Spontateous Casters Questions

[RisnDevil]

With the re dividing of the Sorceror thread, there seems to be a renewed interest in balancing the sorceror, but instead of just focusing on the sorceror I have an opinion question about all spontaneous casters.

If you were to change only one which would you change, the number of spells known, or the staggered casting?

For answers try to keep in mind all spontaneous casters, and not just the sorceror.

 

[Terath Ninir]

Neither. I'd have metamagic work "normally" for them. The only time I've ever see a PC take any levels of sorcerer is to qualify for dragon disciple. The class just isn't worthwhile as it is. If they could quicken spells and use metamagic normally, they'd be okay, though substandard compared to the other major spellcasters.

 

[Quickleaf]

Ditto. If I played a standard sorcerer, I'd want to at least be able to use meta-magic normally.Of course with Ron Owen's lineage sorcerer, there's zero reason to play a standard sorcerer.

 

[Thanee]

What do you mean with using metamagic normally... without the time increase?

They are already much better with metamagic than wizards (Quicken Spell obviously not included).

Anyways, I'm very happy with the performance of my sorceress so far (without any changes to the class).

Adding a few bits and pieces would be nice to allow more variability, but the power level of the class is absolutely fine as is.

Adding more spells known would quickly result in a totally overpowered class. Giving them a standard spell progression (1/3/5/...) would be nice, tho, and not much of a problem, I suppose. Giving them quicker access to their spells known (like the bard, having 2 spells known when a new spell level is gained) would be nice, too, just to reduce their "blandness" a bit.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Someone]

Maybe gaining spells like psions gain powers? start with 2 1st level spells, then for levels 2-10, 2 spells of any level they can cast spells, for levels 11-20 1 spell on unevel levels, 2 on even levels.

 

[Terath Ninir]

What do you mean with using metamagic normally... without the time increase?

Yes. In one of the games I play in, if you cast a spell using a full-round action, you are *going* to lose the spell and most likely your life. The summoning spells are rarely used (other than to "disarm" traps) for the same reason.

I suppose if one entirely dumps AoO, then the metamagic is fine as it is.

 

[Darren]

Yes. In one of the games I play in, if you cast a spell using a full-round action, you are *going* to lose the spell and most likely your life. The summoning spells are rarely used (other than to "disarm" traps) for the same reason.

I suppose if one entirely dumps AoO, then the metamagic is fine as it is.

um...
The summon monster spells take a full round to cast, but a sorcerer spell cast with a metamagic feat is usually just a full-round action. There's a difference. If a sorcerer casts using a metamagic feat, he draws attacks of opportunity just as if he were casting using a standard action. It does limit mobility a bit, but he shouldn't be very close to the action in the first place. He isn't standing there casting for the entire round while enemies take shots at him, unless there's something going on in your game I'm completely not understanding.

I'd like a bit of tweaking to the spells known and spells per day - until they get a decent number of spells known at mid levels or so they are a bit dull for my tastes. And eschew materials for free at first level, but only for spells cast as a sorcerer, seems like an obvious and relatively harmless little flavor tweak. Their talent is supposed to be innate after all... no need to go foraging for grasshopper legs, bat guano, or tiny little tarts and feathers or whatever...

 

[Thanee]

Does every opponent there has the Mage Slayer feat?

I mean, you know, that you can cast on the defense, right?
Of course, without any ranks in Concentration that's not going to work.

And there are those nifty spells like Invisibility, Mirror Image, Blink, Displacement, Stone Skin, etc.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Li Shenron]

[retyping]

I played a few sorcerers so far, and seen a few others in play, and IMXP they are quite balanced already without house rules. There is however some frustration between levels 2 and 5, when the class feels limited.

If I were to change something, I think it would be more fair that sorcerers get access to higher level spells at the same class levels as the other full-casters. I think the design rationale behind the access delay was probably in the more daily slots of lower levels, but I think that none would have suggested such delay if it hadn't been there since the start.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

I find it funny some people say that they don't nor have seen many people play sorcerers. In my group it is the opposite. Plenty of sorcerers, not too many wizards.
But then again we let sorcerers use metamagic normally including quicken spell. Which is probably a good boost.