Sorcerer feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Sorcerer feats [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Grizzled Gryphon
05-22-07, 01:04 PM I have made a 5th level human sorcerer for a game tommorow, and I was wondering if the feats I picked could be better.

I have picked Draconic Heritage, Draconic Vigor, and Draconic Senses. Could I have picked better? What would you have picked?
Puca
05-22-07, 02:52 PM Its not a bad way to go. It depends on what you want to play:
Draconic Heritage is not, in and of itself, that great a feat. But it grants access to better ones.

(I dont have Dragon Magic, but can read the short descriptions)

Draconic Senses: I dont know exactly what you get, but stuff like that is always handy. Not necessarily essential, but handy. The hard part is the duration: having to cast a spell you dont need in order to tell if something is sneaking up on you inst very convenient.

Draconinc Vigor: Well, you cant underestimate the power of healing. Again, it is sort of wasted until you take damage. Very good in a combat situation maybe.

Id think about Draconic Breath. A sorcerer has a limited number of known spells. With this feat, you have a decent, direct-damage area attack, and can use the slot you would have used for that type of spell on something else, increasing your versatility.
Darth Sephiroth
05-22-07, 02:54 PM perhaps a reserve feat
bloodtalon
05-22-07, 03:02 PM you might want to take a dragon pact
give up one third levle spell known and a third level spell per day to gain 4 spells per day
i would take either
Flames of Crisom Wrath or Unbridled Fury of the Storm
each has a low level offensive and a protection
Stardust
05-22-07, 03:21 PM The sorcerer in my game picked up
Infernal Sorcerer Heritage
and
Infernal Sorcerer Howl
both of which are from PHB II

The Heritage grants a couple bonuses to saves and is really a prereq for more poweful ones, like most heritage feats. The really nice thing about the howl is that it does sonic damage in an area (very few things are immune) and requires a fort save, which means evasion doesn't work against it. At 2d6 per spell level sacrificed, it packs quite a punch, too. It was pretty powerful at lower levels, but now he's throwing fireballs and defenestrating spheres around, it's not so out of place in power.

His character is based around the fact that he has Yuan-Ti ancestry, so we decided his 'howl' was actually a hiss that caused sonic damage by making the particles in opponents' bodies to vibrate out of sync, literally shaking them to pieces. Accompanied by blood oozing from their eyes/ears/noses when they take damage, it's a pretty cool effect.

Opinions seem pretty mixed on the reserve feats, but he picked up Fiery Burst (Complete Mage) and seems to be enjoying it so far against weaker opponents, or when a full-blown fireball would catch too many allies in the blast radius. Also the +1 CL to fire spells meant he picked up his extra Scorching Ray a level early.

Don't forget metamagic, by the way - especially combined with the fast metamagic variant from PHBII to empower your spells on the fly etc.. Not to be sniffed at.
nightwyrm
05-22-07, 03:21 PM Since you're taking so many dragon feats, you might want to take a look at dragonheart mage PrC in dragon magic.
Grizzled Gryphon
05-22-07, 04:25 PM Yes, those are all being considered. I did take the substitution level from Dragon Magic (or was it Complete Mage?) Metamagic Specialist. Now I need some mtamagic feats!! LOL.

I think I might switch out Draconic Vigor for Draconic Toughness. I plan on taking more draconic feats, like draconic breath. I also want to get a reserve feat or three for some long lasting assualt ability. We had an NPC in a game with the Fiery Burst reserve feat, and that was extremely useful. I am waiting til later, though, when I have some third level spells to keep for the reserve. Once I can, though, I am going to take the Invisible Needle reserve feat. That way, I can use force attacks at will. Now I just need a 3rd level force spell... Leomund's Tiny Hut, maybe?

In addition to that, I used the Magic Item Compendium for my gear, and I got the Memento Magica for 1st level spells, the Empowered Spellshard of Jet of Flame, an Eternal Wand of shield, Armband of Elusive action, Shiftweave, Everlasting Rations, Everful Mug, Everburning Torch, and 4 potions of Cure Light Wounds. I guess I like 'ever' stuff. :P

Puca: The Draconic Senses give bonuses to some skills, low light vision, and Darkvision with enough Draconic Feats. The skill bonus depends on how many draconic feats you have. Draconic Vigor doesn't seem to be all that useful. I think I will go with another one. Hmm, instead of Draconic Toughness, I might go with Draconic Breath. Might be the better choice.

Stardust: Wow, 2d6 per spell level, huh? Hmm, that is pretty stout. Especially considering it is sonic damage. I guess the damage isn't all that impressive, though, as that is the damage for Draconic Breath, too. I think I will stay with the Draconic feats, as there are more of them, and thus more options. Besides, that power would only be useful if I was surrounded by only enemies, and if I get into that situation, then I did something wrong. Everyone else in the party is a melee fighter. Crusader, Warblade, and a Rogue (or is it Rouge?), I believe.

Yup, switch out Draconic Vigor for Draconic Breath, then go with Empower Spell at 6th (next level), and at 9th, Invisible Needle. Then more Draconic feats after that.

That should be good.
Stardust
05-22-07, 04:33 PM Stardust: Wow, 2d6 per spell level, huh? Hmm, that is pretty stout. Especially considering it is sonic damage. I guess the damage isn't all that impressive, though, as that is the damage for Draconic Breath, too. I think I will stay with the Draconic feats, as there are more of them, and thus more options. Besides, that power would only be useful if I was surrounded by only enemies, and if I get into that situation, then I did something wrong. Everyone else in the party is a melee fighter. Crusader, Warblade, and a Rogue (or is it Rouge?), I believe.

It's Rogue, not Rouge, you were right the first time :P

Also, if everybody else in your party is going to be dealing melee/ranged damage, I'd be tempted to replace 'empower spell' with either 'spell focus' or 'extend spell' and concentrate on battlefield control. Spells like fog cloud, deep slumber, slow, haste, glitterdust that are going to enhance your allies and debuff your enemies. With that much muscle in the party you can be granting your fighters extra attacks, helping the rogue dish out more sneak attacks and so forth. It sounds like you really don't need any more damage dice out there.

Of course, it's your character concept and your call - I just wish I knew more about the Draconic feats, but I don't have any of the 'dragon' based books. Will probably next on my list of purchases, though... Dragons rock ^_^

Have fun with the character, regardless :)
Grizzled Gryphon
05-22-07, 04:55 PM Well, if you like Sorcerers, then Races of Dragon, Dragon Magic, and Complete Mage are good choices for you. They are useful if you like casters in general, and have interesting options for all classes, but they seem to help Sorcerers most of all. Complete Mage works well with all the arcane classes, of course, but still, nice books to have.
Valoy_Muniz
05-23-07, 09:18 AM One that my current toon took was dracanic aurea for the healing aura (gives fast healing untill a person is at 1/2 life). My DM looked as it and said it was good. This has help save the cleric from alot of healing spells and has even saved his life when a attack broght him down to -9 in a fight.
Pindar
05-23-07, 10:48 AM One that my current toon took was dracanic aurea for the healing aura (gives fast healing untill a person is at 1/2 life). My DM looked as it and said it was good. This has help save the cleric from alot of healing spells and has even saved his life when a attack broght him down to -9 in a fight.

Isn't that a class feature of the Dragon Shaman rather than a feat?
Puca
05-23-07, 10:54 AM If you are going with a reserve feat, I would skip Draconic Breath. They both functionally do the same thing, give you a spell-ish damaging option that doesnt use up a precious spells-known.

The one time I went with the draconic stuff for a sorcerer, it was in a Frostburn-inspired campaign. I took White Dragon Heritage and Draconic resistance. Cold Resistance 6 nullifies a vast majority of environmental damage in such a setting.

If you are seeking metamagic, and I so think you should, look at the Fell Feats in LM. Fell Weaken is only +1, so you could be using it right away, like on Acid Splash, and Fell Drain is just so nice.
Grizzled Gryphon
05-23-07, 11:21 AM If you are going with a reserve feat, I would skip Draconic Breath. They both functionally do the same thing, give you a spell-ish damaging option that doesnt use up a precious spells-known.

Draconic Breath takes the use of a spell slot to activate, and it does damage based on the level of the slot used.

Reserve feats require you to have the right type of spell available. You don't use it, though. As long as you don't cast the spell, you can activate the reserve feat every round all day long.
Valoy_Muniz
05-24-07, 09:36 AM Isn't that a class feature of the Dragon Shaman rather than a feat?

One of the Dracanic feats (Draconic aurea p.16) from dragon magic is to get the aura like the Dragon Shaman. There is some debate becouse of the wording if you can just take the new aura's (shamans can use the new ones) only or the ones from the shaman class and the new ones. You do not need the dragon heratige feat for it but if you do take it your aura gets stronger as you level up otherwise it stays at the minimum.
Pindar
05-24-07, 11:21 AM One of the Dracanic feats (Draconic aurea p.16) from dragon magic is to get the aura like the Dragon Shaman. There is some debate becouse of the wording if you can just take the new aura's (shamans can use the new ones) only or the ones from the shaman class and the new ones. You do not need the dragon heratige feat for it but if you do take it your aura gets stronger as you level up otherwise it stays at the minimum.

Interesting, I don't have Dragon Magic.

Is it worth getting?
Puca
05-24-07, 02:47 PM Draconic Breath takes the use of a spell slot to activate, and it does damage based on the level of the slot used.

Reserve feats require you to have the right type of spell available. You don't use it, though. As long as you don't cast the spell, you can activate the reserve feat every round all day long.I know how they work. What I mean is, in the end, I think they both accomplish the same tactical goal for a sorcerer. (I suppose that never-ending usage is likely a value of reserve feats, but I dont really see it as that great.)

I see it like this: I wouldnt take Draconic Breath [fire] and then learn the spell Fireball. Id take Draconic Breath so I could take Greater Mage Armor and still be able to have a decent energy-based area attack.

For me, Reserve feats can be used the same way: At sixth-level, I have one third-level spell-known. I could take a spell to improve my defenses, like Greater Mage Armor, or one to improve my offense, like Chain Missile.

I choose option C and with the Reserve feat Invisible Needle get both: I take Greater Mage Armor, and then I have a third-level force spell to make all the needles of force I need. The feat creates more versatility in my casting.

I would never learn Chain Missile and then take the Invisible Needle feat. (Why shoot needles when I have Missiles?)

I should say that in my experience, few mid-to-high level casters run out of spells, so “all day” doesnt temp me the same way versatility does.
RobbyPants
05-24-07, 03:09 PM I have made a 5th level human sorcerer for a game tommorow, and I was wondering if the feats I picked could be better.perhaps a reserve feat
The only problem with this is that the last feat slot available to the 5th level sorcerer is at 3rd level. At this point, he won't have access to 2nd level spells, thus he won't have access to most (if any) reserve feats.

Granted, I think Firey Burst could be a fine choice at 6th level...
Grizzled Gryphon
05-24-07, 08:49 PM Well, we gamed on sunday, and I did run out of spells. Quickly, in fact. In the end, I was doing 'aid another' actions for the fighter types. With my poor +2 to hit, I didn't even do that very often. If I had a reserve feat, though, I would have been better off.

Now, we are 6th level. So, I had picked fireball for my third level spell, and fiery burst as my feat. However, after reading Puca's last post, I question whether this is the most optimal choice. I like the idea of Greater Mage Armor, and Invisible Needle. However, I have a few problems with it.

1) Fiery Burst does more damage, doesn't require an attack roll, and hits an area. It does have a save and does fire damage, which isn't as good as force damage, I admit.

2) I only took Fireball to power the feat. I planned on using all but one of the spell slots for my Draconic Breath, though. Then I could switch to my resrve feat. However, the feat gives me a +1 caster level to fire spells, which is nice, too. I have Jet of Steam, but that one is already maxed out for damage. I also have Scorching Ray, which, thanks to the feat, is giving me two rays a level early. I can't argue with that. This also makes fireball a nice option to have, as I am doing 7D6 with that one.

All in all, I like the power of the Fireball spell and the Fiery Burst feat over the Greater Mage Armor spell and the Invisible Needle feat. My AC, fully buffed, is 19 right now. I can live with it not being 21 for the extra 'oomph' he has.
pmurray@bigpond.com
05-25-07, 02:09 AM I have made a 5th level human sorcerer for a game tommorow, and I was wondering if the feats I picked could be better.

I have picked Draconic Heritage, Draconic Vigor, and Draconic Senses. Could I have picked better? What would you have picked?

Sculpt Spell, Sudden Maximize, Sudden Maximize. (I'm pretty sure the prereq for sudden maximize is any other meamagic feat).

Use sculpt spell with Grease.
Use sudden maximize with fireball or scorching ray.

It really is that simple. :D
Puca
05-25-07, 10:49 AM All in all, I like the power of the Fireball spell and the Fiery Burst feat over the Greater Mage Armor spell and the Invisible Needle feat. My AC, fully buffed, is 19 right now. I can live with it not being 21 for the extra 'oomph' he has.It sounds like you are happy with the way you went. I only used the force route as an example though. (I think someone else mentioned it.) Youre right, the Fiery Burst is quite a bit better than Needles of force.

You can do the same thing the fire options though: Wall of Fire at level 4 is a great battlefield-control spell. Purely defensive fire-spells are a little less common but something like Body of the Sun would qualify.
Grizzled Gryphon
05-25-07, 11:01 AM I wasn't trying to knock your idea, Puca, I just wanted to put down the reasons I picked mine over yours. At first blush, I was going to take your idea. But then I thought about it, and...

I do think it will be good to get Invisible Needle later, though. I do like that feat, and I have been trying to figure out when to add it in.

I think next level I will look into the Dragonheart Mage Prc. I meet all the prereq's, so it is just a matter of taking it. I didn't want to lose access to 3rd level spells until next level, or I would have taken it for my 6th level. I appreciate all of your help, everyone. This guy is fairly effective, so I am having fun. Sure, he could be more optimized, I am sure, but oh well.
ReverendBSB
05-25-07, 11:20 AM What about Versatile Spellcaster. Trade two lower level spells for one a level higher. Run out of Fireballs, trade two level 2 spells for 1 more. Has come in handy for me many times.
Grizzled Gryphon
05-25-07, 12:08 PM What about Versatile Spellcaster. Trade two lower level spells for one a level higher. Run out of Fireballs, trade two level 2 spells for 1 more. Has come in handy for me many times.

Hey, that is nice. I know I have seen that somewhere before, but I don't recall what book it is in. Any help, or am I off to search my library?
Puca
05-25-07, 12:32 PM I didnt think you were. :)

To be honest, I dont really care for Invisible Needle. Its ranged and force (and who doesnt love force damage at range?) but IIRC, the attack is versus the full AC, not just a ranged touch, and that is not so good with 1/2 BAB.
The_Basilisk
05-25-07, 06:36 PM For my sorcerers (tho I usually roll wizard) I tend to take Improved Initiative (VERY GOOD!) maybe great fortitide. Other than that, metamagic feats like empower and extend, and spell focus and penetration. Reserve feats tend to be less useful for sorcerers.

I still highly recommend imp. intitiative. Nothing like not being able to fireball that mob of guys 'cuz your buddy Barbarian Bob has already run in thier midst slashing them down around him :(
Johnny_Angel
05-26-07, 05:44 AM If it's available: Rapid Metamagic is a great feat. It allows you to use metamagic normally instead of metamagic causing your spells to take a full round action. If you use a lot of metamagic, it's a must have for a sorceror.

I forget what it's called, but I think one of the draconic feats allows you to sacrifice a spell and turn it into a breath weapon. I always liked that one because it gives you a few more offensive options.
Since you seem to be going the draconic route, I would suggest this feat...I just wish I could remember what it is called.
Grizzled Gryphon
05-26-07, 10:51 AM Rapid metamagic is good, but I already have the alternate class feature Metamagic Specialist. And rapid metamagic isn't available until 9th level.

Draconic Breath is the name of the feat you speak of, and i like it too. I took it at 3rd.

Anyone know where Versatile Spellcaster is?

EDIT: Nevermind, I found Versatile Spellcaster. Races of Dragon. I looked in Complete Divine, Complete Mage, Complete Arcane, Complete Adventurer, Dragon Magic, and never thought to look in Races of Dragon. Figures.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Grizzled Gryphon 05-22-07, 01:04 PM	I have made a 5th level human sorcerer for a game tommorow, and I was wondering if the feats I picked could be better. I have picked Draconic Heritage, Draconic Vigor, and Draconic Senses. Could I have picked better? What would you have picked?
Puca 05-22-07, 02:52 PM	Its not a bad way to go. It depends on what you want to play: Draconic Heritage is not, in and of itself, that great a feat. But it grants access to better ones. (I dont have Dragon Magic, but can read the short descriptions) Draconic Senses: I dont know exactly what you get, but stuff like that is always handy. Not necessarily essential, but handy. The hard part is the duration: having to cast a spell you dont need in order to tell if something is sneaking up on you inst very convenient. Draconinc Vigor: Well, you cant underestimate the power of healing. Again, it is sort of wasted until you take damage. Very good in a combat situation maybe. Id think about Draconic Breath. A sorcerer has a limited number of known spells. With this feat, you have a decent, direct-damage area attack, and can use the slot you would have used for that type of spell on something else, increasing your versatility.
Darth Sephiroth 05-22-07, 02:54 PM	perhaps a reserve feat
bloodtalon 05-22-07, 03:02 PM	you might want to take a dragon pact give up one third levle spell known and a third level spell per day to gain 4 spells per day i would take either Flames of Crisom Wrath or Unbridled Fury of the Storm each has a low level offensive and a protection
Stardust 05-22-07, 03:21 PM	The sorcerer in my game picked up Infernal Sorcerer Heritage and Infernal Sorcerer Howl both of which are from PHB II The Heritage grants a couple bonuses to saves and is really a prereq for more poweful ones, like most heritage feats. The really nice thing about the howl is that it does sonic damage in an area (very few things are immune) and requires a fort save, which means evasion doesn't work against it. At 2d6 per spell level sacrificed, it packs quite a punch, too. It was pretty powerful at lower levels, but now he's throwing fireballs and defenestrating spheres around, it's not so out of place in power. His character is based around the fact that he has Yuan-Ti ancestry, so we decided his 'howl' was actually a hiss that caused sonic damage by making the particles in opponents' bodies to vibrate out of sync, literally shaking them to pieces. Accompanied by blood oozing from their eyes/ears/noses when they take damage, it's a pretty cool effect. Opinions seem pretty mixed on the reserve feats, but he picked up Fiery Burst (Complete Mage) and seems to be enjoying it so far against weaker opponents, or when a full-blown fireball would catch too many allies in the blast radius. Also the +1 CL to fire spells meant he picked up his extra Scorching Ray a level early. Don't forget metamagic, by the way - especially combined with the fast metamagic variant from PHBII to empower your spells on the fly etc.. Not to be sniffed at.
nightwyrm 05-22-07, 03:21 PM	Since you're taking so many dragon feats, you might want to take a look at dragonheart mage PrC in dragon magic.
Grizzled Gryphon 05-22-07, 04:25 PM	Yes, those are all being considered. I did take the substitution level from Dragon Magic (or was it Complete Mage?) Metamagic Specialist. Now I need some mtamagic feats!! LOL. I think I might switch out Draconic Vigor for Draconic Toughness. I plan on taking more draconic feats, like draconic breath. I also want to get a reserve feat or three for some long lasting assualt ability. We had an NPC in a game with the Fiery Burst reserve feat, and that was extremely useful. I am waiting til later, though, when I have some third level spells to keep for the reserve. Once I can, though, I am going to take the Invisible Needle reserve feat. That way, I can use force attacks at will. Now I just need a 3rd level force spell... Leomund's Tiny Hut, maybe? In addition to that, I used the Magic Item Compendium for my gear, and I got the Memento Magica for 1st level spells, the Empowered Spellshard of Jet of Flame, an Eternal Wand of shield, Armband of Elusive action, Shiftweave, Everlasting Rations, Everful Mug, Everburning Torch, and 4 potions of Cure Light Wounds. I guess I like 'ever' stuff. :P Puca: The Draconic Senses give bonuses to some skills, low light vision, and Darkvision with enough Draconic Feats. The skill bonus depends on how many draconic feats you have. Draconic Vigor doesn't seem to be all that useful. I think I will go with another one. Hmm, instead of Draconic Toughness, I might go with Draconic Breath. Might be the better choice. Stardust: Wow, 2d6 per spell level, huh? Hmm, that is pretty stout. Especially considering it is sonic damage. I guess the damage isn't all that impressive, though, as that is the damage for Draconic Breath, too. I think I will stay with the Draconic feats, as there are more of them, and thus more options. Besides, that power would only be useful if I was surrounded by only enemies, and if I get into that situation, then I did something wrong. Everyone else in the party is a melee fighter. Crusader, Warblade, and a Rogue (or is it Rouge?), I believe. Yup, switch out Draconic Vigor for Draconic Breath, then go with Empower Spell at 6th (next level), and at 9th, Invisible Needle. Then more Draconic feats after that. That should be good.
Stardust 05-22-07, 04:33 PM	Stardust: Wow, 2d6 per spell level, huh? Hmm, that is pretty stout. Especially considering it is sonic damage. I guess the damage isn't all that impressive, though, as that is the damage for Draconic Breath, too. I think I will stay with the Draconic feats, as there are more of them, and thus more options. Besides, that power would only be useful if I was surrounded by only enemies, and if I get into that situation, then I did something wrong. Everyone else in the party is a melee fighter. Crusader, Warblade, and a Rogue (or is it Rouge?), I believe. It's Rogue, not Rouge, you were right the first time :P Also, if everybody else in your party is going to be dealing melee/ranged damage, I'd be tempted to replace 'empower spell' with either 'spell focus' or 'extend spell' and concentrate on battlefield control. Spells like fog cloud, deep slumber, slow, haste, glitterdust that are going to enhance your allies and debuff your enemies. With that much muscle in the party you can be granting your fighters extra attacks, helping the rogue dish out more sneak attacks and so forth. It sounds like you really don't need any more damage dice out there. Of course, it's your character concept and your call - I just wish I knew more about the Draconic feats, but I don't have any of the 'dragon' based books. Will probably next on my list of purchases, though... Dragons rock ^_^ Have fun with the character, regardless :)
Grizzled Gryphon 05-22-07, 04:55 PM	Well, if you like Sorcerers, then Races of Dragon, Dragon Magic, and Complete Mage are good choices for you. They are useful if you like casters in general, and have interesting options for all classes, but they seem to help Sorcerers most of all. Complete Mage works well with all the arcane classes, of course, but still, nice books to have.
Valoy_Muniz 05-23-07, 09:18 AM	One that my current toon took was dracanic aurea for the healing aura (gives fast healing untill a person is at 1/2 life). My DM looked as it and said it was good. This has help save the cleric from alot of healing spells and has even saved his life when a attack broght him down to -9 in a fight.
Pindar 05-23-07, 10:48 AM	One that my current toon took was dracanic aurea for the healing aura (gives fast healing untill a person is at 1/2 life). My DM looked as it and said it was good. This has help save the cleric from alot of healing spells and has even saved his life when a attack broght him down to -9 in a fight. Isn't that a class feature of the Dragon Shaman rather than a feat?
Puca 05-23-07, 10:54 AM	If you are going with a reserve feat, I would skip Draconic Breath. They both functionally do the same thing, give you a spell-ish damaging option that doesnt use up a precious spells-known. The one time I went with the draconic stuff for a sorcerer, it was in a Frostburn-inspired campaign. I took White Dragon Heritage and Draconic resistance. Cold Resistance 6 nullifies a vast majority of environmental damage in such a setting. If you are seeking metamagic, and I so think you should, look at the Fell Feats in LM. Fell Weaken is only +1, so you could be using it right away, like on Acid Splash, and Fell Drain is just so nice.
Grizzled Gryphon 05-23-07, 11:21 AM	If you are going with a reserve feat, I would skip Draconic Breath. They both functionally do the same thing, give you a spell-ish damaging option that doesnt use up a precious spells-known. Draconic Breath takes the use of a spell slot to activate, and it does damage based on the level of the slot used. Reserve feats require you to have the right type of spell available. You don't use it, though. As long as you don't cast the spell, you can activate the reserve feat every round all day long.
Valoy_Muniz 05-24-07, 09:36 AM	Isn't that a class feature of the Dragon Shaman rather than a feat? One of the Dracanic feats (Draconic aurea p.16) from dragon magic is to get the aura like the Dragon Shaman. There is some debate becouse of the wording if you can just take the new aura's (shamans can use the new ones) only or the ones from the shaman class and the new ones. You do not need the dragon heratige feat for it but if you do take it your aura gets stronger as you level up otherwise it stays at the minimum.
Pindar 05-24-07, 11:21 AM	One of the Dracanic feats (Draconic aurea p.16) from dragon magic is to get the aura like the Dragon Shaman. There is some debate becouse of the wording if you can just take the new aura's (shamans can use the new ones) only or the ones from the shaman class and the new ones. You do not need the dragon heratige feat for it but if you do take it your aura gets stronger as you level up otherwise it stays at the minimum. Interesting, I don't have Dragon Magic. Is it worth getting?
Puca 05-24-07, 02:47 PM	Draconic Breath takes the use of a spell slot to activate, and it does damage based on the level of the slot used. Reserve feats require you to have the right type of spell available. You don't use it, though. As long as you don't cast the spell, you can activate the reserve feat every round all day long.I know how they work. What I mean is, in the end, I think they both accomplish the same tactical goal for a sorcerer. (I suppose that never-ending usage is likely a value of reserve feats, but I dont really see it as that great.) I see it like this: I wouldnt take Draconic Breath [fire] and then learn the spell Fireball. Id take Draconic Breath so I could take Greater Mage Armor and still be able to have a decent energy-based area attack. For me, Reserve feats can be used the same way: At sixth-level, I have one third-level spell-known. I could take a spell to improve my defenses, like Greater Mage Armor, or one to improve my offense, like Chain Missile. I choose option C and with the Reserve feat Invisible Needle get both: I take Greater Mage Armor, and then I have a third-level force spell to make all the needles of force I need. The feat creates more versatility in my casting. I would never learn Chain Missile and then take the Invisible Needle feat. (Why shoot needles when I have Missiles?) I should say that in my experience, few mid-to-high level casters run out of spells, so “all day” doesnt temp me the same way versatility does.
RobbyPants 05-24-07, 03:09 PM	I have made a 5th level human sorcerer for a game tommorow, and I was wondering if the feats I picked could be better.perhaps a reserve feat The only problem with this is that the last feat slot available to the 5th level sorcerer is at 3rd level. At this point, he won't have access to 2nd level spells, thus he won't have access to most (if any) reserve feats. Granted, I think Firey Burst could be a fine choice at 6th level...
Grizzled Gryphon 05-24-07, 08:49 PM	Well, we gamed on sunday, and I did run out of spells. Quickly, in fact. In the end, I was doing 'aid another' actions for the fighter types. With my poor +2 to hit, I didn't even do that very often. If I had a reserve feat, though, I would have been better off. Now, we are 6th level. So, I had picked fireball for my third level spell, and fiery burst as my feat. However, after reading Puca's last post, I question whether this is the most optimal choice. I like the idea of Greater Mage Armor, and Invisible Needle. However, I have a few problems with it. 1) Fiery Burst does more damage, doesn't require an attack roll, and hits an area. It does have a save and does fire damage, which isn't as good as force damage, I admit. 2) I only took Fireball to power the feat. I planned on using all but one of the spell slots for my Draconic Breath, though. Then I could switch to my resrve feat. However, the feat gives me a +1 caster level to fire spells, which is nice, too. I have Jet of Steam, but that one is already maxed out for damage. I also have Scorching Ray, which, thanks to the feat, is giving me two rays a level early. I can't argue with that. This also makes fireball a nice option to have, as I am doing 7D6 with that one. All in all, I like the power of the Fireball spell and the Fiery Burst feat over the Greater Mage Armor spell and the Invisible Needle feat. My AC, fully buffed, is 19 right now. I can live with it not being 21 for the extra 'oomph' he has.
pmurray@bigpond.com 05-25-07, 02:09 AM	I have made a 5th level human sorcerer for a game tommorow, and I was wondering if the feats I picked could be better. I have picked Draconic Heritage, Draconic Vigor, and Draconic Senses. Could I have picked better? What would you have picked? Sculpt Spell, Sudden Maximize, Sudden Maximize. (I'm pretty sure the prereq for sudden maximize is any other meamagic feat). Use sculpt spell with Grease. Use sudden maximize with fireball or scorching ray. It really is that simple. :D
Puca 05-25-07, 10:49 AM	All in all, I like the power of the Fireball spell and the Fiery Burst feat over the Greater Mage Armor spell and the Invisible Needle feat. My AC, fully buffed, is 19 right now. I can live with it not being 21 for the extra 'oomph' he has.It sounds like you are happy with the way you went. I only used the force route as an example though. (I think someone else mentioned it.) Youre right, the Fiery Burst is quite a bit better than Needles of force. You can do the same thing the fire options though: Wall of Fire at level 4 is a great battlefield-control spell. Purely defensive fire-spells are a little less common but something like Body of the Sun would qualify.
Grizzled Gryphon 05-25-07, 11:01 AM	I wasn't trying to knock your idea, Puca, I just wanted to put down the reasons I picked mine over yours. At first blush, I was going to take your idea. But then I thought about it, and... I do think it will be good to get Invisible Needle later, though. I do like that feat, and I have been trying to figure out when to add it in. I think next level I will look into the Dragonheart Mage Prc. I meet all the prereq's, so it is just a matter of taking it. I didn't want to lose access to 3rd level spells until next level, or I would have taken it for my 6th level. I appreciate all of your help, everyone. This guy is fairly effective, so I am having fun. Sure, he could be more optimized, I am sure, but oh well.
ReverendBSB 05-25-07, 11:20 AM	What about Versatile Spellcaster. Trade two lower level spells for one a level higher. Run out of Fireballs, trade two level 2 spells for 1 more. Has come in handy for me many times.
Grizzled Gryphon 05-25-07, 12:08 PM	What about Versatile Spellcaster. Trade two lower level spells for one a level higher. Run out of Fireballs, trade two level 2 spells for 1 more. Has come in handy for me many times. Hey, that is nice. I know I have seen that somewhere before, but I don't recall what book it is in. Any help, or am I off to search my library?
Puca 05-25-07, 12:32 PM	I didnt think you were. :) To be honest, I dont really care for Invisible Needle. Its ranged and force (and who doesnt love force damage at range?) but IIRC, the attack is versus the full AC, not just a ranged touch, and that is not so good with 1/2 BAB.
The_Basilisk 05-25-07, 06:36 PM	For my sorcerers (tho I usually roll wizard) I tend to take Improved Initiative (VERY GOOD!) maybe great fortitide. Other than that, metamagic feats like empower and extend, and spell focus and penetration. Reserve feats tend to be less useful for sorcerers. I still highly recommend imp. intitiative. Nothing like not being able to fireball that mob of guys 'cuz your buddy Barbarian Bob has already run in thier midst slashing them down around him :(
Johnny_Angel 05-26-07, 05:44 AM	If it's available: Rapid Metamagic is a great feat. It allows you to use metamagic normally instead of metamagic causing your spells to take a full round action. If you use a lot of metamagic, it's a must have for a sorceror. I forget what it's called, but I think one of the draconic feats allows you to sacrifice a spell and turn it into a breath weapon. I always liked that one because it gives you a few more offensive options. Since you seem to be going the draconic route, I would suggest this feat...I just wish I could remember what it is called.
Grizzled Gryphon 05-26-07, 10:51 AM	Rapid metamagic is good, but I already have the alternate class feature Metamagic Specialist. And rapid metamagic isn't available until 9th level. Draconic Breath is the name of the feat you speak of, and i like it too. I took it at 3rd. Anyone know where Versatile Spellcaster is? EDIT: Nevermind, I found Versatile Spellcaster. Races of Dragon. I looked in Complete Divine, Complete Mage, Complete Arcane, Complete Adventurer, Dragon Magic, and never thought to look in Races of Dragon. Figures.