Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons) - Revision history

95.167.183.120 at 10:03, 1 July 2025

2025-07-01T10:03:18Z

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	* Sorcerers got a mild buff in 3.5, allowing them to vary some spells between levels to make up for their limited spell selection.		* Sorcerers got a mild buff in 3.5, allowing them to vary some spells between levels to make up for their limited spell selection.
	* Not having to prepare their spells ''does'' offer some advantages (casting ''flight'' or ''invisibility'' on the whole party off-the-cuff without prior preparation).		* Not having to prepare their spells ''does'' offer some advantages (casting ''flight'' or ''invisibility'' on the whole party off-the-cuff without prior preparation).
			* [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/GameBreaker/DungeonsAndDragonsThirdEdition Dragonwrought Greater Draconic Rite Venerable Kobolds can use lots of rules «for dragons only» like Loredrake and Spellhoarding]. For example, Loredrake adds 2 sorcerer levels for free; Spellhoarding converts Sorcerer casting to Wizard casting (so it's strange hybrid of Wizard and Sorcerrer). All this allows to min-max and soup-up Sorcerer to the point when it becomes [[Tier System\|Tier 1]] (it's different from normal Sorcerer to be considered separate tier).

	In addition, the self-contained nature of the sorcerer is useful to counteract a [[That Guy\|difficult]] [[Dungeon Master\|DM]]:		In addition, the self-contained nature of the sorcerer is useful to counteract a [[That Guy\|difficult]] [[Dungeon Master\|DM]]:
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	Each day, sorcerers and [[bard]]s must focus their minds on the task of casting their spells. A sorcerer or bard needs 8 hours of rest (just like a wizard), after which he spends 15 minutes concentrating. (A bard must sing, recite, or play an instrument of some kind while concentrating.) During this period, the sorcerer or bard readies his mind to cast his daily allotment of spells. Without such a period to refresh himself, the character does not regain the spell slots he used up the day before.		Each day, sorcerers and [[bard]]s must focus their minds on the task of casting their spells. A sorcerer or bard needs 8 hours of rest (just like a wizard), after which he spends 15 minutes concentrating. (A bard must sing, recite, or play an instrument of some kind while concentrating.) During this period, the sorcerer or bard readies his mind to cast his daily allotment of spells. Without such a period to refresh himself, the character does not regain the spell slots he used up the day before.

	Sorcerer is the poster child for [[Tier System\|Tier 2]]. He can break the game with the right spell(s), but his limited spells known stop him from breaking it ''all'' the time or in as many ways as a prepared caster.		Sorcerer is the poster child for [[Tier System\|Tier 2]]. He can break the game with the right spell(s), but his limited spells known stop him from breaking it ''all'' the time or in as many ways as a prepared caster. Though if the Sorcerer is a [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/GameBreaker/DungeonsAndDragonsThirdEdition Dragonwrought] [[Kobold]] with lots of "[[Kobold#Why_D&D_3.5_Kobolds_Kick_Ass\|For Epic Dragons Only]]" tricks, he becomes [[Tier System\|Tier 1]].

	== Miscellaneous factoids ==		== Miscellaneous factoids ==

	Players of sorcerers (not to be mistaken with [[Saucerer]]s) often enjoy dragon-related cheese, like Draconic Heritage feats or racial substitution levels, and use it in some vague attempt at [[roleplaying]]. They are highly likely to be [[kobold]]s.		Players of sorcerers (not to be mistaken with [[Saucerer]]s) often enjoy dragon-related cheese, like Draconic Heritage feats or racial substitution levels, and use it in some vague attempt at [[roleplaying]]. They are highly likely to be [[kobold]]s; the reason to this is what [https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/GameBreaker/DungeonsAndDragonsThirdEdition Dragonwrought Greater Draconic Rite Venerable Kobolds can use lots of rules «for dragons only» like Loredrake and Spellhoarding] — what allowed to «soup up» and min-max Sorcerer to the point where it becomes [[Tier System\|Tier 1]] (while Sorcerers who's ''not'' «souped-up-Dragon's-Cousin-Kobolds» are Tier 2).

	It's a well-known fact that [[Skip Williams]], one of the developers of Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition, absolutely ''despised'' the sorcerer class and is famous for saying in a now-notorious thread on the [[Wizards of the Coast]] forums that sorcerers weren't worthy of being called spellcasting classes.		It's a well-known fact that [[Skip Williams]], one of the developers of Dungeons and Dragons 3rd Edition, absolutely ''despised'' the sorcerer class and is famous for saying in a now-notorious thread on the [[Wizards of the Coast]] forums that sorcerers weren't worthy of being called spellcasting classes.

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1d4chan>ThatOneBruvva at 04:53, 17 December 2022

2022-12-17T04:53:12Z

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	:- Wizards can ''theoretically'' "know" more spells: a 20th-level sorcerer will know 9 cantrips and 34 spells of level 1 or higher, while the spellbook of a level 20 Wizard could contain ''all'' cantrips, a number of level 1 spells equal to 3 plus whatever their intelligence modifier was during character-creation, and 38 spells of level 1 or higher from leveling. However, this is only realistically attainable using low-level spells because each spell consumes a number of pages equal to its level and each spellbook is limited to 100 pages. Cantrips also take up 1 page each, which poses a bit of a problem, because if a least 100 cantrips were published by the time 3.5e ended, then there's literally no room left for any level 1 or higher spells and Wizards are ''really'' screwed. Even the publication of 57+ cantrips would leave Wizards unable to ever learn level 9 spells, since they'd be forced to burn through at least 5 pages on level 1 spells during character-creation (you need to start with 15 int if you want to have 19 int by level 17) and then another 30 pages leveling up to 16, so by the time they hit level 17 and can finally learn level 9 spells, they'd only have 8 blank pages left.		:- Wizards can ''theoretically'' "know" more spells: a 20th-level sorcerer will know 9 cantrips and 34 spells of level 1 or higher, while the spellbook of a level 20 Wizard could contain ''all'' cantrips, a number of level 1 spells equal to 3 plus whatever their intelligence modifier was during character-creation, and 38 spells of level 1 or higher from leveling. However, this is only realistically attainable using low-level spells because each spell consumes a number of pages equal to its level and each spellbook is limited to 100 pages. Cantrips also take up 1 page each, which poses a bit of a problem, because if a least 100 cantrips were published by the time 3.5e ended, then there's literally no room left for any level 1 or higher spells and Wizards are ''really'' screwed. Even the publication of 57+ cantrips would leave Wizards unable to ever learn level 9 spells, since they'd be forced to burn through at least 5 pages on level 1 spells during character-creation (you need to start with 15 int if you want to have 19 int by level 17) and then another 30 pages leveling up to 16, so by the time they hit level 17 and can finally learn level 9 spells, they'd only have 8 blank pages left.

	In general, whether the sorcerer or wizard is "better" depends a lot on the DM, and especially on whether the DM enforces spellbook page limits or not, and how many opportunities the DM provides for a Wizard to learn spells from sources other than leveling up. Among basement -dwelling virgins with nothing better to do with their time than edit 1d4chan pages, Wizards are generally believed to be superior.		In general, whether the sorcerer or wizard is "better" depends a lot on the DM, and especially on whether the DM enforces spellbook page limits or not, and how many opportunities the DM provides for a Wizard to learn spells from sources other than leveling up. Among basement-dwelling virgins with nothing better to do with their time than edit 1d4chan pages, Wizards are generally believed to be superior.

			===Zakharan Sorcerers===
			You read that bit at the top about sorcerers being a class added by [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition]]? That's... not entirely the whole story. Oh, the sorcerer as we know it today was basically a 3e invention, but it wasn't without precedent. The name "Sorcerer" first appeared as a variant [[Wizard]] in the [[Al-Qadim]] subsetting of the [[Forgotten Realms]] in [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]. Described in the Al-Qadim corebook, "Arabian Adventures", the Zakharan Sorcerer is a specialist wizard that improves upon the standard [[Elementalist]]; in exchange for dropping their increased chance to learn "allowed" magic to a mere +20%, they can learn spells from ''two'' of the four elemental styles, at the cost of being unable to learn any other spell that isn't Universal or one of their two chosen elemental schools.


	==d20 Modern==		==d20 Modern==
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	WoTC also finally gave the Sorcerer more things to do with their store of Sorcery Points, which they haven't done since the game was launched. In addition to new Metamagic that allows you to take another shot at a missed spell attack and swapping out elemental types, they also got new options for Font of Magic. In theory, this helps justify getting Sorcery Points before actually getting Metamagic, and enables the Sorcerer to skill monkey, tank, and wade into melee combat. In practice, the pitiful dribble of points at that level still leave it underwhelming at the level you get it, and no class features were added to ease the incredible pinch of getting few points and no way to replenish them before level 20. And while the new metamagic was nice, [[troll\| they went ahead and gave wizards literally the only good spell sorcerers got but they didn't]].		WoTC also finally gave the Sorcerer more things to do with their store of Sorcery Points, which they haven't done since the game was launched. In addition to new Metamagic that allows you to take another shot at a missed spell attack and swapping out elemental types, they also got new options for Font of Magic. In theory, this helps justify getting Sorcery Points before actually getting Metamagic, and enables the Sorcerer to skill monkey, tank, and wade into melee combat. In practice, the pitiful dribble of points at that level still leave it underwhelming at the level you get it, and no class features were added to ease the incredible pinch of getting few points and no way to replenish them before level 20. And while the new metamagic was nice, [[troll\| they went ahead and gave wizards literally the only good spell sorcerers got but they didn't]].

	~~==Zakharan Sorcerers==~~
	You read that bit at the top about sorcerers being a class added by [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition]]? That's... not entirely the whole story. Oh, the sorcerer as we know it today was basically a 3e invention, but it wasn't without precedent. The name "Sorcerer" first appeared as a variant [[Wizard]] in the [[Al-Qadim]] subsetting of the [[Forgotten Realms]] in [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]. Described in the Al-Qadim corebook, "Arabian Adventures", the Zakharan Sorcerer is a specialist wizard that improves upon the standard [[Elementalist]]; in exchange for dropping their increased chance to learn "allowed" magic to a mere +20%, they can learn spells from ''two'' of the four elemental styles, at the cost of being unable to learn any other spell that isn't Universal or one of their two chosen elemental schools.

	==Sorcadin==		==Sorcadin==
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	In 5E Sorcerers, like everyone else who meets arbitrary ability score requirements in 5E, can multiclass. ''Unlike'' everyone else in 5E however Sorcerers actually have a point to it when they multiclass with Paladin, creating one of the few character options in 5E that isn't exactly what the developers intended you use nor utterly pointless. A Paladin fuels smite with spell slots, and a Sorcerer has a lot of spell slots. Paladin slashes things, while a sorcerer gains ability to light that sword on fire and add extra damage because it's now a fire attack. This results in a character that can nova things ''really'' well, but is even more susceptible to blowing all their resources at once... Or until ''Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica''. There a new magic item, Illusionist's Bracers, allows casting Green-Flame Blade twice in a turn. Now, even after exhausting yourself you still make ''two'' attacks that each add twice your charisma to your melee damage so you'll likely be outdamaging all but the best melee types unless your DM realizes how fantastically broken this is and only makes you fight single foes or foes who avoid going near each other.		In 5E Sorcerers, like everyone else who meets arbitrary ability score requirements in 5E, can multiclass. ''Unlike'' everyone else in 5E however Sorcerers actually have a point to it when they multiclass with Paladin, creating one of the few character options in 5E that isn't exactly what the developers intended you use nor utterly pointless. A Paladin fuels smite with spell slots, and a Sorcerer has a lot of spell slots. Paladin slashes things, while a sorcerer gains ability to light that sword on fire and add extra damage because it's now a fire attack. This results in a character that can nova things ''really'' well, but is even more susceptible to blowing all their resources at once... Or until ''Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica''. There a new magic item, Illusionist's Bracers, allows casting Green-Flame Blade twice in a turn. Now, even after exhausting yourself you still make ''two'' attacks that each add twice your charisma to your melee damage so you'll likely be outdamaging all but the best melee types unless your DM realizes how fantastically broken this is and only makes you fight single foes or foes who avoid going near each other.

			==13th Age==
			On the outset, [[13th Age]] takes quite a few cues from the Sorcerers of D&Ds past, being a spellcaster that has less spell slots as the Wizard, with some ability to natively rob some Wizard spells, though always at a lower level than the spells they replaced. However, this is pretty much the extent of the similarities since the Sorcerer has a completely unique spell list - including special Breath spells they can potentially use multiple times in a fight if you roll to recharge them and Chain spells you can target multiple enemies with if you roll an even attack. More significant is their ability to spend a turn to charge up a spell, not only guaranteeing double damage on the next spell you cast but also gaining a random perk.

			Out of all the classes, the class' Talents bring out the most significant aspect of the class, not only tying the Sorcerer to the various Icons of the setting via bloodlines, but also providing an impetus for another talent to boost your relationship rolls for the talent-tied Icons. Aside from those, there's the Spell Fist talent, which makes the Sorcerer a true close-quarters wizard, not only providing a much better AC but also stops spells from provoking opportunity attacks and, most significantly, turning their casting stat to Con.

	==Gallery==		==Gallery==

1d4chan>ThatOneBruvva: /* Pathfinder 2e */

2022-12-16T03:47:16Z

Pathfinder 2e

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	*Arcane		*Arcane
	**''Draconic'' provides you the closest to a frontline combatant, granting directly offensive and defensive spells. This bloodline spell also grants a means to one type of elemental damage based on which dragon is chosen.		**''Draconic'' provides you the closest to a frontline combatant, granting directly offensive and defensive spells. This bloodline spell also grants a means to one type of elemental damage based on which dragon is chosen.
	***''Wyrmblessed'' (introduced in the ''Mwangi Expanse'') is a variation that's Divine instead.		***''Wyrmblessed'' (introduced in the ''Mwangi Expanse'') is a variation that's Divine instead of Arcane, with your bloodline being based on [[Metallic Dragon]]s rather than [[Chromatic Dragon]]s.
	**''Genie'' (introduced in the ''Advanced Player's Guide'') is focused on debuffs and illusions. This bloodline further differentiates itself by the different sorts of genies, as each type grants certain spells at specific levels.		**''Genie'' (introduced in the ''Advanced Player's Guide'') is focused on debuffs and illusions. This bloodline further differentiates itself by the different sorts of genies, as each type grants certain spells at specific levels.
	**''Imperial'' is the most generalist of the arcane bloodlines, with bloodline spells made to improve yourself.		**''Imperial'' is the most generalist of the arcane bloodlines, with bloodline spells made to improve yourself.

1d4chan>ThatOneBruvva: /* Pathfinder */

2022-12-16T03:44:25Z

Pathfinder

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	**'''Groveborn''': Your ancestry's more prevalent in how everything looks all wooden.		**'''Groveborn''': Your ancestry's more prevalent in how everything looks all wooden.

	Still, sorcerers are really an interesting, entertaining choice and can be tailored and customized to be whatever the fuck you may desire, with great opportunities for roleplaying. Even the lack of spells is less severe - you get one free spell among your bloodline ones every odd level beyond the first, and a good chunk of races has a favored class bonus that nets you 1 bonus spell each level, even if it has to be one level lower than your highest spell's level. If you don't mind being a special snowflake, check out the "build your own spells" Words of Power system from "Ultimate Magic." The sky's falling in on our heads, 'cause someone in a 3.X game actually put in an alternate casting system that favors sorcerers over their [[wizard\|spoiled rotten cousins]]. Think on how some of the elemental bloodlines boost power for ''any'' spell with the right elemental subtype. Think how easy it is to slip a level zero ''cold snap'' or ''spark'' keyword into a larger spell. Engage trollface, because you just made the best "blaster" mage in 3.X history.		Still, sorcerers are really an interesting, entertaining choice and can be tailored and customized to be whatever the fuck you may desire, with great opportunities for roleplaying. Even the lack of spells is less severe - you get one free spell among your bloodline ones every odd level beyond the first, and a good chunk of races has a favored class bonus that nets you 1 bonus spell each level, even if it has to be one level lower than your highest spell's level. Even better is the inclusion of Bloodline Mutations from the "Magic Tactics Toolbox", which let you trade off less desirable bloodline abilities or unwanted bloodline feats for a few perks that are far more applicable.

			If you don't mind being a special snowflake, check out the "build your own spells" Words of Power system from "Ultimate Magic." The sky's falling in on our heads, 'cause someone in a 3.X game actually put in an alternate casting system that favors sorcerers over their [[wizard\|spoiled rotten cousins]]. Think on how some of the elemental bloodlines boost power for ''any'' spell with the right elemental subtype. Think how easy it is to slip a level zero ''cold snap'' or ''spark'' keyword into a larger spell. Engage trollface, because you just made the best "blaster" mage in 3.X history.

	Also in Pathfinder, sorcerers make arguably better mystic theurges than wizards because they can choose to multiclass in [[Oracle]]. The oracle is a divine equivalent of the sorcerer that uses charisma as his casting stat, thus avoiding being [[MAD]], or can take the empyreal bloodline and swap their casting stat with Wisdom, making it a perfect multiclass option for druids or clerics that want to go theurge. Obviously, this advantage becomes moot when you notice that Pathfinder theurges suck pretty bad, and one of their (few) features only works for prepared spellcasters. Oops!		Also in Pathfinder, sorcerers make arguably better mystic theurges than wizards because they can choose to multiclass in [[Oracle]]. The oracle is a divine equivalent of the sorcerer that uses charisma as his casting stat, thus avoiding being [[MAD]], or can take the empyreal bloodline and swap their casting stat with Wisdom, making it a perfect multiclass option for druids or clerics that want to go theurge. Obviously, this advantage becomes moot when you notice that Pathfinder theurges suck pretty bad, and one of their (few) features only works for prepared spellcasters. Oops!

2.30.150.3: /* Pathfinder 2e */

2022-12-08T21:18:12Z

Pathfinder 2e

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	*Arcane		*Arcane
	**''Draconic'' provides you the closest to a frontline combatant, granting directly offensive and defensive spells. This bloodline spell also grants a means to one type of elemental damage based on which dragon is chosen.		**''Draconic'' provides you the closest to a frontline combatant, granting directly offensive and defensive spells. This bloodline spell also grants a means to one type of elemental damage based on which dragon is chosen.
	***''Wyrmblessed'' (introduced in the ''Mwangi Expanse'') is ~~your obligatory [[Metallic Dragon\|metallic]]-based variant rather than the traditional [[Chromatic Dragon\|chromatic]] bloodlines~~.		***''Wyrmblessed'' (introduced in the ''Mwangi Expanse'') is a variation that's Divine instead.
	**''Genie'' (introduced in the ''Advanced Player's Guide'') is focused on debuffs and illusions. This bloodline further differentiates itself by the different sorts of genies, as each type grants certain spells at specific levels.		**''Genie'' (introduced in the ''Advanced Player's Guide'') is focused on debuffs and illusions. This bloodline further differentiates itself by the different sorts of genies, as each type grants certain spells at specific levels.
	**''Imperial'' is the most generalist of the arcane bloodlines, with bloodline spells made to improve yourself.		**''Imperial'' is the most generalist of the arcane bloodlines, with bloodline spells made to improve yourself.

1d4chan>ThatOneBruvva at 19:04, 6 August 2022

2022-08-06T19:04:58Z

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	{{Disambiguation\|~~The~~ D&D spellcasting class\|evil psychic space marines\|[[Sorcerer (Warhammer 40,000)]]}}		{{Disambiguation\|the D&D spellcasting class\|evil psychic space marines\|Sorcerer (Warhammer 40,000)}}

	[[File:Dragon_Disciple.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Dragon Disciple. A sub-class of sorcerers that avoid being squishy.]]		[[File:Dragon_Disciple.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Dragon Disciple. A sub-class of sorcerers that avoid being squishy.]]

1d4chan>ThatOneBruvva at 18:54, 6 August 2022

2022-08-06T18:54:59Z

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			{{Disambiguation\|The D&D spellcasting class\|evil psychic space marines\|[[Sorcerer (Warhammer 40,000)]]}}

	[[File:Dragon_Disciple.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Dragon Disciple. A sub-class of sorcerers that avoid being squishy.]]		[[File:Dragon_Disciple.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Dragon Disciple. A sub-class of sorcerers that avoid being squishy.]]
	'''Sorcerers''' are a core playable spellcaster class in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] since [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition\|Third Edition]]. Unlike [[Wizard]]s, a Sorcerer's power comes not from years of study, but as a result of supernatural power infusing their blood. In old editions of D&D, this is usually because one of your ancestors fucked a Dragon (which is weird because in 5e half-dragons, the immediate result of a dragon-human pairing, are explicitly stated to be infertile), while [[Pathfinder]] gives much more varied (and sometimes squickier) origins, and D&D 5e gives multiple origins, all generally non-squicky.		'''Sorcerers''' are a core playable spellcaster class in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] since [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition\|Third Edition]]. Unlike [[Wizard]]s, a Sorcerer's power comes not from years of study, but as a result of supernatural power infusing their blood. In old editions of D&D, this is usually because one of your ancestors fucked a Dragon (which is weird because in 5e half-dragons, the immediate result of a dragon-human pairing, are explicitly stated to be infertile), while [[Pathfinder]] gives much more varied (and sometimes squickier) origins, and D&D 5e gives multiple origins, all generally non-squicky.

1d4chan>EFAP guest at 00:00, 17 July 2022

2022-07-17T00:00:44Z

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	[[File:Dragon_Disciple.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Dragon Disciple. A sub-class of sorcerers that avoid being squishy.]]		[[File:Dragon_Disciple.jpg\|400px\|thumb\|right\|Dragon Disciple. A sub-class of sorcerers that avoid being squishy.]]
	'''Sorcerers''' are a core playable spellcaster class in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] since [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition\|Third Edition]]. Unlike [[Wizard]]s, a Sorcerer's power comes not from years of study, but as a result of supernatural power infusing their blood. In old editions of D&D, this is usually because one of your ancestors fucked a Dragon (which is weird because in 5e half-dragons, the immediate result of a dragon-human pairing, are explicitly stated to be infertile), while [[Pathfinder]] gives much more varied(and sometimes squickier) origins, and D&D 5e gives multiple origins, all generally non-squicky.		'''Sorcerers''' are a core playable spellcaster class in [[Dungeons & Dragons]] since [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition\|Third Edition]]. Unlike [[Wizard]]s, a Sorcerer's power comes not from years of study, but as a result of supernatural power infusing their blood. In old editions of D&D, this is usually because one of your ancestors fucked a Dragon (which is weird because in 5e half-dragons, the immediate result of a dragon-human pairing, are explicitly stated to be infertile), while [[Pathfinder]] gives much more varied (and sometimes squickier) origins, and D&D 5e gives multiple origins, all generally non-squicky.

	Prior to Fourth, they are really just simpler versions of their [[Wizard]] brothers, able to cast spells on the fly without morning preparation or a spellbook. The drawback is that they can only know a few distinct spells per spell level. In essence, they are "easier to play" wizards for people who have short attention spans and/or don't want to muck around with strategy. This exemption was WotC's first attempt at breaking away from the [[Vancian Casting]] paradigm that had been the foundation of all magic in [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]].		Prior to Fourth, they are really just simpler versions of their [[Wizard]] brothers, able to cast spells on the fly without morning preparation or a spellbook. The drawback is that they can only know a few distinct spells per spell level. In essence, they are "easier to play" wizards for people who have short attention spans and/or don't want to muck around with strategy. This exemption was WotC's first attempt at breaking away from the [[Vancian Casting]] paradigm that had been the foundation of all magic in [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]].