| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| #1vladtheladNov 18, 2008 6:19:49 | After 1 year we managed to continue our old campaign. The dm tied in it the red hand of doom adventure and off we are! A friend of mine is using a sorcerer and asked me for help. I have to admit though, the sorcerer isn't as easy to optimise as the wizard... So here I am. He is 5th level and his stats are: str11 dex 15 con 14 int 14 wis 13 cha 16 All rolled with 4d6 keep the 3 higher! He has chosen feats and stuff but the dm will allow him to change anything he wants in the next session. So any good sorcerer builds out there? He can't go mage of the arcane order due to rp and setting restrictions... Every book is allowed and every book can be banned. (as the dm said) Personally I am thinking of sth like 6 sorcerer/10incantrix/4 archmage Feats will go sth like: Rapid metamagic, twin spell, quicken spell, extend spell, heighten spell, improved initiative and stuff. Feat suggestions would be usefull. For spells I will use the Gods tools threads. And pick only the :evillaugh ones. :D |
| #2ikildkennyNov 18, 2008 6:29:03 | though shall be helped here: http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1005059 http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1080031 |
| #3Treantmonklvl20Nov 18, 2008 7:30:15 | With a sorcerer I recommend spending the majority of your time carefully picking your spell selections. The spells known problem is the biggest handicapp of the Sorcerer. Look for spells that are versitle, and try to avoid picking spells that are redundant. Web and Evard's are both awesome spells - but does a sorcerer want both? Probably not. Alter Self and Polymorph are givens. Take both - a bit of redundancy on two of the most versatile spells in the game is a great idea. Also - consider the Shadow Magic spells. Once again - these contain a huge amount of versatility. Silent Image is a great choice for a first level spell. Summon Monster III is also a nice choice - some good versatility there (Celestial Bison for pounding, Dire bat for flying mount, etc) Someone help me out here - there's a PC in the underdark book - is it Shadowcraft Mage? Not the gnome one from RoS... Incatatrix is always a good choice with a metamagic build - but be aware a Sorcerer will not be optimal for Incantatrix because of the lower Int score (meaning lower Spellcraft rolls for instant metamagic). |
| #4SenevriNov 18, 2008 7:56:40 | Fiend-Blooded. Even if your DM is being **** about the prereqs, a one-feat investment to Keeper of [whatever] lore from FC1 allows relatively painless access. Don't be in a rush to pick the final level, though. Archmage is a good finish, as you already have a limited set of spells, getting them as 3/day SLAs isn't really cutting down your versatility much. The feat cost may be prohibitive, though, and there are lots of feats you'll want. Versatile Spellcaster, Rapid Metamagic, etc... |
| #5tana_sanNov 18, 2008 9:26:15 | If your DM would allow, I recommend being Venerable Dragonwrought Desert Kobold with Greater Draconic Rite of Passage (how original! :P ). Link for GDRoP: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20060420a Sorcerer 5/ Mindbender[CAr] 1/ Nightmare Spinner[CM] 5/ xxx 9/ Shift the stats around thus: Show str 11 (15-4) dex 16 (14+2) con 14 int 18 (15+3) wis 12 (11-2+3) cha 20 ((16+3)+1 from lvl) |
| #6pithicaNov 18, 2008 9:54:56 | Someone help me out here - there's a PC in the underdark book - is it Shadowcraft Mage? Not the gnome one from RoS... Shadowcrafter. It's nice, but it doesn't really 'shine' to me like Shadowcraft Mage from RoS. But I may just be bolloxed and not seeing something, though. As a 4 level dip, it adds +2 to shadow spell penetration and +10% 'realness' to shadow evocation/conj (and the greater/lesser versions). Unfortunately, neither percent boost work on any other shadow spells, which limits them, but if it's all you plan to take as a sorceror, I don't suppose it's a bad dip. To the OP... Personally I am thinking of sth like 6 sorcerer/10incantrix/4 archmage I like Sorcerer 5/Mindbender 1/Incantatrix 10/Archmage 3/Abjurant Champion 1 But that's just me. The Abjurant Champion level requires two blown feats that may not be worth it to you, but I love auto-extended abjurations. (Though, now that I think about it, that's much more useful for a wiz than a sorceror.) Don't limit yourself to the guides listed. http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?PHPSESSID=c0b32f55f6791bf9fe3b1f2a8e542581&topic=2180.0 http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18500 EDIT: Before I forget, yet again, when asked, Mage of the Arcane Order is an excellent choice for Sorcerer PrC. |
| #7vladtheladNov 18, 2008 10:23:32 | Thanx! Though the second thread ikildkenny posted is the best sorcerer guide I have seen. |
| #8tordakNov 18, 2008 12:19:20 | I think Spell Shield variant from Dungeonscape is a must; it is a very potent ability that can save you life on many occasions (at least more often than that sissy ass familiar) I personnaly like the sorcerer variant Stalwart Sorcerer. Extremely usefull ability to toughen up your sorcerer. If you're planing on buffing yourself to fight (using polymorph for example), this can become quite handy. You give up one spell known, not such a big deal later in the game on when you have a lot of other spells. It will reduce your option at the begining a bit, so you'll have to be the blaster a little longer. The problem is that to get full benefit of the hit point increase you have to stay a sorcerer, but you'll average the hit points of a cleric (save at 1st level). This option is a tougher choice than Spell Shield; plan your future progression before taking it. If you don't take Stalwart sorcerer than the best thing to do is PrC asap, with a PrC that give full spellcasting ability of course. I like versatile spellcaster from RotD. Blue dragon lineage from Dragon Magic is also good (1D6+(cha bonus)/orb damage on a range touch, one orb per lv of spell sacrificed, no save, no SR; great damage potential if you can boost your charisma). Dragon pact is a nice feature (also from Dragon Magic) since you can spare a spell slot or 2. You can get a bunch of useful (though weaker) spell-likes, and giving up 1 spell slot can give you up to 13 additional spells for a day, cast as spell-likes, and some are quite potent (pact with blue dragon gives you 3 call lightning, 3 chain lightning and 1 maximized lightning storm, +2 or 3 other, for giving up 1 9th lv spell slot). Rapid metamagic can be useful; empower and maximized spells are good choices, being able to use it as a standard action instead of full round is nice. It's very good with metamagic that have a +0 lv ajustement, like energy substitution. |
| #9phaedrusxyNov 18, 2008 13:04:58 | As TreantMonk said, spells known is the most critical part of any sorcerer. Therefore ways to add to your spells known are big boosts. The already mentioned Fiend Blooded PrC is one, as is Sand Shaper (Sandstorm). Also consider feats like Arcane Disciple (C. Div?), and Mother Cyst (Libris Mortis). The Fiendish Familiar (Fiend Folio) might also work, but requires some DM interpretation for exactly what it gets you. Edit: This old thread might prove useful: http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-954103 |
| #10ChristopherGrovesNov 18, 2008 13:55:57 | I haven't updated this in a while http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=1005250 Newest version is in a separate forum |
| #11feloniouselaNov 18, 2008 16:16:49 | Races of Dragon is a must have for sorcs. Wings of Cover is an awesome spell. An easy and effective build is Sorcerer 6/War Weaver 5/Earth Dreamer 5/Whatever full casting 4 You will change the game quite a bit without actually having to dirty your hands overly much. Spell selection will be the toughest part of the build, but choose the buffs you really like, pick one or two damage spells (Wings of Flurry is pretty neat), and you will excel at your role. |
| #12vladtheladNov 18, 2008 16:53:01 | Wow lots and lots of good stuff. Unfortunately the character is human and hasn't a draconic ancestry. So no Dragonborn template or Dragonwrought Desert Kobold. (Does anybody else find saying "Venerable Dragonwrought Desert Kobold" kinda funny?:D ) The sorcerer will become fiendblooded cause it fits his uruvandrum? far realm heritage (that was disturbing to hear). It seems I was wrong about spell selection. Treatmonks gods tools are good but nothing beats bjorsas guide to being better looking (on sorcerer spells). Anyway the build is sorcerer5/fiendblooded 9/4 fate spinner 1 blood to blood, eschew Materials 3 Empower spell 6 Arcane thesis 9 rapid metamagic (complete mage) 12 Sculpt spell 15 Quicken spell 18 energy substitution Not sure about the feats though, might change them after further investigation... |
| #13phaedrusxyNov 18, 2008 17:37:10 | Dragonborn is added through a ritual. So you could add it, if you wanted, regardless of his original heritage. I don't know if this is helpful or not, just wanted to point it out, in case you were interested in it. It is a very nice LA +0 template. You can find pretty much everything you need to use it in the online preview to the book it is in, also. |
| #14feloniouselaNov 18, 2008 19:11:02 | Anyway the build is sorcerer5/fiendblooded 9/4 fate spinner I don't know too much about fiendblooded, but your feats set up well for the cool idea of using Lightning Leap with Sculpt Spell, Energy Substitution and Rapid Metamagic. Just take Energy Sub way earlier and push things back a bit to get Arcane Thesis with Lightning Leap. Sculpt it into a globe and you have a level 5 spell that nukes everything in a 20' radius, plus lets you teleport. Fun lil nova. You could still do it without Arcane Thesis obviously, it would just be a level 6 spell. |
| #15themistoklesNov 19, 2008 15:30:22 | Here is another link: Solo's stupendously superior sorcerer stratagems It may be only core, it may be not always correct, but it sure is the most entertaining of them all! |
| #16tordakNov 19, 2008 20:45:29 | I also like two other feats : improved conterspelling and reactive conterspelling (from Magic of Faerun). Sorcerer have more spell slots a day than most other caster, so being able to couter magic as a reaction (giving up next round action) can be very good if all you need is a spell of the same school. |
| #17bergtannNov 20, 2008 6:22:24 | I'd offer two suggestions: Save level 6-8 of Fiend-blooded for character levels 18-20. That lets you add 2 9th level spells to your spells known. I think there are a few other prcs that offer extra spells known. And take a heritage feat from Dragon Compendium. The fiend-blooded one seems to fit your background. If you are real lucky, your DM may agree to substitute it for Blood calls to Blood. |
| #18bjorsaNov 20, 2008 10:59:21 | For which spell are you taking Arcane Thesis? Also remember Wings of Flurry doesn't benefit from Sculpt Spell. |
| #19phaedrusxyNov 20, 2008 11:03:17 | I also like two other feats : improved conterspelling and reactive conterspelling (from Magic of Faerun). Sorcerer have more spell slots a day than most other caster, so being able to couter magic as a reaction (giving up next round action) can be very good if all you need is a spell of the same school. If you're going to do that, you might add a level (or more) of Archmage for the ability to turn countered spells back on their caster. I wouldn't really advocate counterspelling for most games, though. You're better off readying an action to nuke someone for alot of damage when they try to cast, most of the time. |
| #20vladtheladNov 21, 2008 9:39:14 | PhaedrusXY: Yep you are right but still, the player doesn't want anything to do with bahamuts crusade and the dm doesn't approve of other kinds of dragonborns... Tordak: True counterspelling is a traditional strength sorcerers have, but the player is of the agressive/chaotic variety and prefers to force his opponents to counterspell. Bergtann: Alas I don't have access to dragon compendium... bjorsa: First of all, very nice guide, helped me a lot. As I said I haven't thought of a good feat selection. If you could throw together a good feat selection for the fiendblooded/ fatespinner build that would be great. Note by good I also mean not ridicously broken, I don't want the sorcerer dissing out more than 500 damage as you presented in your guide;) . (That would make my maug fighter jealous). I am also not sure that rapid spellcasting is worth it! It really puts a stop on arcane spell surge. Then again being able to quicken any spell you need is great... |
| #21EndarireNov 22, 2008 2:17:08 | If you're human, Dragonborn REMOVES A FEAT and your BONUS SKILL POINTS FROM LEVELING. Ahem. That stated, Dragonborn is spiffy for some people, but I advise against it as a human. Instead, Sorcerer5/Mind's Eye1 (Playar Handbook 53)/Incantatrix10/Archmage3 [Mastery of Shaping, Spell Power, Arcane Reach]/Mindbender1 is a better option. |