D&D 5E Sorcerer Rewrite! [new magic system]

[Sacrosanct]

OK, so based on the class satisfaction surveys from the past couple weeks, it was revealed that the sorcerer was the 2nd most unsatisfied class right after the ranger. It seems most people share a similar complain (mine as well): the sorcerer doesn't feel unique compared to the wizard.

So...me doing what I do, I did a complete rewrite of the class. The sorcerer now has a completely unique spell casting mechanic different from the wizard. Rather that embed previews here, it's a 15 page document so I've got it up on my dropbox.

You can find the pdf new sorcerer class here.

Summary of changes:

Sorcerers use spell points exclusively. Along with some inherent magical powers that don't cost spell points, the class has features that are centered around spell points (recovery of them, overcharging spells, etc).

There are three subclasses:

Rune sorcerers: sorcerers create runes in the air (or on an object). Each rune has as a specific elemental affinity for it, and a power level. They may be used individually, or combined to form more powerful spells with unique effects. For example, create an explode, gust, and inferno runes to replicate something close to a fireball.

Totem/tattoo/origami: Powers are invoked via channeling the magic through a totem, a tattoo, or something like an origami form. Each animal grants a different power. E.g. invoke the lion totem and your hands become covered with shimmering transparent claws that can be used in combat. or channel the porcupine totem to grow spines. Or more permanent effects like wearing a viper totem grants resistance to poison.

Wild Magic: Not a fan of wild magic, but lots of people are. Modified the existing wild mage to better fit a spell point system in this revision, along with new subclass features

As always, suggestions welcome!

 

[Xeviat]

I'll read this over when I get home. I'm excited to see your ideas. I will miss bloodline sorcerers, though; those are sorcerers to me.


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[Yunru]

Rather than have them use Spell Points exclusively (which creates 3 systems that don't interact as you might think (Spellcasting, Spell Points, Pact Magic)), alter Font of Magic so that you get back SP equal to the cost to make the slot.
It works the same (up to level 5 spells), but both plays nice with spellcasting and keeps the name "Sorcery Points"

 

[Sacrosanct]

I'll read this over when I get home. I'm excited to see your ideas. I will miss bloodline sorcerers, though; those are sorcerers to me.


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Right now, I think the most glaring thing is the # of spell points at low level. There are none at level 1 (instead you get one of those core abilities). I don't really like that. I think I may grant points at level 1, and shift the amount up a bit.

 

[Ovarwa]

Hi,

I haven't looked at this yet, but will.

Sorcerer probably does deserve a rewrite. I admit that I'm less of a fan of solutions along the lines of "I cast spells in a different way" compared to something that makes the class itself very different.

For example, I don't think the Warlock's "I cast spells differently" works or balances all that well, and this extra set of rules doesn't really reinforce the Warlock's overall theme: What about having a patron from beyond is tied into refreshing fewer spell slots that scale more often?

In this case, the theme of Sorcerer seems pretty straightforward: You are more than (demi-) human. Maybe you're part dragon or fairy or demon or sea hag. Maybe Zeus hooked up with your great-great-great-great grandmother. (Grandfather? ) Etc. From that perspective, Sorcerer can use the vanilla spellcasting mechanism, lose metamagic, which can be redeployed to more appropriate classes, all to make room for even more abilities associated with the Sorcerous Lineage, making those dragons more dragonical (dragonish, dragonoid, dragonous...), those demigods more godly, etc. At that point, a sorcerer is more than a poor man's wizard with metamagic.

Wild magic makes for a better wizard school (most wizards know what they're doing, but not you...) or warlock patron (I'm here to preserve disorder...)

But that's just me.

I'll read this in a bit.

Anyway,

Ken

 

[Sacrosanct]

Hi,

I haven't looked at this yet, but will.

Sorcerer probably does deserve a rewrite. I admit that I'm less of a fan of solutions along the lines of "I cast spells in a different way" compared to something that makes the class itself very different.


Ken

Hopefully, when you read it, you'll see rune and totem is much different than how a wizard or cleric cast spells. No preparation for one. As I mentioned above though, I think the greatest tweaks are going to be with how spell point accumulation works. That part of the table is probably going to need to be adjusted.