Do Sorcerers need components?

[kreynolds]

Yeah, well, as far as I am concerned all of Monte's stuff counts as House Rules.

So what? The question was in regards to a supplement that has it's own modified rules. The same could be said of ALL supplements, but as to whether or not those questions should be asked here, that's a completely different topic. If you ask a rules question about the supplement, you get an answer regarding those rules.

Nothing against Monte, it just tends to not be balanced against the rest of the system.

I agree, but that's not the point.

 

[Chun-tzu]

My reasoning behind requiring Monte's Alt. Sorcerer to pay a min. of 1 EXP. for every spell he casts is that I think the class is too overpowered otherwise. Especially compared to the old Sorcerer.

You guys think it's overpowered? I don't know. You gain a d6 for hit dice, a couple of Cha-based skills, 4 skill points per level, and pay for material components with XP instead of gold. Am I forgetting something? But compared to the original sorcerer, you lose out on spellcasting ability, the mage's main strength! Now the sorcerer is THREE levels behind the wizard when it comes to casting some of the better spells. For example, since Haste is now level 4, the sorcerer gets it at level 8, while the wizard has it at 5. And now the sorcerer's spell list is much more restricted than before.

Considering that sorcerer's have so little to lose by taking prestige classes, we're talking about extra hit points and skill points for about 5 or 6 levels in most cases. So those 2 things aren't as significant an advantage at mid to high levels.

I guess I like Monte's sorcerer better than the original because it further differentiates it from the wizard. But this sorcerer passes the litmus test for me: I believe many players would choose either the original sorcerer or the wizard over it, so it can't be that overpowered.

 

[Celtavian]

Re

I did the same as Tiberius. Sorceror's get Eschew Materials for free at first level. In a pinch they can cast without materials. I felt it fit the sorceror well.

Then again, I also give the sorceror bonus feats every 5 levels like the wizard. I feel the wizards versatility more than offsets for the sorceror's spontaneous casting. At least, that is my opinion.

 

[nharwell]

I've offered my players a choice between the PHB sorceror and Monte's (the one I prefer) -- every time they've gone with the PHB sorceror. In their opionions, the extra spells known, hit points, and skills just aren't worth the reduced spell selection and the boost in spell level for so many "important" spells (shield, fly, haste, polymorph, etc.). I would disagree -- but the fact that all my players feel this way suggests to me that the class is reasonably well-balanced.

 

[Wormwood]

I would disagree -- but the fact that all my players feel this way suggests to me that the class is reasonably well-balanced.

It could also suggest that there may be something fishy about the original Sorcerer class.