Spells Known To Use Powers Known Format

[victorysaber]

I was thinking, if I altered the Sorcerer to use the XPH's format of "Powers Known", how balanced/unbalanced would it be?

The links for the Psion, Psychic Warrior, and Wilder are below.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psion.htm
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psychicWarrior.htm
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/wilder.htm

Counting purely by the number of spells known, the Sorcerer's Spells Known Table would go like this.
Level / Spells Known
1st / 6
2nd / 7
3rd / 8
4th / 10
5th / 12
6th / 14
7th / 17
8th / 19
9th / 22
10th / 24
11th / 28
12th / 29
13th / 32
14th / 33
15th / 36
16th / 37
17th / 39
18th / 40
19th / 42
20th / 43

What happens if I use this format and apply the limit of "Maximum Level of Spells Known" as per Psionics?

Should I use the Sorcerer's progression, as above?

Should I use the Psion or Wilder's progression?

Should I allow the Sorcerer to swap out Spells Known in this instance?

The pros of this, I guess, are that it's a more simplified method of Spells Known.

The cons of this, I guess, are that the Sorcerer will end up with more high-level spells known. But then I guess this is balanced by the fact that if they take too many high-level spells known, their lower level spell slots are worthless.

What do you think?

 

[Particle_Man]

In general, having access to the high level stuff more than compensates for losing the low level stuff.

Note that the psion balances out their system by making people pay more points to augment the damage of their powers (as an example). So a 20th level character doesn't get a 20d6 fireball unless they pay 20 points for it.

Psions also do a bit less damage (d4s rather than d6s) to compensate for the added versatility.

 

[Deekin]

In general, having access to the high level stuff more than compensates for losing the low level stuff.

Note that the psion balances out their system by making people pay more points to augment the damage of their powers (as an example). So a 20th level character doesn't get a 20d6 fireball unless they pay 20 points for it.

Psions also do a bit less damage (d4s rather than d6s) to compensate for the added versatility.

No, psions do d6+1, or d6 or d6-1, depending on the energy type they choose.

I was thinking, if I altered the Sorcerer to use the XPH's format of "Powers Known", how balanced/unbalanced would it be?

Leave the spells as they are. Most spell taper off into uselessness after a few levels, while powers never do.

 

[Bacris]

Leave the spells as they are. Most spell taper off into uselessness after a few levels, while powers never do.

That's not entirely true for the powers that don't augment But by and large, it's true.

To the OP:
I guess my question is - why do this? Is the sorceror's spell acquisition rate really that cumbersome to want to overhaul it?

I would definitely say Psion and not Wilder for the chart - remember that psionic powers often have the option of on-the-spot versatility that spells do not, even for spontaneous casters. A fireball is a fireball is a fireball, but an energy ball has 4 flavors.