Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alsea, OR
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Re: 5th ed D&D needs a Cantrip focused class.
As is, the bulk of the cantrips are offensive. 12 of 23 in the core. 22/38 overall in the books I have to hand.
A cantrip based class (discounting the Warlock, because his real role is "I can cast 12+ spells a day at level 1...", at least, with a short rest between each) would have a many ways of getting 1dX damage, but would have no scaling non-attack spells.
Only the attack cantrips scale by level. So, either the class would need to have some new flavor of utility cantrips which do level, or a rule to scale existing utility and defense cantrips... or be a purely combat-munchkin, which, thanks to Eldritch bolt and its upgrades, Warlocks already have the niche filled.
Offensive (22: PHB 12, SCAG 4, EE 5, POTA 1†)
PHB: Acid Splash^, Eldritch Blast^, Fire Bolt^, Poison Spray^, Produce Flame^, Ray of Frost^, Sacred Flame^, Shilleglagh*, Shocking Grasp^, Thorn Whip^, True Strike**, Vicious Mockery^
SCAG: Booming Blade^, Green Flame Blade^, Lightning Lure^, Sword Burst^
EE:Create Bonfire^, Frostbite^, Gust, Magic Stone*, Thunderclap^
POTA: Chill Touch^
Defensive (4: PHB 2, EE 1, POTA 1)
PHB: Blade Ward, Resistance
EE: Mold Earth
POTA: Blade Ward
Utility (16: PHB 9, EE 5, POTA 2†)
PHB: Druidcraft, Friends $, Light, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, prestidigitation, Produce Flame, Spare the Dying, Thaumaturgy
EE: Create Bonfire, Control Flame, Gust, Mold Earth, Shape Water
POTA: Mending, Message
^ Damage/effect scales with level
* actually enchants a weapon in hand, so not strictly offensive
** bonus to next attack
$ Built-in backfire effect
†ignoring repeats from the PHB
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