Sorcerers changing spells

[hong]

Would it be unbalancing to let a sorcerer or bard use a feat to swap one of the spells they know for another one? Eg they could use sleep until it starts running out of puff (say when the party hits 3rd level, and starts fighting 5 HD monsters on a regular basis), then swap it for magic missile. Is this a common house rule?

 

[Steven McRownt]

I have to say no. First of all a feat is not an ability that gives u the opportunity to do what u want. You have to explain why a sorcerer or a bard ex abruptu can swap spells. And i have difficulties in finding someones! A sorcerer have to choose very wisely his arsenal of spells, that's the point. Otherwise it could unbalance the game in respect of the wizard...

That's my opinion, anyway.

Steven McRownt

 

[Marshall]

Extra Spell feat from T&B.

Gives you an extra spell known at 1 level less than your max(so you would have to wait to level 4)

Doesnt switch spells out, but does lessen the pain of a poor spell choice. Tho a feat is reaalllyyy expensive for a SOR.

 

[Artoomis]

I'd allow it for sure. The question becomes how do you handle the mechanics?

One feat for one spell? Certainly the price is high enough to make that okay.

And make it a feat that can be taken multiple times, of course. This increases the flexibility fo the sorceror, but only ever so slightly because he pays for it with lost flexibility of not being able to take a regular feat.

 

[Ciaran]

I'd certainly allow them to swap out a spell for a higher-level spell whose effects encompass those of the spell they're swapping out. So, for instance, when you get an additional 2nd level spell, you could replace your Monster Summoning I with Monster Summoning II, and then take a new spell to occupy the newly opened 1st level slot.

Then again, I really don't like the way the Sorcerer class was implemented. If/when I run D&D again, I'm not going to have any Sorcerers in my game world. (There will be a Thaumaturgist class with a similar implementation, but they'll be divine spell-users instead, with their limited spells known explained as each spell coming from a pact with a specific extra-planar entity.)

- Eric

 

[SpuneDagr]

There was an article in Dragon that had a feat for Psionics that did this. I think it's posted up on the Wizards website now. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to adapt it for a sorceror.

 

[hong]

Thanks, people. Regarding finding a suitable rationale: that's nothing a bit of vigorous handwaving can't solve.

Related question: are you allowed to fill one of your slots for known spells with a spell of lower level? That's a known-spell slot, not a spells-per-day slot.

 

[Chacal]

[
Related question: are you allowed to fill one of your slots for known spells with a spell of lower level? That's a known-spell slot, not a spells-per-day slot.

I've never thought about that and would probably allow it. Do you have examples where this seems the right choice ? I mean, at first glance, one would assume that you'd prefer a higher level spell than a lower...

Chacal

 

[orangefruitbat]

Mechanics, how about instead of using a feat (sorcerers get so few, they seem a shame to waste), the sorcerer expends XP. Say 100 XP/spell level. This way, they can do it, but not so often as to be abusive. You may want to also impose a time penalty (say 1 day/spell level).

Rational: In my campaign, sorcerous ability is gained by bargaining with powerful Outsiders and Elementals. Changing the spell power reflects a change in the bargain.