Best race for sorcerer?

[krunchyfrogg]

It looks like your mind is already made up, and I know this is generally thought of as a bad idea, but I'm in favor of going Human and adding a Paladin level if you're feeling adventurous.

 

[IcyCool]

Why does everyone say Kobold? Kobolds suck. They get -4 Str, +2 Dex, and -2 Con...their stat adjustments are just horrible. If you want to be that weak, why not just go commoner and be done with it?

Commoners (and I'm assuming you just mean the class) don't get Darkvision 30 ft, a +1 size bonus to attacks and AC, a +4 size bonus to Hide checks, a bonus to Dex, +1 natural armor, and racial skill bonuses.

 

[Sejs]

Commoners (and I'm assuming you just mean the class) don't get Darkvision 30 ft, a +1 size bonus to attacks and AC, a +4 size bonus to Hide checks, a bonus to Dex, +1 natural armor, and racial skill bonuses.

And a faster move compared to other small creatures.

 

[melkorspawn]

Ha! Settle it like a gamer, huh? There's 7 core races on the PHB, though, and since this is Eberron, there's 4 more for a total of 11. This calls for a chart:

1) Changeling
2) Dwarf
3) Elf
4) Gnome
5) Half-Elf
6) Half-orc
7) Halfling
8) Human
9) Kalashtar
10) Shifter
11) Warforged
12) Other (from Monster Manual or one of the Races books)

Damn, now I wish I had a d12 handy. I'm seriously tempted to choose this way, even if it means I have a 1 in 3 chance of getting a CHA penalty this way.

I actually pulled out my incredably underused d12, as this was an excuse to make it feel loved... and rolled a 12. No help here.

 

[Cabral]

And a faster move compared to other small creatures.

Oh nice. I thought Goblins were the only ones who got that.

 

[Mistwell]

I actually pulled out my incredably underused d12, as this was an excuse to make it feel loved... and rolled a 12. No help here.

See. You are destined to play a Whisper Gnome from Races of Stone.

Seriously, go read it first, before you decide. You will like it. They will make for a fine sorceror with an interesting background.

 

[dorentir]

I know squat about Ebberon so I can't help you there...

But if it were me, I'd choose between an elf, gnome, halfling or human. If I just wanted to min-max a character who could survive till level 2 I'd go with a human sorceror --- thus he gets an extra feat. I'd pick "toughness" for my first feat, dump enough into Con so I didn't get penalties, jack up CHA and DEX at the expense of other stats. Thus I'd have 7 hitpoints and still be allowed to pick another feat --- my second feat would probably be improved initiative... that and my dex would hopefully help me keep out of harms way and alive long enough to use my spells until level 2. I'd probably include color spray or sleep in my spell selection. I wouldn't bother with dropping a lot of points into STR simply because I would avoid combat and fight with spells... or my crossbow.

I'd pick an elf just because I like the race from a roleplayer's perspective.

Gnomes may get additional spell-like abilities depending upon your stats which will help out immensely at lower levels when your spell abilities are still weak. Plus their race ability bonuses, like those of halflings, would help you out (as others have already said).

I like the kobold as a sorceror race despite their weaknesses but in most fantasy campaigns in which I have been a player, Kobolds carry a pretty severe social stigma, what with being evil and all... so joining a party of humans, elves, dwarves, etc., might not be so easy for a kobold. Plus when you walked into the village to buy iron rations the locals might just try to kill you...the bonuses (+2 AC due to size and natural armor, bonuses to hide, etc.) and darkvision would be a great help in dungeon adventures... but the light sensitivity will also be a great liability.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

how about a killorian from races of the wild. they are la +0, and they have a smite form (distroyer i think). its chaisma based. You could smite with damage spells that require a roll as it uses the term attack and says nothing about its smite needing a weapon of any type.

They do not die of old age. you could say your charicter is 4000 years old if you want.

They are not effected by persion spells as they have the fey type.

They are immune to magic sleep effects (but still sleep)

The are fey and fey rock.

Dont look at the picture in the book. The text says they look like half elves. the picture looks nothing like what they actualy look like. took me awhile to get over that.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Not to single you out, as many have suggested Elf, but I don't see the point. Sorcerers already start with Crossbow proficiency, and there really isn't too much of a difference between a light crossbow and a shortbow, especially since you probably won't be sinking any feats into using these weapons. Also, I know the Elf gets the Sword proficiency, but if you get into melee, you're not playing your Sorcerer wisely.

Crossbow requires a move action to reload, you can't stay away from melee and fire at the same time, which is a considerable disadvantage. Firing a bow works the same as casting a spell.
Even the melee weapon profiency is worth a lot - If you later plan on Polymorphing to wade into combat (usually in a humanoid shape to keep the ability to cast spells), a viable weapon is nice. This might usually not be the best tactic, but against some monsters (especially Golems and high SR creatures) it is often the only tactic that has any chance to work (after the Sorceror buffed the rest of the group).
Relying on natural attacks often fails since such enemies also have a considerable Damage Reduction. A Admantite (or Cold Iron) Longsword of Evil Outsider and Golem Bane can be a nice weapon in such situations...

The lower CON on a class that already gets very few HP (and needs Concentration) completely rules out Elf IMHO.

The standard D&D rules for Casting on the Defensive make it really easy - The DC increases by one point per 2 levels, the skill modifier with at least 1 point per level...
Hitpoints are definitely a concern, I agree. The increased Dex slightly helps to offset the risks of major damage dealers (area spells and ordinary attacks), though I admit a Halfling would still be better in it. But a Halfling can't run as fast from danger as an Elf can

 

[cwhs01]

I've played a dwarf evocation specialistwizard/elemental savant-air once (air because earth would have been too traditional). Because of a houserule regarding learning new spells (limiting wizards to only gain spells through research, no freebies at each level, and a campaign that allowed no time to reasearch in), it played alot like a sorceror. Ofcourse if you insist on playing a sorc, stay away from a class that gives -2 cha. But a con bonus is actually very helpful in letting a wiz/sorc survive at low->mid levels. Moreso than a dex bonus IMO (eg. stay away from elf sorc).

So listen to the people who say to go with the gnome sorceror.