Started up a CoS campaign with a couple friends recently.
I’m looking for some tips on building my character or at least getting a gauge on what to expect for my character.
We’re level 3 at moment party comp is crossbow fighter, storm cleric, monk(not sure which arch), and me draconic sorc (blue line). I am playing as a satyr from Theros so it’s been rather fun in the role playing bits because honestly I feel like a bard most of the time with the entertainer background telling tales of Greek mythos to whomever will give an ear. spell slots so far are chromatic orb, ice knife, color spray, and Aganazzars scorcher. cantrips being chill touch, shocking grasp, light and minor illusion. Thematically my character is just overall mirthful as a satyr would be in the dreary land of Barovia who loves to gather mythical tales and hopes to even craft his own heroic tale of sorts that would impress the gods of Theros. I feel rather ****** in combat though as a spell caster and I’m not sure if that’s normal, it might just be bad rolls from the few sessions we’ve played so far, or if it’s a late bloomer in damage potential. In the past I’ve only played melee and for most intents and purposes I’ve never felt this useless in combat with out having to expend all spell slots and that’s only good for a few rounds right now then I have to hope I get a long rest between each combat session on the road which I feel isn’t normally going to be the case.
If needed I’m not against just accepting the fact that I’m only going to do well in the rp scenarios if that’s the case I’ll probably multi class into bard though not sure how I’ll decide on that. .
It sounds like you have a solid and unique character concept. A satyr in Barovia is definitely new to me, and quite intriguing. As far as your concerns over feeling useful in combat, I tend to feel that it is around 5th level when sorcerers basically come into their own. You finally have enough spell slots to not feel you have to hoard every one and you get access to third level spells. Prior to that, it helps to have a good ranged cantrip that deals damage. Your Chill Touch should work pretty well for this, or you could add Fire Bolt (for a bit more damage) when you get your next level. The nice thing about cantrips in 5E is that the damage increases with your character level, so they continue to be useful without costing you spell slots. I'd say to hang in there and not worry too much over combat. I sense that there is a Lightning Bolt Spell in your future to compliment that Blue Dragon Bloodline. Of course, ultimately, you should do what will be the most fun for you with regards to possibly multi-classing.
Started up a CoS campaign with a couple friends recently.
I’m looking for some tips on building my character or at least getting a gauge on what to expect for my character.
We’re level 3 at moment party comp is crossbow fighter, storm cleric, monk(not sure which arch), and me draconic sorc (blue line). I am playing as a satyr from Theros so it’s been rather fun in the role playing bits because honestly I feel like a bard most of the time with the entertainer background telling tales of Greek mythos to whomever will give an ear. spell slots so far are chromatic orb, ice knife, color spray, and Aganazzars scorcher. cantrips being chill touch, shocking grasp, light and minor illusion. Thematically my character is just overall mirthful as a satyr would be in the dreary land of Barovia who loves to gather mythical tales and hopes to even craft his own heroic tale of sorts that would impress the gods of Theros. I feel rather ****** in combat though as a spell caster and I’m not sure if that’s normal, it might just be bad rolls from the few sessions we’ve played so far, or if it’s a late bloomer in damage potential. In the past I’ve only played melee and for most intents and purposes I’ve never felt this useless in combat with out having to expend all spell slots and that’s only good for a few rounds right now then I have to hope I get a long rest between each combat session on the road which I feel isn’t normally going to be the case.
If needed I’m not against just accepting the fact that I’m only going to do well in the rp scenarios if that’s the case I’ll probably multi class into bard though not sure how I’ll decide on that. .
Part of the problem might deal with your stats. If that's the case, getting your charisma to the next even number at level 4 will help your attacks to hit more. A 16 charisma will allow you the +3 and an 18 will allow you the +4 charisma modifier to be added to your proficiency bonus giving you either a +5 or a +6 to hit. Proficiency bonus will increase to +3 at 5th, pushing those to +6 and +7 respectively, right at the time that your cantrips will gain more power.
The other possible problem might be that you're attacking lots of high AC creatures and both Chill Touch and Shocking Grasp require attacks. For creatures with high dex bonuses and heavily armored creatures, a spell like Toll the Dead is a great alternate. While you shouldn't be asking what the creatures AC is while playing, you can ask about how heavily armored they are (as far as your character can see), whether they are using a shield, if they seem to be lithe (or one of it's synonyms that fits you and your DM better). These are all clues to how much AC the creature might have. Of course, if you roll a 15 or higher and still miss, that's also an indicator of high AC. Break out your save spell at that point.
As far as leveled spells go, you do have a save spell in Aganazzar's Scorcher, an attack spell in Chromatic Orb, and Ice Knife does both. Color Spray is your only utility/non attack spell and it only lasts 1 round. However, it might be beneficial to cast that more than your other spells at times if your party can deal more damage with the benefits granted by the blinded status afflicting your enemies than your direct damage. You may want to consider another buff or debuff spell that requires concentration that would allow you to get multiple rounds of use out of it instead of a once and done attacking spell. This will allow you to benefit the party while still contributing through your cantrip damage. Something like Hold Person would be a good example generally, though it may not be a good fit for your campaign.
Finally, consider what type of usage that you might get out of Minor Illusion in combat. Making creatures think that a wall extends past its actual length could give you a little tactical advantage, particularly against creatures that aren't highly intelligent. This could help redirect attacks from you or another party member, force creatures to travel further, allow you to bypass combat all together, or any number of things. While the spell does have limits and YMMV due to your DM, the spell has significant amounts of possibilities. For example, if a bridge has planks missing, you can make it look like 5 ft of those planks are actually there and maybe cause the enemy to fall. Not all of your combat contributions have to be direct damage!
Alright I appreciate the insights so far. I was on the fence when I hit 3 over getting dragons breath since it’s a concentration spell buff over Scorcher. I’ll keep that in mind with any other buff/debuff spells in the future. I know I skipped toll the dead because I thought it wouldn’t be useful but honestly as of yet I could’ve used it in most combat scenarios.
My DM made the same comment on use of minor illusion that you made that I’ve yet to really feel comfortable utilizing. But I’ll try and keep an eye out for more potential uses.
It’s been a huge pace change from only playing melee with barb or even conq Paladin to being a caster.
Dragon's Breath is an excellent spell for a sorcerer.
It lets you choose its damage type, which is excellent for someone who doesn't know many spells, and it lets you keep dealing damage with area coverage for multiple rounds, allowing you to save your spell slots.
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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.
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Started up a CoS campaign with a couple friends recently.
I’m looking for some tips on building my character or at least getting a gauge on what to expect for my character.
We’re level 3 at moment party comp is crossbow fighter, storm cleric, monk(not sure which arch), and me draconic sorc (blue line).
I am playing as a satyr from Theros so it’s been rather fun in the role playing bits because honestly I feel like a bard most of the time with the entertainer background telling tales of Greek mythos to whomever will give an ear.
spell slots so far are chromatic orb, ice knife, color spray, and Aganazzars scorcher.
cantrips being chill touch, shocking grasp, light and minor illusion.
Thematically my character is just overall mirthful as a satyr would be in the dreary land of Barovia who loves to gather mythical tales and hopes to even craft his own heroic tale of sorts that would impress the gods of Theros.
I feel rather ****** in combat though as a spell caster and I’m not sure if that’s normal, it might just be bad rolls from the few sessions we’ve played so far, or if it’s a late bloomer in damage potential.
In the past I’ve only played melee and for most intents and purposes I’ve never felt this useless in combat with out having to expend all spell slots and that’s only good for a few rounds right now then I have to hope I get a long rest between each combat session on the road which I feel isn’t normally going to be the case.
If needed I’m not against just accepting the fact that I’m only going to do well in the rp scenarios if that’s the case I’ll probably multi class into bard though not sure how I’ll decide on that. .
It sounds like you have a solid and unique character concept. A satyr in Barovia is definitely new to me, and quite intriguing.
As far as your concerns over feeling useful in combat, I tend to feel that it is around 5th level when sorcerers basically come into their own. You finally have enough spell slots to not feel you have to hoard every one and you get access to third level spells. Prior to that, it helps to have a good ranged cantrip that deals damage. Your Chill Touch should work pretty well for this, or you could add Fire Bolt (for a bit more damage) when you get your next level. The nice thing about cantrips in 5E is that the damage increases with your character level, so they continue to be useful without costing you spell slots.
I'd say to hang in there and not worry too much over combat. I sense that there is a Lightning Bolt Spell in your future to compliment that Blue Dragon Bloodline. Of course, ultimately, you should do what will be the most fun for you with regards to possibly multi-classing.
Part of the problem might deal with your stats. If that's the case, getting your charisma to the next even number at level 4 will help your attacks to hit more. A 16 charisma will allow you the +3 and an 18 will allow you the +4 charisma modifier to be added to your proficiency bonus giving you either a +5 or a +6 to hit. Proficiency bonus will increase to +3 at 5th, pushing those to +6 and +7 respectively, right at the time that your cantrips will gain more power.
The other possible problem might be that you're attacking lots of high AC creatures and both Chill Touch and Shocking Grasp require attacks. For creatures with high dex bonuses and heavily armored creatures, a spell like Toll the Dead is a great alternate. While you shouldn't be asking what the creatures AC is while playing, you can ask about how heavily armored they are (as far as your character can see), whether they are using a shield, if they seem to be lithe (or one of it's synonyms that fits you and your DM better). These are all clues to how much AC the creature might have. Of course, if you roll a 15 or higher and still miss, that's also an indicator of high AC. Break out your save spell at that point.
As far as leveled spells go, you do have a save spell in Aganazzar's Scorcher, an attack spell in Chromatic Orb, and Ice Knife does both. Color Spray is your only utility/non attack spell and it only lasts 1 round. However, it might be beneficial to cast that more than your other spells at times if your party can deal more damage with the benefits granted by the blinded status afflicting your enemies than your direct damage. You may want to consider another buff or debuff spell that requires concentration that would allow you to get multiple rounds of use out of it instead of a once and done attacking spell. This will allow you to benefit the party while still contributing through your cantrip damage. Something like Hold Person would be a good example generally, though it may not be a good fit for your campaign.
Finally, consider what type of usage that you might get out of Minor Illusion in combat. Making creatures think that a wall extends past its actual length could give you a little tactical advantage, particularly against creatures that aren't highly intelligent. This could help redirect attacks from you or another party member, force creatures to travel further, allow you to bypass combat all together, or any number of things. While the spell does have limits and YMMV due to your DM, the spell has significant amounts of possibilities. For example, if a bridge has planks missing, you can make it look like 5 ft of those planks are actually there and maybe cause the enemy to fall. Not all of your combat contributions have to be direct damage!
Alright I appreciate the insights so far. I was on the fence when I hit 3 over getting dragons breath since it’s a concentration spell buff over Scorcher. I’ll keep that in mind with any other buff/debuff spells in the future.
I know I skipped toll the dead because I thought it wouldn’t be useful but honestly as of yet I could’ve used it in most combat scenarios.
My DM made the same comment on use of minor illusion that you made that I’ve yet to really feel comfortable utilizing. But I’ll try and keep an eye out for more potential uses.
It’s been a huge pace change from only playing melee with barb or even conq Paladin to being a caster.
Dragon's Breath is an excellent spell for a sorcerer.
It lets you choose its damage type, which is excellent for someone who doesn't know many spells, and it lets you keep dealing damage with area coverage for multiple rounds, allowing you to save your spell slots.
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.