Caster cross-classing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Caster cross-classing [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sudo_Nim
06-30-06, 09:32 PM I had the idea to make a cross-class wiz/sorc so i could have the increased spells per-day and the (nearly) limitless number of spells known.

What would the play requirements be for this? Would I have to prepare spells from a spell book and cast with the sorc's spells per-day? Would I have to alternate levels between the two to keep it balanced?

For game circumstances the charecter was trained as a wizard but later discovered latent sorcerer powers.

Any suggestions or clarifacations would be appreciated.

Side note:
Would I get two familiars?
allenchan
06-30-06, 09:36 PM Quite simply, that is a terrible idea.

Yes, you would have to alternate every other level. Or just be a Wiz 1/Sorcer 19, which fits your background, but is still a poor choice. Otherwise, sure, you'll have 18 1st level spells, which equates to... a few magic missiles at a low caster level? You're better of just going one or the other, and taking a prestige class that has similiar flavor (say, maybe, mage of the arcane order)
FallingIcicle
06-30-06, 09:47 PM I had the idea to make a cross-class wiz/sorc so i could have the increased spells per-day and the (nearly) limitless number of spells known.

What would the play requirements be for this? Would I have to prepare spells from a spell book and cast with the sorc's spells per-day? Would I have to alternate levels between the two to keep it balanced?

Your levels in Wizard and Sorcer don't stack. You keep track of your spells known and spells per day seperately for each class. If you wanted to keep them balanced, yes, you would have to alternate levels between the two classes.

One huge problem with this is that the caster level for these classes do not stack. So at 20th level, if you were a Wiz 10 / Sor 10, you'd only have 10th caster level, which would really hurt against spell resistance, and your spells would be half as effective as a 20th level caster. Also, you'd have only 5th level spells (though alot of them). You'd also have two primary ability scores to worry about (Int and Cha).

If you're determined to go this route, I highly reccomend the Practiced Spellcaster feat. It increases th caster level for the class you pick by 4. This doesn't give any more spells per day, spells known, or higher level spells, but it would help make up for the caster level problem I mentioned earlier. The problem is, it would take a few feats.

Is it worth it? I don't think so, but that's up to you. IMO you'd be much better off just sticking with one class.

Side note:
Would I get two familiars?

No. But the class levels stack for determing its special abilities and bonuses.
Sudo_Nim
07-02-06, 12:43 AM Thanks guys, just what I was looking for. Unfortuneatly my DM (dad) wanted to try a prestige-free campaign to introduce the game to some guys I know.

Funny thing is now I'll probably go with monk :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sudo_Nim 06-30-06, 09:32 PM	I had the idea to make a cross-class wiz/sorc so i could have the increased spells per-day and the (nearly) limitless number of spells known. What would the play requirements be for this? Would I have to prepare spells from a spell book and cast with the sorc's spells per-day? Would I have to alternate levels between the two to keep it balanced? For game circumstances the charecter was trained as a wizard but later discovered latent sorcerer powers. Any suggestions or clarifacations would be appreciated. Side note: Would I get two familiars?
allenchan 06-30-06, 09:36 PM	Quite simply, that is a terrible idea. Yes, you would have to alternate every other level. Or just be a Wiz 1/Sorcer 19, which fits your background, but is still a poor choice. Otherwise, sure, you'll have 18 1st level spells, which equates to... a few magic missiles at a low caster level? You're better of just going one or the other, and taking a prestige class that has similiar flavor (say, maybe, mage of the arcane order)
FallingIcicle 06-30-06, 09:47 PM	I had the idea to make a cross-class wiz/sorc so i could have the increased spells per-day and the (nearly) limitless number of spells known. What would the play requirements be for this? Would I have to prepare spells from a spell book and cast with the sorc's spells per-day? Would I have to alternate levels between the two to keep it balanced? Your levels in Wizard and Sorcer don't stack. You keep track of your spells known and spells per day seperately for each class. If you wanted to keep them balanced, yes, you would have to alternate levels between the two classes. One huge problem with this is that the caster level for these classes do not stack. So at 20th level, if you were a Wiz 10 / Sor 10, you'd only have 10th caster level, which would really hurt against spell resistance, and your spells would be half as effective as a 20th level caster. Also, you'd have only 5th level spells (though alot of them). You'd also have two primary ability scores to worry about (Int and Cha). If you're determined to go this route, I highly reccomend the Practiced Spellcaster feat. It increases th caster level for the class you pick by 4. This doesn't give any more spells per day, spells known, or higher level spells, but it would help make up for the caster level problem I mentioned earlier. The problem is, it would take a few feats. Is it worth it? I don't think so, but that's up to you. IMO you'd be much better off just sticking with one class. Side note: Would I get two familiars? No. But the class levels stack for determing its special abilities and bonuses.
Sudo_Nim 07-02-06, 12:43 AM	Thanks guys, just what I was looking for. Unfortuneatly my DM (dad) wanted to try a prestige-free campaign to introduce the game to some guys I know. Funny thing is now I'll probably go with monk :)