Draconic Sorcerer - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Draconic Sorcerer

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
lordofd511
Mar 19, 2010 21:36:36 Hey, I'm starting a new campaign, and I went with a sorcerer with some sort of dragon theme. As far as I can tell, the only ways to do this are using draconic feats or the Dragon Disciple PrC. And both of them seem really... under par. You know, like my character would be vastly more powerful choosing normal feats and being a staright 20 sorcerer. 10 levels of dragon disciple mean my spellcaster gets some crappy melee attacks, high health, can fly, and doesn't need to see, but can't cast any spell higher level than 5th. Taking Draconic feats burns pretty much every feat and gives me... pretty much crap. Is there something I'm missing here or do dragon-based characters just suck?
#2
garindal
Mar 19, 2010 22:07:21 I don't know how this looks on a optimization standpoint, but the Dragonheart Mage from Races Of The Dragon is a personal favorite theme-wise. You get dragon breath that gets more powerful as you level in the class and depending on what level of spell you give up to pump it. The Dracolexi, same book, gives you a lot of language dependent abilities though again I dont know how strong it is. Seems to me the best classes for that theme come from Races Of The Dragon.
#3
dark_halo
Mar 19, 2010 22:14:31 Have you looked at the Dragon Shaman in PHB2 or the Dragonfire Adept in Dragon Magic? Both of these are pretty cool classes (and fairly powerful) with a heavy dragon theme. They have some abilities that are sort of similar to each other, but they each do it a bit differently. If you are dead set on the sorcerer, unfortunately you may be a bit screwed. The sorcerer as written is kind of lacking, and doesn't really encourage much in the way of exploration with feats and such. You kinda have to focus pretty hard to be really good at any one thing. One option I would suggest is look into Pathfinder RPG from Paizo. They gave the sorc some really nice flavor and a lot of new options. They also revamped the Dragon Disciple so it is a far more viable option for a pure caster now.
#4
Maat_Mons
Mar 19, 2010 22:30:25 There are 0 LA dragon-themed races in Races of the Dragon. Dragonborn get +2 con, -2 dex (plus the adjustments of the base humanoid). Spellscales get +2 cha, -2 con.
#5
phaedrusxy
Mar 20, 2010 0:05:26 Kobolds have all the fun. Check this out. Ignore the Stranger with the Burning Eyes prestige class, and especially read the spoiler at the end of the first post.
#6
true_shinken
Mar 21, 2010 10:06:35 May I suggest a Duskblade?
With full base attack, this class a much better Dragon Disciple than a Sorcerer.
If you are set on Sorcerer, though, there a few draconic feats that might be actually useful, such as Draconic Legacy; I also like Draconic Claw myself. Dragonheart Mage also helps.
It is a lot easier to make a dragon-themed gish, though.
#7
Contranym
Mar 24, 2010 16:57:43 Dracolexi isn't bad. You get some power word spells sooner and at a lower level than normal. The draconic words are ok but not overpowering and you lose a spell level or two (can't remember).

Good for Kobolds with Sorcerer level increase (White Dragonspawn or Loredrake) but not so great for other Draconic casters.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 lordofd511 Mar 19, 2010 21:36:36	Hey, I'm starting a new campaign, and I went with a sorcerer with some sort of dragon theme. As far as I can tell, the only ways to do this are using draconic feats or the Dragon Disciple PrC. And both of them seem really... under par. You know, like my character would be vastly more powerful choosing normal feats and being a staright 20 sorcerer. 10 levels of dragon disciple mean my spellcaster gets some crappy melee attacks, high health, can fly, and doesn't need to see, but can't cast any spell higher level than 5th. Taking Draconic feats burns pretty much every feat and gives me... pretty much crap. Is there something I'm missing here or do dragon-based characters just suck?
#2 garindal Mar 19, 2010 22:07:21	I don't know how this looks on a optimization standpoint, but the Dragonheart Mage from Races Of The Dragon is a personal favorite theme-wise. You get dragon breath that gets more powerful as you level in the class and depending on what level of spell you give up to pump it. The Dracolexi, same book, gives you a lot of language dependent abilities though again I dont know how strong it is. Seems to me the best classes for that theme come from Races Of The Dragon.
#3 dark_halo Mar 19, 2010 22:14:31	Have you looked at the Dragon Shaman in PHB2 or the Dragonfire Adept in Dragon Magic? Both of these are pretty cool classes (and fairly powerful) with a heavy dragon theme. They have some abilities that are sort of similar to each other, but they each do it a bit differently. If you are dead set on the sorcerer, unfortunately you may be a bit screwed. The sorcerer as written is kind of lacking, and doesn't really encourage much in the way of exploration with feats and such. You kinda have to focus pretty hard to be really good at any one thing. One option I would suggest is look into Pathfinder RPG from Paizo. They gave the sorc some really nice flavor and a lot of new options. They also revamped the Dragon Disciple so it is a far more viable option for a pure caster now.
#4 Maat_Mons Mar 19, 2010 22:30:25	There are 0 LA dragon-themed races in Races of the Dragon. Dragonborn get +2 con, -2 dex (plus the adjustments of the base humanoid). Spellscales get +2 cha, -2 con.
#5 phaedrusxy Mar 20, 2010 0:05:26	Kobolds have all the fun. Check this out. Ignore the Stranger with the Burning Eyes prestige class, and especially read the spoiler at the end of the first post.
#6 true_shinken Mar 21, 2010 10:06:35	May I suggest a Duskblade? With full base attack, this class a much better Dragon Disciple than a Sorcerer. If you are set on Sorcerer, though, there a few draconic feats that might be actually useful, such as Draconic Legacy; I also like Draconic Claw myself. Dragonheart Mage also helps. It is a lot easier to make a dragon-themed gish, though.
#7 Contranym Mar 24, 2010 16:57:43	Dracolexi isn't bad. You get some power word spells sooner and at a lower level than normal. The draconic words are ok but not overpowering and you lose a spell level or two (can't remember). Good for Kobolds with Sorcerer level increase (White Dragonspawn or Loredrake) but not so great for other Draconic casters.