Update: Sorcerer/MotAO/ES (Air) for RttToEE.

[Corwin the Confused]

(PLEASE DON'T SPOIL THE MODULE, Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil!)

I will be the only Arcane Spellcaster in a party of six (Cleric, Thief, Ranger, Barbarian, Archer, and me.

It is a Greyhawk campaign. My DM allows us only PHB, DMG and builder books. And he wants us to be GOOD.

I have read on the boards that the RttToEE is very tough. I like having a character that is min/maxed, but I want to have a good character concept. Since I am the only Arcane Spellcaster, I am kind of leery about being a Sorcerer and not having the right spell at the right time. However, I really would like to try being a Sorcerer since I have never played one. And I would like to try being either an Elemental Savant (who's relative was killed in the Temple) or a Mage of the Arcane Order (so that he could show his family of wizards that a Sorcerer could be a powerful member of The Order).

I rolled excellent stats for my character: 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, & 13

Please let me know your suggestions and PLEASE don’t ruin the RttToEE for me.

 

[Caliber]

While true that Wizards can be more versatile than Sorcerors, with a good combination of spells Sorcerors can be just as effective.

One rule that seems to work pretty good it to take 1 Offensive, 1 Defensive, and 1 Utility spell every spell level. Another good idea is to only take spells that either scale with level or will remain effective always.

As for the two PrC you mentioned ...

Elemental Savant is really cool. You only sacrifice 1 level worth of casting (and that isn't until the 10th level of the class) and you gain some nice abilities. Note that if you were a Sorceror the Elemental Substitution feats you would have to take to gain access to the class would require a Full-Round Action to cast (with the whole Sorceror-Metamagic thing you understand.)

Mage of the Arcane Order makes an excellent Sorceror class, since you essentially gain the ability to cast any spell, eliminating the Sorceror's main weakness. However, the prereqs for MotAO are really rough on a Sorceror, and you may not be able to get into the class until fairly late in the Temple.

Overall, I would say if you want to play a Sorceror, go for it. Personally, I would play an Elemental Savant, not only because of the module (Temple of Elemental Evil) but just because I find it a more flavorful PrC (mmmm .... fiery salsa))

But its all up to you. The key it to have fun. Hope I helped.

 

[Apok]

Go for the Sorcerer. The extra spells per day are really worth it, IMO. Just make sure you have a good variety of known spells, like Caliber mentioned go with a good mix of Offensive, Defensive and Utility. As for a PrC, both of the ones you mentioned are excellent. Elemental Savant just oozes coolness and it is very appropo for the module. The only downside to that PrC is that, unless you do careful planning ahead of time, you'll end up with only one energy type for most of your offensive spells, which ain't great. For example, becomming an Elemental Savant specialized in Fire means that when you come up against fire-based creatueres you are SoL unless you've got some spells that are non-fire based damage, which sort of interferes with the theme of the class. Mage of the Arcane Order makes for some awesome backstory and gives the DM lots of options to play with if you choose to interact with the Guild.

Now, on to mechancis. I would suggest the following stat-spread;

Str 13
Dex 15
Con 16
Int 14
Wis 13
Cha 18

If you are starting out at 4th level, use your extra ability point to bump your Dex to a 16. Get yourself a nice ranged weapon, say a light or heavy xbow for when you run out of spells. One thing I've noticed is that nothing bums a wizard or sorc character out more than when they've cast all their spells and then just sit around for the rest of the combat not doing much. Using a crossbow will keep you in the combat at a safe distance at the lower levels, which is a good thing.

You should have 5400 gp worth of starting equipment at 4th level which you could spend on potions and scrolls, perhaps a bag of holding type 1 or 2 (or a Heward's Haversack), and if you really wanted to splurge; a Vest of Resistance +2 or a Cloak of Charisma +2. If you really want to, get a Wand of Magic Missiles. The starting gold doesn't look like much but don't worry as there are plenty of opportunities to find treasure in that module. I should know, I've run through it once & am running through it again now.

I'll leave the spell selection suggestions to somebody else.

 

[gtJormungand]

There is one problem with a Sorceror becoming an Elemental Savant: you have to wait until 13th level to pick it up because the PrC requires 8 ranks in Knowledge (Planes), a cross-class skill for Sorcerors.

 

[bret]

I know nothing of the module, so you don't have to worry about spoilers here.

If you want to go Elemental Savant, you are going to have a tough time of it.

Elemental Savant requires 8 ranks of Knowledge: The Planes. This is cross-class for a sorcerer. Without a special feat (such as Cosmopolitan or Educated from Forgotten Realms), you are going to have a tough time getting those ranks.

Mage of the Arcane Order is one of the best ways to gain flexibility as a sorcerer. The only thing you loose from this class is the New Spell, the way it is worded I think it only applies to Wizards who take the class.

Another option would be rather intense in the feats, but doable. Take both PrCs. I don't think I would actually do this, but I thought I would put it forward as an option.

Take one Metamagic feat at first level. Third level is Cooperative Spell. Sixth level you start Mage of the Arcane Order and take your Energy Substitution. You start buying up your ranks in Knowledge: The Planes since it is a class skill for MotAO. You should be able to get your 8 ranks over 3 levels, making it 9th level that you start Elemental Savant. You would be Sorc 5/ Mage of Arcane Order 3/ Elemental Savant 1.

Eventually, you would want to bump up to Sorc 6 just for the +1 to all saves. You could still finish off one or the other of the PrCs before level 20.


Personally, I would take a Sorcerer that goes Mage of the Arcane Order. Bonus languages, bonus feats, a better skill list, and you get to draw off the Spellpool as a full round action.

When picking equipment for your Sorcerer, I would seriously consider getting a wand for a spell you don't know. Dispel Magic is a good choice, especially if you plan to take Greater Dispel when it becomes available. You should also have a very good idea of exactly what spells you are planning to take at each level, so you can check that you've spread them over the various saving throw types and elemental types.

Since a Sorcerer knows all simple weapons, pick up a spiked guantlet. That way, you've always got a weapon handy.


Good luck!

 

[Shaele]

Elemental Savant is doable...

Elemental Savant requires 8 ranks of Knowledge: The Planes. This is cross-class for a sorcerer. Without a special feat (such as Cosmopolitan or Educated from Forgotten Realms), you are going to have a tough time getting those ranks.

You have another option: take your first level in a different class that has access to Knowledge skills. For example, try a Bard1/Sorc3. You could immediately sink 4 ranks into Know: Planes from your bard levels, and continue to raise it at a cross-class skill for your sorcerer levels. Since it was a class-skill for your bard class, your max ranks are calculated as if it was a class skill too. By Bard1/Sorc6, you could have all 10 ranks in it. (Of course, this is a little expensive, but if you have _any_ int bonus, you can probably afford the hit).

A bard/sorc combo has other advantages: you get a bard song 1/day, better saves than a straight sorcerer, a couple of extra cantrips and the ability to use Cure Lights Wounds wands.

[edited typo]

 

[Caliber]

A level of Bard CAN be pretty effective, although there is a slight hit to your caster level. You may want to look at the Extra Song feat if you decide to go that route.

If you haven't decided on race, I think Elf would be a really good choice.

Elves get a bunch of nifty abilities. A higher Dex at the cost of a lower Con. Immunity to Sleep spells, as well as only requiring 4 hours of Trance per night. Some nice pluses to skills and proficiency in bow and sword (essentially TWO free feats that are pre-chosen for you.)

Humans would be the only other choice I might consider. Humans get the bonus feat (which is always useful) and the +1 skill point per level will help getting ranks in skills you need for your PrC.

 

[Skaros]

If you really want to attempt survival in a tough module like that, how about something akin to my wife's dwarven fighter/wizard...only a sorcerer version.

For example, using your stats: 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, & 13
Take a toad familiar:

STR 15
DEX 14
CON 16+2(dwarf) +2(toad) = 20
WIS 13
INT 13
CHA 18-2(dwarf) = 16

lvl 1: Fighter 1 HP: 15
lvl 2: Sorcerer 1 HP: 22.5 (average)
lvl 3: Sorcerer 2 HP: 30
lvl 4: Sorcerer 3 HP: 37.5
...
lvl 7: Sorcerer 6 HP: 60

and so on....plus whatever prestige classes you enter might modify that.

Or drop the fighter level and have around 54 hit points instead...though I like the fighter level for flavor for this sort of dwarven battle mage.

My wife actually moved into Wulf's Dwarven ARtificer prestige class (from heroe's of high favor: Dwarves), and is a wizard instead of sorcerer.....but, its still fun to be able to, when the situation calls for it, cast mage armor, shield, blur, whatever, and wade in with an enchanged dwarven war axe

-Skaros

 

[Apok]

Hmmmm.... Given that there are six of you and that you are playing the only Arcane caster I would shy away from multiclassing too much into a class that doesn't give you +1 Caster Level. I freely admit, that 1 level of a fighting type class is great for a caster in this mod. Our group has a 1/2-Orc Barb1/Wiz7 and he rocks on toast. However, we are also running with only 4 PC's so everybody has to do "double-duty" in the combat arena (having only 1 straight fighter kinda sucks, luckily I built my Cleric with combat in mind). Since your group has 3 fighter types and a Cleric, who can put up a good fight in a pinch, I'd say you are safe with going straight Sorc. The Dwarf with a Toad familiar might not be a bad idea, though, since you want lots of HP's. The hit to your Charisma really blows but it's a tradeoff. Also, if you are set on going Elemental Savant I'd grab Cosmopolitan as one of my feats & take Knowledge; the Planes rather than multiclassing. To my way of thinking, your Caster Level is your primary concern in this situation.

 

[Skaros]

I tend to agree with Apok, actually.

For a dwarven warrior-mage I'd much rather go fighter 1/wizard X than fighter 1/sorcerer X.

Gett behind by 1 level doesn't matter much when you are a wizard...for a sorcerer, you're really 2 levels behind a straight wizard.

-Skaros