Adding Spells to a Sorcerer’s or Bard’s Repertoire [Archive] - Wizards Community

Adding Spells to a Sorcerer’s or Bard’s Repertoire [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sphyre
12-07-03, 04:51 AM Straight from the SRD

"A sorcerer or bard gains spells each time he attains a new level in his class and never gains spells any other way. When your sorcerer or bard gains a new level, consult Table: Bard Spells Known or Table: Sorcerer Spells Known to learn how many spells from the appropriate spell list he now knows. With permission, sorcerers and bards can also select the spells they gain from new and unusual spells that they have gained some understanding of."

Wait am I reading that as "At the DM's discresion a sorcerer and/or bard may have additional known spells due to learning about them somehow." or it also can be taken as "He can learn any spell as long as he gains some understanding of it, even if it's not on the arcane sorcerer spell list?"

if the first case that counteracts the fact that wizards can pay to copy down more spells.

if the second case it kind of makes him like an all purpose caster - almost like the a few blue mages i've seen people make builds for.

Anyone have more insight as to what this line is INTENDED to mean?
MoogleEmpMog
12-07-03, 05:56 PM I think it's basically allowing for Sorcerers and Bards (and Shugenja and Mystics et al) to have personally researched spells, just like a Wizard can.

However, the Blue Mage version is interesting. Indeed, making a Sorcerer in particular more like a Blue Mage (has to have a spell cast on him and survive to learn it, but without a limit on spells known) would be quite interesting.

This text definitely doesn't allow a Sorcerer to have additional spells known, however.

(Thought on Blue Mage version of the Sorc: Must have a spell or spell-like ability spontaneously cast upon him to learn it)
sparkster4242
12-08-03, 03:44 AM At one point in its development, the 3.0 sorceror did specifically have the ability to learn spells outside the sor/wiz list. That ability was _mostly_ removed before the PHB went to print; the Main FAQ says to ignore one little sidebar, which is all that remains of the ability. I havent looked at the 3.5 PHB.

Most people i have talked with allow sorcerors to research custom spells just like every other class; most people also still restrict the sorceror to their spells-known chart. Its not as painful as it sounds, since you dont _have_ to learn a new spell immediately; you can leave that spell-known slot empty until you finish research. Also, its possible to do the research, and wait until you gain the approprate spell-known slot to actually learn the spell.

I personally am a little bit more lenient, i allow researched spells in addition to the spell-sknown chart. I figure if a spontaneous caster wants to spend the skill ranks, time, and resources to do the research, they should gain full benefit from it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sphyre 12-07-03, 04:51 AM	Straight from the SRD "A sorcerer or bard gains spells each time he attains a new level in his class and never gains spells any other way. When your sorcerer or bard gains a new level, consult Table: Bard Spells Known or Table: Sorcerer Spells Known to learn how many spells from the appropriate spell list he now knows. With permission, sorcerers and bards can also select the spells they gain from new and unusual spells that they have gained some understanding of." Wait am I reading that as "At the DM's discresion a sorcerer and/or bard may have additional known spells due to learning about them somehow." or it also can be taken as "He can learn any spell as long as he gains some understanding of it, even if it's not on the arcane sorcerer spell list?" if the first case that counteracts the fact that wizards can pay to copy down more spells. if the second case it kind of makes him like an all purpose caster - almost like the a few blue mages i've seen people make builds for. Anyone have more insight as to what this line is INTENDED to mean?
MoogleEmpMog 12-07-03, 05:56 PM	I think it's basically allowing for Sorcerers and Bards (and Shugenja and Mystics et al) to have personally researched spells, just like a Wizard can. However, the Blue Mage version is interesting. Indeed, making a Sorcerer in particular more like a Blue Mage (has to have a spell cast on him and survive to learn it, but without a limit on spells known) would be quite interesting. This text definitely doesn't allow a Sorcerer to have additional spells known, however. (Thought on Blue Mage version of the Sorc: Must have a spell or spell-like ability spontaneously cast upon him to learn it)
sparkster4242 12-08-03, 03:44 AM	At one point in its development, the 3.0 sorceror did specifically have the ability to learn spells outside the sor/wiz list. That ability was _mostly_ removed before the PHB went to print; the Main FAQ says to ignore one little sidebar, which is all that remains of the ability. I havent looked at the 3.5 PHB. Most people i have talked with allow sorcerors to research custom spells just like every other class; most people also still restrict the sorceror to their spells-known chart. Its not as painful as it sounds, since you dont _have_ to learn a new spell immediately; you can leave that spell-known slot empty until you finish research. Also, its possible to do the research, and wait until you gain the approprate spell-known slot to actually learn the spell. I personally am a little bit more lenient, i allow researched spells in addition to the spell-sknown chart. I figure if a spontaneous caster wants to spend the skill ranks, time, and resources to do the research, they should gain full benefit from it.