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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mercule" data-source="post: 6910142" data-attributes="member: 5100">With all the talk of the new Mystic, I've revisited my thoughts on Psionics -- which I've always viewed as being the power source for inherent magic. In 5E, the Sorcerer is explicitly supposed to fill this role, but the use of traditional VSM components is, frankly, stupid for a class that's born to magic.I'm going to set aside the fact that none of the existing archetypes really represent "Oh, hey, I was born with magic for some odd reason." (Other than the wild mage, which I abhor for various reasons.)Looking at the VSM, they're irrelevant 90% of the time. Unless the M is expensive, the component pouch makes it irrelevant other than the ability to disarm casters. Aside from this "disarming", V mainly serves to indicate that "I'm doing magic" and S mainly serves to prevent sword-and-board or swords akimbo while flicking fireballs. Reasonable, but probably unnecessary. So, there's an extremely thin line of balance around being able to throw a caster in a cell, interrogate them, or otherwise interact without them casting at you. I actually appreciate that line, though, so don't want to completely get rid of it.So, let's look at the V and S components. The rules do indicate that these are supposed to be mystical words and gestures. There's no reason beyond flavor they have to be, though. Many, many settings with wizards (Dresden Files and Mage: The Ascension spring immediately to mind) explicitly state that magic is more an act of will, but the words and gestures help to focus. Dresden, specifically, has crappy Latin but it all still works for him. So, there's no reason a Sorcerer actually needs to be using the same words or gestures as a Wizard casting the same spell. Actually, there's no reason why they need to use the same words and gestures from casting to casting. Casting a fire bolt may be nothing more than saying, "Burn, you stupid orc," and pointing at him -- I defy anyone watching a racing game and leaning to the side to deny the involuntary movements for things like that.The Sorcerer may still tend toward using words and gestures in the same circumstances as a Wizard would, but that doesn't mean they have to. Their metamagic ability allow them to learn to forego these things. It's just a matter of curbing human nature.That's a long lead to actual feedback.First, I think we do need an instinctual Sorcerer kit of some sort. So, kudos for putting one together.Second, and most related to the above wall of text, I don't think the first level power is actually necessary. All you need is a ribbon ability (maybe applicable to all Sorcerer lines) that summarizes what I said about non-standard components. Maybe the right 1st level power is to let them treat their lineage as a spell component pouch or focus. It's pretty minor, but it certainly makes sense. Expensive components actually represent something and shouldn't be nullified lightly, either mechanically of fluff-wise.6th level: I do like the idea of being able to convert health to sorcery points. Seems very right. The specific wording seems a bit wonky, but in the right ballpark.14th level: I don't like this without having to use dispel magic, counterspell, or some such. Maybe add one or both of those spells to their list without additional cost. I do like the idea, though. I had a write-up of something similar that I think got eaten by the database issue.18th level: This, I see as what a generalist Wizard kit would grant. I think concentration is a very important balancing factor, so don't want to see it available to more than one option, ever. Obviously, though, I like the idea. Just not for Sorcerer. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /></blockquote>

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