Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Votan 04-24-05, 11:57 PM	There is a sorcerer variant in Unearthed Arcana called the Battlesorcerer. It varies from the regular sorcerer by: * d8 hit points per level * medium BAB * Knows one light or one handed martial weapon * can cast in light armor and is proficient * has a swap of two skills * knows one fewer spell of each level (min one) * casts one fewer spell per spell level (min one as well) It seems to me that this fills a very nice gap in the D&D class structure (much better than the warmage, for example, fills it). It makes a very nice fighter/magic-user (or gish as it is often called) and seems to balance well compared to a wizard or cleric. It also seems to be remarkably resistant to prestige classing. I've been thinking about what it might prestige class as and I have come to the conclusion that it would almost always be better to stay in this class then try and slip into a prestige class. Can anybody see how this could be abused to be overpowered relative to the other classes in the PHB?
Manyfist 04-25-05, 12:11 AM	There is a sorcerer variant in Unearthed Arcana called the Battlesorcerer. It varies from the regular sorcerer by: * d8 hit points per level * medium BAB * Knows one light or one handed martial weapon * can cast in light armor and is proficient * has a swap of two skills * knows one fewer spell of each level (min one) * casts one fewer spell per spell level (min one as well) It seems to me that this fills a very nice gap in the D&D class structure (much better than the warmage, for example, fills it). It makes a very nice fighter/magic-user (or gish as it is often called) and seems to balance well compared to a wizard or cleric. It also seems to be remarkably resistant to prestige classing. I've been thinking about what it might prestige class as and I have come to the conclusion that it would almost always be better to stay in this class then try and slip into a prestige class. Can anybody see how this could be abused to be overpowered relative to the other classes in the PHB? Sounds like an Arcane Version of the Psychic Warrior. Which I think is a Psionic version of the Paladin. :D
Nuntius128 04-25-05, 12:44 AM	It seems to me that this fills a very nice gap in the D&D class structure (much better than the warmage, for example, fills it). It makes a very nice fighter/magic-user (or gish as it is often called) and seems to balance well compared to a wizard or cleric. Have you ever tossed on my personal favorite caster PrC, Dragon Disciple, to Battle Sorceror? Let's just say it gives their casting and their melee a big boost.
Talen Lee 04-25-05, 01:14 AM	I'm playing one now, and you're right - nearly every other class is a step down in its focus. Eldritch Knight hits you where it hurts the most - your hit dice and casting. Spellsword doesn't net you nearly enough, either. It's generally a pain in the rumpus, actually; because really, aside from BAB and spells, the class doesn't get anything as it levels up. No bonus feats or anything like that. But that, in my opinion, is a problem with the sorceror itself. Oh wells.
Thelon Fairblade 04-25-05, 12:00 PM	I think the BattleSorcerer is a very well-designed class. It isn't worth PrC-ing out of except for flavor reasons, and you pretty much wouldn't want to simply multiclass out either. But you pay for that extra melee ability by a *very* restricted spells known list (Sorcerer -1) and no special abilities (which the paladin and ranger both have, as does the Hexblade and the Psychic Warrior). Seems balanced for someone who can charge into battle and then toss off Scorching Rays or Dimension Door after fleeing foes...
Votan 04-25-05, 05:12 PM	I think the BattleSorcerer is a very well-designed class. It isn't worth PrC-ing out of except for flavor reasons, and you pretty much wouldn't want to simply multiclass out either. But you pay for that extra melee ability by a *very* restricted spells known list (Sorcerer -1) and no special abilities (which the paladin and ranger both have, as does the Hexblade and the Psychic Warrior). Seems balanced for someone who can charge into battle and then toss off Scorching Rays or Dimension Door after fleeing foes... The class has a number of features that I like. The natural disinclination to prestige class DESPITE the lack of class features is a very nifty design feature. I also like the way that the class keeps up with the full casters. It isn't going to rival the Paladin or the Ranger but it always has level appropriate spells which make thigns work so much better. The extremely restricted spell list is looking like an advantage. It further distingishes the Battlesorcerer from the wizard and strongly rewards theme builds. The number of spells known is so much worse than that of a sorcerer that tring to cover all niches simply fails (the sorcerer is just close enough that you can almost do it). But the battlesorcerer has to pick his spells with care and decide exactly what he wants to do with them. Also, intimidate as a class skill is really nice.