This project has excited me more than any of the 4th Edition stuff to date, and it has certainly rekindled my interest in gaming once more. Alas, I have no group of playtesters available, so I can only offer my humble opinions and suggestions based purely on perception and speculation. Even if that lowers the value of my input, it is all I have to give and am so willing to provide freely.
The improvements and enhanced features of all the classes presented in the latest release were very impressive to me. The sorcerer, by far, gets my vote for "Best Improvements". The Bloodlines provide some much-needed flavor to this class, which in my opinion, has always suffered from a real lack of identity. But the bloodlines do not feel complete to me. They focus on the physical attributes and abilities of the characters, but the class still remains a spin-off class of its wizardly counterpart and rival. So while the bloodlines are a great step in the right direction, I think there's something more that can be done; something that will really distinguish them from being just another arcane caster. After reading the other class features, and more than a few threads on this message board, I'd like to suggest another idea to build upon the current idea of Bloodlines, if you're willing to indulge such.
I feel the Bloodlines would work even better if they also had some profound affect on the sorcerer's spellcasting capabilities. Something more than just the numbers allowed per day. Give them themes for the types of spells they are naturally better at utilizing and manipulating, reflecting their unique bloodlines in ways that a mere wizard could never duplicate. For example, an Infernal Sorcerer might gain an ability that causes a Bane spell effect whenever he casts any spell that causes fire-based damage. Or a Celestial Sorceror might grant a temporary morale bonus to any good-aligned allies whenever he slays or banishes an evil outsider opponent. Or perhaps the Fire Elemental Sorcerer is able to ignite his fire-based spells on impact so that the flash temporarily blinds any adjacent targets.
I'm just spit-balling here, so feel free to disregard or ignore. But I just thought this was something that might work really well with what you've already offered, and it might be that little push that really sets the Sorcerer apart from the rest. Either way, keep up the good work! I look forward to seeing what more will be accomplished.
