Elven Sorc / Dragon Disciple [Archive] - Wizards Community

Elven Sorc / Dragon Disciple [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lady_Sophia
07-05-07, 07:22 AM I am new to D&D, playing it the traditional table-top way anyhow. I have played a few games which are based on (but not true) D&D rules, such as NWN, but i am going to be playing the table-top way either this weekend or next weekend and i was curious how easy it would be, for me to take a character from the NWN PC game and create them on the table-top.

I have two characters i am particulary fond of.

Race : Elf
Sex : Female

Primary Class : Sorcoress
Multiclass : Dragon Disciple

The basic idea behind it being, you can cast summon / party buff spells whilst also being able to hold your own with offensive Magic (Fireball in particular...i'm a bit of a pyromaniac) but against those creatures with high SR using a Longsword (Elf Weapon) using your Dragon Disciple abilities to close in Melee. Granted, you won't ever be a true fighter (lacking Arm Rating / Attack Rolls) but using your Dragon Strength and breathe against enemies with high SR nontheless.

Plus, from a Roleplaying aspect, i like playing the head strong, pyro-maniac, sword-wielding crazy Elf lady who is more than likely to BBQ her own party out of malice as she is her enemies.

My second fav character, a slight varient on the Sorc / DD, is the Sorc / DD / Pale Master. This is when i am feeling Necromancy / Summoner. I usually get Summoning Spells mostly, since, lets face it, my Sorc is not the greatest Melee Combatant to grace the scene. Also buffing spells.

But my main question is weather those combos would work in a table-top game, and with the Pale Master Varient, how difficult would it be to proceed in the game due to the multi-class restrictions / different rules.

Baring in mind, i am used to playing a video game, and from my brief flick through the rules there are rules and situations that don't occur in the PC game, so this is why i am asking. Could i get away with a Sorc / DD (or Sorc / DD / PM) using the official rules or should i concentrate on being a pure spell caster and ignore the melee aspect of how i play the game?

Thank you.
kheris
07-05-07, 10:41 AM First off, welcome aboard! :D

I loved NwN and played for a while in a persistent world... Great fun :)

Now, the key to multiclassing into a prestige class is twofold. First (as always) is permission from your DM. Keep in mind that all PrC's are optional rules, and your DM is not obligated to use any/all of them (all of that falls under the mighty "Rule 0". ;) )

Second is qualification. I don't have my books in front of me, but I can tell you that the Sorc. is starved for feats, so getting into two PrC's with (I would imagine) very different requirements would be tough, if not impossible (the fine folks on the Character Optimization Board would definitely know, however.) DD should be easily doable though (aside from the whole "learn from a friendly dragon part ;) ) Keep in mind, it will slow down your spellcasting progression, since I don't believe you get a + to caster level for most DD levels.

The progression isn't too bad, since (iirc) only non-PrC's count against you for multiclassing. For example (I don't know how/if you would qualify for the second one, it's just a random example), if you went

Ftr 1/Src 5/Clr 4

you would have a 10% exp penalty because of the level differences. If you went

Sorc 12/ Archmage 3/ Loremaster 5

You wouldn't, since Archmage and Loremaster are PrC's and don't count for multiclassing.

Also, if you like summons, look at the Druid. They got great buffs in 3.5 and have some nice feats available to them (Greenbound Summoning if you're in Forgotten Realms, for example.)

The next question would be who you're playing with. Are they friends and acquaintances from a local gaming store, or complete strangers? The former may forgive some "friendly fire", the latter probably won't.

Another thing is what level you'll be starting at. I like to start my groups in the 1-3 range and powerlevel them through to 5th. (This lets them learn their characters, their abilities, and fight as a team before facing anything too dangerous.) If you're around or below the 3-5 range, read up on the PrC's you find interesting (Archmage is always fun ;) ) and try to build towards that.

You may also find that you enjoy the Sorc. just as it is, and go through to 20 like that. Keep in mind, it's really about everyone at the table having fun. :)

Oh, and just so you know, the core books are available on the web. One of the sites I use is http://srd.plush.org although that's only because its easy to remember :blush:

HTH :)
TheAnthroDM
07-05-07, 04:19 PM Dragon Disciple is a Martial Class, in case you weren't aware, so it does not actually mesh well with sorcerer. (From an optimization point of view you'd only want 1 sorcerer level.)
Lady_Sophia
07-05-07, 07:17 PM @ TheAnthroDM

No, i wasn't aware Dragon Disciple was a Martial Class. I am only used to playing NWN, and in the game, Sorc can easily go to Dragon Disciple, as well as Bard.

But, it is a Computer Game, and obviously rules are bent and changed to make the game interesting. Hence why i ask in the first place.

I'm assuming Martial Class (i don't have the books until Saturday) is your Fighters, Rangers, etc.So, a Fighter would make a better DD? (only assuming, i don't have the books yet. I'll have a better look on Saturday).

@ kheris

That is nice to know about the PrC (Prestige Class?) and Multiclassing, thank you. I'll have a better look on Sat when i get the books.

About who i am playing with, i'm playing with friends. I don't know if they possess all the necessary books but i shall find out, and if not, then obviously can't do it.

Hmmmm, i have thought about the Druid. I also heard someone saying that multi-classing two classes together that can both summon, means you can summon double the army, if you will.

For example,
Sorc - Animate Dead
Wiz - Animate Dead

You have the spell twice, which means you can cast it X Sorc Times and Y Wiz times, effectively increasing the number of Animate Dead spells you can do each day.

Anyhow, nice to know about the PrC and the Martial Class thank you. I shall look them up in the book on Saturday for more information.

Sophia
TheAnthroDM
07-05-07, 08:13 PM @ TheAnthroDM

No, i wasn't aware Dragon Disciple was a Martial Class. I am only used to playing NWN, and in the game, Sorc can easily go to Dragon Disciple, as well as Bard.

But, it is a Computer Game, and obviously rules are bent and changed to make the game interesting. Hence why i ask in the first place.

I'm assuming Martial Class (i don't have the books until Saturday) is your Fighters, Rangers, etc.So, a Fighter would make a better DD? (only assuming, i don't have the books yet. I'll have a better look on Saturday).

Yes. A Sorcerer 1/Ranger 9/Dragon Disciple 10 is mechanically superior to a Sorcerer 10/Dragon Disciple 10

Because DD doesn't advance your spellcasting at all, it's not a spellcasting class.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lady_Sophia 07-05-07, 07:22 AM	I am new to D&D, playing it the traditional table-top way anyhow. I have played a few games which are based on (but not true) D&D rules, such as NWN, but i am going to be playing the table-top way either this weekend or next weekend and i was curious how easy it would be, for me to take a character from the NWN PC game and create them on the table-top. I have two characters i am particulary fond of. Race : Elf Sex : Female Primary Class : Sorcoress Multiclass : Dragon Disciple The basic idea behind it being, you can cast summon / party buff spells whilst also being able to hold your own with offensive Magic (Fireball in particular...i'm a bit of a pyromaniac) but against those creatures with high SR using a Longsword (Elf Weapon) using your Dragon Disciple abilities to close in Melee. Granted, you won't ever be a true fighter (lacking Arm Rating / Attack Rolls) but using your Dragon Strength and breathe against enemies with high SR nontheless. Plus, from a Roleplaying aspect, i like playing the head strong, pyro-maniac, sword-wielding crazy Elf lady who is more than likely to BBQ her own party out of malice as she is her enemies. My second fav character, a slight varient on the Sorc / DD, is the Sorc / DD / Pale Master. This is when i am feeling Necromancy / Summoner. I usually get Summoning Spells mostly, since, lets face it, my Sorc is not the greatest Melee Combatant to grace the scene. Also buffing spells. But my main question is weather those combos would work in a table-top game, and with the Pale Master Varient, how difficult would it be to proceed in the game due to the multi-class restrictions / different rules. Baring in mind, i am used to playing a video game, and from my brief flick through the rules there are rules and situations that don't occur in the PC game, so this is why i am asking. Could i get away with a Sorc / DD (or Sorc / DD / PM) using the official rules or should i concentrate on being a pure spell caster and ignore the melee aspect of how i play the game? Thank you.
kheris 07-05-07, 10:41 AM	First off, welcome aboard! :D I loved NwN and played for a while in a persistent world... Great fun :) Now, the key to multiclassing into a prestige class is twofold. First (as always) is permission from your DM. Keep in mind that all PrC's are optional rules, and your DM is not obligated to use any/all of them (all of that falls under the mighty "Rule 0". ;) ) Second is qualification. I don't have my books in front of me, but I can tell you that the Sorc. is starved for feats, so getting into two PrC's with (I would imagine) very different requirements would be tough, if not impossible (the fine folks on the Character Optimization Board would definitely know, however.) DD should be easily doable though (aside from the whole "learn from a friendly dragon part ;) ) Keep in mind, it will slow down your spellcasting progression, since I don't believe you get a + to caster level for most DD levels. The progression isn't too bad, since (iirc) only non-PrC's count against you for multiclassing. For example (I don't know how/if you would qualify for the second one, it's just a random example), if you went Ftr 1/Src 5/Clr 4 you would have a 10% exp penalty because of the level differences. If you went Sorc 12/ Archmage 3/ Loremaster 5 You wouldn't, since Archmage and Loremaster are PrC's and don't count for multiclassing. Also, if you like summons, look at the Druid. They got great buffs in 3.5 and have some nice feats available to them (Greenbound Summoning if you're in Forgotten Realms, for example.) The next question would be who you're playing with. Are they friends and acquaintances from a local gaming store, or complete strangers? The former may forgive some "friendly fire", the latter probably won't. Another thing is what level you'll be starting at. I like to start my groups in the 1-3 range and powerlevel them through to 5th. (This lets them learn their characters, their abilities, and fight as a team before facing anything too dangerous.) If you're around or below the 3-5 range, read up on the PrC's you find interesting (Archmage is always fun ;) ) and try to build towards that. You may also find that you enjoy the Sorc. just as it is, and go through to 20 like that. Keep in mind, it's really about everyone at the table having fun. :) Oh, and just so you know, the core books are available on the web. One of the sites I use is http://srd.plush.org although that's only because its easy to remember :blush: HTH :)
TheAnthroDM 07-05-07, 04:19 PM	Dragon Disciple is a Martial Class, in case you weren't aware, so it does not actually mesh well with sorcerer. (From an optimization point of view you'd only want 1 sorcerer level.)
Lady_Sophia 07-05-07, 07:17 PM	@ TheAnthroDM No, i wasn't aware Dragon Disciple was a Martial Class. I am only used to playing NWN, and in the game, Sorc can easily go to Dragon Disciple, as well as Bard. But, it is a Computer Game, and obviously rules are bent and changed to make the game interesting. Hence why i ask in the first place. I'm assuming Martial Class (i don't have the books until Saturday) is your Fighters, Rangers, etc.So, a Fighter would make a better DD? (only assuming, i don't have the books yet. I'll have a better look on Saturday). @ kheris That is nice to know about the PrC (Prestige Class?) and Multiclassing, thank you. I'll have a better look on Sat when i get the books. About who i am playing with, i'm playing with friends. I don't know if they possess all the necessary books but i shall find out, and if not, then obviously can't do it. Hmmmm, i have thought about the Druid. I also heard someone saying that multi-classing two classes together that can both summon, means you can summon double the army, if you will. For example, Sorc - Animate Dead Wiz - Animate Dead You have the spell twice, which means you can cast it X Sorc Times and Y Wiz times, effectively increasing the number of Animate Dead spells you can do each day. Anyhow, nice to know about the PrC and the Martial Class thank you. I shall look them up in the book on Saturday for more information. Sophia
TheAnthroDM 07-05-07, 08:13 PM	@ TheAnthroDM No, i wasn't aware Dragon Disciple was a Martial Class. I am only used to playing NWN, and in the game, Sorc can easily go to Dragon Disciple, as well as Bard. But, it is a Computer Game, and obviously rules are bent and changed to make the game interesting. Hence why i ask in the first place. I'm assuming Martial Class (i don't have the books until Saturday) is your Fighters, Rangers, etc.So, a Fighter would make a better DD? (only assuming, i don't have the books yet. I'll have a better look on Saturday). Yes. A Sorcerer 1/Ranger 9/Dragon Disciple 10 is mechanically superior to a Sorcerer 10/Dragon Disciple 10 Because DD doesn't advance your spellcasting at all, it's not a spellcasting class.