I can see the difference between the wizard and sorcerer in some aspects but often they seem like two sides of the same coin. I know sorcerors use charisma as their spellcasting modifier, and wizards use intelligence, and they both have different class features but they seem to be pretty similar to me. What's the difference between the two? Which one is better?
The two are both arcane casters, so they do share a good deal of similarities, such as their spell lists.
The differences between the classes are two-fold, and they're related to each other.
First, the classes have different narratives. The Wizard embodies the archetype of the academic, the one who can cast magic because of their studies and understanding. The Sorcerer, on the other hand, embodies the archetype of the innate magic user, the one who uses magic because it is a part of them.
Second, the classes have mechanics that are designed to support the class narrative. Wizards, the academics, have their spellbooks, which give them a superior form of ritual casting to other casters (i.e. they don't have to prepare the spell to ritually cast it) also giving them unparalleled flexibility and diversity among the arcane casters. Sorcerers, on the other hand, as the innate magic users, gain metamagic, which allows them to manipulate their magic in ways that other casters simply cannot do. Since their magic is a part of them, they have more influence over it.
Sorcerers with Metamagic are able to cast a spell better than any other caster, twin, quicken, etc. Which makes them powerful in how they can subvert the spell casting system.
Wizards play by the rules, and are great at it. They have an amazing array of spell options and tons of unique utility available to them. They can have a lot of spells available at any time and so have flexibility in that sense, and have enough opportunity to actually take the niche spells most other spellcasters don't bother with.
Wizard and Sorcerer are very different in terms of how they learn an use their magic. Sorcerers learn a smaller number of spells, but their Metamagic lets them enhance how those spells function. The big Wizard feature is their ability to add more spells to their repertoire by finding them in books and on scrolls, plus they learn more spells each level-up than anyone else. And they can ritual-cast straight out of their book, they don't have to have the spell prepared that day(a Cleric for example can ritual-cast, but they have to have the spell prepared). The downside of the spellbook is if you lose it or it's destroyed and you don't have a spare copy, you have to start over with just the spells you prepared.
I can see the difference between the wizard and sorcerer in some aspects but often they seem like two sides of the same coin. I know sorcerors use charisma as their spellcasting modifier, and wizards use intelligence, and they both have different class features but they seem to be pretty similar to me. What's the difference between the two? Which one is better?
The two are both arcane casters, so they do share a good deal of similarities, such as their spell lists.
The differences between the classes are two-fold, and they're related to each other.
First, the classes have different narratives. The Wizard embodies the archetype of the academic, the one who can cast magic because of their studies and understanding. The Sorcerer, on the other hand, embodies the archetype of the innate magic user, the one who uses magic because it is a part of them.
Second, the classes have mechanics that are designed to support the class narrative. Wizards, the academics, have their spellbooks, which give them a superior form of ritual casting to other casters (i.e. they don't have to prepare the spell to ritually cast it) also giving them unparalleled flexibility and diversity among the arcane casters. Sorcerers, on the other hand, as the innate magic users, gain metamagic, which allows them to manipulate their magic in ways that other casters simply cannot do. Since their magic is a part of them, they have more influence over it.
I hope that helps!
Which one is better? Neither or both or either, depending on what you are trying to do and what your perception is.
In general:
Sorcerers are more tactically flexible. More choices to do things with the spells they have.
Wizards are more strategically flexible. More choices of which spells they bring to any situation.
Sorcerers with Metamagic are able to cast a spell better than any other caster, twin, quicken, etc. Which makes them powerful in how they can subvert the spell casting system.
Wizards play by the rules, and are great at it. They have an amazing array of spell options and tons of unique utility available to them. They can have a lot of spells available at any time and so have flexibility in that sense, and have enough opportunity to actually take the niche spells most other spellcasters don't bother with.
Similar but different mechanics. It's largely metamagic vs broader variety.
Which is better is subjective opinion when either is better on different situations. I'm happy to give up rituals and variety for metamagic.
Differences between casters:
Wizards = Generalist, but bad at certain things that require specialiazation they do not have
Sorcerors = Slightly Specialists. Not as flexible as Wizards, but can do more with what they got.
Warlocks =PURE specialist. Few options, but what they do, is all they do.
Clerics= Specialist Religion (demons, undead, and healing)
Druids= Specialist in Nature
Artificers = Specialist in making things
Bards = something to do with rhythm I think? ....
Wizard and Sorcerer are very different in terms of how they learn an use their magic. Sorcerers learn a smaller number of spells, but their Metamagic lets them enhance how those spells function. The big Wizard feature is their ability to add more spells to their repertoire by finding them in books and on scrolls, plus they learn more spells each level-up than anyone else. And they can ritual-cast straight out of their book, they don't have to have the spell prepared that day(a Cleric for example can ritual-cast, but they have to have the spell prepared). The downside of the spellbook is if you lose it or it's destroyed and you don't have a spare copy, you have to start over with just the spells you prepared.
Wizard: arcane nerd
Sorcerer: arcane jock
Warlock: arcane sugar baby
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.