Say I have a character with 17 levels of sorcerer and 1 level in bard - would I be able to take a level 9 spell that is on the bard spell list and not on the sorcerer spell list?
No. When it comes to the number of spells you can cast, you refer to the multiclass spellcaster table, which outline the number of spell slots you have based on the combination of your spellcasting classes.
But regarding the spells you actually know and can prepare, “You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class.”
So you choose Sorcerer spells as though you were a level 17 Sorcerer. You choose Bard spells as though you were a level 1 Bard. You then determine spell slots by referring to the multiclass table.
But regarding the spells you actually know and can prepare, “You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class.”
So you choose Sorcerer spells as though you were a level 17 Sorcerer. You choose Bard spells as though you were a level 1 Bard. You then determine spell slots by referring to the multiclass table.
This.
The alternative is a level 18 wizard/1 cleric/1 druid that has access to virtually every spell in the game.
The main advantage of multi-classing is knowing/prepared more low level spells. Does not change how many slots you get, but gives you a lot more versatility. The difference between an 18th level Sorcer and a 17 sorc/Bard 1 is that the pure sorce knows 15 spells, while the combo knows 19 spells. 4 of which must be bard 1st level.
That frees up your sorc slots, you no longer need to memorize ANY 1st level sorceor spells.
You could for example, memorize:
Bard: Faerie Fire, Healing Word, Dissonant Whispers, and Feather Fall.
That frees up FOUR sorcerer spells to be of any level, 2-9. You give up your highest level Sorc feature, but you do get the 1st level bard feature.
Say I have a character with 17 levels of sorcerer and 1 level in bard - would I be able to take a level 9 spell that is on the bard spell list and not on the sorcerer spell list?
No. When it comes to the number of spells you can cast, you refer to the multiclass spellcaster table, which outline the number of spell slots you have based on the combination of your spellcasting classes.
But regarding the spells you actually know and can prepare, “You determine what spells you know and can prepare for each class individually, as if you were a single-classed member of that class.”
So you choose Sorcerer spells as though you were a level 17 Sorcerer. You choose Bard spells as though you were a level 1 Bard. You then determine spell slots by referring to the multiclass table.
This.
The alternative is a level 18 wizard/1 cleric/1 druid that has access to virtually every spell in the game.
Just to add, for completeness:
You CAN, however, cast that level 1 bard spell at level 9.
The main advantage of multi-classing is knowing/prepared more low level spells. Does not change how many slots you get, but gives you a lot more versatility. The difference between an 18th level Sorcer and a 17 sorc/Bard 1 is that the pure sorce knows 15 spells, while the combo knows 19 spells. 4 of which must be bard 1st level.
That frees up your sorc slots, you no longer need to memorize ANY 1st level sorceor spells.
You could for example, memorize:
Bard: Faerie Fire, Healing Word, Dissonant Whispers, and Feather Fall.
That frees up FOUR sorcerer spells to be of any level, 2-9. You give up your highest level Sorc feature, but you do get the 1st level bard feature.
*Not to mention 2 more cantrips (and those scale to total level, so the bard cantrips cast at level 17).