Wizard or Sorcerer?

[milotha]

More spells per day and spontaneous casting. A limited number of spells alone does not balance the Sorcerer against the Wizard. There's that "Balance" word again.

I think that was a poor "balance" decision. Really, a limited number of known spells in many campaigns is a true balancing factor already. Not to mention the loss of the Bonus feats... It's even more pathetic if you evenly split multiclass as a Sorcerer. I'm 8th level and just got 2nd level spells doesn't begin to work.

 

[orchid blossom]

I'm playing a sorcerer right now, and the only thing I really wish I had that I don't is the spell Identify. But that was my choice. I could have taken it.

With carefull spell choices I can do massive amounts of damage and still have quite a few of those useful lower level spells.

I personally enjoy not having to make a spell list every day. I am very familiar with all my spells and don't spend tons of time looking things up in game. I can use my silent and still spell metamagic feats whenever I need them, which really frustrates enemies who think they know how to deal with a spellcaster.

Both Wizards and Sorcerers have their pros and cons. It comes down to what you enjoy playing. But I think if you asked my group if they'd want me to trade my current character for a Wizard, the answer would be a resounding NO!

 

[Globus]

For PCs I like Wizards but as a DM I prefer Sorcerers for my NPCs. Spell versatility isn't that big a deal for villains and it is much easier to have them throw whatever spell I need them to rather than worry about if they have it memorized.

Yeah, and another advantage of using sorcerors as NPCs: No spellbooks! . I voted wizard btw: better spell selection and more feats. Having said that, I think my next PC will be a sorceror with a theme, probably an ice sorceror.

Best regards,
Anders

 

[Thanee]

PS Before you make your next poll about the Rogue, think carefully of which class you are going to compare it against

Has already been done. He compared the rogue with the most useless class of them all... the monk!

Voted wizard, since they offer a wider selection of abilities and thus are generally more useful to a party.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

Sorcerer...you get to hand pick the spells you want and it can really help define a character concept and set a really cool theme.

Ditto. You may not get as powerful as fast, but overall I prefer developing a sorcerer over time. I play 2 sorcerers, one has a few levels of bard, and is your standard sorcerer with a good mix of spells, and a mostly useless familiar. But she's fun. She has a really detailed history, family and when she's not adventuring she's a D&D equivalent of an antiques dealer. She mostly uses her spells in combat but sometimes for fun, or to entertain people as part of her performing.

The other one is a childlike gnome illusionist. I did not give her any offensive or defensive spells on purpose. She grew up quite priveledged in her village , and really had no need for fighting/defense. So she never realized she could use any spells for combat. Now as she goes along, her new spells will be a little tougher as she reaches deep within herself and tries to find the ability to do things like cast magic missle (a spell she does not have at the moment) because as she grows up on the road she will realize she needs these things.

I just feel like I couldn't do that with a wizard, although I know some people do. Maybe it's because I played a sorcerer before playing a character who had to pick spells each day (a druid). I like the sorcerers better.

But like everything, alot depends on what your group is into.

 

[hong]

a well prepared wizard is an awesome tool of destruction, protection, knowledge, or whatever. Scribing scrolls is free, so all those rarely used spells in your spell book can be jotted down and stuck in a pouch for a rainy day.

Say what?

 

[hong]

It's even more pathetic if you evenly split multiclass as a Sorcerer. I'm 8th level and just got 2nd level spells doesn't begin to work.

Evenly-split multiclassing is bad for nearly all spellcasters, not just sorcs. It's a wart in the system.

If you want to do the fighter/mage schtick, consider the battle sorcerer from UA. As sorc, except
- d8 HD
- cleric BAB
- proficiency with light armour, simple weapons, one light or 1-handed martial weapons
- no ASF for light armour
- one less spell/day/level and spell known/level (minimum of 1)

 

[driver8]

Im in the minority, but sorcerer. Really I guess it comes down to style.No need to lug around books. The whole dragon bloodline thing is a cool hook. And besides Dragon Disciple is a neat PrC.

It does suck that Charisma is important to sorcerers yet iis involved with just one of their class skills, but a charming sorcerer can be the perfect face man for a party without a bard.

Besides you get all simple weapons as beginning profeciency- and Hennet is stylin with that shortspear:

[imagel]http://www.fourty.net/~shrack/Screenshots/Avatars/Hennet.jpg[/imagel]

 

[TheAuldGrump]

I voted Wizard, but it really depends on the campaign.

Wizards can learn more spells, and use scrolls to bolster thenumber he can cast in a day (and to learn others).

Sorcerers can cast more spells, but no a lot fewer, and use scrolls to add variety to the spells they know.

Wands are used by both for spells that they cast with great fequency. (I have evn seen a sorcerer who removed fireball from his repertoire because he always had a wand of it.... until he didn't...)

If spellbooks show up with any frequency (even once per level) then I think wizards have an distinct edge, but if they don'y, or scrolls are very common it might be the sorcerer.

Both are cool, and while I would play a wizard over a sorcerer I have known others who would choose the sorcerer every time.

The Auld Grump - and Bards rock!