Should Sorcerers have a *unique* spell list like the Cleric or Psion?

[dead]

Clerics have a unique spell list. This gives them *flavour*.

Psions (and the other psi-users) have a unique powers list. This gives them *flavour*.

Anyway, I know that Wizards and Sorcerers are both *arcane* casters, but I was thinking the other day that it might be cool to give Sorcerers a unique spell list that reflected the inborn/passionate/creative source of their power.

You see, when I look at a Wizard's spells, I think . . . hmm, these spells were "manufactured" by someone somewhere someplace. Indeed, we've got spells that are named after their creators: Melf's Acid Arrow, Mordenkainen's such-and-such, etc. (Yes, yes, yes, Sorcerer's can "create" spells too; but I think they should somehow be differently "flavoured" to a Wizard's spell. Just to differentiate the poor Sorcerer who plays second fiddle.)

So, just to point out that Sorcercers aren't just "a wizard who casts spontaneously" (as opposed to preparing spells), I think it would be cool to make a unique, "sorcerer flavoured" spell list. (Kinda like the XPH has psionically flavoured powers that were clearly modelled on existing spells.)

Am I crazy to think this? (Maybe I'm evil? )

 

[Crothian]

Not only should sorcerers have a unique spell list, clerics of different gods should also have unique spell lists.

 

[dead]

Not only should sorcerers have a unique spell list, clerics of different gods should also have unique spell lists.

Ya, I know you can take what I'm saying to the max. You could have unique spells for each class, ie. the druid and cleric would have completely different flavoured spells, but I do understand D&D is a game, too, and can't be made too complicated.

I guess the point of my gripe is that, in my game, the Sorcerer just doesn't seem to be conveying what it's all about while it continues to share the spells of Wizards.

When a sorcerer shoots Magic Missiles exactly the same as a Wizard, I think, that's not creating much flavour. A psion on the other hand, would fire off some weird ectoplasmic lance or crystal slivers . . . I don't know?

 

[yangnome]

I've actually been giving thought to replacing the sorcerer with the psion in my homebrew world.

 

[Felon]

Well, keep in mind that the original purpose behind the sorcerer is to provide DM's (and to lesser degree) players with a streamlined arcane spellcaster. No writing up spellbooks full of spells the NPC will never get to use, no hassles over what's memorized at the start of a fight, just cast as you go. If you want sorcerers to serve some other purpose, go for it.

 

[Crothian]

Ya, I know you can take what I'm saying to the max. You could have unique spells for each class, ie. the druid and cleric would have completely different flavoured spells, but I do understand D&D is a game, too, and can't be made too complicated.

Actually, I'm dead serious.

It does not complicate the game, all you ne4ed to do is print out a list of the spells and start crossing off the ones that don't firt and adding ones that do. This takes maybe 30 minutes tops...more if you are using spells from multiple sources. I think its a great way to actaully have spellcasters differ from each other...they have too many spells in common and that really makes them all feel similiar.

 

[dead]

Actually, I'm dead serious.

It does not complicate the game, all you ne4ed to do is print out a list of the spells and start crossing off the ones that don't firt and adding ones that do. This takes maybe 30 minutes tops...more if you are using spells from multiple sources. I think its a great way to actaully have spellcasters differ from each other...they have too many spells in common and that really makes them all feel similiar.

Are you saying that each cleric of a different deity would just have a different selection of PHB divine spells? Or, are you saying like what I'm saying: They will literally have uniquely flavoured spells . . . no double ups. Your cleric of Pelor has "Lance of the Sun" while your cleric of Nerull has "Flesh Rot Molestation"? Similarly powered spells but completely different in *flavour*.

I'm dead serious all the time.

 

[Crothian]

Are you saying that each cleric of a different deity would just have a different selection of PHB divine spells? Or, are you saying like what I'm saying: They will literally have uniquely flavoured spells . . . no double ups. Your cleric of Pelor has "Lance of the Sun" while your cleric of Nerull has "Flesh Rot Molestation"? Similarly powered spells but completely different in *flavour*.

I'm dead serious all the time.

Both. THe first is obviously easier to do, but the second adds a lot more to the game.

 

[Connorsrpg]

Regarding sorcerers having their own 'flavoured' spell lists I am sure Monte Cook has done exactly that in one of the Books of Eldritch Might. You may want to check that out. From memory he has done so for the very same reasons you put in your post dead.

On Crothian's thoughts re clerics I couldn't agree more. We have done something along those lines.

Like Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed we have our spells divided into Simple, Complex and Exotic. Main difference here is that we have seperate Divine and Arcane lists.

Clerics cast Simple & Complex Divine spells. (These lists have been considerably narrowed to reflect spells most divine casters could use [for Simple] and spells all clerics would cast [Complex]). then all other spells go into exotic.

Our clerics then select Spell Paths (like Domians, but the player chooses a spell from every level along a theme determined by their deity). This allows customisation and relation to deity worshipped. It also allows us to use the MANY cool divine spells out there.

Works well for us. I am certainly in favour of having clerics of differring deities cast spells more in tune with their deities.

Connors

 

[Connorsrpg]

Oh and where the sorcerer fits in:

They can choose their spells from the Arcane - Simple list. So this restricts the spells a fair deal.

However we also let them select a spell school OR descriptor to add to this list of available spells - to better reflect what bloodline they have. For eg a sorcerer with black dragon bloodline may select all Acid spells to add to the Simple list from which to choose. One that just wants to be damage potential may choose Evocation. Provides some flavour.

Furthermore we have a feat call something like "Mixed Bloodlines" that allows a sorcerer to add another descriptor worth of spells to their first choice. So the sorcerer may add all Fire, Force, Light etc spells to their list of spells that they can then choose from.

So our sorcerers basically pick their own themes and don't use all arcane spells like wizards 9who can cast any spell if they have a written version). Oh and sorcerers can add further to their list by selecting Spell Paths as feats - but having a large variety of spells doesn't really benefit the sorcerer as they can cast very few different spells anyway - and most players love sticking to a theme anyway (with a few simple, commonly needed Simple spells)

Hope this has been helpful.

Connors