Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lt_Col_Pilgrim 07-26-06, 08:58 AM	Question says it all - most previous sorcerer builds tanked metamagic because of the full-round casting delay ... now w/ the PHB2 they have the option of ditching their familiar and applying metamagic on the fly w/ out a casting time increase. Anyone mess with that yet?
Gryftir 07-26-06, 09:05 AM	I think the general agreement was that only sorceror builds that NEED a familar shouldn't take it.
PhoenixInferno 07-26-06, 12:40 PM	I think the general agreement was that only sorceror builds that NEED a familar shouldn't take it.Can't think of any build except maybe Arcane Hierophant that NEEDS a familiar. Thus, the PHBII alternate Sorcerer is strictly superior to the standard in 99% of applications.
Lt_Col_Pilgrim 07-26-06, 12:43 PM	Yeah my point is that it is so clearly optimal ... yet most sorcerer builds don't rely on metamagic because of the annoying casting delay. Now that there is an option for zero-delay metamagic, that opens things up quite a bit ... anyone exploited that yet.
Crimson_Concerto 07-26-06, 02:27 PM	If there is something truly heinous to be done with letting somebody spontaniously apply metamagic without increased casting time, it probably would have been brought up back when Races of the Dragon came out with the Accelerated Metamagic feat. It's not as good as the PHBII sorcerer variant, but it does pretty much the same thing... Also, from what I've seen it's much more likely for a sorcerer to take metamagic feats than a Wizard, as even with the longer casting time the sorcerer still gets the better use out ot them...
Axsis 07-26-06, 05:17 PM	it made the improved counterspell + heightened cantrips a lot easier. quickens too.
Abulafia 07-26-06, 06:02 PM	Metamagic was the sorcerer's bread and butter even with the increased casting time. The new option is the best thing to happen to sorcerers since the Dragon (magazine) bloodline feats.
solbergb 07-26-06, 07:45 PM	I disagree with "most sorcerers tanked metamagic". Most in fact have a few metamagic feats and use the ones they have far more often than wizards do. The PHBII option is very nice if you want to quicken spells. I must say though, I did without a familiar for a year and I missed the little benefits you get from them quite a bit, and am not sure I'd give it up for anything less than quicken spell or still spell (so stilled stuff could work in grapples). The lost move action just isn't that big a deal for other forms of metamagic. 1. Senses. My familiar will just notice stuff I won't. My sorcerer is never going to see +8 spot/+8 listen and blindsense (and the owl and hawk are better in their own ways). Once the familiar is no longer stupid and can talk to me, what he sees is much more helpful. 2. A remote sensing platform for me. Usually ride the familiar with the party scout, so the arcanist can zap the rest of the party to his side if he gets in trouble, or at least avenge him. But also someone to watch over your sleeping site when working alone or with relative strangers. 3. Someone who can go for help if I get into trouble. This works better if you have a magic mouth on him, or a little note attached or something so he can communicate that you're in trouble, bring help, follow me, etc. 4. Simply more actions. Actions are precious, even if all you have to work with is a small animal's body. 5. Skill roll assists. Familiars can help with some skills, and make their own knowledge rolls. It's like a free reroll feat or a free synergy on any skill that the familiar can physically do in which you have ranks.