Something amazing happened, my wife and her friend want to try D&D! Her friend chose a druid, great class that I know well. My wife however is set on playing a sorceress, no wiggleroom there it whatsoever.
I've DM'ed for about 2 years now, but never have any of my players played a sorcerer. Looking at the class it seems like a complex one for beginners. I'm turning to you experienced sorcerers for help! Are there any tips you can give me to help my wife cope with the complexity of the sorcerer class? Please let me know
It is not that complex. The point is that the sorcerer has quite a limited selection of spell. I generally say that there is no a "best spell list". Always select your spell that way it seems more appropriate for the roleplaying. But probably it is wise to select at least one defensive 1st level spell (false life, shield...). The Sorcery point allow you to switch between "more spell slots" or "more potent spell" (remember you have to use your bonus action to make this switch).
For the sorcerer origin, I've found the Wild mage to be very fun, but the Draconic Bloodline is simpler.
Great news that your wife and her friend want to play D&D.
If you allow her to start at level 1 and get a feel of her character, I'm sure she will be fine. You will both learn how Sorcery works in the game together
Level 1 her options are 4 cantrips, 2 spells known and a Sorcerous Origin. What is her characters background? What race is her character? What languages does she speak?
When she gets to level 2, she then receives her first (2) Sorcery Points so she can trade those in for an extra 1st level spell slot. At this level she is not going to swap out a spell slot for Sorcery Points. She also receives a Third spell known and can change out one other spell. (You could allow her to swap out all her spells if you want- that is fine in Adventurers League). .
Level 3- Metamagic and level 2 spells. She gains access to (2) Metamagic options and an extra sorcery point (total of 3). She can spend (2) for a 1st level spell slot or all (3) for a 2nd level spell slot. Her Sorcerer will know 4 spells, 2 of which may be 2nd level.
Use the adventuring for her to get familiar with playing a Sorceress.
You might find this link useful for cheat sheets on DMsGuild
I have not played a Sorcerer in 5e yet, but have seen a couple in play. A Wild Magic Sorcerer Human Outlander was one of them, the other a Half Elven Storm Sorcerer Noble was the other.
In a lot of ways I think the sorcerer is actually simpler than a wizard or cleric.
Pick a few spells. These are the spells you know. There's no business with preparing spells or scribbling things into a book.
You get a few sorcery points, which either fuel metamagic or make spell slots.
You get some metamagic to twist your spells to your fancy.
The biggest thing for a sorcerer, to me, is the limited nature of your choices. With only a handful of spells known and only two metamagics known until level 10, every choice is very important. For a newcomer to the game, I suggest letting her rebuild the character as much as she wants until level 5, where she should have a good grasp on how she wants to play the character.
Thank you all for your replies, very helpful. She will go with the wild magic sorcery using the mentioned cheatsheet. I'm going to run a level 1-4 intro campaign for the two of them, allowing them to change whatever character choice they want along the way.
We've created my wife's character together, she wanted to be a dryad so I got a race PDF from the Dmsguild. She wants to have a noble background. I'm not going to object. So there you go, a noble dryad sorceress is born. Can't wait!
Thanks again!
As a cool sidenote. Dryads are bound to trees. Going loosy goosy with that we will tie her characters life essence to her druid friends magical staff, as it is the last living piece remaining of her tree.
Something amazing happened, my wife and her friend want to try D&D! Her friend chose a druid, great class that I know well. My wife however is set on playing a sorceress, no wiggleroom there it whatsoever.
I've DM'ed for about 2 years now, but never have any of my players played a sorcerer. Looking at the class it seems like a complex one for beginners. I'm turning to you experienced sorcerers for help! Are there any tips you can give me to help my wife cope with the complexity of the sorcerer class? Please let me know
It is not that complex. The point is that the sorcerer has quite a limited selection of spell. I generally say that there is no a "best spell list". Always select your spell that way it seems more appropriate for the roleplaying. But probably it is wise to select at least one defensive 1st level spell (false life, shield...). The Sorcery point allow you to switch between "more spell slots" or "more potent spell" (remember you have to use your bonus action to make this switch).
For the sorcerer origin, I've found the Wild mage to be very fun, but the Draconic Bloodline is simpler.
Great news that your wife and her friend want to play D&D.
If you allow her to start at level 1 and get a feel of her character, I'm sure she will be fine. You will both learn how Sorcery works in the game together
Level 1 her options are 4 cantrips, 2 spells known and a Sorcerous Origin. What is her characters background? What race is her character? What languages does she speak?
When she gets to level 2, she then receives her first (2) Sorcery Points so she can trade those in for an extra 1st level spell slot. At this level she is not going to swap out a spell slot for Sorcery Points. She also receives a Third spell known and can change out one other spell. (You could allow her to swap out all her spells if you want- that is fine in Adventurers League). .
Level 3- Metamagic and level 2 spells. She gains access to (2) Metamagic options and an extra sorcery point (total of 3). She can spend (2) for a 1st level spell slot or all (3) for a 2nd level spell slot. Her Sorcerer will know 4 spells, 2 of which may be 2nd level.
Use the adventuring for her to get familiar with playing a Sorceress.
You might find this link useful for cheat sheets on DMsGuild
http://www.dmsguild.com/product/209143/Sorcerer-Ability-Sheet--Draconic-Bloodline
http://www.dmsguild.com/product/209144/Sorcerer-Ability-Sheet--Wild-Magic-Bloodline
http://www.dmsguild.com/product/209145/Sorcerer-Ability-Sheet--Storm-Bloodline
I have not played a Sorcerer in 5e yet, but have seen a couple in play. A Wild Magic Sorcerer Human Outlander was one of them, the other a Half Elven Storm Sorcerer Noble was the other.
In a lot of ways I think the sorcerer is actually simpler than a wizard or cleric.
Pick a few spells. These are the spells you know. There's no business with preparing spells or scribbling things into a book.
You get a few sorcery points, which either fuel metamagic or make spell slots.
You get some metamagic to twist your spells to your fancy.
The biggest thing for a sorcerer, to me, is the limited nature of your choices. With only a handful of spells known and only two metamagics known until level 10, every choice is very important. For a newcomer to the game, I suggest letting her rebuild the character as much as she wants until level 5, where she should have a good grasp on how she wants to play the character.
Thank you all for your replies, very helpful. She will go with the wild magic sorcery using the mentioned cheatsheet. I'm going to run a level 1-4 intro campaign for the two of them, allowing them to change whatever character choice they want along the way.
We've created my wife's character together, she wanted to be a dryad so I got a race PDF from the Dmsguild. She wants to have a noble background. I'm not going to object. So there you go, a noble dryad sorceress is born. Can't wait!
Thanks again!
As a cool sidenote. Dryads are bound to trees. Going loosy goosy with that we will tie her characters life essence to her druid friends magical staff, as it is the last living piece remaining of her tree.
Sounds like a good time. I hope you all have fun!
The Wild Magic Sorceress Noble Dryad sounds really cool. The idea of her friends druidic staff being the last remnant of her tree also sound awesome.
I also hope that you all have a great time.