Idea for Improving Bloodlines

[Archon of Light]

I really like the idea of the bloodline class feature for Sorcerers, but I feel something is still lacking. Almost all of the benefits gained by selecting a bloodline are physical ones, which might be great if the class was more of a physical combatant. Perhaps that is the intent here, but I think it really misses the most obvious opportunity by not offering something that works with the true class feature and the one that really makes it not much different than its Wizard counterpart: Spellcasting.

Aside from the numbers, there is no real distinction between the two arcane classes when it comes to spellcasting. One knows less spells, but casts more often. That's it. But if the sorcerer has a real natural talent with such a limited focus, perhaps he should show it better. Maybe he should be able to manipulate and control his focus in ways that a mere wizard could never easily do.

So what if, for example, a Celestial Sorcerer gained an ability that gave his allies a temporary morale bonus in combat whenever the sorcerer casts a spell that successfully overcomes an evil outsiders spell resistance or saving throw? Or a Fire Elemental Sorcerer could ignite any fire-based damaging spell on impact to temporarily blind nearby targets? Or perhaps an Infernal Sorcerer might be able to imbue any spell with a visual aspect with a minor fear affect?

I'm just spit-balling here, but hopefully you get the idea. Just food for thought.

[Zombieneighbours]

I in general, really like the bloodlines, however, the focus of the bloodlines has, in my opinion slipped to far from spell casting.

I like the presence of 'claws' in some bloodlines, however, i would like to see atleast half the bloodlines shift their focus more toward spell casting. So, as an example, i have written up the changes i would make to the elemental bloodline as something of a demonstration.

I would replace elemental touch and elemental movement with the following

Elemental surge: Starting at 1st level, the sorcerer adds +1 damage to spells that deal damage of his elemental type. This increases by +1 every two levels.

By will alone: Starting at 15th level, spells which deal damage of the sorcerers type may be cast without vebal components.