It’s my first time playing a spellcaster, Sorcerer, and I’ve gotten the sense that a lot of experienced players map out every level up ahead of time, or at least pencil them in. Does everyone suggest this? And what program or format of spreadsheet does everyone use? Something in Microsoft Sheets? I’m new at this. Thanks in advance.
You can make a character sheet for each level here if you need to, simply export a sheet for each level that will give you a easy way to reference the character. But, honestly, I don't think you need to go to the trouble of mapping out the entire path myself. You're more likely going to adjust what you want to do as the campaign goes on and if you stick to a very rigid preset path you might miss out on something fun or simply find yourself hating the playstyle you've chosen.
For example, My current character (a 10th level Sorcerer) Started out with a focus on chromatic orb and the variety of damage types it would provide, as well as using charm magic to force NPCs to do what I needed them to do (the Friend cantrip) I quickly dropped both of those as I found the dice decided my ability to strike would be the worst and well, Friend is pretty bad, lol. I instead started focusing on making use of Magic missile for my main damage via slots and utility spells later on. As I leveled I returned to the varied damage type idea and now by big damage spell is Storm Sphere, mostly from the bludgeoning damage though my aim has not really improved much sadly. But I also attempted to dabble in wizardy at one point intending to multiclass (several levels were planned), instead I got the Magic Initiate Feat, which gave me the ability to detect magic a much needed boon in the campaign so that we can hunt our mcguffins. Even more stemmed out to derail plans and add to them as well but that's enough for an example.
SO if you want to map out your levels I'd suggest only going maybe 1 ahead at most because you never know when your plans are gonna change and now you gotta redo an entire spreadsheet all over again. And use the character builder here to make your life easier, if you have the character slots just keep the next level version ready to go it'll at the very least save you the time of choosing spells and rolling dice during a session. Maybe.
I'm not the most experienced player by any means, but I wouldn't have a rigid plan. I'd perhaps look ahead and pick put spells I really want, and decide what spells might complement them - you don't want to get to a point where you're up against an enemy that is resistant to fire and you only have fire spells in your repertoire. Still, I wouldn't have a rigid plan, just a spell or two that I want at certain points and then a few rules - like not a fire spell at a certain point because I want a really powerful version not long after.
I'm thinking of a wizard rather than a sorceror with that since I've played wizard but haven't started my sorceror yet, but it illustrates my point. You may want a rough framework, but not a rigid plan - you don't know how the story will go until you get there.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Ah thank you. These are great points and rather encouraging actually. I’m level 3 right now I keep getting nervous that I’m gonna miss something or be behind. I think I just needed to hear that I can figure it out as I go. Thanks!
Yeah I guess it’s that I just want to have a clear place to see what I got you know, and where I’m lacking. Cause precisely, I don’t want to end up with all fire blah blah blah. Building on here is good suggestion, I’ll try it!
It's not a bad idea to plan a little bit ahead when playing a sorcerer - your spell selection is limited and you can only swap one per level, and when picking your metamagics you'll want to keep in mind which spells you'll want to apply them to - but I wouldn't look ahead more than a couple of levels and I wouldn't lock anything in beforehand. Just try to have an idea of what your options will be, that's enough.
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Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I specifically try not to plan in too much detail, often the character, party or campaign will take a turn you don’t expect. (We’re going to spend the rest of the story fighting fire elementals, so time to drop all those fire spells).
The only time it can really matter is if you plan to multiclass. Doing that without a plan can make your character really a bit weaker.
The DnDBeyond character sheet has a Notes tab. I type in spells I'm interested in picking up at various levels. I've got these notes for my Badesinger Wizard:
Would like to get….
Cantrip: Blade Ward
2nd Level: Invisibility, Mind Spike, Spider Climb, Snilloc’s Snowball Swarm
3rd: Fireball; Thunder Step
5th: Steel Wind Strike
I have a bunch of other notes as well... Feat ideas, a list of where I got all my spells, a note about the fine I got for disturbing the peace, and a note to buy a whip.
Good luck!
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It’s my first time playing a spellcaster, Sorcerer, and I’ve gotten the sense that a lot of experienced players map out every level up ahead of time, or at least pencil them in. Does everyone suggest this? And what program or format of spreadsheet does everyone use? Something in Microsoft Sheets? I’m new at this. Thanks in advance.
You can make a character sheet for each level here if you need to, simply export a sheet for each level that will give you a easy way to reference the character. But, honestly, I don't think you need to go to the trouble of mapping out the entire path myself. You're more likely going to adjust what you want to do as the campaign goes on and if you stick to a very rigid preset path you might miss out on something fun or simply find yourself hating the playstyle you've chosen.
For example, My current character (a 10th level Sorcerer) Started out with a focus on chromatic orb and the variety of damage types it would provide, as well as using charm magic to force NPCs to do what I needed them to do (the Friend cantrip) I quickly dropped both of those as I found the dice decided my ability to strike would be the worst and well, Friend is pretty bad, lol. I instead started focusing on making use of Magic missile for my main damage via slots and utility spells later on. As I leveled I returned to the varied damage type idea and now by big damage spell is Storm Sphere, mostly from the bludgeoning damage though my aim has not really improved much sadly. But I also attempted to dabble in wizardy at one point intending to multiclass (several levels were planned), instead I got the Magic Initiate Feat, which gave me the ability to detect magic a much needed boon in the campaign so that we can hunt our mcguffins. Even more stemmed out to derail plans and add to them as well but that's enough for an example.
SO if you want to map out your levels I'd suggest only going maybe 1 ahead at most because you never know when your plans are gonna change and now you gotta redo an entire spreadsheet all over again. And use the character builder here to make your life easier, if you have the character slots just keep the next level version ready to go it'll at the very least save you the time of choosing spells and rolling dice during a session. Maybe.
I'm not the most experienced player by any means, but I wouldn't have a rigid plan. I'd perhaps look ahead and pick put spells I really want, and decide what spells might complement them - you don't want to get to a point where you're up against an enemy that is resistant to fire and you only have fire spells in your repertoire. Still, I wouldn't have a rigid plan, just a spell or two that I want at certain points and then a few rules - like not a fire spell at a certain point because I want a really powerful version not long after.
I'm thinking of a wizard rather than a sorceror with that since I've played wizard but haven't started my sorceror yet, but it illustrates my point. You may want a rough framework, but not a rigid plan - you don't know how the story will go until you get there.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Ah thank you. These are great points and rather encouraging actually. I’m level 3 right now I keep getting nervous that I’m gonna miss something or be behind. I think I just needed to hear that I can figure it out as I go. Thanks!
Thank you!
Yeah I guess it’s that I just want to have a clear place to see what I got you know, and where I’m lacking. Cause precisely, I don’t want to end up with all fire blah blah blah. Building on here is good suggestion, I’ll try it!
It's not a bad idea to plan a little bit ahead when playing a sorcerer - your spell selection is limited and you can only swap one per level, and when picking your metamagics you'll want to keep in mind which spells you'll want to apply them to - but I wouldn't look ahead more than a couple of levels and I wouldn't lock anything in beforehand. Just try to have an idea of what your options will be, that's enough.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I specifically try not to plan in too much detail, often the character, party or campaign will take a turn you don’t expect. (We’re going to spend the rest of the story fighting fire elementals, so time to drop all those fire spells).
The only time it can really matter is if you plan to multiclass. Doing that without a plan can make your character really a bit weaker.
The DnDBeyond character sheet has a Notes tab. I type in spells I'm interested in picking up at various levels. I've got these notes for my Badesinger Wizard:
Would like to get….
I have a bunch of other notes as well... Feat ideas, a list of where I got all my spells, a note about the fine I got for disturbing the peace, and a note to buy a whip.
Good luck!