Fixing the Sorc.

[Visigani]

First... It's because the class.. As created.. Is dumb. No.. Really.. Think about it. Any doubt the class is poorly thought out ends with the realization that a charisma based class has only bluff as a charisma based skill. Right.

To fix the sorc add all of the warlock class features except decieve item, fiendish resilience, and energy resistance.

The sorc carries a grimoire. This carries all of her spells known and is limited to the number of spells a sorcerer may know normally. To cast from her grimoire is a full round action.

She gains the hp, armor, and skills of the warlock. She retains her familiar.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

God no. Just no.

 

[Eldritch_Lord]

There are several problems with the sorcerer class. Aside from the skill list, this "fix" does not address any of them--and in fact, in the case of the grimoire, it even makes them worse.

The sorcerer's real problems include, but are not limited to:

1) Delayed spell acquisition, getting spells 1 level later than the wizard.

2) No notable class features, i.e. class features you might be willing to forgo or delay a PrC to get. Eldritch blast is not one of those, considering you can achieve something close enough with a reserve feat, and the minimal DR is barely noticeable.

3) Inability to use metamagic effectively, since spontaneous metamagic increases casting time, thereby preventing use of Quicken Spell (for some reason) and rendering the sorcerer more vulnerable to interruption.

4) Limited spells known, which handicaps him compared to the wizard and wu jen (have unbounded spells known) and the cleric, druid, beguiler, etc. (have access to their whole list, either prepared or spontaneous).

5) Unforgiving spell selection, in that if you make a bad choice it sticks with you for at least 2 levels (much longer, once you've PrCed, and you will), which hurts new players and even experienced ones if the campaign changes location, main enemy type, etc.

If you want to fix the sorcerer, address those first, and once those are fixed, then you can go about turning it into some sort of weaker sorcerer//warlock.

 

[Crothian]

The sorcerer is fine. On paper like many things in the game it can look differently then when it is actually played. The power of spontaneously casting spells and not limiting one self to creating a list ahead of time is greatly versatile and powerful.

 

[Dandu]

First... It's because the class.. As created.. Is dumb. No.. Really.. Think about it. Any doubt the class is poorly thought out ends with the realization that a charisma based class has only bluff as a charisma based skill. Right.

To fix the sorc add all of the warlock class features except decieve item, fiendish resilience, and energy resistance.

The sorc carries a grimoire. This carries all of her spells known and is limited to the number of spells a sorcerer may know normally. To cast from her grimoire is a full round action.

She gains the hp, armor, and skills of the warlock. She retains her familiar.

This idea is not quite up to your usual standard.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You ever see this?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Strategy-Dungeons-Dragons-Fantasy-Roleplaying/dp/0976808501"]Amazon.com: The Power Gamer's 3.5 Wizard Strategy Guide (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying) (9780976808503): Goodman Games Staff: Books[/ame]

One of the things the writers point out is that the Wizard & Sorcerer are functionally identical in power. They don't need "fixing"... except (for some) in the veterinary sense.

 

[emoplato]

On a base fundamental level they are suppose to be equal if not in favor to the sorcerer, but in practice the wizard comes out on top if they are resourceful. In play, because even in core, a wizard can get and even make items that replicate much of the advantages of a sorcerer not to mention some of the other prestige classes while still easily having a larger repertoire. A sorcerer on the other hand is left having to look for odd and/or high cost metamagic abilities with just the right spells in order to have an edge over a well done wizard while having less room for them.
I really don't like the change, the fact is let the Warlock have his ultimate reliability advantage the game still needs a full spontaneous caster. First, I say a wizard shouldn't get a familiar, they have enough bonus feats they can get one if they want one. Second, a sorcerer is by its theme are much more "free-spirited" and enigmatic I would say that sorcerer should be able at certain levels be able to select a spell from any list they desire and may treat it at as an arcane spell added to their list known. I also say that they should get diplomacy and UMD.

 

[Ashtagon]

WotC fixed the sorcerer. The fix is called "warlock".

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I also say that they should get diplomacy

OK, I'll give you that one.

 

[Visigani]

Short sighted troglodytes.

Mod Note: Starting a post with insulting name-calling is a GREAT way to get you booted from a thread, given an infraction, or worse. Please don't do this, folks! ~Umbran


This addresses a great deal of the Sorcerers problems... unfortunately many here are simply too blind to see it.

About the above the only thing I would significantly change is adding diplomacy to the Sorcerers skill list.



The problem with the Sorc, its inherent weakness, is that it lacks flavor.

Think about it, when it comes to "customizing" your Sorcerer precisely how many options do you have available when it comes to your Sorcs theme.

You have dragon sorcs, fey sorcs, infernal sorcs, celestial sorcs...

And all of these require a hefty feat expenditure.

Compare this to the various Specialist Wizard themes alone and there's simply no comparison.

Compare this to Fighters... and the Archer, the Sword and Boardsman, the Lancer, the Gladiator, and umpteen other themes.

The Rogue? The Diplomat, the Thief, the Con Man, the "Traveling Locksmith".


Seriously, compare Sorcs and Wizards... think about all the different "types" of Wizard you can be. A necromancer, an Enchanter, an Abjurer, and then there's the "Domain Wizards"... Frost Wizard, War Wizard, etc etc Wizard.

There's a BAJILLION different varieties of Wizard... and the uh... Battle Sorc.

There are more varieties of BARBARIAN than there are Sorcerers.

That's the primary issue with Sorcerers. They are thematically weak and less than evocative.



Granting the Sorcerer access to Warlock abilities frees up the Sorcerers most previous resource "spells known".

Further it reduces the Sorcerers need to spend however many spells on Offense because the Sorcerer comes with offense built in.

What it does is expand the Sorcerers ability to further tailor her spell selection to reflect her character's theme.

Trust me, play this style of sorcerer and though the power level of the sorc will not have increased significantly the satisfaction of the character will be far greater and the Sorc will be much more tailored to the players imagination of what his or her character should be.