It affects everything after awhile. Vanilla options become outdated as designers become emboldened and effectively replace them with choices that are, quite simply, better. I've watched a lot of Tasha's discussions as of late, and whenever a new subclass is mentioned, all I can think about is that older subclasses are becoming liabilities. For instance, a Fathomless warlock or a Psionic Mind sorcerer. Sorcerers especially seem to be suffering from powercreep, as the new subclasses all have bonus spells whereas none of the pre-Tasha's subclasses do. I get that WotC is reticent to go back and change things (for whatever reason) but if they don't want all content from November 17th onward to dominate, they need to do a bit of maintenance.
Unfortunately Sorcerers started 5e as bad. The newer and better subclasses aren't even enough to bring them in line with other classes but they do get them closer.
Unfortunately Sorcerers started 5e as bad. The newer and better subclasses aren't even enough to bring them in line with other classes but they do get them closer.
The options that all sorcerers get with the metamagics, honestly make them pretty powerful as a base class and now with the Tashas options letting them switch out spells, their main limiting factor is gone. I'm honestly more interested in playing a Sorcerer now than ever before.
IMO, the single, simplest way to address the bulk of the shortcomings of the Sorcerer class is to have Sorcerers use Spell Points instead of Slots. Does wonders to really make them feel more like they really are the masters of their own inherent magical potential.
The Variant Class Options provided in TCoE do help quite a bit. Add that to the newer subclasses and you have a much better Sorcerer. It is one of the few times that power creep is a good thing.
I think there's a real liability to the mindset that stuff in the PHB can never be changed. I understand why they are taking that stand, but I don't agree that it's the right choice. The Ranger and Sorcerer could have both been fixed with errata years ago. Tasha's will help at the class level, but some subclasses are just going to die out.
At least you can retcon those old things yourself. Homebrew a feature or two to fix what WotC won't. Try it out and if it seems unbalanced, tweak it some more.
The sorcerer has, by far, the lowest Spells Known/Ready count of any full caster, and indeed has a lower Spells Known/Ready count than most half-casters. Given the sharp limitations of the 'Sorcerer' spell list, it only makes sense that Origin Spells be brought in to expand the casting ability of the game's weakest full caster. Every sorcerer subclass should be refitted with an Origin Spells list, and every sorcerer should be able to cast those spells at reduced cost with sorcery points at need, the way the original Aberrant Mind could. That should simply be a base part of how the sorcerer class works.
In broader strokes I concur that sorcerers should not use 'Spell Slots' at all. They should have a single pool of what is effectively MP that they can use to cast whatever they like, modifying their spells in exchange for pumping more MP into the spell. The sorcerer that specializes in casting heavily modified lower-level spells should be every bit as valid as the sorcerer that fishes for its two casts a day of ninth-level magic and nothing else beyond cantrips. This would set sorcerers apart and make them their own class (alongside other necessary changes such as a d8 hit die and ACTUAL class features), rather than simply being the stunted not-quite-wizards they are now.
Powercreep is only an issue if you think the original PHB classes are balanced and should stay at that power level. IMO, we don't need every Sorcerer subclass to suck just because the original ones kind of suck.
It affects everything after awhile. Vanilla options become outdated as designers become emboldened and effectively replace them with choices that are, quite simply, better. I've watched a lot of Tasha's discussions as of late, and whenever a new subclass is mentioned, all I can think about is that older subclasses are becoming liabilities. For instance, a Fathomless warlock or a Psionic Mind sorcerer. Sorcerers especially seem to be suffering from powercreep, as the new subclasses all have bonus spells whereas none of the pre-Tasha's subclasses do. I get that WotC is reticent to go back and change things (for whatever reason) but if they don't want all content from November 17th onward to dominate, they need to do a bit of maintenance.
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That new sorcerer subclasses getting getting extended prepared spells while the old subclasses miss out does rub me the wrong way a bit....
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
Unfortunately Sorcerers started 5e as bad. The newer and better subclasses aren't even enough to bring them in line with other classes but they do get them closer.
The options that all sorcerers get with the metamagics, honestly make them pretty powerful as a base class and now with the Tashas options letting them switch out spells, their main limiting factor is gone. I'm honestly more interested in playing a Sorcerer now than ever before.
IMO, the single, simplest way to address the bulk of the shortcomings of the Sorcerer class is to have Sorcerers use Spell Points instead of Slots. Does wonders to really make them feel more like they really are the masters of their own inherent magical potential.
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The Variant Class Options provided in TCoE do help quite a bit. Add that to the newer subclasses and you have a much better Sorcerer. It is one of the few times that power creep is a good thing.
I think there's a real liability to the mindset that stuff in the PHB can never be changed. I understand why they are taking that stand, but I don't agree that it's the right choice. The Ranger and Sorcerer could have both been fixed with errata years ago. Tasha's will help at the class level, but some subclasses are just going to die out.
At least you can retcon those old things yourself. Homebrew a feature or two to fix what WotC won't. Try it out and if it seems unbalanced, tweak it some more.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
The sorcerer has, by far, the lowest Spells Known/Ready count of any full caster, and indeed has a lower Spells Known/Ready count than most half-casters. Given the sharp limitations of the 'Sorcerer' spell list, it only makes sense that Origin Spells be brought in to expand the casting ability of the game's weakest full caster. Every sorcerer subclass should be refitted with an Origin Spells list, and every sorcerer should be able to cast those spells at reduced cost with sorcery points at need, the way the original Aberrant Mind could. That should simply be a base part of how the sorcerer class works.
In broader strokes I concur that sorcerers should not use 'Spell Slots' at all. They should have a single pool of what is effectively MP that they can use to cast whatever they like, modifying their spells in exchange for pumping more MP into the spell. The sorcerer that specializes in casting heavily modified lower-level spells should be every bit as valid as the sorcerer that fishes for its two casts a day of ninth-level magic and nothing else beyond cantrips. This would set sorcerers apart and make them their own class (alongside other necessary changes such as a d8 hit die and ACTUAL class features), rather than simply being the stunted not-quite-wizards they are now.
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Powercreep is only an issue if you think the original PHB classes are balanced and should stay at that power level. IMO, we don't need every Sorcerer subclass to suck just because the original ones kind of suck.
I think that sorcerers are powercreeping up to the "respectable class" line, which is honestly a good thing.
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My Improved Lineage System
I am absolutely fine with Sorcerers getting those spell lists (they need it), but they need to give it to all of the previous sorcerers.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms
I agree, and might talk to my table about giving each previous sorcerer subclass a set of prepared spells to match the new subclasses.
"Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Characters for Tenebris Sine Fine
RoughCoronet's Greater Wills
That's what I've already started doing for my homebrew subclasses and older subclasses.
Please check out my homebrew, I would appreciate feedback:
Spells, Monsters, Subclasses, Races, Arcknight Class, Occultist Class, World, Enigmatic Esoterica forms