POLL: What spells would I pick?

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Okay, since I'm thinking of giving one of my character's a sorcerer level or so, I'd like some advice on spell selection. This'll be my first spellcaster character I've made/played in PnP D&D.

Some notes; Firstly the character isn't the evocative type. I'm not ruling any direct damage spells out, but he's more of a "subtle" kinda guy. He's got a few rogue levels, and ready access to some spells/abilities (Change Self, Open/Lock etc).

In short, what low-level spells would you find the most useful for a low-mid level character (lev. 4-7)?
[edit: Ooops, in Question 2 you should be able to pick 5 spells as well. Please say which ones in your post.]

[ November 09, 2003, 17:47: Message edited by: Gopher ]

Poll Information
This poll contains 2 question(s). 18 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: What spells would I pick? (18 votes.)

0 Level Spells (cantrips) (Choose 5)
* Resistance - 22% (4)
* Ray of Frost - 17% (3)
* Detect Poison - 39% (7)
* Daze - 33% (6)
* Dancing Lights - 17% (3)
* Flare - 6% (1)
* Light - 28% (5)
* Ghost Sound - 44% (8)
* Disrupt Undead - 11% (2)
* Mage Hand - 44% (8)
* Mending - 0% (0)
* Open/Close - 17% (3)
* Arcane Mark - 6% (1)
* Detect Magic - 61% (11)
* Prestidigitation - 39% (7)
* Read Magic - 56% (10)

1 Level Spells: (Choose 1)
* Alarm - 0% (0)
* Endure Elements - 0% (0)
* Hold Portal - 0% (0)
* Protection from Chaos/Evil/Good/Law - 0% (0)
* Shield - 0% (0)
* Grease - 0% (0)
* Mage Armour - 11% (2)
* Mount - 0% (0)
* Obscuring Mist - 17% (3)
* Summon Monster 1 - 0% (0)
* Unseen Servant - 0% (0)
* Comprehend Languages - 0% (0)
* Detect Secret Doors - 0% (0)
* Detect Undead - 0% (0)
* Identify - 6% (1)
* True Strike - 11% (2)
* Charm Person - 6% (1)
* Hypnotism - 0% (0)
* Sleep - 6% (1)
* Magic Missile - 6% (1)
* Tenser's Floating Disk - 0% (0)
* Change Self - 0% (0)
* Color Spray - 0% (0)
* Nystul's Magic Aura - 0% (0)
* Nystul's Undetectable Aura - 0% (0)
* Silent Image - 0% (0)
* Ventriloquism - 0% (0)
* Cause Fear - 6% (1)
* Chill Touch - 0% (0)
* Ray of Enfeeblement - 0% (0)
* Animate Rope - 0% (0)
* Burning Hands - 0% (0)
* Englarge - 0% (0)
* Erase - 0% (0)
* Expeditious Retreat - 0% (0)
* Feather Fall - 6% (1)
* Jump - 0% (0)
* Magic Weapon - 6% (1)
* Message - 0% (0)
* Reduce - 0% (0)
* Shocking Grasp - 0% (0)
* Spider Climb - 17% (3)
* (Extra option, oops, don't pick this one ) - 6% (1)

 

Resistance- kinda handy
Detect Poison- helpfull for a Roguish char
Dacing Light- Fooling your enemy for an extra Backstab
Ghost Sound same as above plus it has ¨other¨ use like making sound so people will get out so you can steal something
Detect Magic- It's a universal spell I always use, no mater what I mean it's usefull!
Obscuring Mist- Your a rogue no? so OBVIOUS choice

 

Spells that allow for Sneak Attack (rays, Acid Arrow), Transmutation spells to boost needed physical stats (Endurance, Cat's Grace), and Invisibility and True Strike are always Prime choices for a Rogue/Sorcerer. So is Polymorph Self (for more attacks per round, meaning more more Sneak Attack damage).

 

But many of those are 2nd level and above spells, of which a Sorcerer does not attain until level 4. This means I'll be level 8/9 by the time I can cast 2nd level spells.

I don't only fight in combat you know, Oaz

 

Ah, I was a bit in a rush then so I was just replying, not voting.

Sneak Attack can apply to Ray of Frost (it's cold damage) and Ray of Enfeeblement (negative energy damage). True Strike is a level one spell.

Shield is also a good idea for AC, but try not to go for Magic Missile (despite its raw power), since you'll do less damage than a pure Sorcerer. A Rogue5/Sorcerer5 only deals 3d4+3 damage - not too impresive for EL 10 encounters.

I'm pretty sure Obscuring Mist gives you a miss chance due to concealment, so it's not too desirable, plus it's not really a great spell, not Sorcerer material. Spider Climb is nice, and so is Expeditious Retreat (makes up for your bad Halfling speed).

All in all, you won't go very far with level one spells. The ones beyond those are the ones that will complement the Rogue the most (Invisibility, Blur, Acid Arrow, Cat's Grace).

[ November 10, 2003, 00:34: Message edited by: Oaz ]

 

What about things along the line of Prestidigitation and Mage Hand. Actully things like Mage Hand sounds very much like a rouge thing. And then there are things like Message, and Spider climb which are also very likely things for a rouge. Things like Alarm and Read Magic can also be very handy things to have.

Or Melvin could make himself closer to his companions hight with enlarge