D&D 5E (2014) [Poll] Tides of Chaos frequency: how do you rule?

[Mercule]

I don't like the way the wild mage came together, at all, and don't use it in my game. So, I voted "other". "Never" is technically correct, but seemed wrong.

 

[famousringo]

I voted based on my actual play experience with my wild sorcerer, rather than what I would do as DM. Have had 3 wild surges in 8 levels of play. Two were mildly amusing, but none have materially affected the game, other than recharging Tides of Chaos. I selected "Occasionally" but that rate works out to closer to one in every four sessions.

Initially, surges were kept in check for fear of the dreaded Fireball TPK, but that hasn't been a threat for a while. Now the problem is simply attention. The DM has plenty of other things to occupy his mind, and even I've grown used to ignoring it as a class feature, so I forget to prompt him about it.

Two of those surges happened in the last session, though, so frequency is picking up. Maybe it will start making a difference from now on.

 

[FormerlyHemlock]

I haven't gotten a mod response on changing the poll visibility, but FYI the results at present are:

 

[kbrakke]

I have not dmed one yet, but both the DMs I play with try to do it as often as possible. For our AL game he rolls on every spell and gets the tides of chaos roll back frequently. He's a wild magic sorcerer, we need some wild magic. For the home game our DM has him roll on every spell and every time he doesn't surge the range increases by 1. Tides of chaos will recharge at a reasonable rate.

 

[The Grassy Gnoll]

Every spell of level 1 or higher. 5% chance across the board.

So far, admittedly only a couple of levels in but they've rolled a loss of height and an aura of music. That's it so far!

 

[Zene]

I'll be running a Wild Sorcerer in an AL later this week. I just checked with the DM on how he rules it. He said 5% chance on every spell; and if Tides of Chaos is used, he will reserve his DM's right to decide when and if it happens automatically. It won't necessarily happen on the next roll, but it will happen frequently, as long as he remembers (and I plan on reminding him).

He also pointed out --and I thought this was interesting-- that by his interpretation, it could conceivably actually proc twice on a spell; once per his call if Tides of Chaos is out; and then also the standard 5% chance per casting. First time I've heard that stance, but I love it!

(That makes a 0.002% chance of double-proccing fireball...)

 

[CapnZapp]

Unless your DM replies "always" do not play the Wild Mage.

No other class is competitive at below maximum performance, there's no reason to believe the Wild Mage is different.

Ath-Ketins suggestion and others only mean one thing: avoid. They might sound reasonable, but really aren't.

Unless the player gets to be in full unrestricted control over Tides of Chaos and can use it freely at will (up to each and every time he casts a non-cantrip spell), do not play the Wild Mage.

 

[Raunalyn]

Unless your DM replies "always" do not play the Wild Mage.

No other class is competitive at below maximum performance, there's no reason to believe the Wild Mage is different.

Ath-Ketins suggestion and others only mean one thing: avoid. They might sound reasonable, but really aren't.

Unless the player gets to be in full unrestricted control over Tides of Chaos and can use it freely at will (up to each and every time he casts a non-cantrip spell), do not play the Wild Mage.

Some people don't play for optimization. Some play for flavor.

 

[Zene]

Some people don't play for optimization. Some play for flavor.

True. And even with the "always" answer, it seems like Wild is still a sub-optimal spec. But if you're picking Wild for flavor --since the Surge is really the core of Wild's flavor-- you still are getting shortchanged if the answer isn't "always".

 

[CapnZapp]

Some people don't play for optimization. Some play for flavor.

That is true.

But my statement is clearly directed towards the former group.

If you know you are in the latter, you should have no trouble ignoring my post.

More importantly, that does not change the validity of my statement.

Good luck with your Wild Mage!