"Elf Generalist" ability for a Sorcerer?

[shmoo2]

In my campaign, favored class for elves is Sorcerer.

I would like to create an ability for elven sorcerer equivalent to the "Elf Generalist" ability granted by the substitution level in Races of the Wild. (It gives an elven wizard an additional spell known at every new level, and an additional spell slot at the highest level that can be cast. The 'drawback' is that the wizard can't specialize.)

Perhaps an extra slot at highest level, without any extra spells known? Individual spell slots are less of a big deal to a sorcerer.

Any other suggestions?

 

[Crothian]

Unless you are allowing Sorceres to specialize like a wizard, doesn't that make all sorcerers then generalists?

 

[shmoo2]

Unless you are allowing Sorceres to specialize like a wizard, doesn't that make all sorcerers then generalists?

Well, only Elfs can gain the substitution level with this ability

 

[Li Shenron]

I would like to create an ability for elven sorcerer equivalent to the "Elf Generalist" ability granted by the substitution level in Races of the Wild. (It gives an elven wizard an additional spell known at every new level, and an additional spell slot at the highest level that can be cast. The 'drawback' is that the wizard can't specialize.)

That sounds strange, but I don't have RoW to check it out. If there is no other drawback, then where is the choice? When would an elf generalist wizard would NOT take this substitution level?

Not being able to specialise is not a drawback in the proper sense. It's like the Radiant Servant of Pelor whose only drawback IIRC is that... he cannot be cleric of a different deity

Perhaps an extra slot at highest level, without any extra spells known? Individual spell slots are less of a big deal to a sorcerer.

Well, this sounds as a definitely smaller benefit compared to that for a wizard. An extra spell slot is never bad, but the wizard gets the same (which is better for him, in proportion) plus the free known spells. I would consider something more than just the extra slot, but if an extra spell known is too much in your opinion, then what about a caster level or DC bonus on a certain number of specific spells?

That said, I'd give this benefits only in exchange for something else... Maybe the original substitution level occured at a level when the wizard got a bonus feat (hence the drawback is the lost bonus feat)?

Mind you that I don't necessarily think that the benefit should be balanced with the drawback; it's fine for me if the benefit is somewhat better with the race restriction, but something must be given up for the benefit. Otherwise you don't need a substitution level, just give the benefit to all elven sorcerer.

 

[Nifft]

That sounds strange, but I don't have RoW to check it out. If there is no other drawback, then where is the choice? When would an elf generalist wizard would NOT take this substitution level?

Think of it more as a bonus for Elves, who otherwise have very little mechanical justification for being iconic wizards.

IIRC, the Elven Wizard lost his Familiar.

What would I do to boost Elven Sorcerers? Assuming you want to boost them, why not give them the choice of a Domain (from a restricted list)?

Fire, Water, Air and Earth are all flavorful choices, and Plant or Animal would also be interesting (and very Elf-appropriate).

-- N

 

[shmoo2]

That sounds strange, but I don't have RoW to check it out. If there is no other drawback, then where is the choice? When would an elf generalist wizard would NOT take this substitution level?

... Maybe the original substitution level occured at a level when the wizard got a bonus feat (hence the drawback is the lost bonus feat)?

The original substitution level occured at level 1.
There was some discussion when the book came out whether "Elf Generalist" is balanced or not.
Indeed, the 'drawback' is not much of one since the character gets most of the benefits of being a specialist (extra spells known and extra spell slots) without having to give up any schools.

I want some ability which gives an equal (or less) boost to elven sorcerers- especially since they are an LA+2 race IMC, with favored class of sorcerer.

 

[Nifft]

LA +2 race?!? They will STINK as Sorcerers. Everyone knows that the first commandment of spellcasting is "Thou Shalt Not Lose Caster Levels". Seriously. An LA +2 Elf will not ever be as strong as a Human Sorcerer.

-- N

 

[shmoo2]

I know. Making my elves more viable as PC sorcerers is the reason I'm looking to create this new ability.

This thread was a helpful discussion of Elves with LA and the sorcerer class:

http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=142681

 

[the_myth]

In my campaign, favored class for elves is Sorcerer.

I would like to create an ability for elven sorcerer equivalent to the "Elf Generalist" ability granted by the substitution level in Races of the Wild. (It gives an elven wizard an additional spell known at every new level, and an additional spell slot at the highest level that can be cast. The 'drawback' is that the wizard can't specialize.)

Perhaps an extra slot at highest level, without any extra spells known? Individual spell slots are less of a big deal to a sorcerer.

Any other suggestions?

I always see the difference between the sorcerer and the wizard as:

wizard: potentially limitless spell selection via spellbooks + fixed number of spells per day

sorcerer: finite (and relatively fixed) spells known + lots of freely choosable spells per day

If an Elf Generalist indeed gets an extra spell known in their spellbook at each new level and an extra memorizable spell of the maximum allowable, then the Sorcerer counterpart would also get some bonus to enhance his/her casting powers.

The Elf Generalist gets extra free spells at each level for their spellbooks...quite a coup. The extra spell memorizable also balances against the inability to specialize.

Sorcerers cannot specialize (as another poster pointed out), so why not make them a bit more wizardly as a perk: the Elf Sorcerer gets access to all common cantrips as "spells known" beyond the limits set by the class. As a little added bonus, they get an extra spell known each time they gain access to a new spell level. This makes them MUCH more versatile, but doesn't give them a lot of added power (no more extra spells castable, but more choice...which seems appropiate for the long-lived elves who tend to have decades to learn just about anything).

Opinions?