Merging the Sorcerer and Wizard Classes

[gravyboat]

I have always felt that the Sorcerer and Wizard classes were too similar. Both in game mechanics and the character archetypes they represent. They have the same spell list, same progressions for BAB, saving throws, skill points, etc. The only major differentiation is that one casts spontaneously and the other must prepare spells ahead of time. You may be saying, "Yah, but thats a big difference." Well, mechanically both classes fill the same role in an adventuring party.

I would really like to see the Sorcerer and Wizard class merged into a new Wizard core class. The most glaring point I dislike about wizards in their current form is that it is common that an unforseen situation arises during play in which the perfect spell could be cast but your wizard understandably didn't prepare the spell that morning. While I don't propose giving the Wizard complete spontaneous spellcasting, I would like to see him with some, although very limited, spontaneous spellcasting ability to handle the very situation as described above. I believe allowing the wizard just one or two spontaneous spellcasting slots might be sufficient (possibly bonus slots based on high charisma). Maybe only allow the wizard to use the spontaneous spell slots for spells he has mastered by the Spell Mastery Feat, or for spells of his specialty school. I would like to hear opinions on this.

In any case if the Sorcerer and Wizard classes were merged, I would propose the Sorcerer become a prestige class. The sorcerer prestige class would further develope the Wizard's very limited spontaneous spellcasting ability. The Sorcerer prestige class could even be generalized further to be added to any other spellcasting class. For instance a cleric could add levels of the sorcerer prestige class gaining additional spontaneous spellcasting benefits.

I think this proposal would also fix the uselessness of being a multiclass sorcerer/wizard in its current form.

Any thoughts or further contributions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Crothian]

The easiest combo is allow the wizard to prep a pool of spells each day from spells known and cast spontaniously from them. The hard part is that it would be hard to figure the numbers out.

 

[Spatzimaus]

Tried it. We made a Mage class that cast like a Sorcerer, got bonus spells/day from CHA bonus, got bonus spells knwon from INT, etc. Worked okay, not great.

Frankly, though, I'd just suggest replacing Sorcerer with Psion. They have even better flexibility, and they're different enough from the other casters to keep things interesting, while still filling the same basic niche. There are still a few balance headaches to deal with, but less than if you made a custom core class.

 

[XCorvis]

The easiest combo is allow the wizard to prep a pool of spells each day from spells known and cast spontaniously from them. The hard part is that it would be hard to figure the numbers out.

Monte Cook did that in Arcana Unearthed. He's already figured out the numbers, so you might be able to use it as-is.

 

[ciaran00]

Monte Cook did that in Arcana Unearthed. He's already figured out the numbers, so you might be able to use it as-is.

I could never figure out how this is different from vancian. Aren't you still *cough* preparing spells?

ciaran

 

[Crothian]

Monte Cook did that in Arcana Unearthed. He's already figured out the numbers, so you might be able to use it as-is.

Except he did it for his spells in his world. MAgic is weaked especially for spellcasters. So, I'm not sure those numbers would really work.

 

[Crothian]

I could never figure out how this is different from vancian. Aren't you still *cough* preparing spells?

Sort of , but not exactly the same. I know 12 first level spells, each day I prepare 6 of them. During that day I can cast 5 spells, any combination of the what I prepared. I can cast one spell five times, or five spells once.