|
I have a player in my group who always insists on playing a sorcerer. However, in the two years I have known him, he has never once cast a spell. He insists on treating the character as a fighter, even though he is unarmored. He has a high enough Dex and enough protective magical items to make his character survivable. What sould I do, if anything, to help him see that there are better classes that fit his style of play?
Ask him what about the sorcerer is appealing to him?
Might bard (described as a gish) work better?
Hmm. Perhaps you could say that if he doesn't use any spells which affect the combat, he doesn't gain any levels as a sorcerer, but as a fighter? Or, you could just deny him new spells.
You could also just hit the party with creatures which are more difficult to kill without a sorcerer. Send in some rust monsters, for example. Especially while the others are gone. Or something with a high AC, but that can be hit easily with a simple MM or Burning Hands. He'll remember he has the spells eventually.
Alternatively, you could just talk to him, Out of Game, and explain to him that you won't let him play a sorcerer this game. Ask him to play a Bard, or maybe a cleric. Once he's shown that he can use spells when necessary, allow him to multiclass to sorcerer.
Or, you could ask someone else to play a sorcerer. Have the offending player play a fighter or something. Let him see how the other player plays a sorcerer.
Or, and this is my favorite idea, tell him to get a familiar. If you have to, cut the cost. During the game, you can have the familiar prompt him, saying things like 'use a spell! Use a spell!'. If he says something like 'I want to save them for later.' the familiar can say 'you never use any spells at all! Use one!'.
This way, he'll keep being reminded, and you can even argue the whole thing in character.
Honestly, I think it's kind of refreshing to hear of a sorcerer who's keeping his magic as a hole card rather than running around like Boom Boom LaRue.
If the character is survivable and the player is enjoying himself, does it really matter that he has a suboptimal playstyle? I can think of many worse problems.
Sounds almost like he is trying to play a commoner.
|
|
Honestly, I think it's kind of refreshing to hear of a sorcerer who's keeping his magic as a hole card rather than running around like Boom Boom LaRue.
If the character is survivable and the player is enjoying himself, does it really matter that he has a suboptimal playstyle? I can think of many worse problems.
The problem arises because I have had other players who have wanted to play an arcane caster, but have changed their minds because he is playing a sorcerer. Thus, other players are not having as much fun because of his choice.
The problem arises because I have had other players who have wanted to play an arcane caster, but have changed their minds because he is playing a sorcerer. Thus, other players are not having as much fun because of his choice.Honestly, I think it's kind of refreshing to hear of a sorcerer who's keeping his magic as a hole card rather than running around like Boom Boom LaRue.
If the character is survivable and the player is enjoying himself, does it really matter that he has a suboptimal playstyle? I can think of many worse problems.
It's nice that they don't want to step on his shtick, but honestly I'd just level with them and tell them he's playing a sorcerer who acts more like a rogue, and if they want to play some other type of arcane caster, especially something like a bookish wizard or flamboyant bard, there shouldn't be any problem.
My game is currently heavy on arcane casters, but since everyone is playing a different sort, there really isn't a trouble.
I currently play in a game where the kobold sorcerer is our main tank. But he uses spells to buff up, and he's a battle sorcerer. My dragon shaman is ALMOST high enough level to get his breath weapon, so I will soon be the blaster instead of just a bunch of hit points and buffer.
Nice to see you again Dan. I had wondered if you had wandered off, but it looks like we have just been running in different circles.
It's St. Patick's Day weekend....a holy day amongst my people, so I've been busy. ;-)
Bwah?
I don't get it -- he plays a sorcerer, but he NEVER casts spells? As the other poster pointed out, he might find the Commoner class more to his liking.
???
I have a player in my group who always insists on playing a sorcerer. However, in the two years I have known him, he has never once cast a spell. He insists on treating the character as a fighter, even though he is unarmored. He has a high enough Dex and enough protective magical items to make his character survivable. What sould I do, if anything, to help him see that there are better classes that fit his style of play?
When you think about Gandalf, what class describes him ? Wizard ?
How many times do you see him actually casting a spell ?My point is, if your player wants to play a sorcerer with spellcasting, let him do it. Although suprising this character concept could bring interesting strategic options, as the character is hidinhg his spells in his sleeves.
You can still propose to your player a Battle Sorcerer variant, as per Unearthed Arcana. Or one of the Pathfinder sorcerer variants.
Bwah?
I don't get it -- he plays a sorcerer, but he NEVER casts spells? As the other poster pointed out, he might find the Commoner class more to his liking.
???
I have tried to get him interested in playing a Duskblade, but so far I haven't had much luck.
I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, though. Is he (or his character) philosophically opposed to casting spells? Or is he just "saving" them for something? What does he like about the sorcerer class in the first place?
Can I ask what level the party is?
|
|
I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, though. Is he (or his character) philosophically opposed to casting spells? Or is he just "saving" them for something?Bwah?
I don't get it -- he plays a sorcerer, but he NEVER casts spells? As the other poster pointed out, he might find the Commoner class more to his liking.
???
I have tried to get him interested in playing a Duskblade, but so far I haven't had much luck.
There doesn't seem to be any reason other then he likes being a melee combatant. At least none that he has actually expressed. He has played casters in other campaigns I've been in and has used spells, although sparingly.
Can I ask what level the party is?
7th, going on 8th
The problem arises because I have had other players who have wanted to play an arcane caster, but have changed their minds because he is playing a sorcerer. Thus, other players are not having as much fun because of his choice.
This sounds to me like the actual problem, not that he won't cast spells. I'd just tell the people who want to play an arcane cast to do so, regardless of what he is. As for him, as long as he is happy there shouldn't be too much of a problem.
The knight in my current game has never actually used his challenges. Eventually I did convince him to go for a prestige class, so it isn't a big deal. He still has fun and wants to play the character. He'd be great if only his dice liked him better.
The knight in my current game has never actually used his challenges. Eventually I did convince him to go for a prestige class, so it isn't a big deal. He still has fun and wants to play the character. He'd be great if only his dice liked him better.
Based on my extensive experience* with the knight class, the dice never like knights.
There's even a technical term at our game table. The knight's name was "Methos," so now when the dice rolls go really badly against someone at a critical moment, we say, "You really Methos'd that up!"
I suggest talking to the player and explaining that others want to play arcane casters but they are concerned about stomping on his shtick. Point out that he has been focusing on melee more than casting and ask him if he would mind others playing casters. If he is cool with it, I see no harm in letting him continue to play his melee Sorcerer while allowing those interested in playing an arcane caster as well.
O.K., I think I understand what's going on. It sounds like he likes fighting in melee and while he's fighting, he isn't casting spells.
I'd suggest:
a) Making it clear that he's a melee fighter, not a spellcaster, so that other characters don't get the idea that that "role" is covered.
b) Finding some swift/immediate action spells for him to learn so that he can fight and cast at the same time.
The knight in my current game has never actually used his challenges. Eventually I did convince him to go for a prestige class, so it isn't a big deal. He still has fun and wants to play the character. He'd be great if only his dice liked him better.Based on my extensive experience* with the knight class, the dice never like knights.
** spoiler omitted **
There's even a technical term at our game table. The knight's name was "Methos," so now when the dice rolls go really badly against someone at a critical moment, we say, "You really Methos'd that up!"
To further give credence to the theory, last Saturday the knight's player played in another 3.5 campaign. Apparently his low rolls in that were still double digits.
Also the second nastiest melee character I ever designed was a sorcerer, at least to start with.
Have you had any green beer yet?I'm sure it'll be green on the way back up.
:)
Hahaha!!!!
That's why I drink whiskey and Cokes! :-)
Actually, the only beer I had was a Blue! :-P
* * *
I once played in a low-epic game, and the main tank was a crazy sorcerer/PrC/PrC/PrC/template/template shapechanged into a balor. Nasty.