While reading this, I had another idea. I am a little concerned about the bookkeeping, but there may be a way around this.
One of the compaints about the sorcerer is that they are 'shoehorned' into what spells they can use, since they get to choose only a few, they can't afford to get any that are not going to be useful all the time.
What if they were allowed additional spells that were 'harder' to cast?
IOW, in addition to their normal selection of known spells, they can learn another 1st level spell in a third level slot. (the spell levels can be adjusted)
(It is quickly becoming obvious to me that I am not making this very clear, so please bear with me.)
ONE example of this:
Currently, and 8th level sorcerer gets known spells like this:
0: 8
1: 5
2: 3
3: 2
4: 1
Pretty limited, but if you increase it, they become way powerful. Unless you give an additional cost.
0: 8
1: 5
2: 3+2
3: 2+2
4: 1+1
In this case, the additional spells are actually spells from 2 levels earlier. So this sorcerer could case (for example)
0th slot: (8) Resistance, Acid Splash, Detect Poison, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Daze, Dancing Light, Flare
1st slot: (5) Shield, Grease, Mage Armor, Mount, Obscuring Mist.
2nd slot: (3) Arcane Lock, Obscure Object, Protection from Arrows:
(+2) Mending, Arcane Mark
3rd slot: (2) Fireball, Lightning Bolt.
(+2) Identify, Feather Fall.
4th slot: (1) Dimension Door
(+1) Knock
A sorcerer may not be willing to chose feather fall as a 1st level spell, may never get used. But this allows them to chose it as a 3rd level spell. May never get used, but if needed, it may be worth burning a 3rd level slot for it.
Identify isn't really worth taking as one of only 5 allowed 1st level spells. But may be worth a 3rd level slot at times.
More versatility, more variety, not much more powerful.
Now, the number of spells allowed, and the level 'cost' is not set in stone. I am intrigued to here opinions on this.
Thanks for reading, and sorry for it not being overly concise.
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