Applying Elemental Sorcerer Bloodline Arcana with other spellcasting classes


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


Hi again,

The topic is about the Elemental Sorcerer Bloodline Arcana: "Whenever you cast a spell that deals energy damage, you can change the type of damage to match the type of your bloodline. This also changes the spell's type to match the type of your bloodline."

At first read, the above text doesn't limit the ability to spells cast as Sorcerer. Do you agree that this applies to spells cast from other classes, too?

So, if you make a Sorcerer character and multiclass with Wizard/Cleric/Druid/Mystic Theurge/etc., the type of damage from all your spells can be changed. Sounds like an Energy Substitution feat for free...


Louis IX wrote:

Hi again,

The topic is about the Elemental Sorcerer Bloodline Arcana: "Whenever you cast a spell that deals energy damage, you can change the type of damage to match the type of your bloodline. This also changes the spell's type to match the type of your bloodline."

At first read, the above text doesn't limit the ability to spells cast as Sorcerer. Do you agree that this applies to spells cast from other classes, too?

So, if you make a Sorcerer character and multiclass with Wizard/Cleric/Druid/Mystic Theurge/etc., the type of damage from all your spells can be changed. Sounds like an Energy Substitution feat for free...

It is energy substitution for 'free'. Its a class feature, which are often equivalent to feats if they arent just feats. I dont see why it wouldnt work for spells from other classes. Thematically, the bloodline effects all of your talents, learned, natural, innate or granted by the gods. And given how much weaker multiclassed caster characters are its not really a balance issue. I think it should affect spells from other casting classes.


Kolokotroni wrote:
It is energy substitution for 'free'. Its a class feature, which are often equivalent to feats if they arent just feats. I dont see why it wouldnt work for spells from other classes. Thematically, the bloodline effects all of your talents, learned, natural, innate or granted by the gods. And given how much weaker multiclassed caster characters are its not really a balance issue. I think it should affect spells from other casting classes.

You're right, of course. It's just that I found strange the idea of an Arcane Hierophant (for instance) calling a storm and throwing acid bolts around... not very "natural".

By the way, if I recall correctly, there are less monsters resistant to acid than to the other elements. Right?


Louis IX wrote:
Kolokotroni wrote:
It is energy substitution for 'free'. Its a class feature, which are often equivalent to feats if they arent just feats. I dont see why it wouldnt work for spells from other classes. Thematically, the bloodline effects all of your talents, learned, natural, innate or granted by the gods. And given how much weaker multiclassed caster characters are its not really a balance issue. I think it should affect spells from other casting classes.

You're right, of course. It's just that I found strange the idea of an Arcane Hierophant (for instance) calling a storm and throwing acid bolts around... not very "natural".

By the way, if I recall correctly, there are less monsters resistant to acid than to the other elements. Right?

Its strange if you isolate the classes as classes, but if you treat the character as a person, it makes sense. Bloodlines represent natural talents, not something that comes from specific training or experience. If lightning is in your blood, then chances are when you start reading up on spells you will twist some lightning into it. I dont think anyone would challenge the call storm of acid, if you have energy substitution right? You have learned to channel energy into a specific form, the bloodline power just represents a natural talent for that.

And this is purely anecdotal, but yes I do believe acid is the least common resisted energy type.


Louis IX wrote:


By the way, if I recall correctly, there are less monsters resistant to acid than to the other elements. Right?
Kolokotroni wrote:


And this is purely anecdotal, but yes I do believe acid is the least common resisted energy type.

Actually, I believe that the least common resisted energy type is sonic, followed by acid.

The list of creatures in the Bestiary immune or resistant to acid includes:

Spoiler:

Aasimar (resistant)
Angels (immune)
Demons (resistant)
Devils (resistant)
Black Dragons (immune)
Green Dragons (immune)
Copper Dragons (immune)
Silver Dragons (immune)
Giant Flytraps (resistant
Djinni Genies (immune)
Clay Golems (healed by it)
Half Celestials (resistant)
Half Dragons - variety Black, Green or Copper (immune)
Half Fiends (resistant)
Tarn Linnorms (immune)
Mimics (immune)
Shoggoths (resistant)
Giant Slugs (immune)
DM_Blake... uh, the Tarrasque (immune)
Celestial Creatures (resistant)

Creatures immune or resistant to sonic in the Bestiary are:

Spoiler:

Intellect Devourers (resistant)
Shoggoths (immune)

Of course, a simple 'Silence' spell and every creature inside becomes immune to sonic damage, but that's an entire different story...


The Wraith wrote:
Actually, I believe that the least common resisted energy type is sonic, followed by acid.

True. However, Sonic isn't an energy type that is currently associated with an Elemental Sorcerer Bloodline (with its "free" Energy Substitution). Now, if you do get the feat, you could perhaps apply Sonic to each of your spells... for a metamagic cost.

To follow this anecdotal tangent to its end, I'd like to point out that there are less spells doing Sonic damage than there are for the other energy types. Perhaps because it's a damage type that arrived late on the "market"? That would also explain the very low number of monsters resistant to it. Thanks for the list, by the way.

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