D&D 5E Wizard vs Sorcerer

[ScuroNotte]

I have just noticed this and maybe there is one that I missed

The Wizard is the only one that had a damaging spell, Bigby's hand, that uses a bonus action for damage while being able to cast any other spell as an Action I.e. Fireball

Sorcerer, with or without Quicken, can only cast a cantrip. They don't have a damaging spell that is used as a bonus action to allow a high level to be cast. Or have I missed a soell

 

[Awesome Adam]

Bigby's Hand requires concentration, does that not stop you from casting any other spells ?

 

[Miladoon]

Animate Objects only takes one bonus action to order your creatures to knock out a target. After that, you let them continue their attacks and still have your bonus action and your action.

 

[mellored]

Spiritual weapon is a bonus action to attack.

 

[rlor]

I'd say as a sheer damage option, Animate Objects is superior as well against anything but damage immune targets. Having your fighter friend use an action to open their spare coin pouch and spill a bunch of silver coins on the ground next to the baddies and you're now playing Magneto. Depending upon how your DM rules dispel magic (does it dispel a single coin or all of them), it could be harder to remove than Bigby's as well. It certainly is going to hold out longer against any single target damage than Bigby's. The little objects having blindsight and not being based on your spell attack rolls can be nice if you can no longer see the target due to magical darkness or if you're frightened.

I'm a bit biased though as I actually like making a bunch of little rolls than an all or nothing roll. The chances of it doing no damage (barring immune targets) is really small and it is frustrating to me to toss out a big spell and watch it whiff for 2 rounds.

 

[famousringo]

Flaming Sphere also allows bonus action damage.

Sorcerers can do this with Melf's Minute Meteors or Storm Sphere. And you've gotta admit, it's nice to do it with spells like Telekinesis and Sunbeam, even if you are paying a sorcery point tax.

 

[Miladoon]

I'd say as a sheer damage option, Animate Objects is superior as well against anything but damage immune targets. Having your fighter friend use an action to open their spare coin pouch and spill a bunch of silver coins on the ground next to the baddies and you're now playing Magneto. Depending upon how your DM rules dispel magic (does it dispel a single coin or all of them), it could be harder to remove than Bigby's as well. It certainly is going to hold out longer against any single target damage than Bigby's. The little objects having blindsight and not being based on your spell attack rolls can be nice if you can no longer see the target due to magical darkness or if you're frightened.

I'm a bit biased though as I actually like making a bunch of little rolls than an all or nothing roll. The chances of it doing no damage (barring immune targets) is really small and it is frustrating to me to toss out a big spell and watch it whiff for 2 rounds.

I thought it was interesting to see the triangular silver coin in the PHB. 10 flying Silver coins are a nice way to get past some creatures defenses.

 

[ScuroNotte]

Flaming Sphere also allows bonus action damage.

Sorcerers can do this with Melf's Minute Meteors or Storm Sphere. And you've gotta admit, it's nice to do it with spells like Telekinesis and Sunbeam, even if you are paying a sorcery point tax.

I guess it bothers me that a Wizard gets a free version with Bigby's (which I would have loved the sorcerer to have) and Sorcerers are forced to use our SP.

Undortunately there is currently no Downtime activity to allow a caster to "learn" a spell

 

[jonathonhawke]

I'd say as a sheer damage option, Animate Objects is superior as well against anything but damage immune targets. Having your fighter friend use an action to open their spare coin pouch and spill a bunch of silver coins on the ground next to the baddies and you're now playing Magneto. Depending upon how your DM rules dispel magic (does it dispel a single coin or all of them), it could be harder to remove than Bigby's as well. It certainly is going to hold out longer against any single target damage than Bigby's. The little objects having blindsight and not being based on your spell attack rolls can be nice if you can no longer see the target due to magical darkness or if you're frightened.

I'm a bit biased though as I actually like making a bunch of little rolls than an all or nothing roll. The chances of it doing no damage (barring immune targets) is really small and it is frustrating to me to toss out a big spell and watch it whiff for 2 rounds.

How about caltrops? Imagine them actively trying to get underfoot. (or crawling up someones trousers)

 

[famousringo]

I guess it bothers me that a Wizard gets a free version with Bigby's (which I would have loved the sorcerer to have) and Sorcerers are forced to use our SP.

Undortunately there is currently no Downtime activity to allow a caster to "learn" a spell

Um, you caught the part of my post where I mention Melf's and Storm Sphere, right? Those are the "free" options for sorcerers. They're in the Elemental Evil players guide, which you can grab online for free if you look around.

I'm jealous of Bigby's too, but more because it's so versatile than for its DPR potential. With so few spells, I grab versatility where I can.

Melf's and Storm Sphere are actually potentially more damaging than Bigby's because of their AoE effects, and you can pick them up sooner than Bigby's, too.