How do You feel about Sorcerers and Metamagic Feats?

[paulewaug]

So what are people's opinions about how a Sorcerer's use of metamagic feats are handled?

Do you think that having to cast a spell with the casting time more or less "increased*" by a roun dis worth it for them to use mm-feats?
[*i.e. "is a full-round action..(or)...take an extra full-round action to cast."]

Are they competative with a Wizards use of them?

How do you think it would affect "game balance" (of Sorcerers vs. Wizards) to house rule out the "increased casting time"?


I kind of like the idea since sometimes it seems like the Sorcerer
'needs a little something.' But I am not so sure this is the best idea?
Opinions?!
Thanks!

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

As I play a Rogue/Sorcerer, metamagic is imperitive for me. ESPECIALLY Still Spell. I love being able to cast it on the fly, and the full round doesn't annoy me at all. I personally think Sorcerers are BETTER with metamagic(except for Quicken of course) than Wizards...

 

[youspoonybard]

I think Paul is mixing up the "Full round casting time" and "Full round actions". Don't worry, I did too.

Full round action <> A spell with a casting time of "1 Full Round".

 

[Pax]

So what are people's opinions about how a Sorcerer's use of metamagic feats are handled?

Aside from Quicken Spell, I'm fine with it -- and Sorceror is by far and away my FAVORITE class.

Do you think that having to cast a spell with the casting time more or less "increased*" by a round is worth it for them to use mm-feats?
[*i.e. "is a full-round action..(or)...take an extra full-round action to cast."]

That's not increased by a round. That's just "I can't walk as far in a round I use metamagic, as I can in a round I don't". No big deal.

The Quicken Spell thing hurts, if only because sorcerors can't cast two or more spells in one round (splatbook items notwithstanding) before 30th level. 8P

Are they competative with a Wizards use of them?

Selectign the right feats and spells, I'd say, they can be SUPERIOR in many cases.

How do you think it would affect "game balance" (of Sorcerers vs. Wizards) to house rule out the "increased casting time"?

If no other penalty were added ... I'd say Wizards were getting the shaft.

I've considered increasing the costs for a Sorceror or BArd by 1 or 2 levels, in return for dropping the longer time required; IOW, Sorcerors pay increased opportunity costs compared to Wizards, but, get to meta-magic on the fly.

I kind of like the idea since sometimes it seems like the Sorcerer
'needs a little something.' But I am not so sure this is the best idea?
Opinions?!
Thanks!

The "little something" I, personally, give Sorcerors is Eschew Materials as a bonus feat at first level. Doesn't REALLY change too much, but it make's em different in "Feel".

I also plan on giving them their own, seperate, personal spell list ... no more of this shared crap.

 

[James McMurray]

Have you checked out Monte Cooke's alternate Sorcerer? They have a few things going for them that standard sorcerers don't, as well as a changed spell list. They're in either the Book of Eldritch Might I or II.

 

[Stalker0]

The increased casting time is not a problem, and personally sorcs and metamagic go together like peanut butter and jam. The ability to do it on the fly is so nice compared to having to prepare it as a wizard.

If you house rule anything, I'd say simply make quicken spell the exception, many consider +4 too high for it anyways, might as well give it a little somethign extra.

 

[sinmissing]

As a sorceror, with limited spells known, the most important meta-magic feats for me are always "Extend Spell" and "Energy Substitution".

Im not bothered at all by the full round action for spell casting, when using meta magic feats. . . .

 

[DarkMan]

Re: Re: How do You feel about Sorcerers and Metamagic Feats?

The "little something" I, personally, give Sorcerors is Eschew Materials as a bonus feat at first level. Doesn't REALLY change too much, but it make's em different in "Feel".

Still increases the casting time every time they want to use it.

 

[Pax]

Re: Re: Re: How do You feel about Sorcerers and Metamagic Feats?

Still increases the casting time every time they want to use it.

Except I beat 3.5E to the punch, and made it a [General] feat instead of a [Metamagic].

 

[Destil]

Increased casting time isn't a horrid penelity, though it can be in places. With the exception of spells with a casting time already of 1 round or longer (which take an extra round. Don't bother extendeing summon monster....) and the inability to quicken I think it's a fair balance offset for the flexibility. Though it does hurt that sorcerers don't receve any bonus feats, so mabye the double penelity (spell level increase & casting time) could be a bit harsh.

If you want real flexibility you should be playing a psion, anyway

EDIT: And if you think the sorcerer needs something (an oft debaited point, sorcerers vs wizards) I'd say go for a better skill list or a few limited bonus feats. Or check out Monte Cook's variant in BOEMII (d6 HD, smaller spell list and better skills).