Thoughts on Sorcerers


Races & Classes

Liberty's Edge

Okay, I've gone over the sorcerer class in some depth and here's my thoughts, pre-playtest (and things I'd like to test out in playtest)

First of all, the poor sorcerer class definitely needed a boost, so thanks for tossing in the bloodline mechanic. Also, a quick note: Jason has mentioned on another thread that sorcerers will get unlimited cantrips just like the rest of the primary spellcasters. For the sorcerer, I assume they get the advantage in flexibility on this, which I'm all for. Giving the sorcerer access to 6 cantrips at will instead of four does a lot to distinguish them from their wizard colleague. It just seems like a good fit that those with power in their blood as opposed to in their brains might be a tad more flexible.

As far as the bloodlines themselves go, I've noticed some similarities between a number of them, which is fine. That'll make them easier to playtest. I figure if someone tests an arcane bloodline, someone tests a destined, and someone tests pretty much any of the ones with a touch attack, a big attack, and flight, it'll give a pretty solid picture of how the new variant works. The d6 hit die is also a nice change, but we got that with the wizard, too.

A few quick questions I'd like to see resolved in the final version of the product of a more "flavor and feel" variety.

1. Since Sorcerers are the "witch" class, is there some way they can aquire a familiar, since that's where the whole familiar thing started in legend?

2. When tacking sorcerer levels onto, say, an incredibly deadly CR 10 lamia matriarch that hangs out in a bell tower, what bloodline should I use?

3. Pure curiosity: is Seoni a celestial bloodline sorcerer? She's got white hair, blue runes, blue eyes, and is from a culture that tends good-aligned.


Timespike wrote:


1. Since Sorcerers are the "witch" class, is there some way they can aquire a familiar, since that's where the whole familiar thing started in legend?

Its in the Arcane Bond.


Timespike wrote:
1. Since Sorcerers are the "witch" class, is there some way they can aquire a familiar, since that's where the whole familiar thing started in legend?

Well, there is the arcane bloodline which does grant either a bonded item or a familiar.

Optionally too, you can snag the Acquire Familiar feat from Complete Arcane book also.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 16, 2012 Top 32

Timespike wrote:
1. Since Sorcerers are the "witch" class, is there some way they can aquire a familiar, since that's where the whole familiar thing started in legend?

As Grailhawk mentioned, it's in the arcane bond that the arcane bloodline gets.

Timespike wrote:
2. When tacking sorcerer levels onto, say, an incredibly deadly CR 10 lamia matriarch that hangs out in a bell tower, what bloodline should I use?

I believe it says the default bloodline is arcane.

Timespike wrote:
3. Pure curiosity: is Seoni a celestial bloodline sorcerer?

No, I think she belongs to the little-known babelicious bloodline.

Dark Archive

I think its a good start, and in the right direction. I like the idea of bloodlines. They just need a few more changes, and they will be perfect.

A) They need more blood line powers. The powers they get are nice, but they need more. Squeeze one at level 6, another at level 12, and one more at level 18.

B) Make all they powers that are 1/day be at least 3/day.

C) Increase the number of spells known. I say make the sorcerer know 6 spells per spell level for spell levels 1-3, 5 spells per spell level for spell levels 4-6, and 4 spells per spell level for spell levels 7-9.

Do these and they will be about as viable as a wizard.

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