My playtest group has done 2 weeks of testing the new subclasses, I played the sorcerer. We tried the sorcerer in a part of only oneDnD classes and with the old 5e classes.

Overall the changes they’ve made are a VAST step in the write direction, with a few tweaks this could be a subclass that’s on par with the other classes.

We play tested the subclass as written and with all the suggested changes. The changes were only play tested though with other oneDnD classes.

As written, the spells as features that are “always prepared” they never say that these do NOT count as spells know for sorcerers. This MUST be clarified by WotC. It is also easy to infer from the first level ability to get chaos bolt at first level for free but still allowing 2 spells to be selected that this is no the way they intended it. We did test it both ways and it makes a MASSIVE difference, without the feat spells being in addition to the spells known in the column it’s actually a nerf at level 7 and 9 and I would always homebrew it this way.

The flexibility of picking your own spells instead having subclass specific extended spell lists is very nice but I would advocate that’s its something that could be sacrificed the freedom and having set extended spell lists in favor of increasing the usability of other features. One issues what till come up is the attempt and backwards compatibility with the aberrant mind and clockwork soul. This is a big reason im an advocate for the subclass specific extended spell lists instead of just blanket more spells.

At first level you get sorcerous burst, I hate this name, and chaos bolt. Sorcerous burst is a nice concept BUT it failed on its face as a usable spell. I would end up taking 2 other elemental specific damage cantrip and probably never use it as it’s written. The exploding dice is a cool feature when it works which is rare. The ability to select damage on demand is nice but it doesn’t make up for the low damage. This spell could be fixed easily in 1 of 2 ways, first up the damage to a d8 and be done. The other way is to expand the exploding dice, at level 5, a 5 or 6 is rerolled and added, and maybe again at level 11, a 4, 5 and 6 are rerolled. If this was done though they would probably want to kill the exploding feature and have it so each dice could only be rerolled once which I would be VERY ok with.

Chaos bolt is just terrible, it always has been. They should drop it and replace it with chromatic orb, remove the component cost and make it a sorcerer only spell.

The new meta magic changes I really like. The both raise the bottom but lower the top. This makes them more consistent and removed the “must have” options. Freedom of choice is no longer and illusion.

Sorcerous Vitality, against terrible name. This should be a hard class feature that allows you to use it once per long rest for free or you can use a spell slot to cast it and unpost it with a spell slot. The only other fix would be to increase the healing to 3d6 plus cha. As it sits it’s just not worth the 3rd level spell slot unless it’s the only thing that’s keeping you from death.

Arcane eruption, not a terrible name but also not great: This isnt too bad actually. If it didn’t have the rider it would be bad. As it sits I find it usable, I’ll still use lightning bolt or fireball as my mainstay midlevel damage spells if I can, but the ability to possibly incapacitate someone on a 1 of a d6 in 1 of 6 damage dice… that’s huge.

Sorcery incarnate: also not bad, give us back a 6d sorcery points instead of a d4 and its mint, but even as is, still very usable.

Sorcerous restoration: good as is.

Arcane apotheosis: I love this too much!! IF you play a game that allows you to take this then you’ll quickly find out it’s way too much. It should give you the wish spell, that’s fine but it should still give the possibility of imposing the stress. What we think would be good is roll a d10, 1-5 you fail and can’t cast wish at all again for days equal to what you rolled and the stress lasts that many days too. If you roll a 6-12 you succeed.

Now for Draconic Sorcery

Draconic Resistance: LEAVE THIS AS IS!!!

Dragon speech: this is WORSE than before. Just keep this and give us back draconic.

Elemental affinity: considering sorcerous burst and arcane eruption this is good.

Draconic Exhalation: I get the theme but this is a big swing a miss. This should just be elemental damage of your selected type in a 60 foot line or 30 foot cone with the save type selectable between str, dex or con. OR ideally add a table with the specific patterns, ranges and save type that most thematic for all the damage types.

Dragon Wings: another miss, just make it the way it was!! At level 14 having wings all the time isn’t a HUGE boost so them just being free and usable whenever isn’t a big ask.

There is a lot to unpack there in suggestions and changes that need to be made, but like I said I think this is all a BIG step in the right direction compared to where the sorcerer came from. Even if it was published as is, I would gladly play it in a longterm campaign and I wouldn’t feel hampered, but it can also be a lot better

The impressions that were had playing with the other playtest classes: The sorcerer is actually slightly to somewhat weaker than the other classes out there up to level 14, is about equal from 14-18 and is broken above 18. It’s a progressive climb from level 1 to 14, the close to 14 the narrower the gap is and its widest at level 1. That arcane apotheosis as written is just too much! All the suggested fixes wouldn’t have to be put in place, even if they just increase the damage output of sorcerous burst and swap chaos bolt for chromatic orb without the material component would honestly bring things on par with the other classes across the board. I feel like the sorcerer is ALMOST there!!