D&D 5E (2024) Mind Blast. Aberrant Mind Sorcerer Build Theory Craft.

[Zardnaar]

So I have covered the Dragon Sorcerer and Chromatic Orb abuse a bit. I like it as a hybrid controller/striker hybrid.

My players have been using spells that target wisdom a lot. Hold spells, command, sleep, Hypnotic pattern, tasha laughter etc. There's heaps of them.

Zards tastes lean more towards control or an acid sorcerer to see if one could make that work.

So this build with your help is pure control. Sitting behind the DM screen I'm noticing the abysmal intelligence saves a lot of monsters have. So this concept is controller focused on targeting intelligence saves then charisma then wisdom. Pure control doesn't mean all spells must be control spells but the majority will be.

Most of the required spells you get for free. Assume Xanathars and Tashas are allowed. Tashas mind whip is the MVP spell. Synaptic Static as well. Metamagic twin spell its to good not to use imho. Beyond that I haven't put to much thought into it.

I haven't seen Aberrant Mind in action. In 5.0 it was outclassed by clockwork. Now its other way around.

How would you do it and what are your thoughts?

 

[mellored]

There aren't many Int or Cha targeting spells.

But IMO, since you can cast quietly, then a level of rogue or bard 2 for expetise in stealth seems like a great choice.
Subtle metamagic for the rest of your spells.

Really tempted to do arcane trickster 9 for disadvantage on saving throws, and reliable talent along the way to ensure you always stealth. But that's investing quite a few levels.

Or warlock 2 for Mask of Many Faces and extra range on Mind Sliver.

 

[Zardnaar]

There aren't many Int or Cha targeting spells.

But IMO, since you can cast quietly, then a level of rogue or bard 2 for expetise in stealth seems like a great choice.
Subtle metamagic for the rest of your spells.

Really tempted to do arcane trickster 9 for disadvantage on saving throws, and reliable talent along the way to ensure you always stealth. But that's investing quite a few levels.

Or warlock 2 for Mask of Many Faces and extra range on Mind Sliver.

You only need a handful due to upcasting.

Twinned Tashas Mindwhip.

And take a handful of the best wisdom target spells.

 

[mellored]

You only need a handful due to upcasting.

Twinned Tashas Mindwhip.

And take a handful of the best wisdom target spells.

There is no benefit for Aberrant casting Mind Whip over any other sorcerer.

Aberrant is good for dropping a zone and spamming Quicken Mind Sliver + Dissonant Whispers to grant opportunity attacks.


GOO warlock (dipping sorcerer) can cast Tasha's Mind Whip while hidden, and then add Hex for disadvantage on the save at 10.

 

[Zardnaar]

There is no benefit for Aberrant casting Mind Whip over any other sorcerer.

Aberrant is good for dropping a zone and spamming Quicken Mind Sliver + Dissonant Whispers to grant opportunity attacks.


GOO warlock (dipping sorcerer) can cast Tasha's Mind Whip while hidden, and then add Hex for disadvantage on the save at 10.

Its about int targeting spell. Fits my criteria but your right they're not any better at it. Vs other sorcerers.

Well turns out there's around 9 spelks targeting intelligence and several are high level.
Mindsliver, tashas mindwhip Synaptic static are the ones to pick.

Charisma and wisdom ones now.

 

[Worrgrendel]

Raulothim’s Psychic Lance level 4 enchantment.
You unleash a shimmering lance of psychic power from your forehead at a creature that you can see within range. Alternatively, you can utter a creature’s name. If the named target is within range, it becomes the spell’s target even if you can’t see it. If the named target isn’t within range, the lance dissipates without effect.

The target must make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 7d6 psychic damage and is incapacitated until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn’t incapacitated.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 4th.

 

[Zardnaar]

Raulothim’s Psychic Lance level 4 enchantment.
You unleash a shimmering lance of psychic power from your forehead at a creature that you can see within range. Alternatively, you can utter a creature’s name. If the named target is within range, it becomes the spell’s target even if you can’t see it. If the named target isn’t within range, the lance dissipates without effect.

The target must make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, the target takes 7d6 psychic damage and is incapacitated until the start of your next turn. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage and isn’t incapacitated.

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each slot level above 4th.

Is it worth using though?

Upcast Tashas Mindwhip same level. I have fizbans read this spell the other say

 

[Worrgrendel]

Is it worth using though?

Upcast Tashas Mindwhip same level. I have fizbans read this spell the other say

The Incapacitated condition is pretty rough. With Tasha’s they can still do something. Incapacitated they lose their entire turn with benefits:

While you have the Incapacitated condition, you experience the following effects.

Inactive. You can’t take any action, Bonus Action, or Reaction.

No Concentration. Your Concentration is broken.

Speechless. You can’t speak.

Surprised. If you’re Incapacitated when you roll Initiative, you have Disadvantage on the roll.

 

[Zardnaar]

The Incapacitated condition is pretty rough. With Tasha’s they can still do something. Incapacitated they lose their entire turn with benefits:

While you have the Incapacitated condition, you experience the following effects.

Inactive. You can’t take any action, Bonus Action, or Reaction.

No Concentration. Your Concentration is broken.

Speechless. You can’t speak.

Surprised. If you’re Incapacitated when you roll Initiative, you have Disadvantage on the roll.

Single target though. Not a dan of single target control. Have you used it?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Single target though. Not a dan of single target control. Have you used it?

Targets INT saves. That's autofail for quite a lot of things in the Monster Manual.

And in a boss fight - since there is a good chance you know their name, you can cower behind a wall of force or other place of total safety and wear them down.

Can be twinned.