Giving sorcerers different spells

[Altamont Ravenard]

The sorcerer description states:

These new spells can be common spells chosen from the sorcerer/wizard spell list, or they can be unusual spells that the sorcerer has gained some understanding of by study.

How many of you so far have permitted (as a DM) or have done (as a player) this?

I'm asking because come my next campaign, I'm planning on giving the sorcerer a little "umph", and, come 2nd level, letting them learn spells from the cleric or druid spell list (spells learned from said lists will be cast at a reduced caster level (by one)).

You can comment my initiative, although this would probably be in the realm of House Rules, but I'd really like to know if any sorcerers you've known have learned spells not from the Sorcerer/Wizard spell list.

Thanks in advance.

AR

 

[Crothian]

Instead of reducing caster level of the spells I'd up the spell level of them by one.

That text you quote is just different ways for a sorcerer to learn spells on their spell list, it isn't meant to be something that allows them to add to their spell list though.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I'm planning on giving the sorcerer a little "umph", and, come 2nd level, letting them learn spells from the cleric or druid spell list (spells learned from said lists will be cast at a reduced caster level (by one)).

I think this proposal makes the sorcerer far too powerful, since he could get all the best spells from each of the primary caster's spell lists. Might as well throw in the Ranger, Paladin, and Bard while you're at it. If you're going to create the Ultimate Caster, why go halfway?

 

[Crothian]

I think this proposal makes the sorcerer far too powerful, since he could get all the best spells from each of the primary caster's spell lists. Might as well throw in the Ranger, Paladin, and Bard while you're at it. If you're going to create the Ultimate Caster, why go halfway?

While the sorcer may have potential to gain all the best spells, since he is so limited on the amount of spells known he will really have to pick and choose what he gets.

 

[Staffan]

I'm pretty sure the intent of that rule is that the sorcerer can learn uncommon spells if he finds a source for them, but they still have to be Sor/Wiz spells.

Let's say I'm running an FR campaign. I would allow sorcerers to choose spells from the PHB, FRCS, and maybe Magic of Faerûn without any trouble. But something like bloodbriars from Lost Empires of Faerûn? You're gonna need to find it on a scroll or in a spellbook before you can take it.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I think this proposal makes the sorcerer far too powerful, since he could get all the best spells from each of the primary caster's spell lists. Might as well throw in the Ranger, Paladin, and Bard while you're at it. If you're going to create the Ultimate Caster, why go halfway?

Well, I won't be using paladins nor bards in my next campaign, and I'll be using the spell-less ranger variant from UA, that's why .

AR

 

[EricNoah]

Next regular D&D campaign I run I will definitely be doing something along these lines. I think allowing the sorcerer to pick from the druid list might be especially fun. I might also allow wizards to pick a cleric domain and they can learn those spells as arcane spells. This might be a trade-off for some other ability, like gaining a familiar.

 

[amethal]

You can comment my initiative, although this would probably be in the realm of House Rules, but I'd really like to know if any sorcerers you've known have learned spells not from the Sorcerer/Wizard spell list.

I've never seen it done, but I don't see how allowing a sorcerer to choose any spell from any list, even at no penalty, would be unbalancing.

DM "I'm sorry, we can't allow charisma based casters, (with a mighty 1/2 base attack bonus, 1d4 for hit dice, 1 good save and arcane spell failure chance in armour) to cast cure light wounds. In order to be balanced, it should only be available to clerics and druids. Oh, and bards, paladins and rangers."

Player "I guess I'll have to make do with magic missile instead then. Drat."

 

[EricNoah]

The only way I can imagine that it might harm the fun is if the cleric class doesn't get similar flexibility. The question: Who's gonna want to play the cleric if the sorcerer can already do it? My answer: no one, so ditch the cleric and see how it goes.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

While the sorcer may have potential to gain all the best spells, since he is so limited on the amount of spells known he will really have to pick and choose what he gets.

Just because a sorcerer only gets to know six spells at each level doesn't mean allowing him to pick the six best spells in the game at every level is balanced.