Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fluid_Dragon 02-28-07, 10:18 AM	I'm wondering if anyone has played one, and what their thoughts were on it. Was the Armor,HD,BaB worth giving up the known spells and slots for? How did it work out in actual play? All in all were you happy with it or was the price too steep. I know how things look on paper but I am wonering about actual game play. Any insight is appreciated.
OutlawJT 02-28-07, 11:18 AM	I haven't played one but have looked into it and toyed with a few builds. I think it only has a couple of good applications, though. For going straight caster you are much better off just playing a normal sorcerer. Two builds I do like it for, though, are a multi-classed gish build and the Eldritch Theurge. The gish build speaks pretty much for itself, multi-classing fighter or rogue. I think it makes a great choice for Eldritch Theurge, though. Consider first that as a Warlock, you won't need access to as many spells because you have unlimited use of your evocations and eldritch blasts. It provides a small boost in HP and qualifies you for Eldritch Theurge in 4 levels. Not the fastest progression for such a build but the extra HP and armored casting are worth the 1 level delay. Not to mention it's casting keys off of an already important stat for the Warlock. I think it offers awesome synergy for an Eldritch Theurge build.
kadeity 02-28-07, 11:26 AM	alot of people think battle sorcerer is too good. i think its an like an arcane cleric, prancing around in armor wit this one wep you can use, slinging spells around. is it worth it? well its like a duskblade without class abilities and more spells. so yeah, if you would play a duskblade, then its worth it. if your wanting a better sorcerer...meh, not so much.
RealSorceror 02-28-07, 11:30 AM	I've often thought about combining the Battle Sorceror varient with the Stalwart Sorceror varient from Complete Mage. This would provide extra hp and Weapon focus, just for delaying a spellslot. Still, I don't see much point. I think the Duskblade and Warmage cover the battle caster archtype pretty well.
Melpomene 02-28-07, 11:34 AM	Rocks out. Aside from Mystic Theurge, you also have the Eldrich Knight. Both of these classes love to have a martial weapon and armour (and eldrich knight loves if you take the 'Armoured Mage' feat, too.)
kadeity 02-28-07, 11:51 AM	I suppose its worth mentioning that to be a GOOD battle sorcerer youll need... Armored Casting (for um, actually USING that light armor) Decent STR (for damage and attack) Decent DEX (for AC and weapon finesse if you use it) Decent CON (casters do anyway though) Decent CHA (for casting, and bonus spells, bc youll need em now) your sort of Multiple Ability Dependant. If your using POINT BUY, dont bother. But if your using best 3d6 of 4d6 then rock out. Eldritch knight is a good move, though your trading those D8's and 3/4 BAB in for d6's and a full BAB... which in some ways is bad bad move, and others isnt. And if i were you id look around for a Variant class feature to replace the familiar. The Spell Shield from Dungeonscape is a good option, as it lets you sacrifice a spell, make a check, and if you succeed, ignore 5x the damage of the level of the spell sacrificed. GREAT for you as a melee caster.
Fluid_Dragon 02-28-07, 11:54 AM	Duskblade and Warmage have crappy spell lists. Really just ways to damage something. I like to use tactics and battlefiled control.
Fluid_Dragon 02-28-07, 11:56 AM	I suppose its worth mentioning that to be a GOOD battle sorcerer youll need... Armored Casting (for um, actually USING that light armor) Decent STR (for damage and attack) Decent DEX (for AC and weapon finesse if you use it) Decent CON (casters do anyway though) Decent CHA (for casting, and bonus spells, bc youll need em now) your sort of Multiple Ability Dependant. If your using POINT BUY, dont bother. But if your using best 3d6 of 4d6 then rock out. Eldritch knight is a good move, though your trading those D8's and 3/4 BAB in for d6's and a full BAB... which in some ways is bad bad move, and others isnt. And if i were you id look around for a Variant class feature to replace the familiar. The Spell Shield from Dungeonscape is a good option, as it lets you sacrifice a spell, make a check, and if you succeed, ignore 5x the damage of the level of the spell sacrificed. GREAT for you as a melee caster. From the SRD: A battle sorcerer can cast sorcerer spells derived from her class levels of battle sorcerer while in light armor without the normal arcane spell failure chance. Is the Spell Shield ability a swift or immediate action? How hard is the check. Barring this I would use the PHB2 option to use metamagic without a full round action.
kadeity 02-28-07, 12:11 PM	From the SRD: A battle sorcerer can cast sorcerer spells derived from her class levels of battle sorcerer while in light armor without the normal arcane spell failure chance. Is the Spell Shield ability a swift or immediate action? How hard is the check. Barring this I would use the PHB2 option to use metamagic without a full round action. oh nice. see that isnt in the UA text, so im glad to hear it. and SpellSheild is an Immediate action, made in response to taking damage.
Demetri_Knighthawk 02-28-07, 12:28 PM	arcane archer is a fine expansion to the class.
Xylem 02-28-07, 12:37 PM	I played a Fighter 1/Barbarian 1/Battle Sorcerer 4 gish in a one-shot urban game. It worked pretty well, except there was often insufficient time to cast buffs due to the environment. (The character was amusing -- he referred to himself as a "Warrior", and the no-nonsense mercenaries he was hanging around with didn't feel it was any of their business why the "warrior" was casting an occasional spell.)
The Livewire 02-28-07, 06:17 PM	I've one at 10th level. Shadow Evocation/Conjuration is almost a must for this build to make up for the low spells. I've found the position in the party line up changes as you go up in levels. Lower levels expect to be on the frontlines more than a mage. You're a Duskblade with fewer tricks (a lot fewer, you have less spells, less armor, and less class features) Higher levels you'll be more like a 'traditional' caster just with a limited spell list. You'll also likely have a quiver of wands to rely on back up spells. As of 10th level, my battle sorcerer has on her blade, "If you can read this, I'm too close." Improved Familiar is actually an option I'm using. with your higher hp, letting your familiar make touch attacks is actually a decent option. I've a pseudodragon familiar, and between touch spells and mage armor, he's a pretty tough little bugger. Prestige classes I'd recommend looking into. Archmage (DMG) you'll have more spell slots than spells, and the flexibility is a great boon. Sand Shaper (Sandstorm) a popular dip for regular sorcerers, the greater number of spells will be a good option for you as well. Might as well take two levels, but no more. Abjurant Champion (Complete Mage) Helps with those buffs. Quickened protection from evil, quickened shield, (and at 5th level) throw a quickened dispell magic around. I recommend Improved Familiar (personal preference) and discourage Arcane Strike (By the time you get this spell, your melee prowess is already starting to fall by the wayside. If you don't mind the caster hit. and have access to either the militia feat or the LA buyoff of UA, taking Eldrich Knight for a bit might buff your BAB, but if you're taking Abjurant Champion, don't bother. It's difficult to optimize, but fun to play. I just wish there was a wizard version.
ContinuityLapse 02-28-07, 07:33 PM	I haven't played one, but I'd imagine a Battle Sorceror's medium BAB would make for a good ray specialist.
Chimaera2000 03-01-07, 12:16 AM	The battle sorcerer is a good, solid way of playing a gish character from level one. However, any well-built gish using prestige classes (such as a Paladin 2/Sorcerer 4/Spellsword 1/Abjurant Champion 5/Eldritch Knight 8 or a Wizard 5/Warblade 1/Jade Phoenix Mage 10/Abjurant Champion 4) will wipe the floor with them.
danielinthewolvesden 03-01-07, 02:53 AM	It seems very similar to the Beguiler?
The_Shaman 03-01-07, 04:47 AM	To a degree. It has light armor spontaneous arcane casting, and that's pretty much it. It uses the entire sorcerer list, learns spells like a sorcerer, and knows a little less spells than it.