Sorcerer vs. Wizard

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I played the original Baldur's Gate as a mage and had a lot of fun with it. I'm interested in trying out a sorcerer this time, and I've created a new character for this purpose. From just the quick look I've had, the sorcerer seems to have more advantages than the mage. You can cast more of the same spell(if needed)and even without items I get quite a few spell charges at my initial level 7. My question is: Are there disadvantages in either the short or long term that will make me miss my mage?

 

Well.. The only problems i have experienced with a sorcerer is just the obvious. "You cant memorize spells by using scrolls." But I have found that I prefer sorcerer over any other mage type anyday.

 

Well, at lower levels the Sorcerer has a much bigger advantage, because there are so few good spells. But later on, you'll only be able to pick 2 level 8 spells, which really stinks considering how many great spells there are at higher levels.

It really depends on what kind of mage you play. Are you a meticulous planner, or do you just want to run into a room and fry everyone in it with offensive spells?

I myself like a regular mage more, for the variety.

There are a few spells that I don't use 90% of the time, but when I do use them, they make all the difference.

If you're going to play a Sorcerer, I suggest getting the experience cap remover, which gives you more freedom.

Also read Roman Grigoriev's Sorcerer FAQ if you haven't already. It can be found in the games section here at SP.

If you look at the long term, you'll find that the specialist wizard gets just as many spells as the Sorcerer in the end, he just gets them slower. Like when you first get level 5 spells, a regular mage will get 1, a specialist 2 and a Sorcerer 3. But a Sorcerer will only get to pick 1 spell for that level, while a specialist may already have many memorized to pick from.

The Sorcerer's main advantage is that he'll have more variety of spells to pick from at any given time, and in greater quantity.

I suggest taking a Specialist or a straight Mage if this is your first time through SoA, so you figure out which spells are good, and get a chance to use them all. Then play a Sorcerer and pick the spells you found most useful.

 

There are tons of topics here in SP with spellbook recommendations for sorcerers. Just use the search engine to take a look at them.

 

I myself Prefer a Mage becoz they may learn spells from scrolls.

 

I think it is a dead end. But from a roleplaying perspective I think specialist mages are cooler. To be sorcerers you just need the right blood but to be a necromancer you need to studie dark things and loot musty old tombs.

 

I suggest you choose a sorcerer if you know which spells to pick...

 

Sorcerer all the way because you can always cast from a scroll if you need a spell or something in certain situations. That's what scrolls are for!

 

Nah.

Scrolls are to pump up the experience for a mage.

 

yeah sure, lets write scrolls of spells we never use because that sounds logical.

 

I don't remember that there is a spell in my book I've never used...

Oh, yes, Summon Cow - I never used that one... but then again, I've never found a scroll of it.

Finally, the whole your sentence is not linked to your previous statement: if you NEVER use the spell, and NEVER learn it, why do you suggest to cast it from a scroll?

Yea, sure, now you'll say not to keep the scrolls you never use since you'll never cast them...
Nice logic plus divination ability.
If only I could have known what will be brought by the future...

[This message has been edited by Extremist (edited January 15, 2002).]

 

Early on, i can see how the sorcerer can be the better of the two, and in a suprise situation, also can be good to have. However, i would rather have the variety of spells available to me later on due to the varied situations that come up. Even moreso in a P&P game of D&D.

I would think the power curve for the sorcerer starts out pretty high at lower levels, but kinda levels out once you reach the higher level ranges. Whereas a full Wizard or specialist mage starts out weak, but gains much more later on.

I think this discussion can, will, and has already, gone both ways with valid reasons for both. But again, as a testament to the greatness of this game, there are truly multiple ways to look at each situation and depending on your character loadout, many different ways of handling it.

When it comes to Table Top D&D, i think the sorcerer could be fun to play. But when trying to deal with different situations in a game like BG, i prefer to have the wizard and his variety of spells.

One other point, while a sorcerer can use scrolls, scrolls are not always available, and a scroll case can only hold so many. A Mage can learn it and can then memorize and cast it without further cost.

 

I said you can recite a scroll if you ever need it in a certain situation!!!! Why would you use a scroll if you never learn it??

ie, freedom, like releasing someone from imprisonment.! I prefer not to waste a high level slot to remember freedom buddy!

Sorcerers don't have the luxury of writing crap in take up their spell slots like wizards....

and what does, "the whole your sentence" mean anyways?


so stop being a cynic know itall.

 

On a vote for the sorcerer. as you can choose the spells you learn with impunity you dont have to rely on finding a scroll to learn a spell or the chance that you fail to learn it.

 

The sorcerer, is superior to a mage, because they don't have to learn spells, and therefore don't need to spend stat points on intelligence, just leave it at 9.

Yes thats right 9, why?
Sorcerers aquire spells, in level ups and do not need to learn them into their spell book.
This gives you more pionts to spend on other things like str, dex, con, wis(for that limited wish spell)or chr.

This is how my elven sorcerer turned out.
18/36
19
16
9
18
14

Took me about 5 mins to get those stats, which could be better if i spent longer rerolling those scores.

 

those are pretty good stats deathmaster, but why would a sorcerer need high strength?

 

does it make much difference in the long run what order you pick your spells in?

and also if your playing a mage just turn the difficulty down to easy if your worried about failing to memorize your spell that should fix the problem

 

Damn, 5 minutes? I always stop rolling as soon as I have 6* 10 + 20 = 80 points. That's 14 points less

 

There are just too many good spells at higher levels to use a Sorcerer. I'd rather be able to cast fewer spells but have more variety.

Cast spells from scrolls eh? 99% of the time, I didn't know a spell would be any use, until I got my arse kicked, reloaded, and tryed it out, usually to devastating effect. So you wouldn't know what scrolls to bring along.

 

If you don't know what scrolls to bring along in certain situations, how do you memorize your spells ahead of time then?