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Even a level 11 Rogue with its 6d6 with 2d8 weapons with 20 Dex will do only 6d6+2d8+14 (40 average damage) while the Warlock is there doing 3d10+30 (45 average damage)

Now add all the effects from items and coatings that you have at that point in the game. I gave Wyll-the-thief the caustic ring and the ichorous gloves which means that even without a coating the thief is adding acid damage to the target and poison damage to other enemies. And this works with both melee and ranged combat. The Warlock on the other hand has to either use a rapier in melee or move out of combat to eldritch blast. There's no penalty for switching weapons and the thief, unlike Warlock, can use its signature skill at range or in the fray.

So to keep this on topic (barely): it doesn't makes mechanical sense to trade Wyll for Shadowheart, Lae'zel or Astarian at the grove. Would you prefer level 3 warlock or a level 3 rogue in a 4 person party? And Astarian is the only viable trade - getting rid of the healer or the tank doesn't make much sense.

Yes you can build someone else for traps but, unlike EA, Shadowheart is no longer setup to open locks and Wyll isn't great either. The gloves of dexterity do eliminate that need but you get those after you've encountered many traps.

Cantrips

You are right that if you are using cantrips other than eldritch blast you have to deal with resistances but that you also miss out on the synergistic effects of the items that Larian has put in the game. The game is full of items that boost damage from cold, poison and fire damage. But, again, the only cantrip I use regularly is chill touch against enemies who can heal themselves - otherwise I use a spell or an item.

(and because I'm strange I avoid ray of frost because I think Larian's implementation is too powerful - damage + rimmed with frost + ice surface?)

Oh, and shocking grasp on steel watchers.


Spells vs Eldritch Blast


Even on tactician there's no time pressure in the the game if you've been looting all the food and, again, not resting often enough can mess up romances and story progression. Even if you are giving yourself time pressure to maintain immersion the restoration fountains, potions of angelic slumber and spellcrux amulets will restore missing spell slots.

And level 11 Gale with Curriculum of Strategy and Dethrone will do more damage in an encounter than a level 11 Warlock. (yes both will need a short rest afterwords)

So, again, I would accept that the warlock would be superior to a sorcerer, wizard or thief in another game that had timed quests but you can take as long as you like to complete BG3.

Pushing

You are right that the bonus round push requires an athletics check but it's a bonus round action that would otherwise be wasted. And it succeeds more often than not. Lae'zel can push someone into Gale's cloud of daggers as reliably as regularly as the warlock's eldritch blast hits it target. (even if they wasted misty step spell slot to get out of melee) And thunderwave will push multiple targets into the cloud . . .

I just couldn't imagine trading a warlock for a fighter.

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Cleric is just a one trick where you either abuse Sanctuary shenans or your 1 good spell Spirit Guardians and deals no damage otherwise since they get crap cantrips and no extra attacks.

Guidance is a crap cantrip? Spirit Guardians is the only good spell? Have you tried insect plague? Planar Ally? I admire your commitment to the discussion but if I had to choose the one trick pony from a line up I would point at the warlock before the cleric smile

"I cast eldritch blast"

@saeran


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Cleric I'd consider for an abjurer multiclass build, something to try, but other than this I prefer druids as the divine spellcaster of the party. At least on tactician, haven't tried honor mode yet.

Fair enough, I also trade out Shadowheart for Jaheria in the late game but if we are talking about party support I wouldn't trade either for a Warlock.

Again, Wyll loses out because of his class and the 4 person party - not because his EA story was bad. If they had expanded the party they wouldn't have needed to revise his story.