2nd level sorcerer [Archive] - Wizards Community

2nd level sorcerer [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Damned slayer
11-27-06, 10:55 PM Hi
what is in your opinion the best choice for a 2nd spell lvl sorcerer
we play in low magic and post appochalyptic so guns appear often
I'm exalted and got VOP and bloodline of fire (+2 fire spell DC)
I was wondering what would be my best 2nd level spell to pick
Zicka
11-27-06, 10:59 PM hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... I love all fire spells, Im a pyro:P
TheAnthroDM
11-27-06, 10:59 PM Web.
And Color Spray.
Seeker95
11-27-06, 11:11 PM Offense: Scorching ray
Defense: Mirror Image
Utility: Alter Self
smrtgmp
11-28-06, 02:00 AM Offense: Scorching ray
Defense: Mirror Image
Utility: Alter SelfThat would be a neat trick for a 2nd level sorcerer. :P
Seeker95
11-28-06, 09:27 AM That would be a neat trick for a 2nd level sorcerer. :PI answered the question the OP actually asked:I was wondering what would be my best 2nd level spell to pick
Bladegeek
11-28-06, 01:29 PM Grease....get out of jail free card.

True Strike....your not a melee guy but when you have to be you what to hit the bad guy.

Mage Armor......saves you butt and fighters love you.

Sleep...too many Orcs....not a problem.
Knight0
11-28-06, 02:43 PM my vote would be for alterself. It has too many uses not to take. Gives you swim speed, natural armour quick disguise. Anything you need. For offence you already have magic missile. And you have sleep for taking out lots of low HD baddies.
smrtgmp
11-28-06, 08:58 PM I answered the question the OP actually asked:oh sure, read the whole post. :P
scottt
11-28-06, 09:40 PM If you are looking for a 1st level spell for a 2nd level Sorceror then I recommend Colour Spray (crowd control) or Enlarge Person (natural reach for fighters).

If you are looking for a 2nd level spell for a sorceror (3rd or 4th level) then I recommend Rope Trick (get out of jail free) or Scorching Ray (no save direct damage).
Roland the Crownbreaker
11-28-06, 09:47 PM Also, if gunpowder is in existence in your world, anything which uses fire and can force a saving roll. Gunpowder and fire don't go well together........
Nessaj
11-29-06, 01:07 AM Personally, I'd recommend Frosty Breath out of the Spell Compendium. Evocation, Sor/Wiz 2. 30 foot cone of 1d4/2 levels frost damage, reflex for half. Those who fail said reflex are also dazed for a round. Good stuff.

What's you're theme? I tend to like thematic sorcerers...

Abjuration: Arcane Turmoil/Resist Energy
Conjuration: Web
Divination: Meh?...Don't know any worth a sorcerer slot this early on
Enchantment: Lesser Rebuke
Evocation: Frosty Breath
Illusion: Phantasmal Assailants
Necromancy: Ghoul Touch
Transmutation: Earthen Grasp (many say this is a good spell, but I dont like the fact it's stationary)

If you don't have Color Spray, though...You need to get it. Such a broken spell in the early levels and still decent late-game. Truly worthy of a precious sorcerer spell slot.
CantripN
11-29-06, 02:29 AM I'd recommend Fireburst.
You already have Magic Missile for Ranged Attacks.
Fireburst deals with melee threats rather nicely.
I'd recently had my 9th level Wizard surrounded by 4 Halfling Rangers. You'd be surprised how effective an Explosive Fireburst is. 1 died, 1 got knocked prone near the Fighter, 2 got tossed aside, badly injured.
Mellagon
11-29-06, 05:16 AM Low magic world? Take Shatter.
It's a swiss-army knife spell. And it won't be stopped by everyone peskily having +1 weapons.
Utility - open locks, shatter hinges on doors, blast that bridge to stop the enemy army from chasing you.
Offense - shatter a charging knights saddle (I stole that from someone), shatter the armor to make it easier for enemies to hit, shatter the potion flask, shatter their spell components.
Defense - Shatter that greatax, shatter an incoming cannon ball.
Diplomacy - ...uh... "Do as I say or I'll Shatter you naked and parade you around the town!"
It's entirely situational, but what situation can't be help by something mysteriously exploding?
Also it fits the flavor of a Vow of Poverty character. Show them the error of depending on earthly things.
tarkin
11-29-06, 02:29 PM As a DM, I would probably rule that you can not shatter an incoming cannon ball, even with a readied action.

Similarly, you can not step out of the way of an incoming arrow, even with a readied action.

I.E. Readied actions work before events, not in the middle, and while some events may be broken down into sub events (such as before he comes within 5ft of me), attack actions happen to fast to be broken down.
Cherubaddon
11-29-06, 02:35 PM I am confused about the whole spell level issue anyway, but, assuming the OP wants a 2nd level sorcerer (1st level spells), can he take shatter? Isn't that a 2nd-level spell? (I don't have my book right now, so I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure...)
kuras
11-29-06, 03:22 PM Wings of cover. I can't express how much I love this spell and I've lost count how many times it saved my character from getting killed (and saving my party at the same time).
tyrecian
11-29-06, 03:55 PM "Silent Image" is a nice one. Especially in a post-apoc world where you could say create a large howitzer/ cannon, etc. and people would know what it was. Although it is "concentration" for duration this can be long, and you can move and talk while concentrating.

also good for multiple purposes (like shatter) you can make walls for people to go around and such and provide cover bonuses. Usually as long as the result isnt too outlandish (remember no sound) then the DM usually wont force a will save for his baddies.

Even so, it is great for distraction (like dancing lights) or whatever, since it is illusory you get to make the call, and add your own flavor.

It is also a spell that doesn't really try to damage your opponents, so if you use it well, you will enjoy using it for a long time, and with a sorcerer that says alot since you only get X number of spells you can know. Such versatile low level spells can be really useful =)

i would even consider mino image 4 when you get 3rd level =)

on edit, never heard of wings of cover, so i dunno what that does, but if provides you with wings that create cover that could be very useful, especially if it covers line of sight as well, and most especially if it lets you FLY... however, in choosing really powerful spells at 2nd level i would be wary of durations... any round/level isnt worth it at your level... and in a non-magical world the longer the spell lasts the better your advantage.
Kimokeo
11-29-06, 04:25 PM Whispering Wind. When your buddies are in a really bad fight, you can let them know where you are....
kuras
11-29-06, 05:03 PM on edit, never heard of wings of cover, so i dunno what that does, but if provides you with wings that create cover that could be very useful, especially if it covers line of sight as well, and most especially if it lets you FLY... however, in choosing really powerful spells at 2nd level i would be wary of durations... any round/level isnt worth it at your level... and in a non-magical world the longer the spell lasts the better your advantage.

It doesn't let you fly, but for an immediate action, you can use this spell in response to someone else's action to give you total cover. Great since most of the time the sorcerer will be in the back and maybe a few enemies will get through to him so negating the few powerful attack he/she'll receive is awesome. And since it's a force effect it'll block attacks from ghosts as well. It's on page 119 in race of the dragon. If your character has the dragonblood sub-type, they'll also be able to cover adjacent allies depending on your caster level. Saved the party tank using that option from a hill giant. Oh also gives a +4 reflex and something like +8 AC against area of effect attacks (don't know when the +8 to AC would help, but good when your party is getting hit with a fireball.)
kuras
11-29-06, 05:05 PM Whispering Wind. When your buddies are in a really bad fight, you can let them know where you are....

*laughs* Yeah, my contingency teleport took me home, see you guys when you get here. XD That's awesome.
kuras
11-29-06, 05:16 PM ops, I was thinking 2nd level spells, not 2nd level sorcerer. XD

Hum...
alarm. Keep people from breaking into your house.
silent portal; for sneaking in without having the door make noise.
disguise self: for sneaking in with them thinking you're someone else.
enlarge person: help your fighter deal abit more damage. Help your party halfling wrestle with the fighter.

Just a few ideas. Don't know what's happening in your game so kindof hard to give advice.
smrtgmp
11-29-06, 06:42 PM Oh also gives a +4 reflex and something like +8 AC against area of effect attacks (don't know when the +8 to AC would help, but good when your party is getting hit with a fireball.)More importantly, full cover gives you improved evasion.

Wings of cover kicks ass.
kuras
11-29-06, 06:51 PM More importantly, full cover gives you improved evasion.

Wings of cover kicks ass.

*looks up rules on cover* Wo... I didn't realize that. SWEET! Thanks for letting me know about that. :D
smrtgmp
11-29-06, 06:53 PM My pleasure. :)

I wish they didnt require you to do so much frigging cross refrencing to get the most out of your character/spells. :nonono:
kuras
11-29-06, 07:04 PM My pleasure. :)

I wish they didnt require you to do so much frigging cross refrencing to get the most out of your character/spells. :nonono:

*nods* Yeah. Spell casters are tough as it is to play, and that just makes it abit more difficult.
smrtgmp
11-29-06, 07:05 PM I'm just glad I have a photographic memory. :D
Seeker95
11-29-06, 08:28 PM Your memory is not so much photographic as it is photogenic. :P
Cherubaddon
11-29-06, 09:10 PM Photographic, photogenic, whatever. He just has a good memory. As do I. Fortunately. But I can't remember ever to have seen this Wings of Cover spell. Which book is it from?
Seeker95
11-29-06, 09:35 PM Races of the Dragon, page 119.
Wings of Cover (http://www.imarvintpa.com/dndlive/spells.php?ID=6334) (Thanks Andy!) :tiphat:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Damned slayer 11-27-06, 10:55 PM	Hi what is in your opinion the best choice for a 2nd spell lvl sorcerer we play in low magic and post appochalyptic so guns appear often I'm exalted and got VOP and bloodline of fire (+2 fire spell DC) I was wondering what would be my best 2nd level spell to pick
Zicka 11-27-06, 10:59 PM	hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... I love all fire spells, Im a pyro:P
TheAnthroDM 11-27-06, 10:59 PM	Web. And Color Spray.
Seeker95 11-27-06, 11:11 PM	Offense: Scorching ray Defense: Mirror Image Utility: Alter Self
smrtgmp 11-28-06, 02:00 AM	Offense: Scorching ray Defense: Mirror Image Utility: Alter SelfThat would be a neat trick for a 2nd level sorcerer. :P
Seeker95 11-28-06, 09:27 AM	That would be a neat trick for a 2nd level sorcerer. :PI answered the question the OP actually asked:I was wondering what would be my best 2nd level spell to pick
Bladegeek 11-28-06, 01:29 PM	Grease....get out of jail free card. True Strike....your not a melee guy but when you have to be you what to hit the bad guy. Mage Armor......saves you butt and fighters love you. Sleep...too many Orcs....not a problem.
Knight0 11-28-06, 02:43 PM	my vote would be for alterself. It has too many uses not to take. Gives you swim speed, natural armour quick disguise. Anything you need. For offence you already have magic missile. And you have sleep for taking out lots of low HD baddies.
smrtgmp 11-28-06, 08:58 PM	I answered the question the OP actually asked:oh sure, read the whole post. :P
scottt 11-28-06, 09:40 PM	If you are looking for a 1st level spell for a 2nd level Sorceror then I recommend Colour Spray (crowd control) or Enlarge Person (natural reach for fighters). If you are looking for a 2nd level spell for a sorceror (3rd or 4th level) then I recommend Rope Trick (get out of jail free) or Scorching Ray (no save direct damage).
Roland the Crownbreaker 11-28-06, 09:47 PM	Also, if gunpowder is in existence in your world, anything which uses fire and can force a saving roll. Gunpowder and fire don't go well together........
Nessaj 11-29-06, 01:07 AM	Personally, I'd recommend Frosty Breath out of the Spell Compendium. Evocation, Sor/Wiz 2. 30 foot cone of 1d4/2 levels frost damage, reflex for half. Those who fail said reflex are also dazed for a round. Good stuff. What's you're theme? I tend to like thematic sorcerers... Abjuration: Arcane Turmoil/Resist Energy Conjuration: Web Divination: Meh?...Don't know any worth a sorcerer slot this early on Enchantment: Lesser Rebuke Evocation: Frosty Breath Illusion: Phantasmal Assailants Necromancy: Ghoul Touch Transmutation: Earthen Grasp (many say this is a good spell, but I dont like the fact it's stationary) If you don't have Color Spray, though...You need to get it. Such a broken spell in the early levels and still decent late-game. Truly worthy of a precious sorcerer spell slot.
CantripN 11-29-06, 02:29 AM	I'd recommend Fireburst. You already have Magic Missile for Ranged Attacks. Fireburst deals with melee threats rather nicely. I'd recently had my 9th level Wizard surrounded by 4 Halfling Rangers. You'd be surprised how effective an Explosive Fireburst is. 1 died, 1 got knocked prone near the Fighter, 2 got tossed aside, badly injured.
Mellagon 11-29-06, 05:16 AM	Low magic world? Take Shatter. It's a swiss-army knife spell. And it won't be stopped by everyone peskily having +1 weapons. Utility - open locks, shatter hinges on doors, blast that bridge to stop the enemy army from chasing you. Offense - shatter a charging knights saddle (I stole that from someone), shatter the armor to make it easier for enemies to hit, shatter the potion flask, shatter their spell components. Defense - Shatter that greatax, shatter an incoming cannon ball. Diplomacy - ...uh... "Do as I say or I'll Shatter you naked and parade you around the town!" It's entirely situational, but what situation can't be help by something mysteriously exploding? Also it fits the flavor of a Vow of Poverty character. Show them the error of depending on earthly things.
tarkin 11-29-06, 02:29 PM	As a DM, I would probably rule that you can not shatter an incoming cannon ball, even with a readied action. Similarly, you can not step out of the way of an incoming arrow, even with a readied action. I.E. Readied actions work before events, not in the middle, and while some events may be broken down into sub events (such as before he comes within 5ft of me), attack actions happen to fast to be broken down.
Cherubaddon 11-29-06, 02:35 PM	I am confused about the whole spell level issue anyway, but, assuming the OP wants a 2nd level sorcerer (1st level spells), can he take shatter? Isn't that a 2nd-level spell? (I don't have my book right now, so I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure...)
kuras 11-29-06, 03:22 PM	Wings of cover. I can't express how much I love this spell and I've lost count how many times it saved my character from getting killed (and saving my party at the same time).
tyrecian 11-29-06, 03:55 PM	"Silent Image" is a nice one. Especially in a post-apoc world where you could say create a large howitzer/ cannon, etc. and people would know what it was. Although it is "concentration" for duration this can be long, and you can move and talk while concentrating. also good for multiple purposes (like shatter) you can make walls for people to go around and such and provide cover bonuses. Usually as long as the result isnt too outlandish (remember no sound) then the DM usually wont force a will save for his baddies. Even so, it is great for distraction (like dancing lights) or whatever, since it is illusory you get to make the call, and add your own flavor. It is also a spell that doesn't really try to damage your opponents, so if you use it well, you will enjoy using it for a long time, and with a sorcerer that says alot since you only get X number of spells you can know. Such versatile low level spells can be really useful =) i would even consider mino image 4 when you get 3rd level =) on edit, never heard of wings of cover, so i dunno what that does, but if provides you with wings that create cover that could be very useful, especially if it covers line of sight as well, and most especially if it lets you FLY... however, in choosing really powerful spells at 2nd level i would be wary of durations... any round/level isnt worth it at your level... and in a non-magical world the longer the spell lasts the better your advantage.
Kimokeo 11-29-06, 04:25 PM	Whispering Wind. When your buddies are in a really bad fight, you can let them know where you are....
kuras 11-29-06, 05:03 PM	on edit, never heard of wings of cover, so i dunno what that does, but if provides you with wings that create cover that could be very useful, especially if it covers line of sight as well, and most especially if it lets you FLY... however, in choosing really powerful spells at 2nd level i would be wary of durations... any round/level isnt worth it at your level... and in a non-magical world the longer the spell lasts the better your advantage. It doesn't let you fly, but for an immediate action, you can use this spell in response to someone else's action to give you total cover. Great since most of the time the sorcerer will be in the back and maybe a few enemies will get through to him so negating the few powerful attack he/she'll receive is awesome. And since it's a force effect it'll block attacks from ghosts as well. It's on page 119 in race of the dragon. If your character has the dragonblood sub-type, they'll also be able to cover adjacent allies depending on your caster level. Saved the party tank using that option from a hill giant. Oh also gives a +4 reflex and something like +8 AC against area of effect attacks (don't know when the +8 to AC would help, but good when your party is getting hit with a fireball.)
kuras 11-29-06, 05:05 PM	Whispering Wind. When your buddies are in a really bad fight, you can let them know where you are.... laughs Yeah, my contingency teleport took me home, see you guys when you get here. XD That's awesome.
kuras 11-29-06, 05:16 PM	ops, I was thinking 2nd level spells, not 2nd level sorcerer. XD Hum... alarm. Keep people from breaking into your house. silent portal; for sneaking in without having the door make noise. disguise self: for sneaking in with them thinking you're someone else. enlarge person: help your fighter deal abit more damage. Help your party halfling wrestle with the fighter. Just a few ideas. Don't know what's happening in your game so kindof hard to give advice.
smrtgmp 11-29-06, 06:42 PM	Oh also gives a +4 reflex and something like +8 AC against area of effect attacks (don't know when the +8 to AC would help, but good when your party is getting hit with a fireball.)More importantly, full cover gives you improved evasion. Wings of cover kicks ass.
kuras 11-29-06, 06:51 PM	More importantly, full cover gives you improved evasion. Wings of cover kicks ass. looks up rules on cover Wo... I didn't realize that. SWEET! Thanks for letting me know about that. :D
smrtgmp 11-29-06, 06:53 PM	My pleasure. :) I wish they didnt require you to do so much frigging cross refrencing to get the most out of your character/spells. :nonono:
kuras 11-29-06, 07:04 PM	My pleasure. :) I wish they didnt require you to do so much frigging cross refrencing to get the most out of your character/spells. :nonono: nods Yeah. Spell casters are tough as it is to play, and that just makes it abit more difficult.
smrtgmp 11-29-06, 07:05 PM	I'm just glad I have a photographic memory. :D
Seeker95 11-29-06, 08:28 PM	Your memory is not so much photographic as it is photogenic. :P
Cherubaddon 11-29-06, 09:10 PM	Photographic, photogenic, whatever. He just has a good memory. As do I. Fortunately. But I can't remember ever to have seen this Wings of Cover spell. Which book is it from?
Seeker95 11-29-06, 09:35 PM	Races of the Dragon, page 119. Wings of Cover (http://www.imarvintpa.com/dndlive/spells.php?ID=6334) (Thanks Andy!) :tiphat: