood, lycanthropy, poison, disease, ect. I really enjoy their stuff and have been sprinkling it into my game that I run.
Valda's spire of secrets. Even if you don't look at the new classes introduced, the subclasses that the base phb classes get access to are worth a look.
More subclasses stsrting with your own book!!! Excited for its delivery.
You basically called yourselves ouit (between this video and the last in this series) - your next series could be 'expanded spell lists for those classes that didn't have them before"
"it's my blood you can't tell me what to do with it" belongs on a shirt
Just a note on the parasite warlock, Spell Siphon absolutely can be used on allies. The first sentence, as always, is flavour text. The second sentence starts with the requirements for the spell, and it states that the target has to be a creature. This can absolutely be used to steal an allies spell and use it on your turn, thereby freeing it up for use by your allies next turn. Hell, it doesnt say that it doesnt interrupt concentration so double max level spirit guardians, double wall of flame and double hold monster are all valid.
Please do a video of giving each wizard, sorcerer, druid and warlock subclass a expensed spell list for ones who don't.
My favorite sorcerer subclass is the storm sorcerer but it doesn't have an expensed spell list.
I'm running a Grim Hollow campaign. My wife is playing the Haunted sorcerer and having a lot of fun with the possibilities for exploration, getting through walls with her specter and attacking while invisible with the first attack. Having this at low levels is a great advantage as she has saved her spell selection for more utility spells. Our warlock is playing the parasite and the theme is great for the campaign. His story is quite central to these initial adventures we are playing. The problem is that his spell syphon does not come to play that often. I have tried to include a bit more spell casters but still, he does not use most of the spells he syphons. I'll soon discuss options with him on making the character more interesting (for example, through the transformations in grim hollow) or perhaps changing subclass or character completely if he wishes so.
In my current weekly campaign I’m playing a Dhampir Sangromancy Wizard, totally leaned into the theme. My go to spells have been Sense Lifeblood to add 2d12 to my cantrips against any target under half. Though it does combo with any damage spell. So you could combine it with Scorching Ray and hit the same target with all the rays, doing increased damage as it gets lower.
We also have a player playing the First vampire Warlock. She’s loving it. We started her with 2 levels of fighter and she’s going pact of the blade.
First off, mega props for dropping a Legacy of Kain reference. As for the Vampire Warlock, how is it not an A? You are still a Warlock and you get a bunch of great spells and solid abilities. I don't think this subclass would have any problems in any campaign unless there was a lot of daytime encounters and radiant damage. The Parasite Warlock should have had an expanded spell list with the ability to steal a single spell per combat encounter. That would have made this a strong subclass with an even better thematic portion. The Plague Wizard is the subclass I've been wanting for decades. A magic user who makes potions to use on allies or throw at enemies. This is what the Artificer Alchemist should have been.
Valda's Spire of Secrets is SO underrated, you guys should absolute analyse their classes!
Great stuff. I think Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt would be great for you all to review next. Currently, the book isn't out but PDFs are available, and I think you all would really like/appreciate the content provided. Take care.
I really like the Spell Siphon idea. Stealing Spells could have a great flavor potential.
Here's a thought - Parasite warlock multiclassed into wizard. After you steal a spell instead of casting it, scribe it into your wizard spellbook. Boom, you now have it full time.
It's stretching the rules a bit, so would probably need DM approval, but I think that would be an interesting way to go about expanding your spell list.
Character becomes a wizard hunter seeking out more and more powerful wizards in order to steal their spells.
I think you guys should definitely take a deep look for all the changes in One D&D for a video again, I would love to hear what you think of everything.
I can’t wait for you to get back to the Apothecary subclasses! Playing a Mutagenist in a few months and would love to hear what y’all have to say about it!
I like Morgrave Miscellany a lot, some unique concepts if nothing else. Particularly of note is that it also has a new Pact Boon, Pact of the Host, that goes very well thematically with the Parasite warlock.
I want the Full Expanded Spell List Episode!!!
Voting for Kobold Press Tome of Heroes for the next subclass rankings. On a sidenote, other than the What if everyone plays a… videos, these 3rd party products videos have been my favorite. Thanks again.
Both subclasses in this book are great. Parasite might have been my favorite warlock subclass because the features work really well with my playstyle. Then I got my copy of Sebastion Crowe's Guide to Drakkenheim and now Flesh Patron is my favorite warlock subclass. Chef's kiss!
I'm currently playing a Loxodon Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan)/Warlock (Parasite). His hybrid form takes him into a mammoth-loxodon form. I like this character. In another campaign, I have a Changeling Blood Hunter (Order of the Lycan)/Warlock (Flesh Patron) ready (just in case).
Would love to see you talk about The Islands of Sina Una! It’s such a different take on traditional fantasy and I’m very excited to get together a group to play there.
For the first vampire - I think you also should have added to the whole hunger-thing when they back a spell slot if they kill a target using it, that they also when a target is within kill range for a none-crit from it, the warlock would know (be told by dm - maybe flavour as their patron whispers that the pray is within kill to sate it's thirst or something) that it would finish the potential target off.
Just with the draining attack I think a blade warlock vampire would be really cool, putting down some concentration spells, swinging a rapier, and bonus action draining foes, enhancing it when you need to restore your health, and of course once you have Greater Invisibility you become a super deadly ghost.
Legacy of Kain!!! Whoa haven't thought about that game in years.
I would love to see you guys do Valda's Spire of Secrets next! It's long, but you guys can do it!!!
Circle of Blood Druid is my fave sub class in Grim Hollow. Kudos gents
Liked the vampire one quite a bit. Gave me salem's lot vibes. Meaning the "familiar" guy serving him doing his bidding in the daytime.
Would love to see an updated version of the First Vampire subclass
I knew Monty was a man of culture, but hey, knowing Legacy of Kain is beyond arch wizard knowledge. Respect.
That warlock pact looks fun!
Would like to hear more of your thoughts on expanded spell lists or other homebrew that you guys would implement as 3rd party designers. That being said, a tier ranking of griffins saddlebag subclasses or a tier ranking of the upcoming valikan clans subclasses would be pretty cool.
I would definitely recommend reviewing the classes and subclasses in Steinhardt's Guide to the eldritch hunt!!
I also greatly appreciate the Legacy of Kain reference. I miss that franchise so much.
I would love to see you discuss the classes, feats and spells from Exploring Eberron and Chronicles of Eberron.
I have built a sangromancer and he's pretty dope. I bought full in on the blood spells though.
I love the flavor of becoming a parasite and taking over someone else's body.
The Plague Doctor reminds me of Darkest Dungeon.
As a DM and player, warlocks are my single favorite class in the game. Their mechanics could use a little polishing but the flavor just has so much potential 😁
Is that a YTV sweatshirt, holy elder vampire I am both so happy to see this review uploaded right before I jump into a grimhollow campaign AND a fellow Canadian who knows whats up. YTV was dope with Carlos and Sugar (maybe before ur time)
Playing sangromancy in a campaign now. Fighter2wizard18 currently level 7. Built him as a brawler who uses the sangromancy spells to heal up and augment unarmed strikes. It's very fun.
Honestly think the Plague Doctor subclass is S tier, full stop. Potion craft is a barely more tame, but significantly more usable version of arcane abeyance, the feature that makes chronurgy as broken as it is. Good medicine is also insane for doing the one thing wizard subclasses never do - give wizards healing. It'd be a great subclass if it earned either of these things as you leveled your wizard, but it learns both right at level 2. Perfect
Totally agree. I was a Downcast/Plague Doctor/Primordial and my potential was only growing as I learned new spells. I wish my GH campaign continued and didn't fizzle out because my teammates were going to be eating good.
What I'm looking for in a subclass is pretty different from one class to another, because some classes are more generous than others. If the class is really solid without including subclass input, I'm looking for the subclass to highlight strengths or eliminate limitations of the base class. If the class gives lots of options and gimmicks but doesn’t give the player much meat to work with, the subclass needs to supply the class's vital strength.
Wizard is a really solid class, which has a great spell selection and lots of spell slots to use them. Its subclasses give niche enhancements to particular spells so you can really fine tune your character to be better as a trickster, powerhouse, ally support, disruptor, etc.
Warlock has no strong points as a base class. It can't hit harder than other classes, runs out of spell uses faster, has a smaller repertoire of spells to choose a spell list from, has very limited opportunity to change what spells they have available, and while their spellcasting has been effectively limited to that of a half-caster, they don't include the martial benefits other half-casters have. Their core effectiveness thus needs to come from their subclass. It has to either give them functionalty as a melee combatant, effectiveness as a spellcaster, or increase the viability of eldritch invocations. The subclasses of warlock are taking the various flavors of useless which is the warlock's baseline features and giving them a viable skeleton to contribute toward effectiveness within.
I'd be interested to hear your take on Raiders Guide to Valika when it comes out. That way you'll have all of Grim Hollow covered! Also, Historica Arcanum has some AMAZING subclasses that are worth a look!
Steinhardt's Guide to the Eldritch Hunt was my first and still favorite homebrew book I bought, honestly I'm super shocked it doesnt have more traction since it used to hold the record for the highest amount pledged for a homebrew sourcebook, and I believe its still #3, right behind The Crooked Moon and Ryoko's. Both those are still in beta, so I think Steinhardt's would be perfect to cover!
Plague Doctor is the Artificer Alchemist we wanted.