I'm in the process of building an Aberrant Mind sorcerer for Rime of the Frostmaiden (no spoilers please!). We're using 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8 as our starting array with a free feat at Level 1. And we're using floating modifiers (+1, +2). My character will be a Goliath who was shunned by her tribe because she was starting to exhibit strange telekinetic abilities (aka Telekinetic Feat). She's been exiled (Outlander background) and is now trying to 'market' herself as a Fighter despite being not very strong. At Level 1, she'll have very high Charisma, decent Dexterity and Constitution, so so Wisdom, and low Strength and Intelligence. Given my character concept, I would take Fighter at Level 1 for decent armor, martial weapons, a shield, the Defense fight style, additional self-healing (Second Wind), and proficiency in Constitution saving throws. I'd then take Aberrant Mind sorcerer from Level 2 onwards. While adventuring the character would gradually accept her psionic abilities and stop trying to 'pretend' to be a fighter (though she'd still have the look of a fighter and she's be really good at Intimidation checks and carrying lots of stuff!). I like the idea of a fighter-looking Goliath (due to size, weapons, armor, shield) being able to mess with people's minds and move stuff without anyone knowing (because of Subtle spell and the Telekinetic feat). Foes will perhaps be scared of her but not realize that her true power comes from her mind not her weapons.
Here's my question: is it worth considering Ranger instead of Fighter? Pros would be 3 skills (instead of 2 skills), expertise in 1 skill (from Deft Explorer), and 3 languages (from Deft Explorer and Favored Enemy) ... so a lot more out-of-combat utility. Cons would be losing out on a 1st-level fighting style (+1 to AC ), loss of proficiency in Constitution saving throws, and loss of self-healing (but Goliaths can self-heal already). I would take the same armor (chain shirt), shield, and weapons (heavy crossbow, rapier reflavored as a saber) regardless of Fighter vs. Ranger.
TDLR: Would you recommend Fighter 1 / Sorcerer X or Ranger 1 / Sorcerer X for an Aberrant Mind Sorcerer?
First, your concept is really cool. Second, You are going to get a lot of different opionions here as to what is optimal. Sorcerers already have proficiency in CON saves so you won't be losing out. You said Goliaths self heal so there is no need for Second Wind.
Things to consider: Does your party already have a tank? How much do you want to be in melee? Taking a dip in fighter will help with the low number of hit points you get as a sorcerer but Rangers get a decent hit die as well. Do you envision only fighting if the enemy gets within melee range? Do you think you are going to spend most of your time slinging spells? If you dip 2 levels in Rangers you will get spells and some come from the Druid's list which is nice. Having some one that can follow tracks in the snow, knows how to survive in a snowstorm and can fight all the fun snow monsters is extremely helpful in Rime.
It's your character concept and backstory so take what seems right for you. If you are worried about your party's make up, consider what each dip will bring to offset some of the weaknesses.
Still in frontline - AC important Spells from afar (blast/CC) - AC not important Support - Cons save important.
Overall Dex saves can be more important than con saves, unless you NEED to maintain concentration.
Concept is cool. Having expertise in Investigation / perception could really play to the concept in that your mind is doing the detecting, not your eyes & ears. Possibly Insight as well, a 'mind' lie detector.
My vote goes for ranger (for theme/concept) however you do realise you need 13 WIS as well as DEX?
(BTW, 2nd lvl in Ranger still gives you the same amount of spell slots as a sorc level, a couple of ranger spells, but wait longer for higher level sorc stuff)
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I'm in the process of building an Aberrant Mind sorcerer for Rime of the Frostmaiden (no spoilers please!). We're using 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 8 as our starting array with a free feat at Level 1. And we're using floating modifiers (+1, +2). My character will be a Goliath who was shunned by her tribe because she was starting to exhibit strange telekinetic abilities (aka Telekinetic Feat). She's been exiled (Outlander background) and is now trying to 'market' herself as a Fighter despite being not very strong. At Level 1, she'll have very high Charisma, decent Dexterity and Constitution, so so Wisdom, and low Strength and Intelligence. Given my character concept, I would take Fighter at Level 1 for decent armor, martial weapons, a shield, the Defense fight style, additional self-healing (Second Wind), and proficiency in Constitution saving throws. I'd then take Aberrant Mind sorcerer from Level 2 onwards. While adventuring the character would gradually accept her psionic abilities and stop trying to 'pretend' to be a fighter (though she'd still have the look of a fighter and she's be really good at Intimidation checks and carrying lots of stuff!). I like the idea of a fighter-looking Goliath (due to size, weapons, armor, shield) being able to mess with people's minds and move stuff without anyone knowing (because of Subtle spell and the Telekinetic feat). Foes will perhaps be scared of her but not realize that her true power comes from her mind not her weapons.
Here's my question: is it worth considering Ranger instead of Fighter? Pros would be 3 skills (instead of 2 skills), expertise in 1 skill (from Deft Explorer), and 3 languages (from Deft Explorer and Favored Enemy) ... so a lot more out-of-combat utility. Cons would be losing out on a 1st-level fighting style (+1 to AC ), loss of proficiency in Constitution saving throws, and loss of self-healing (but Goliaths can self-heal already). I would take the same armor (chain shirt), shield, and weapons (heavy crossbow, rapier reflavored as a saber) regardless of Fighter vs. Ranger.
TDLR: Would you recommend Fighter 1 / Sorcerer X or Ranger 1 / Sorcerer X for an Aberrant Mind Sorcerer?
First, your concept is really cool. Second, You are going to get a lot of different opionions here as to what is optimal. Sorcerers already have proficiency in CON saves so you won't be losing out. You said Goliaths self heal so there is no need for Second Wind.
Things to consider: Does your party already have a tank? How much do you want to be in melee? Taking a dip in fighter will help with the low number of hit points you get as a sorcerer but Rangers get a decent hit die as well. Do you envision only fighting if the enemy gets within melee range? Do you think you are going to spend most of your time slinging spells? If you dip 2 levels in Rangers you will get spells and some come from the Druid's list which is nice. Having some one that can follow tracks in the snow, knows how to survive in a snowstorm and can fight all the fun snow monsters is extremely helpful in Rime.
It's your character concept and backstory so take what seems right for you. If you are worried about your party's make up, consider what each dip will bring to offset some of the weaknesses.
Main Q - How you going to play your sorc?
Still in frontline - AC important
Spells from afar (blast/CC) - AC not important
Support - Cons save important.
Overall Dex saves can be more important than con saves, unless you NEED to maintain concentration.
Concept is cool. Having expertise in Investigation / perception could really play to the concept in that your mind is doing the detecting, not your eyes & ears. Possibly Insight as well, a 'mind' lie detector.
My vote goes for ranger (for theme/concept) however you do realise you need 13 WIS as well as DEX?
(BTW, 2nd lvl in Ranger still gives you the same amount of spell slots as a sorc level, a couple of ranger spells, but wait longer for higher level sorc stuff)