Battle Sorcerer advice [Archive] - Wizards Community

Battle Sorcerer advice [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JC99
11-21-05, 02:59 PM I'd rather not post this on CO, because I'm looking for advice, not optimization, and quite frankly, they scare me.
So I'm playing a Battle Sorcerer (UA) in Eberron and just hit level 3. I'm done leveling up aside from two slightly major factors. I need to pick my third level feat and a new first level spell. At the moment, as far as feats go, I have Improved Initiative and Least Dragonmark (Passage, Expedious Retreat.) I like the roleplaying aspect of being in house Orien, and was planning on taking the lesser and greater dragonmark feats at levels 6 and 9. But that leaves me open now. Are the sudden metamagic feats in CA worth using? They interest me, but I'm skeptical as to how useful they'll be.

And as for spells, my single lv 1 spell is Fist of Stone from CA, a recommendation I found elsewhere. I have my spell progressions planned out with my multiclassing, and as far as I can tell, I'll be taking True Strike at 7th, and using my level of Fighter at 8 to take Power Attack.
Is Ray of Enfeeblement as useful as it sounds? It seems like it could get devastating with Sudden Maximize. Do multiple castings of it stack? The spell description isn't too clear.

Sorry to ask all of this, but I've played D&D for nearly three years, and this is my first character that's had any major spellcasting (only other one I can think of was a ranger, but that was before CAdv, so I never found any useful spells other than Entangle) so I decided it was time to get it out of the way. So far it's interesting, but I feel slightly crippled without a huge list of skills as I tend to play rogues.
Mandarbgrim
11-21-05, 06:17 PM It depends on your stats... How high is your CHA and DEX?

I would go with Ray of Enfeeblement if your Dex is good, or switch to a spell that gives a save if your CHA is a lot higher. Ray of Enfeeblement will be a debuffing spell that is useful against the majority of enemies.

Frostburn:
Lesser Shivering Touch- Touch attack does damage to targets Dex.

Sandstorm:
Sunstroke- 2d6 nonlethal damage and target is fatigued

Miniatures Handbook:
Mordekainen's Buzzing Bee: Subject takes -10 on move silently and concentration checks. Could be good against enemy spellcasters.

That is about all I could think of and check in books. Spell choice really seems dependant upon your stats, likely enemies, and taking advantage of allies strengths, as well.

For feats..I like the Draconic Heritage feats, especially the breath weapon.
JC99
11-21-05, 06:52 PM It depends on your stats... How high is your CHA and DEX?

I would go with Ray of Enfeeblement if your Dex is good, or switch to a spell that gives a save if your CHA is a lot higher. Ray of Enfeeblement will be a debuffing spell that is useful against the majority of enemies.

We rolled 4d6/drop low for stats, I ended up with
Str: 15
Dex: 15
Con: 15
Int: 13
Wis: 14
Cha: 16

Not too shabby, all well above average, though I wouldn't have minded higher Cha over say.. Wis. Oh well.

For feats..I like the Draconic Heritage feats, especially the breath weapon.
During character creation I considered these, but didn't think I'd get enough high-level spell slots to make it useful. I might take Draconic Heritage for third, but then I don't know when I'd be able to take Draconic Breath, as I'm pretty committed to the Dragonmarks, though I could push them back in favor of Breath.
Looking at the Favored Soul really makes the sorc look weak though. It should gain the Draconic feats for free or something. Meh. :rolleyes:
Mandarbgrim
11-22-05, 10:31 PM Those are good stats for a Battle Sorceror. I would go with lesser shivering touch. It holds the charge, so no worry about losing the spell, a lot of creatures have low touch AC's, and this will make it easier for everyone to hit the enemy. Dex is a great stat, so conversly taking Dex away from enemies should be a good move in most situations.
Darkmatter20
11-23-05, 03:48 AM Agreed with above, having used the dragon heritage feats I can say their very nice flavour but not very good mechanically.

Definitly should take "Arcane Strike" as a feat as soon as your able to.
Take also WHirling blade from the Complete arcane and combine the two in a narrow passageway :) (and greatsword)

Should definity look up comprehensive spell list for a sorcerer.

Another feat you should take is the improved ignore armour check penalty from Complete arcane. Made for warlocks and warmages you can take it as you meet the requirements.
Take it twice and be able to wear Heavy armour and below without penalty.
This makes the Spellsword prestige class useless for you so ignore it.

Battle sorcerer is a fairly decent class to take straight so enjoy, but you may want to look at other prestige classes.
allenchan
11-23-05, 04:08 AM Another feat you should take is the improved ignore armour check penalty from Complete arcane. Made for warlocks and warmages you can take it as you meet the requirements.
Take it twice and be able to wear Heavy armour and below without penalty.
This makes the Spellsword prestige class useless for you so ignore it.

First, its called Battle Caster. Secondly, you cant take it twice.

I really think the OP would be better off just sucking it up and trying the CO board, we dont bite. Honest. :)
Lenarior
11-23-05, 05:14 AM I can't remember what level spells a battle sorcerer can cast at that level but there is a feat you should consider for future choses if you have Complete Warrior. The feat is Arcane Strike and I picked it with a fighter/sorcerer I was playing once and it worked like a charm. Improved Toughness is also a favourite.
just_a_female_dnd_player
11-23-05, 06:19 PM Lesser Fire/Ice/Lightning/Acid Orb, from the Complete Arcana, Ranged Touch Attack, 1d8+1d8 per 2 Levels, Max 5d8. That's an excellent 1st level Battle Spell.
JC99
11-24-05, 08:39 AM Thanks for all the advice, I have a good idea of what I'll do. I'll end up either sticking with light armor or using Battle Caster to use Mithral Fullplate.

I really want the flavor aspects of the Dragonmarks, though I may put off the Greater Mark to take Arcane Strike to abuse with True Strike and Power Attack.

I have a decent build in mind that gets me a 16 BAB and CL 18. I won't have any unique special abilities, but when it's done I'll be able to kick ass with the best, hopefully.

I'll be taking a level of Fighter, so I was wondering, if I were to trade up my Longsword for a two-handed weapon, could I still cast while fighting with it?

Also, I decided a while ago that I wanted to have at least a single good ranged damage spell to fall back on, preferably that will do decent damage throughout my character's career. Would Scorching Ray or Fireball be good for this, or is there something else I should be looking at?
aprilia4life
11-24-05, 03:24 PM Isn't there an eberron board for these kind of posts?

Why the HELL are you posting it here?

I am about to start a sorcerer character and got all excited to find the thread is relating to a different game system... Take it to the other forum.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JC99 11-21-05, 02:59 PM	I'd rather not post this on CO, because I'm looking for advice, not optimization, and quite frankly, they scare me. So I'm playing a Battle Sorcerer (UA) in Eberron and just hit level 3. I'm done leveling up aside from two slightly major factors. I need to pick my third level feat and a new first level spell. At the moment, as far as feats go, I have Improved Initiative and Least Dragonmark (Passage, Expedious Retreat.) I like the roleplaying aspect of being in house Orien, and was planning on taking the lesser and greater dragonmark feats at levels 6 and 9. But that leaves me open now. Are the sudden metamagic feats in CA worth using? They interest me, but I'm skeptical as to how useful they'll be. And as for spells, my single lv 1 spell is Fist of Stone from CA, a recommendation I found elsewhere. I have my spell progressions planned out with my multiclassing, and as far as I can tell, I'll be taking True Strike at 7th, and using my level of Fighter at 8 to take Power Attack. Is Ray of Enfeeblement as useful as it sounds? It seems like it could get devastating with Sudden Maximize. Do multiple castings of it stack? The spell description isn't too clear. Sorry to ask all of this, but I've played D&D for nearly three years, and this is my first character that's had any major spellcasting (only other one I can think of was a ranger, but that was before CAdv, so I never found any useful spells other than Entangle) so I decided it was time to get it out of the way. So far it's interesting, but I feel slightly crippled without a huge list of skills as I tend to play rogues.
Mandarbgrim 11-21-05, 06:17 PM	It depends on your stats... How high is your CHA and DEX? I would go with Ray of Enfeeblement if your Dex is good, or switch to a spell that gives a save if your CHA is a lot higher. Ray of Enfeeblement will be a debuffing spell that is useful against the majority of enemies. Frostburn: Lesser Shivering Touch- Touch attack does damage to targets Dex. Sandstorm: Sunstroke- 2d6 nonlethal damage and target is fatigued Miniatures Handbook: Mordekainen's Buzzing Bee: Subject takes -10 on move silently and concentration checks. Could be good against enemy spellcasters. That is about all I could think of and check in books. Spell choice really seems dependant upon your stats, likely enemies, and taking advantage of allies strengths, as well. For feats..I like the Draconic Heritage feats, especially the breath weapon.
JC99 11-21-05, 06:52 PM	It depends on your stats... How high is your CHA and DEX? I would go with Ray of Enfeeblement if your Dex is good, or switch to a spell that gives a save if your CHA is a lot higher. Ray of Enfeeblement will be a debuffing spell that is useful against the majority of enemies. We rolled 4d6/drop low for stats, I ended up with Str: 15 Dex: 15 Con: 15 Int: 13 Wis: 14 Cha: 16 Not too shabby, all well above average, though I wouldn't have minded higher Cha over say.. Wis. Oh well. For feats..I like the Draconic Heritage feats, especially the breath weapon. During character creation I considered these, but didn't think I'd get enough high-level spell slots to make it useful. I might take Draconic Heritage for third, but then I don't know when I'd be able to take Draconic Breath, as I'm pretty committed to the Dragonmarks, though I could push them back in favor of Breath. Looking at the Favored Soul really makes the sorc look weak though. It should gain the Draconic feats for free or something. Meh. :rolleyes:
Mandarbgrim 11-22-05, 10:31 PM	Those are good stats for a Battle Sorceror. I would go with lesser shivering touch. It holds the charge, so no worry about losing the spell, a lot of creatures have low touch AC's, and this will make it easier for everyone to hit the enemy. Dex is a great stat, so conversly taking Dex away from enemies should be a good move in most situations.
Darkmatter20 11-23-05, 03:48 AM	Agreed with above, having used the dragon heritage feats I can say their very nice flavour but not very good mechanically. Definitly should take "Arcane Strike" as a feat as soon as your able to. Take also WHirling blade from the Complete arcane and combine the two in a narrow passageway :) (and greatsword) Should definity look up comprehensive spell list for a sorcerer. Another feat you should take is the improved ignore armour check penalty from Complete arcane. Made for warlocks and warmages you can take it as you meet the requirements. Take it twice and be able to wear Heavy armour and below without penalty. This makes the Spellsword prestige class useless for you so ignore it. Battle sorcerer is a fairly decent class to take straight so enjoy, but you may want to look at other prestige classes.
allenchan 11-23-05, 04:08 AM	Another feat you should take is the improved ignore armour check penalty from Complete arcane. Made for warlocks and warmages you can take it as you meet the requirements. Take it twice and be able to wear Heavy armour and below without penalty. This makes the Spellsword prestige class useless for you so ignore it. First, its called Battle Caster. Secondly, you cant take it twice. I really think the OP would be better off just sucking it up and trying the CO board, we dont bite. Honest. :)
Lenarior 11-23-05, 05:14 AM	I can't remember what level spells a battle sorcerer can cast at that level but there is a feat you should consider for future choses if you have Complete Warrior. The feat is Arcane Strike and I picked it with a fighter/sorcerer I was playing once and it worked like a charm. Improved Toughness is also a favourite.
just_a_female_dnd_player 11-23-05, 06:19 PM	Lesser Fire/Ice/Lightning/Acid Orb, from the Complete Arcana, Ranged Touch Attack, 1d8+1d8 per 2 Levels, Max 5d8. That's an excellent 1st level Battle Spell.
JC99 11-24-05, 08:39 AM	Thanks for all the advice, I have a good idea of what I'll do. I'll end up either sticking with light armor or using Battle Caster to use Mithral Fullplate. I really want the flavor aspects of the Dragonmarks, though I may put off the Greater Mark to take Arcane Strike to abuse with True Strike and Power Attack. I have a decent build in mind that gets me a 16 BAB and CL 18. I won't have any unique special abilities, but when it's done I'll be able to kick ass with the best, hopefully. I'll be taking a level of Fighter, so I was wondering, if I were to trade up my Longsword for a two-handed weapon, could I still cast while fighting with it? Also, I decided a while ago that I wanted to have at least a single good ranged damage spell to fall back on, preferably that will do decent damage throughout my character's career. Would Scorching Ray or Fireball be good for this, or is there something else I should be looking at?
aprilia4life 11-24-05, 03:24 PM	Isn't there an eberron board for these kind of posts? Why the HELL are you posting it here? I am about to start a sorcerer character and got all excited to find the thread is relating to a different game system... Take it to the other forum.