SORCERER - LIKES & DISLIKES

[concerro]

sorceror

I would give them a bigger skill set with 4+int. I would automatically give them heighten spell at first level. I would also either give them extra feats like the wizard or make them more like the battle sorceror in UA. I would also given them a bigger weapon selection since they dont have to devote all theit time to studying spells. I would also not need them to need spell components since their magic comes form within, and I never understood how they would know how to use components anyway. I know some components are expensive to limit the use of certain spells, but that would be fixed by just making the sorceror use a certain number of xp in place of those components.

 

[Emirikol]

I like their definition of spell selection:
"Sorcerer's draw their spells "primarily" from the wizard/sorcerer spell list."

jh

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Sorcerer Likes: Demonstrably different from the mage- spontaneous casting, uses Cha instead of Int, no bonus feats, but lots more spells/day.

Dislikes: No real reason not to jump into a PrCl. “Dragon blood” is reason for their powers.*

*Took care of this in my campaigns. Dropped 1 spell/day from chart, gave each Sorcerer a bonus Bloodline Feat as per DCv1 at 1st level, effectively restoring the lost spells. Now, sorcerers who want to be powered by dragon blood take Draconic Bloodline, those who want to be powered by an Archon in their heritage take Axiomatic Bloodline, etc.

Elvish sorcerers are different- because of their innate connection to magic, Sorcerer is their favored class, and they use the class as written (no bonus feat). That line "Wizardry comes naturally to elves" (PHB p16) never rang true to me- wizardry is a learned course of study, not natural and innate to the PC, like Sorcery.

 

[AdamBomb]

I like it

like - lots of spells per day. ability to blow lots of stuff up
dislike - slower spell level progression than wizard. metamagic feats are useless

I really like the concept of a sorcerer and prefer to play one over a wizard, but the too short spells known and slower spell progression limits them to typically just becoming magic artillery.

 

[arscott]

Likes: Non-Vancian Casting, Flavor as Per core rules, Hennet

Dislikes: lack of class abilities (hp, skills, bonus feats, something else. I'm not picky), full-round metamagic only, Reliance on flavor for support mechanics (dragonblooded feats, etc.), General expansion of "legends say that they derive their powers from draconic blood" too "they're clearly descended from dragons, and can even breathe fire and fly".

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I dislike that the sorcerer is, at its roots, a compromise. Either give wizards spontaneous casting, or don't. Making a wizard variant to get around dealing with an issue is, IMO, a copout.

In 4E, I'd like to see one core arcane spellcaster. Wizard or sorcerer - pick one.

 

[jcfiala]

I like the idea of a Sorcerer, but I agree - a few more skill points and a bonus feat now and again wouldn't kill them. I like the ideas of Eschew Materials and Highten Spell as bonus first level feats - I think the Heighten be more useful at 5th rather than 1st level, though.

 

[Scribble]

I'm not a huge fan of the Sorcerer, but I'm not sure why...

Maybe it's because I love wizards, and the idea of collecting and researching spells, and no one in my campaigns seem to ever want to play wizards anymore.

 

[Emongnome]

Likes:
Spontaneous Casting, Charisma-based casting.

Dislikes:
No level-based benefits besides spellcasting, metamagic is nerfed for them as written, require material components, low skill points.

I don't want to make a "wizard vs. sorcerer" argument out of this thread, but a wizard with the time to make scrolls just seems so much better than the sorcerer. I've house-ruled that sorcerers (and all casters for that matter) can tack on metamagic feats at any time to any spell without ever increasing the casting time or preparing it in advance. I also use the alternate metamagic rules from UA and gave them Eschew Materials for free at 1st level. They seem to work well together though I don't have much experience play-testing it yet. That helps the sorcerer quite a bit. Also have to agree with others above me that say going sorcerer for 20 levels is insane given that many PrCs give more benefits than straight sorcerer levels. All in all, I like sorcerers, but they need more "love" to truly compete with a wizard. d6 hit dice, 2 good saves, 4 skill points per level, expanded skill list, more level-dependent additions like bonus feats and such, something to make them more appealing. YMMV.

 

[Drowbane]

In short, I hate Sorcs.

Likes: A great "Lazy player" class. Choose spells, and go.
Dislikes: There is no thinking involved. I dislike that Sorcs have the Wizard's spell-list instead of getting thier own niche, this feeds into my distaste for them as the Wizard-for-dummies class. I hate that Sorc is just the Wizard-lite, training wheels for new players before they take on the challenge that is playing the real arcanist, the Wizard. I hate that Sorc came out before Warlock... since had it been the other way around the idea of the Sorc would have been completely laughed off. I hate the concept of the Pretty-boy Mage. That because they're charismatic they can spontaneously cast magic. To get off topic a moment, my hate for the PbM goes triple for the 3e Bard, I liked them as adventurers who could pick up some Wizard spells (complete with needing Int, and using a spellbook) as they raise in level. I wouldn't mind Sorcs so much if they offered anything of thier own... perhaps giving them the Wu Jen spell-list is a start...