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One issue which has come up again and again in the playtest discussions is the "simple vs complex" question.

Some D&D players want simple classes, either because they reject system mastery or for new players.  This is a totally reasonable request.

Some D&D players want complex classes, because they want to play mechanically as well as thematically and conceptually interesting characters.  This is ALSO a totally reasonable request.

So far we have seen a lot of effort go into making some of the previously simple classes (I'm looking at you Fighter and Rogue) more mechanically interesting and dynamic, so that they are acceptable to the people who want complexity without playing casters.

This is a good thing.

Though it IS important to note that there NEED to be mechanically simple options provided alongside the more mechanically complex within these classes so that they can still fulfil the desires of those who want to play a simple Fighter or simple Rogue.

...

However,

There has NOT yet been any progress towards the development of simple casters.

None of the proposed optional casting systems are simple and I suggest that no casting system based on the complex network of mini-systems known in D&D as a "spell list" will EVER be simple.

Some players want to play simple Arcane and Divine characters.

Some players want to play simple Casters.

Many young people entering the target age bracket to first pick up D&D have grown up with Harry Potter and will expect to see characters like these possible to build in D&D.  They currently are NOT.



So,

My question is simple:

Where is my simple Caster? 

Posting to say that if it were release, I would definitely play a simple caster. Especially if it focused on primarily at-will casting (which is something I've always wanted).

Dec 30, 2012 -- 4:27PM, Salla wrote:

Something resembling the 3e Warlock, without the lame flavor baked into the class, would be ideal, I think.  All the casting you would want.

With or without the flavor I vote for it, too.
But if warts for fey lovers is all the flavor they can give, then no flavor would be absolutly better, lol.

Honestly when I think of a simple caster I think of the Charmed sisters from Charmed. Each sister has an active power and it grows. They usually gain another ability later but all have scrying, spell writing, and The Power of Three. I think if you strip it down it could translate as an inspiration for a simple caster class. I'm not sure you would call them witches though as most witches are thought of as hexers in the medieval times though. But basically you would choose an evolving power and it would gain more die as you level up. Some of their powers included molecular manipulation (Piper could combust her target causing her enemy to blow up and she could slow down molecules causing her target to freeze), seeing the future (Phoebe could see the future and in some cases the past), and telekinesis (Prue could move things with her mind and in an episode the future was seen and she eventually had it so powerful she could use it to blow up the house). I think powers such as those aside from seeing the future could be great evolving powers. They would be different than spells because they could be innate abilities and then you could give them a minor amount of spells and more cantrips than a wizard would have. The bulk of their power should come from the abilities they have which evolves. As you do it more it changes and gains more powerful abilities. Perhaps first you can freeze your enemy in place. Later you can target perhaps the feet or unfreeze another part. Maybe later you can use your power to blow the enemy up. This gives you options so you are not doing the same blast because you are unlocking features of your power. You only choose it once when you create your character. Of course it doesn't need to be molecular combustion as I was just drawing inspiration from my favorite series.