Bloodline Sorcerer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bloodline Sorcerer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
eggplantm
06-21-04, 11:17 AM Here's another attempt at a revision to the sorcerer class. As always, my goal is to keep things simple and try to make the class more appealing at higher levels.

Change the sorcerer's skill points to 4+Int modifier. This alone is a big power up but I think a worthwhile one. Purely up to you and please comment if you think it is too much and why.

Change the sorcerer's special abilities list to the following:

1st Bloodline Power, Bloodline Spell - 1st
4th Bloodline Spell - 2nd
6th Bloodline Spell - 3rd
8th Bloodline Spell - 4th
10th Bloodline Spell - 5th
12th Bloodline Spell - 6th
14th Bloodline Spell - 7th
16th Bloodline Spell - 8th
18th Bloodline Spell - 9th

Note that the summon familiar ability has been removed. I did this to differentiate the wizard from the sorcerer.

Bloodline Power All sorcerers get their power from within but often this power has an ancestral source. The sorcerer is infused with power of a particular type and force that serves as the sorcerer's magical focus and font of power. At 1st level the sorcerer chooses one clerical domain and gains that domain's power and access to that domain's spells. Every instance of the word "cleric" in the domain power's description should be changed to "sorcerer". A sorcerer can choose a domain that is in conflict with his or her alignment but using a power or spell from that domain implies a connection to it. For example, a good sorcerer could choose the evil or death domain but using that domain's power or spells would be considered an evil act. Many sorcerers fight against the source of their powers their entire lives but very few can fight it forever.

Bloodline Spell At 1st level, the sorcerer gains access to his or her chosen domain's 1st level spell. This spell is not added to the sorcerer's list of spells known as it is only usable once a day. When used, the domain spell still uses one 1st level spell slot, but even if metamagic feats are applied to the domain spell, it is still usable only once per day. At 4th level the sorcerer gains access to the 2nd level spell of his chosen domain and gains a new bloodline spell every 2 levels after. The bloodline spells are not counted as being on the sorcerer's spell list and the sorcerer is not able to use spell completion items such as wands and scrolls that have spells not normally on his list. As a special note: use of a bloodline spell, while it still costs a spell slot of the appropriate level, is considered a spell like ability and does not require any spell components or a spell focus.

Some might think this treads on the cleric's area a little much but I tried to restrict that by keeping it at one use per day no matter what spell is gained and keeping them from using wands and scrolls with the domain spells on them.

Certain domains add a lot or a little to the sorcerer depending on the power chosen. Some give class skills while some give a socerer the ability to turn certain creatures. The sun domain would not grant regular turning to a sorcerer but it does let them do one greater turning once per day using their sorcerer level.

I'm kind of liking the idea of this so far. What does everyone else think. :)
eggplantm
06-21-04, 05:23 PM :bump: Doesn't anyone have any comments? Give me your ideas on this sorcerer variant, please!
Blakk_Magemaster
06-22-04, 02:39 AM This sounds like a good way to differentiate from the wizard. I like your approach on taking something from the PHB. But you might want to change the some of the domain spells that the sorceror gets. The spells were primarily made for a cleric and there whole alienment thingy. I might have missed it as i have read over this kinda quickly but how many domains does this sorceror get to choose?

That's about all i can think of right now. I'll get back to you later.
BlaineTog
06-22-04, 02:56 AM Originally posted by eggplantm
Some might think this treads on the cleric's area a little much but I tried to restrict that by keeping it at one use per day no matter what spell is gained and keeping them from using wands and scrolls with the domain spells on them.Its unnecessary. The domains themselves already tread on the Sor/Wiz lists.

The single solitary domain that anyone will care about is the Healing domain. Just ditch that and you can let the spells just add to theri spells known and spell list w/o molestation by the boards.
eggplantm
06-22-04, 07:47 AM Originally posted by Blakk_Magemaster
This sounds like a good way to differentiate from the wizard. I like your approach on taking something from the PHB. But you might want to change the some of the domain spells that the sorceror gets. The spells were primarily made for a cleric and there whole alienment thingy. I might have missed it as i have read over this kinda quickly but how many domains does this sorceror get to choose?

That's about all i can think of right now. I'll get back to you later.

As I've currently got it written, the sorcerer gets one domain. The alignment restriction is not used for sorcerers so you could have a good sorcerer with the bloodline domain of evil. However, casting any spell with the evil descriptor is an evil act and overuse of them will propel the sorcerer from his good alignment. I'm kind of partial to this because it gives some great potential for roleplaying. The sorcerer must constantly resist the temptation to use the source of his power lest he become corrupted by it. If you never plan to use the bloodline spells, pick another bloodline domain. However, if you want to play your character that he is always being tempted by his bloodline and appreciate the roleplaying challenge, then select a contradictory bloodline. You could also select a bloodline domain then try to pick the rest of your spells to match it. Like all air & lightning based spells for instance.
eggplantm
06-22-04, 07:54 AM Originally posted by BlaineTog
Its unnecessary. The domains themselves already tread on the Sor/Wiz lists.

The single solitary domain that anyone will care about is the Healing domain. Just ditch that and you can let the spells just add to theri spells known and spell list w/o molestation by the boards.

If a character selects the healing domain, he can only use any one spell once per day. I think that is OK. If a sorcerer selected some other domain and simply added it to spells known that would cause several problems.

1. Many domain spells appear on no other list and are very potent. Clerics can't cast them more than once per day and I don't think sorcerers should be able to cast them at will either.

2. Adding them directly to the sorcerer's spells known is a significant power up which I don't believe the sorcerer needs. I don't think the sorcerer needs much more power, just a little more flavor and interesting abilities. The once per day domain spell comes across more as an optional power from the sorcerer's bloodline source in this way in addition to his bloodline domain power.

3. Keeping it as once per day and not adding it to the spell list also makes it okay for the sorcerer to have the healing domain since under that stipulation he cannot use wands or scrolls with that spells. I wanted the domain spells to be special powers. Things the sorcerer can do that others cannot but not something that can be exploited. Roleplaying first. The sorcerer that chooses the healing domain is not getting a lot of power but he can roleplay that his power comes from some divine benevolent ancestor.

What do you mean by board molestation? Sounds Rough.:D
eggplantm
06-22-04, 08:58 AM I've edited in another part to the bloodline spell description at the top.

Now, the use of a bloodline spell (while it still requires the expenditure of the appropriate level spell slot) is treated as a spell-like ability and does not require any material components or divine focus.
Blakk_Magemaster
06-22-04, 01:58 PM This looks great, and it also adds a lot more "umph!" to the sorceror. One question: When the sorceror chooses his domain, are they not limited to learning only thoses domain spells or can he splash?

And the choice between chooseing domains that complement or can conflict is a cool way to spice up that class. I'm am really taking to this idea....Ummmm, i just might "steal" this for my next adventure......
eggplantm
06-22-04, 02:37 PM Originally posted by Blakk_Magemaster
This looks great, and it also adds a lot more "umph!" to the sorceror. One question: When the sorceror chooses his domain, are they not limited to learning only thoses domain spells or can he splash?

And the choice between chooseing domains that complement or can conflict is a cool way to spice up that class. I'm am really taking to this idea....Ummmm, i just might "steal" this for my next adventure......

Thanks! I'm not really sure I understand your question though. When a sorcerer chooses a domain, he gains that domain power and the ability to use the domain's 1st level spell once per day. At 4th level, he can now use that same domain's 2nd level spell once per day. Is this what you were asking?

I'll add some feats a little later made for this alternate sorcerer.
eggplantm
06-23-04, 11:00 AM Here are some example sorcerers and their bloodline domains. Assume all are 1st level.

Exalted sorcerer.
Alignment: Lawful good
Bloodline domain: Good
Granted power: Cast good spells at +1 caster level
Bloodline spell: Protection from evil can be cast a maximum of once per day using no material components or requiring any divine focus.
Roleplaying: This sorcerer's power stems from a seed of good deep inside him which he readily embraces and uses. This sorcerer could be played as a very devout arcane caster that many see as a source of good aligned power.

Force of destruction sorcerer
Alignment: Neutral
Bloodline Domain: Destruction
Granted Power: You gain the smite power, the supernatural ability to make a single melee attack with a +4 bonus on attack rolls and a bonus on damage rolls equal to your sorcerer level (if you hit). You must declare the smite before making the attack. This ability is usable once per day.
Bloodline spell: Inlict light wounds. Usable once per day
Roleplaying: This sorcerer knows that inside him is a force that seeks only to destroy everything. It is not evil but simply a force of destructive nature that unleashes itself when he is angry. Normally calm, this sorcerer has a great hidden temper that fuels his power.

Nature Sorcerer
Alignment: CN
Bloodline Domain: Animal
Granted Power: You can use speak with animals once per day as a spell-like ability. Add Knowledge (nature) to your list of sorcerer class skills.
Bloodline Spell: Calm animals 1/day using no material components or divine focus.
Rolepalying: This character feels a definate connection to the natural world that he cannot explain. All he knows is that he can talk to animals and calm them. One of his main adventuring goals is to discover why.

I'd appreciate any feedback on this idea. Keep the opinions & ideas coming.
eggplantm
06-23-04, 03:10 PM I tried some sample sorcerer characters with this system and decided to add the additional change that sorcerer's get 4 skill points per level instead of 2. Most posts about the sorcerer seem to do this as well. I did not add any additional skills as the choice of bloodline domain often adds many skills to sorcerer's list. This was one of the major reasons behind this change.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
eggplantm 06-21-04, 11:17 AM	Here's another attempt at a revision to the sorcerer class. As always, my goal is to keep things simple and try to make the class more appealing at higher levels. Change the sorcerer's skill points to 4+Int modifier. This alone is a big power up but I think a worthwhile one. Purely up to you and please comment if you think it is too much and why. Change the sorcerer's special abilities list to the following: 1st Bloodline Power, Bloodline Spell - 1st 4th Bloodline Spell - 2nd 6th Bloodline Spell - 3rd 8th Bloodline Spell - 4th 10th Bloodline Spell - 5th 12th Bloodline Spell - 6th 14th Bloodline Spell - 7th 16th Bloodline Spell - 8th 18th Bloodline Spell - 9th Note that the summon familiar ability has been removed. I did this to differentiate the wizard from the sorcerer. Bloodline Power All sorcerers get their power from within but often this power has an ancestral source. The sorcerer is infused with power of a particular type and force that serves as the sorcerer's magical focus and font of power. At 1st level the sorcerer chooses one clerical domain and gains that domain's power and access to that domain's spells. Every instance of the word "cleric" in the domain power's description should be changed to "sorcerer". A sorcerer can choose a domain that is in conflict with his or her alignment but using a power or spell from that domain implies a connection to it. For example, a good sorcerer could choose the evil or death domain but using that domain's power or spells would be considered an evil act. Many sorcerers fight against the source of their powers their entire lives but very few can fight it forever. Bloodline Spell At 1st level, the sorcerer gains access to his or her chosen domain's 1st level spell. This spell is not added to the sorcerer's list of spells known as it is only usable once a day. When used, the domain spell still uses one 1st level spell slot, but even if metamagic feats are applied to the domain spell, it is still usable only once per day. At 4th level the sorcerer gains access to the 2nd level spell of his chosen domain and gains a new bloodline spell every 2 levels after. The bloodline spells are not counted as being on the sorcerer's spell list and the sorcerer is not able to use spell completion items such as wands and scrolls that have spells not normally on his list. As a special note: use of a bloodline spell, while it still costs a spell slot of the appropriate level, is considered a spell like ability and does not require any spell components or a spell focus. Some might think this treads on the cleric's area a little much but I tried to restrict that by keeping it at one use per day no matter what spell is gained and keeping them from using wands and scrolls with the domain spells on them. Certain domains add a lot or a little to the sorcerer depending on the power chosen. Some give class skills while some give a socerer the ability to turn certain creatures. The sun domain would not grant regular turning to a sorcerer but it does let them do one greater turning once per day using their sorcerer level. I'm kind of liking the idea of this so far. What does everyone else think. :)
eggplantm 06-21-04, 05:23 PM	:bump: Doesn't anyone have any comments? Give me your ideas on this sorcerer variant, please!
Blakk_Magemaster 06-22-04, 02:39 AM	This sounds like a good way to differentiate from the wizard. I like your approach on taking something from the PHB. But you might want to change the some of the domain spells that the sorceror gets. The spells were primarily made for a cleric and there whole alienment thingy. I might have missed it as i have read over this kinda quickly but how many domains does this sorceror get to choose? That's about all i can think of right now. I'll get back to you later.
BlaineTog 06-22-04, 02:56 AM	Originally posted by eggplantm Some might think this treads on the cleric's area a little much but I tried to restrict that by keeping it at one use per day no matter what spell is gained and keeping them from using wands and scrolls with the domain spells on them.Its unnecessary. The domains themselves already tread on the Sor/Wiz lists. The single solitary domain that anyone will care about is the Healing domain. Just ditch that and you can let the spells just add to theri spells known and spell list w/o molestation by the boards.
eggplantm 06-22-04, 07:47 AM	Originally posted by Blakk_Magemaster This sounds like a good way to differentiate from the wizard. I like your approach on taking something from the PHB. But you might want to change the some of the domain spells that the sorceror gets. The spells were primarily made for a cleric and there whole alienment thingy. I might have missed it as i have read over this kinda quickly but how many domains does this sorceror get to choose? That's about all i can think of right now. I'll get back to you later. As I've currently got it written, the sorcerer gets one domain. The alignment restriction is not used for sorcerers so you could have a good sorcerer with the bloodline domain of evil. However, casting any spell with the evil descriptor is an evil act and overuse of them will propel the sorcerer from his good alignment. I'm kind of partial to this because it gives some great potential for roleplaying. The sorcerer must constantly resist the temptation to use the source of his power lest he become corrupted by it. If you never plan to use the bloodline spells, pick another bloodline domain. However, if you want to play your character that he is always being tempted by his bloodline and appreciate the roleplaying challenge, then select a contradictory bloodline. You could also select a bloodline domain then try to pick the rest of your spells to match it. Like all air & lightning based spells for instance.
eggplantm 06-22-04, 07:54 AM	Originally posted by BlaineTog Its unnecessary. The domains themselves already tread on the Sor/Wiz lists. The single solitary domain that anyone will care about is the Healing domain. Just ditch that and you can let the spells just add to theri spells known and spell list w/o molestation by the boards. If a character selects the healing domain, he can only use any one spell once per day. I think that is OK. If a sorcerer selected some other domain and simply added it to spells known that would cause several problems. 1. Many domain spells appear on no other list and are very potent. Clerics can't cast them more than once per day and I don't think sorcerers should be able to cast them at will either. 2. Adding them directly to the sorcerer's spells known is a significant power up which I don't believe the sorcerer needs. I don't think the sorcerer needs much more power, just a little more flavor and interesting abilities. The once per day domain spell comes across more as an optional power from the sorcerer's bloodline source in this way in addition to his bloodline domain power. 3. Keeping it as once per day and not adding it to the spell list also makes it okay for the sorcerer to have the healing domain since under that stipulation he cannot use wands or scrolls with that spells. I wanted the domain spells to be special powers. Things the sorcerer can do that others cannot but not something that can be exploited. Roleplaying first. The sorcerer that chooses the healing domain is not getting a lot of power but he can roleplay that his power comes from some divine benevolent ancestor. What do you mean by board molestation? Sounds Rough.:D
eggplantm 06-22-04, 08:58 AM	I've edited in another part to the bloodline spell description at the top. Now, the use of a bloodline spell (while it still requires the expenditure of the appropriate level spell slot) is treated as a spell-like ability and does not require any material components or divine focus.
Blakk_Magemaster 06-22-04, 01:58 PM	This looks great, and it also adds a lot more "umph!" to the sorceror. One question: When the sorceror chooses his domain, are they not limited to learning only thoses domain spells or can he splash? And the choice between chooseing domains that complement or can conflict is a cool way to spice up that class. I'm am really taking to this idea....Ummmm, i just might "steal" this for my next adventure......
eggplantm 06-22-04, 02:37 PM	Originally posted by Blakk_Magemaster This looks great, and it also adds a lot more "umph!" to the sorceror. One question: When the sorceror chooses his domain, are they not limited to learning only thoses domain spells or can he splash? And the choice between chooseing domains that complement or can conflict is a cool way to spice up that class. I'm am really taking to this idea....Ummmm, i just might "steal" this for my next adventure...... Thanks! I'm not really sure I understand your question though. When a sorcerer chooses a domain, he gains that domain power and the ability to use the domain's 1st level spell once per day. At 4th level, he can now use that same domain's 2nd level spell once per day. Is this what you were asking? I'll add some feats a little later made for this alternate sorcerer.
eggplantm 06-23-04, 11:00 AM	Here are some example sorcerers and their bloodline domains. Assume all are 1st level. Exalted sorcerer. Alignment: Lawful good Bloodline domain: Good Granted power: Cast good spells at +1 caster level Bloodline spell: Protection from evil can be cast a maximum of once per day using no material components or requiring any divine focus. Roleplaying: This sorcerer's power stems from a seed of good deep inside him which he readily embraces and uses. This sorcerer could be played as a very devout arcane caster that many see as a source of good aligned power. Force of destruction sorcerer Alignment: Neutral Bloodline Domain: Destruction Granted Power: You gain the smite power, the supernatural ability to make a single melee attack with a +4 bonus on attack rolls and a bonus on damage rolls equal to your sorcerer level (if you hit). You must declare the smite before making the attack. This ability is usable once per day. Bloodline spell: Inlict light wounds. Usable once per day Roleplaying: This sorcerer knows that inside him is a force that seeks only to destroy everything. It is not evil but simply a force of destructive nature that unleashes itself when he is angry. Normally calm, this sorcerer has a great hidden temper that fuels his power. Nature Sorcerer Alignment: CN Bloodline Domain: Animal Granted Power: You can use speak with animals once per day as a spell-like ability. Add Knowledge (nature) to your list of sorcerer class skills. Bloodline Spell: Calm animals 1/day using no material components or divine focus. Rolepalying: This character feels a definate connection to the natural world that he cannot explain. All he knows is that he can talk to animals and calm them. One of his main adventuring goals is to discover why. I'd appreciate any feedback on this idea. Keep the opinions & ideas coming.
eggplantm 06-23-04, 03:10 PM	I tried some sample sorcerer characters with this system and decided to add the additional change that sorcerer's get 4 skill points per level instead of 2. Most posts about the sorcerer seem to do this as well. I did not add any additional skills as the choice of bloodline domain often adds many skills to sorcerer's list. This was one of the major reasons behind this change.