Best Sorcerer PrCs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTimePost
barddan

08-12-07, 03:57 PM
I am DMing for a party who’s primary arcane spell caster is a elf sorceress. She asked me to suggest a prestige class for her. The rest of party is such that they will be well able the defend her from damage so she wants to focus entirely on developing her arcane spell casting power to the fullest and doesn’t care much about the rest. Specifically she is looking the maximize her arcane damage dealing potential, and will leave the mind effecting spells, enchantments and other non-damage spells to the party’s bard. She is currently at level 2 and would like suggestions for PrCs to work toward. Thanks for your input.
The_Shaman

08-12-07, 04:37 PM
Well, it seems that you are a bit vague - does she like any spell theme in particular? She would do poorly if she just limits herself to blasting imo. Here's my idea for a relatively generalist sorceress: sorcerer 6 (or 5, if she does not care about her BAB)/Incantatrix 10/Archmage 4 (or 5), possibly less if she decides to dip in another PrC.

Why incantatrix: it is a darn good PrC for sorcerers, who lose little by forfeiting 1 spell school from then on (meaning that she can still cast lower-level spells of that school). Bonus metamagic feats are GREAT for a sorcerer, the ability to cast it more quickly may save her a feat, and the extra abilities are good to have in the party's primary mage. The prerequisites are tolerable: iron will is a blah, but can be handy - and having a metamagic feat by then is something she will probably do anyway. The current version is in Player's Guide to Faerun. The best part is that it is not necessarily a damage-focused PrC, but performs well as one. Empower spell + elemental admixture make for a powerful combo.

Why Archmage: first, it sounds cool. However, that arch is there for a reason - some of the abilities are simply wicked. Best of all, a sorcerer loses relatively little by taking them, as they usually have spell slots to burn. Every of the abilities can be useful for her imo (maybe except spell-like ability, it is better for wizards). The spell foci are a bit harsh, but as a primary arcanist she might want to make sure enemies fail their saves. The skillcraft spell focus is a WTF prerequisite, but it will synergize nicely with her incantatrix abilities. The current version is in the DMG. Mastery of shaping and mastery of elements can be useful for a sorceress who wants to lay down the arcane smackdown every now and then.

If she is looking for only damage, I think that the elemental book PrCs - the Sandshaper and the Frost mage, in particular, might suit her. Frostmage is quite nice IMO, even though its prerequisites are disgusting (unless you waive the unmentioned required feat - snowcasting, which iirc was required for frozen magic). She gets hardier (free +4 to NA), more skillful with cold spells and can deal damage even to foes who think they are immune - and we're not even talking about the losers who have some resistance and think it'll save their bacon. Start with 6 sorcerer levels, go for it, then cap with incantatrix, archmage, or what have you (frostmage-archmages might want to choose SF (cold) as their second focus). Sandshaper, despite its lost levels (if she decides to carry it to the end) is very versatile and flavorful. Any PrC that practically doubles a sorcerer's spells known list is useful imo. The bonus metamagic uses will help if she needs more damage on a whim, if she bothers to stick in the PrC for so long. I'm not so amused by the elemental savant in CArcane, however. A sorcerer needs to get a LOT more than what it offers to lose 2 caster levels for it. +2 to DC? Puh-lease.
snakeman830

08-12-07, 04:43 PM
Wild Mage (Complete Arcane) is an excellent choice if you just want to be unpredictable. It doesn't cut your spellcasting at all. 50% of the time, your spells are more powerful than normal for a caster of your level. Of the remaining 50%, 1/3 if that time is of normal strength.

Plus, you get to have some serious fun with random items (and enemy casters at 10th level!).
Treantmonklvl20

08-12-07, 04:53 PM
Mage of the Arcane Order is hard for a Sorcerer to qualify for, but the versitility of it is fantastic for a sorcerer.
The_Shaman

08-12-07, 05:04 PM
Wild Mage (Complete Arcane) is an excellent choice if you just want to be unpredictable. It doesn't cut your spellcasting at all. 50% of the time, your spells are more powerful than normal for a caster of your level. Of the remaining 50%, 1/3 if that time is of normal strength.

Plus, you get to have some serious fun with random items (and enemy casters at 10th level!).

Technically, a sorcerer with WM and practiced spellcaster will never cast below their normal caster level... I think the feat applied after any modificatiosn and the like.
calronmoonflower

08-12-07, 06:36 PM
Mage of the Arcane Order: You need three feats (including Arcane Preparation to qualify, but it has full spell progression and adds greatly to your flexibility.

Wild Mage: Full spell casting progression and if you take Practiced Spellcaster you get potential benefits without the chance of a lower caster level.

Spellwarp Sniper: You need to change in a level to get the +1d6 of sneak attack or sudden attack, but the extra damage you get from that and sudden raystrike can make up for it. Of course this is for a sniper and not a blaster.

Elemental Savant: An old 3.0 class, but you only lose a spellcasting level at 10th and you can choose not to take that level.

Technically, a sorcerer with WM and practiced spellcaster will never cast below their normal caster level... I think the feat applied after any modificatiosn and the like.

Actually it's applied whenever it helps you the most, but the wild mages caster level adjustment is considered one step so you cannot stick it in the middle.
Fedifensor

08-12-07, 07:48 PM
Well, it's not the best for an elf due to the problems with favored class, but if you happen to be in Eberron I highly recommend Silver Pyromancer. You'll lose two caster levels (one from taking a level of cleric, and the other from 4/5ths spell progression), but you still cast fire spells at your character level and they eventually become sacred damage (bypassing elemental resistances entirely). Combine that with Archmage at higher levels (for Mastery of Elements and Mastery of Shaping), and a few spells that ignore SR (like Cone of Fire from the Spell Compendium) and it gets really nasty...
Yorath_theWolf

08-12-07, 10:53 PM
define 'best' for us? cause really one man's best is another's 'twinkery'. though in general, getting free stuff is what ya strive for so:

Frostmage: full casting, extra spells, interesting abilities.

Sand Shaper: really better for the 1 lvl dip as it loses 2-3 caster lvls. but if GIVES so much for that one level.

Archmage: difficult prereqs to swing, 3.0 is argueably better for the massive jump in caster lvls you can get. but free reach and shapeing are quite nice.

Wild Soul: nice 'fae' themed PrC, ya only lose one caster lvl, gain 9 spells, get some spontaneous summoning as well as some interesting additions to your summons list.

Dracolexi: interesing 'dragon' themed PrC. lots of usefull abilities, several extra spells. relatively easy prereq's. it's a nice all around PrC.

Abjurent Champ: a great PrC for the more martial enclined. damned near broken. pretty much usefull goodies ever lvl, full BAB, a nice juicey d10 HD, full casting. this is a really, Really nice PrC.

War Weaver: the bestus ever support/buffer setup for an arcane caster. the only thing that keeps it from being perfect is some of the dumb pre-reqs and of course the loss of a caster lvl.

Force Missile Mage: yes it's moveing outside of core and damned near into 3rd party stuff, but this Dragon Mag creation is FUN. it has flavor, use, and gives a significant boost to everyone's favorite Iconic spell.

and those are the one's that jump immidetly to mind.
Iarmeister

08-12-07, 11:00 PM
Sounds like she wants to do a lot of 'Blasting'! Since she's already a dedicated Sorceress, I'd recommend Elemental Savant from Complete Arcane. Allows her to pick and choose a favorite element (is she a pyromaniac who likes to lob Fireballs at her opponents??) and gives Resistance to said chosen element as well as boosting her caster level when casting a spell with that elemental descriptor.

Or, how about the Force Mage from the same book (I think it's called Argent Force Mage? I forget...)?

If she's looking for a PrC that advances her spellcaster levels at each level - i.e. no 'dead' levels - than The_Shamen's suggestions are really good!

My absolute favorite PrC for a sorcerer that I've read thus far, however, is The Jade Phoenix Mage from the ToB. It's more melee oriented, so it's probably not what she's looking for, but some of the class abilities, and it's entire flavor write-up, absolutely rock! Definitely worth giving it a looksy.
Propane

08-12-07, 11:36 PM
Or, how about the Force Mage from the same book (I think it's called Argent Force Mage? I forget...)?

Argent Savant p25 Complete Arcane. Abjurist Evocator specialist with 1 dead level.

Table: Argent Savant
Level BAB Fort Ref Will Special Spells per Day/Spells Known
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Force Specialisation -
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 Force Armour +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 Extended Force +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
4th +2 +1 +1 +4 Ablate Force +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Unbind Force +1 level of existing arcane spellcasting class
Requires:
Skills: Knowledge (arcana) 6, Spellcraft 12
Spells: Able to cast at least 5 spells with the Force descriptor, at least one of which must be 5th level of higher.

There are only 11 [force] spells to 5th level mage spells, so it's a bit tricky with spells to work with.
RobbyPants

08-13-07, 12:40 PM
Elemental Savant: An old 3.0 class, but you only lose a spellcasting level at 10th and you can choose not to take that level.
It's been recreated for 3.5 in the Complete Arcane. You now lose two caster levels, IIRC, at 5th and 10th level. Also, I think all of your energy spells cast are automatically substituted and converted to your energy type (which sucks for versitility). Still, this class is quit cool themeatically.
solbergb

08-13-07, 01:56 PM
Ruathar (races wild) has to go on any caster PRC list.

It's a class anybody can qualify for if they just suck up to (er assist) elves at something.

Gives 3/4 BAB, good reflex/will saves, full casting, and one of the best skill lists in the game, backed by 4 skill points/level. Plus some cute flavor class abilities.

Fatespinner (4 levels of it) is just as good on a sorc as it is on anyone else. Only requires 15 skill ranks to get in and one divination spell known > cantrip. You likely were going to spend 5+ points on kn arcane anyway, so only the profession gambler ranks are really wasted. Great class abilities with easy prereqs.
Athaal

08-13-07, 05:21 PM
If i were the sorceress i'd aim towards the Pact Bound Adept - its from 'Dragon Magic'. I love the class as you benefit from great spell like abilities with only sacrificing a few spell slots. That should help on the dmg front =P. However, if the character does seem interested, then she must bond to a dragon or more for full benefit. Perhaps read up on the dragon magic background for initialising pacts. If not, give it a miss lol.

Arch mage is good at higher levels. But she'd have to wait a bit. Scratch that, a LONG time.

Also, consider showing her the Mystic Theruge its great for damage.

GL
Vaelan

08-13-07, 05:37 PM
Incatatrix. If you want to blow things up, you'll want to use metamagic and the Incantatrix does it better than anyone else.
Urithair

08-13-07, 06:10 PM
Incantatrix is the best for blasting, hands down. Combined with Arcane Thesis and Practical Metamagic you can do some crazy things.

In fact, I would say that Incantatrix is the best prestige class for ANY arcane.
Propane

08-13-07, 06:25 PM
Incatatrix.
Source?
Athaal

08-13-07, 06:30 PM
I have posted a class

check it out

Metamagic Master (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=13400971#post13400971)
The_Shaman

08-14-07, 01:49 PM
Source?

Player's Guide to Faerun, 3.5. Given that it has no affiliation to anything particularly realmsian, I see no reason why it can't work in any other setting. Mind you, any PrC that gives similar metamagic abilities and advances spellcasting is a good option for a blaster - and, tbh, most other spellcasters, too. Sorcerer/incantatrix/archmage is a powerful general build, and might as well be the acid test against which other builds are compared.
TrajanCavalous

08-14-07, 03:30 PM
As others have said, if Incantatrix is allowed that would be your best bet.

If not Elemental Savant is good. The loss of cl sucks but the benefits, especially if you choose electricity, are terrific.

And Mage of the Arcane Order is good for all sorcerer types for it's versatility.
HxHunter

08-15-07, 02:33 AM
The character is an elf. Might want to check out Abjurant Champion, gives some extra HP and good abilities for Abjuration. And Wild Soul too, flavor is cool and you can summon unicorns (mini-healer) trough SM spells.
Umbral

08-15-07, 05:28 PM
Not sure about the damage maximizing. But normally, the best PrCs for a sorcerer should be Sand Shaper, and Mage of the Arcane Order (only needs two feats. Arcane preparation also qualifies as the "other metamagic" feat)
Dark Caesar

08-16-07, 02:54 AM
WarMage from Dragonlance: Age of Mortals is a good one.
Bonus to damage, full casting, free metamagic, armored casting, and free buffs for your parties fighters too.