Sorceror or Warlock? (For my wife)

[HeapThaumaturgist]

My wife has unexpectedly decided to play D&D with our new group and I'm trying to find a good character for her to play. We started her with a spare PC we had, a wizard, and she really likes the CONCEPT of casting spells ... just not the part about keeping up with all of the different spells known, what they do, the best choices each morning, and finding she has nothing to do after she's blown all of her spells for the day.

The simpler casting classes that are wizard-like that I can think of are Sorceror or the new Warlock. (I also thought of Bard, but she likes the spells and I don't think she wants a new facet in choosing songs and being stuck singing).

Now, my wife doesn't just like blasting away mindlessly at things. Her favorite spell last session, for instance, was Animate Rope. So I think she'd like some interesting things like battlefield control and the like ... just things a little less complex than choosing from a dozen 1st level spells. If she were to do Sorc, we'd choose the solid multipurpose spells. As a warlock, probably not spend all the invocations on upping Eldritch Blast, either. Some battlefield control, quite a bit of combat, etc.

Which class do you think would be better for a person not interested in too much book-keeping, but wants an arcane style character? She also got a kick out of Use Magic Device last session from the rogue, so that was another thing that leaned me toward Warlock.

But I've heard, lately, that Warlock starts to go down the tubes past 12th level. Nobody else is running out of slots anyway, so their ability to use spells at will is less valuable, and the fact that invocations top out around 7th level spells might also be a whing. We're planning on running to 20th level with these characters, so I don't want her getting frustrated if her warlock suddenly is unable to do anything in high level combats.

ALSO: If you vote Warlock, what would be your favorite invocations? I'm eyeing the dispells both as pretty huge assets. Seems like "Earthen Grasp" is a little too situationally limited to be of much use, etc.

--fje

 

[Crothian]

Sorcerer, it is a lot more fun

 

[Nonlethal Force]

I voted Sorcerer. If she is not combat gung-ho, she'll enjoy the sorcerer better. Sorcerers can do things in combat, so she'll have a role, but she'll be much more dynamic out of combat with her choices in sorcerer. Nothing like being able to essentially do prestidigitation at will - as a sorcerer can. Fix up the clothes, change the color of the hair, all at will - essentially. I realize it isn't at will, but it might as well be!

Along those lines, I might recommend a favored soul. Feels like a sorcerer, but gets a different spell list. Plus, the saves are much better and they have more staying power. With this choice it becomes more of a decision between which spell list she likes better.

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But in sum ... I am really just jealous your wife plays D&D with you. Mine is fully supportive of my habit, but won't go there with me!

 

[devilbat]

I vote Sorcerer. Long term, it's less redundant.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Now, my wife doesn't just like blasting away mindlessly at things.

For that reason and that reason alone you should take Sorcerer (guess how I voted). The PC can be as flexible and subtle as she likes.

 

[kigmatzomat]

I vote: PSION! Mwa-ha-ha!

No, seriously. Psions are more forgiving than sorcerors when it comes to number of uses per day. The augmentations are the only down side; there is some effort required to track the different boosts. I think Psions also end up as more thematic, a fact that can draw in new players.

 

[Particle_Man]

Warlock:

Flee the Scene is great for Mobility, as is Fell Flight.

Battlefield Control? I would say the Cold version of Evard's Black Tentacles (can't remember the name).

Seeing invisibility is cool. See the Unseen is therefore good.

If she is never going to blast this isn't a concern, but some essence might be good (the fear one, the "negative levels" one, or vitrolic to bypass SR).

At 12th level the Warlock has to rely more on items, but fortunately gains the power to make items without having the spells known that are usually prerequisites (but still needs the relevant item creation feat). So a Warlock can still hold her own, but needs to be item-conscious at this point.

She might like the "charm" invocation. If she is eeeeeeeevil she might like the Animate Dead invocation.

And of course, max out UMD. Then she has access to any wizard/sorceror spell her heart desires. A wand of animate rope, perhaps.

 

[Mistwell]

Bard.

 

[Zimbel]

My wife has unexpectedly decided to play D&D with our new group and I'm trying to find a good character for her to play. We started her with a spare PC we had, a wizard, and she really likes the CONCEPT of casting spells ... just not the part about keeping up with all of the different spells known, what they do, the best choices each morning, and finding she has nothing to do after she's blown all of her spells for the day.

Cool. I like fresh blood In one of the groups I'm in, nearly 1/2 the players were brought in by lovers/spouses.

Now, my wife doesn't just like blasting away mindlessly at things. Her favorite spell last session, for instance, was Animate Rope. So I think she'd like some interesting things like battlefield control and the like ... just things a little less complex than choosing from a dozen 1st level spells. If she were to do Sorc, we'd choose the solid multipurpose spells. As a warlock, probably not spend all the invocations on upping Eldritch Blast, either. Some battlefield control, quite a bit of combat, etc.

Sorcerer has more options, long term. I'd suggest listing 1-2 of the best ones/level, and letting her choose. Let her change out, say 1 spell/LV until she gets the hang of it (or, heck, forever if you like that - it won't change the power of the class much).

Which class do you think would be better for a person not interested in too much book-keeping, but wants an arcane style character? She also got a kick out of Use Magic Device last session from the rogue, so that was another thing that leaned me toward Warlock.

Make UMD a sorcerer class skill. Most skills being on or off a class's skill list have more to do with flavor than power.

 

[Thanee]

Since you start pretty low level, the sorcerer is great, since they start out low, and she will have some time to grow with the class, choosing only few new spells each level. And she will be able to dump some spells that didn't work out well, eventually.

Bye
Thanee