Good post OP. My issue is mostly around the claim that they 'tried'. I find that extremely unlikely. As I'm blasting my way through another run on a Warlock, I'm just shaking my head at all the splash damage, exploding fire arrows, and for lack of a better word, litter, that is all over the screen, constantly.

That's all put there for a reason, and its not because 'we are looking to remain faithful to 5e'.

Thankfully I'm going to be busy tomorrow, so I can get to 17th ASAP because I need to know if its time to just step away from this place for a few months.