Editing Warcaster (section)

==In 5th Edition==
Warcasters naturally got turned into a full-fledged class of their own when Privateer Press decided they were going to go full circle and bring the [[Iron Kingdoms]] back into the D&D sphere for [[Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition]], appearing in the Requiem corebook - their [[Warlock]] counterparts wouldn't show up until Borderlands & Beyond in 2022.

In 5e, the Warcaster is, at its core, an [[Intelligence]]-based Prepared [[Half Caster]], with spells capping out at 6th level. However, rather than using spell slots like other 5e classes, it uses [[Focus]] as a kind of [[mana]] system; a Warcaster has a level-based pool of Focus (starting with 2 Focus and capping out at 8 Focus at level 19), and recharges 1 Focus ever 10 minutes (and fills the whole pool on a short rest). To cast a spell, a Warcaster needs to spend Focus equal to its spell level, and can "overcharge" the spell by spending excess Focus to boost its potency, ala a [[wizard]] casting a spell with a higher level spell slot.

At 2nd level, they gain the Focus Manipulation class feature, which lets them spend focus to buff themselves in the following ways. 3rd level gives them the ability to transfer Focus to a [[steamjack]] they have bonded to; a steamjack only holds this Focus for 10 minutes, but can spend the points to gain the Attack Bonus, Damage Bonus and Shake it Off buffs.
* Attack Bonus: Costs 1 Focus, make an attack with a bonded mechanikal weapon with Advantage.
* Damage Bonus: On a successful hit with a bonded mechanikal weapon, do +1d8 weapon damage per Focus point spent.
* Reduce Damage: If wearing bonded mechanikal armor, you can use your Reaction to spend 1 Focus when you take damage to reduce the damage taken by (2*Proficiency Bonus).
* Shake It Off: Costs 1 Focus, ends a condition or enemy effect that a save can end.

The core features of the 5e Warcaster, outside of the Focus manipulating and spellcasting stuff, are:
* '''Bond:''' 1st level, you can Attune to mechanikal items as if they were magical items by spending an action rather than a short rest. A bonded mechanikal weapon counts as a spellcasting focus for warcaster spells.
* '''Steamjack Bond:''' 3rd level, you can Bond to a steamjack by spending 10 minutes touching it. You can telepathically command steamjacks from (maximum Focus * 10) feet away. Bonded steamjacks act on their own initiative, but do what you command them.
* '''Power Up:''' 5th level, all Bonded steamjacks under your control gain 1 Focus at the start of each of your turns.
* '''Direct Control:''' 11th level, you can assume direct psychic control over a Bonded steamjack.
* '''Refined Focus:''' 15th level, Spending Focus for a Damage Bonus now grants +1d10 damage per Focus spent. Spending Focus for an Attack Bonus causes the attack to automatically be a Critical Hit if both the dice roll trigger a successful hit.
* '''Battlegroup:''' 17th level, whenever you transfer Focus to one Bonded steamjack, all your other Bonded steamjacks also gain +1 Focus for free.
* '''Focus Recovery:''' 20th level, if you roll Initiative and have no Focus points left, you automatically gain 4 Focus.

Warcasters even get subclasses, which they pick at 1st level - their subclass features are attained at 1st, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level. ''Iron Kingdoms: Requiem'' only comes with three subclasses; Controller, Arcanist and Soldier. ''Iron Kingdoms: Beyond the Borderlands'' reputedly has four more Warcaster subclasses planned for it; the Arcane Assassin, Arcanika Adeptis, Rhuilic Warcaster and Void Touched.

The ''Controller'' specializes in controlling steamjacks, and is the only warcaster to '''start''' with a steamjack minion - albeit a very weak model literally called a Clapped Out Steamjack.

The ''Arcanist'' specializes in spellcasting instead, with features that make using spells much more rewarding.

The ''Soldier'' focuses on the [[gish]] elements of the Warcaster; it specializes in bonding with mechanika and getting into the fray. This is the subclass you take if you want to be a [[Power Armor]]ed spellslinger with a [[chainsword]].

[[Category: Warmachine]]