I can only comment on the game implementation. I haven't played tabletop since 3.5/pathfinder years ago.
In general, now that you mention all the other patrons, it seems even weirder that the warlock class universally gets and relies so heavily on the eldritch blast.
Okay, so I'm shopping around for a patron. Mr. Devil, what do I get with you? Eldritch blast? Okay, that's something. Let's see. Miss Fey, what do I get with you? Oh, eldritch blast? Hmm. Okay. Well, let's see, hello there Thing From Beyond, what do I get with you? Wait. Seriously? Eldritch blast?
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I think it's the whole class I have a problem with. Not only do I find it mechanically weak, at least in the first four levels, I also find it... lacking in flavor, especially given the potential it could have.
For instance, I think it would be nice if the different "pact types" basically amounted to a totally different type of character. One could be a hulking warrior with unnatural strength. Another a demented psionicist, while still another could become so beautiful as to charm all around.
Just a list of different things that the character could get for the pact. Like, one character might get all these extra skills while another character gets a big bonus to a particular stat, and maybe somebody else just gets an extra 40 hit points and a natural AC of 13 or something.
