Sorcerrors & Metamagic

[Orias]

Ok, I know in the rules it states that sorcs can cast a spell with a metamagic feat if he takes an entire round to prepare it. My group however, doesn't think the Sorcerrors should really get metamagic feats unless they really begin studying arcane nature.

The thing is, I think Wizards are slightly disadvantaged with the whole fact that they need to use up alot of gold just to get spells into their spell book.

That, & I also think it is slightly out of the flavor of sorcerrors to use metamagic. I mean, correct me if I am wrong, but metamagic seems to be something that is the fruit of studying magic, & understanding the science behind it to be able to change some of the "variables" in the spells to make the spells act differently.

From what I pick up on the sorcerrors, they don't study nor understand the science of magic, so why would they really be able to learn metamagic feats, & even more so, why would they really be able to control the changes in the spells?

We don't use metamagic for sorcs, I just wanted to see what others thought about this.

 

[Buttercup]

I agree. I don't have anyone playing a sorcerer at this point, but if/when I do, I think I'll disallow metamagic feats.

Isn't it interesting how everyone is dissatisfied with some aspect of the sorcerer, and we all keep trying to fix it. Since the attempts continue, I guess that means that no one has gotten the class quite right yet. I mean, you never hear anyone complain about the fighter, do you?

 

[the Jester]

Well, I think one of the coolest things about sorcerers is being able to spontaneously metamagic spells... I'd hate to have most of the feats worth having for a spellcaster suddenly off-limits. What do you do then, especially if you don't want to take item creation stuff? Take weapon focus? Go up the dodge chain to spring attack (like that will ever be useful)?

 

[darkbard]

i like to think of sorcerer's as untrained wielders of raw magic, not dedicated academics like wizards. in this light it makes perfect sense for sorcerers to wield metamagic feats! their understanding of magic is intuitive and so, through sheer force of will, they are able to manipulate the parameters of the spells they cast in various ways [metamagic feats]. plus, metamagic feats for wizards are rarely implemented since you have to plan accordingly to get any real use out of them [hmm ... as a 5th level wizard it's possible i might encounter an enemy mage who casts silence so i'll prepare a silent dispel magic instead of the only 4th level [and more powerful] spell like charm monster or stoneskin or polymorph other that i could prepare instead].

 

[RangerWickett]

A sorcerer or a wizard is only what you say it is. If sorcery is simply knowing how to cast spells without learning (such as if perhaps you are blessed by the goddess of magic to cast charm person x times per day), then fine, metamagic feats aren't appropriate. But if sorcerers are innate wielders of their own power, it makes sense that they'd be able to learn to use that power in slightly different ways.

If wizards are scholars who discover how to make magic bend to their will, then fine, a metamagic feat represents them discovering a new way to adapt spells to their needs. But if they are just researchers, learning the precise rare ways to make magic work, and each spell is distinctly different, with little or no overlap of concepts between them, then metamagic feats would be inappropriate. They would have to research new spells.

However, metamagic feats are more fun. Why would you want to keep the players from having a little more flexibility. Really, maximize or empower is almost never any good when you could instead cast more spells of a lower level. The feats are actually underpowered, in my opinion.

Anyway, decide what magic is in your game world, and play appropriately. I just happen to disagree.

 

[Buttercup]

Ranger, if you think the metamagic feats are underpowered, can you give an example or two of feats you think would be more suitable? (I'm not trying to be adversarial, I'm genuinely curious!)

 

[Nightstorm]

I use Monte cook's sorcerer. It fits my idea of the class more importantly. But if you want to use metamagic feats than take the feat"prepare spell " which lets a sorcerer prepare a spell ahead of time like a Wizard.

 

[mkletch]

For an upcoming low-magic campaign (yup, that again), I'm putting some pretty heavy restrictions on Sorcs and Wizards. One of the things I'm doing to compensate is giving Sorcs normal metamagic use. I think it fits better with the Sorc to just "wing it" and cast whatever works for the moment.

-Fletch!

 

[Orias]

I use Monte cook's sorcerer. It fits my idea of the class more importantly. But if you want to use metamagic feats than take the feat"prepare spell " which lets a sorcerer prepare a spell ahead of time like a Wizard.

That's what we usually do. We think that to be able to change the science of a spell at will, the sorc must first learn a little behind the workings of magic.

I wasn't really asking for advice, I already have my own ideas & my own interpretation of metamagic. I was just asking what other people think about the nature of sorcs vs. metamagic.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Looks like a house rules discussion to me.