I just finished my honor mode play through with Gale as an Acid dragon sorcerer. It was almost as bad as i thought it would be compared to something like cold, but acid splash did work better than expected and really did maximize the damage bonuses. It was also amazing at breaking metal objects as a nice bonus too.
Everyone's on and on about making enemies wet and then casting chain lightning, lightning bolt, or whatnot. But for me, casting twinned haste never gets boring. With high enough initiative usually it is enough. I like to wear the robe of supreme defenses, which puts my mind at ease when it comes to losing concentration. Free mage armor is fantastic, and more hit points are never a bad thing.
@sesimie Awesome suggestion. Any chance we can get an attempt at the achievement that you have to one of each class? A start as wild magic sorc into barb would certainly be one way to do that
@sesimie very smart and honestly, probably the only good way to do it on higher difficulties. That said now that I finished honor mode, I still want to give it a go as a main character.
I think the Fire variants of Draconic belong in a tier to themselves, just because of how Scorching Ray benefits from damage riders. Itemization in this game just generally favors Fire damage in a lot of ways, but specifically the fact that Elemental Affinity and Empowered Evocation use their pre-errata mechanics makes Scorching Ray insane.
Good takes, though I rank Storm Sorcerers higher if multiclassing. Draconic Sorcerers probably win if single classed. I’ve completed the game using both builds. Storm Sorcerer with two levels Tempest Cleric and one or two levels Wizard can fly all over the map from level 2 or 3, when it’s most valuable, using ritual spells to fuel the flights. By level 9 or so they can delete any enemy in the game (with maybe two exceptions) in one shot with create water and upcast Witch Bolt. It’s an amazing combo. The Draconic Bloodline also multiclasses well, but doesn’t get that flight at level 11 if you get more than a 1 level dip.
Those are some good ideas for multiclassing. I think the level 1 ability for storm storm sorcerer does work better when you have ritual spells available from a wizard multiclass.
If you want to multi-class Sorc, always choose Sorc first, because Sorcs get Constitution Saving throw proficiency. If you don't start out as a Sorc you lose it. Since Sorcs cast a lot of concentration spells this is essential.
Also do keep in mind that Fighters and Barbarians also get constitution saving throw proficiency, although I imagine it's less likely that they'll be multiclassed with a sorcerer!
I find Storm sorcerer to be above draconic lightning sorcerer, since you don't need to find other sources for create water and getting bonus damage on thunder on top of it all. Due to itemization draconic fire is the top one.
(Spoiler warning) As most would know, at the beginning of act 3 (which is, I think, around the time where you're approaching level 11 anyway?) the astral tadpole can potentially give the entire player party the ability to fly. To my understanding (I'm still relatively new to BG3), this doesn't really have any negative repercussion or opportunity cost. This makes, in my opinion, the level 11 ability for draconic sorcerer kind of worthless. The downside is the party looking ugly but in the context of ranking abilities and classes I don't think the cosmetics are relevant. On the other hand, storm sorcerers can fly right off the bat (and do so out of combat by casting a ritual spell I think?) and I find that pretty cool. I also like how they get create water without needing to use a feat or multiclass. Draconic gets armor of Agathys which is also pretty rare and cool.
You are right about what you said about the choice made at the start of act 3 and if I was taking that into account then the level 11 draconic sorcerer ability is useless. The level 1 storm sorcerer can fly with using a ritual spell, but that ritual spell needs to be constantly recast to be able to fly constantly. Definitely doable, but it does mean your sorcerer has to pick a ritual spell, although there is a pair of boots in the underdark that grant feather fall that could be used.
Great vid as always, agree with the rankings. Some points, just for the sake of extra information: - Storm Sorcerer is much better as a monoclass. Access to create water and call Lightning is huge. I also prefer it with a 2 level Dio in tempest, for call Lightning alone. - Wild Sorcerer is all about fun. Bonus points for actually having wild surges on all spells, even with 1 level in wild sorcerer. Wanna play a wild druid or cleric? Pick at least one level in this. - Draconic White is an amazing multiclass for martials with many spell slots. Armor of Agathys is an exceptional defensive and offensive tool. - Storm Sorcerer's fly ability is nice, but it's almost useless if you end up taking the astral tadpole later - 2 or 3 levels in any sorcerer is a fantastic multiclass for wizards. Arcane Recovery alone can get your sorcery points to 6 or 7, and there are many ways to get even more. You're basically a full wizard with the best metamagic and 10-12 sorcery points or more. - thief multiclasses well with you everything, and so it does with sorcerer. 1 fighter/ 3 thief /8 sorcerer will make you a left handed Gish god. Cast extended blade ward to be tanky, then hit them with the left hand, especially with a sharpshooter hand crossbow setup. 3 off hand attacks with the pyro quickness hat!
It's weird, but I've never played a pure sorcerer to 11 or 12. I'm a Wizard at heart, because I just love their flexibility with every arcane spell to choose from. Being locked into a specific set of spells is not to my liking. Sorcerers are the master blaster class if that's your cup of tea.
I must admit that I feel the same way. Although I know that sorcerers are a strong class, I too just love having all those spells in my spellbook and being able to whatever spells I want on a whim.
@@SirCharles12357 Well, I believe that's the main differentiator between the two. If you want versatility and like casting a lot of different spells, wizard wins. If you find yourself using the same 4-5 spells over and over ( and want to enhance them with metamagic ), then sorcerer is clearly ahead. As I've mentioned in another comment, 2-3 levels in Sorcerer and the rest in Wizard gives you almost the best of both worlds, with how easy it is to create sorcery points. ( Without cheating ).
I’m a bit surprised you rated Draconic better than storm for level 1 abilities and multiclassing. Getting free mage armour and a single 1st level spell (all but 3 of which you have access to anyway) doesn’t seem anywhere near as useful as the ability to fly with a bonus action, which can be abused out of combat by casting ritual spells. And unless you’re going to at least sorc 6, I think that alone makes storm a more attractive option for multiclassing. The obvious exception is taking armour of agathys for an abjuration wizard build, although you can take warlock for that too. On the other hand, I think you were probably a bit too generous with the level 6 and 11 abilities for storm, so it probably balances out anyway. Other than create water the additional spells don’t give you much of a bonus, and the features require your sorc to be close to enemies to get good mileage out of them. Definitely nowhere near as good as the damage bonus and free flight for Draconic!
Perhaps I was a bit harsh with the flying ability at level 1 for storm sorcerers. The use of ritual spells is obviously a good idea, but as a sorcerer I'd probably take other spells over the ritual spells. That's just me though! I know I have used that in the past and it's handy to have. I don't like the opportunity cost of picking a ritual spell over the other available spells. It all balances out in the end I guess! It's good to hear what other people think and why you have different opinions.
@@CasualVeteranGamer yeah that’s a fair point about the opportunity cost of a ritual spell. If you’re multiclassing with something like a wizard or a bard then it’s much less of an issue but I can see that a pure sorc might not want to spend a known spell slot say, disguise self
I just finished my honor mode play through with Gale as an Acid dragon sorcerer. It was almost as bad as i thought it would be compared to something like cold, but acid splash did work better than expected and really did maximize the damage bonuses. It was also amazing at breaking metal objects as a nice bonus too.
It is a nice bonus to get added damage to acid splash, it makes it an OK AoE considering it's a cantrip.
Everyone's on and on about making enemies wet and then casting chain lightning, lightning bolt, or whatnot. But for me, casting twinned haste never gets boring. With high enough initiative usually it is enough. I like to wear the robe of supreme defenses, which puts my mind at ease when it comes to losing concentration. Free mage armor is fantastic, and more hit points are never a bad thing.
Twinned haste is a great way to boost the effectiveness of the whole party!
Twinned haste on yourself and maybe tempest cleric, quickened create water, twinned chainlightning, fry faces, tempest cleric lightning bolt, melt away everything.
@@Mech87a Sounds delicious. Gotta try it at some point.
I'd love to see you play a Multiclass wild magic Sorc with Wild magic Barb. Oh the Chaos!! Excellent video as usual!!
There's a piece of armor that guarantees magic surge on every spell cast. Would be very fun to build around it
Haha, I'll keep it in mind!
@sesimie Awesome suggestion. Any chance we can get an attempt at the achievement that you have to one of each class? A start as wild magic sorc into barb would certainly be one way to do that
@@liberalideas8224 I have a quick way to get it once you hit level 12... make a hireling... give 1 class level each class...ding! chieve!
@sesimie very smart and honestly, probably the only good way to do it on higher difficulties. That said now that I finished honor mode, I still want to give it a go as a main character.
Honestly disappointed that Draconic Sorcs don't actually grow wings at 11, like they do in 5E.
I think it would be great to be able to customise some wings as well!
I think the Fire variants of Draconic belong in a tier to themselves, just because of how Scorching Ray benefits from damage riders. Itemization in this game just generally favors Fire damage in a lot of ways, but specifically the fact that Elemental Affinity and Empowered Evocation use their pre-errata mechanics makes Scorching Ray insane.
If I was to take items into account I would agree with you. The hat of fire acuity + scorching ray combo is pretty unfair to the other subclasses!
Combat demonstration on point
Good takes, though I rank Storm Sorcerers higher if multiclassing. Draconic Sorcerers probably win if single classed. I’ve completed the game using both builds. Storm Sorcerer with two levels Tempest Cleric and one or two levels Wizard can fly all over the map from level 2 or 3, when it’s most valuable, using ritual spells to fuel the flights. By level 9 or so they can delete any enemy in the game (with maybe two exceptions) in one shot with create water and upcast Witch Bolt. It’s an amazing combo.
The Draconic Bloodline also multiclasses well, but doesn’t get that flight at level 11 if you get more than a 1 level dip.
Those are some good ideas for multiclassing. I think the level 1 ability for storm storm sorcerer does work better when you have ritual spells available from a wizard multiclass.
If you want to multi-class Sorc, always choose Sorc first, because Sorcs get Constitution Saving throw proficiency. If you don't start out as a Sorc you lose it. Since Sorcs cast a lot of concentration spells this is essential.
Also do keep in mind that Fighters and Barbarians also get constitution saving throw proficiency, although I imagine it's less likely that they'll be multiclassed with a sorcerer!
Draconic is definitely my favorite.
I like all the choice we get with the subclass, plus the choice of having the appearance of our character change as well.
I find Storm sorcerer to be above draconic lightning sorcerer, since you don't need to find other sources for create water and getting bonus damage on thunder on top of it all.
Due to itemization draconic fire is the top one.
(Spoiler warning)
As most would know, at the beginning of act 3 (which is, I think, around the time where you're approaching level 11 anyway?) the astral tadpole can potentially give the entire player party the ability to fly. To my understanding (I'm still relatively new to BG3), this doesn't really have any negative repercussion or opportunity cost. This makes, in my opinion, the level 11 ability for draconic sorcerer kind of worthless. The downside is the party looking ugly but in the context of ranking abilities and classes I don't think the cosmetics are relevant.
On the other hand, storm sorcerers can fly right off the bat (and do so out of combat by casting a ritual spell I think?) and I find that pretty cool. I also like how they get create water without needing to use a feat or multiclass. Draconic gets armor of Agathys which is also pretty rare and cool.
You are right about what you said about the choice made at the start of act 3 and if I was taking that into account then the level 11 draconic sorcerer ability is useless.
The level 1 storm sorcerer can fly with using a ritual spell, but that ritual spell needs to be constantly recast to be able to fly constantly. Definitely doable, but it does mean your sorcerer has to pick a ritual spell, although there is a pair of boots in the underdark that grant feather fall that could be used.
Great vid as always, agree with the rankings. Some points, just for the sake of extra information:
- Storm Sorcerer is much better as a monoclass. Access to create water and call Lightning is huge. I also prefer it with a 2 level Dio in tempest, for call Lightning alone.
- Wild Sorcerer is all about fun. Bonus points for actually having wild surges on all spells, even with 1 level in wild sorcerer. Wanna play a wild druid or cleric? Pick at least one level in this.
- Draconic White is an amazing multiclass for martials with many spell slots. Armor of Agathys is an exceptional defensive and offensive tool.
- Storm Sorcerer's fly ability is nice, but it's almost useless if you end up taking the astral tadpole later
- 2 or 3 levels in any sorcerer is a fantastic multiclass for wizards. Arcane Recovery alone can get your sorcery points to 6 or 7, and there are many ways to get even more. You're basically a full wizard with the best metamagic and 10-12 sorcery points or more.
- thief multiclasses well with you everything, and so it does with sorcerer. 1 fighter/ 3 thief /8 sorcerer will make you a left handed Gish god. Cast extended blade ward to be tanky, then hit them with the left hand, especially with a sharpshooter hand crossbow setup. 3 off hand attacks with the pyro quickness hat!
Thanks for all the information, it's useful to have all of this here!
It's weird, but I've never played a pure sorcerer to 11 or 12. I'm a Wizard at heart, because I just love their flexibility with every arcane spell to choose from. Being locked into a specific set of spells is not to my liking. Sorcerers are the master blaster class if that's your cup of tea.
I must admit that I feel the same way. Although I know that sorcerers are a strong class, I too just love having all those spells in my spellbook and being able to whatever spells I want on a whim.
@@SirCharles12357 Well, I believe that's the main differentiator between the two. If you want versatility and like casting a lot of different spells, wizard wins.
If you find yourself using the same 4-5 spells over and over ( and want to enhance them with metamagic ), then sorcerer is clearly ahead.
As I've mentioned in another comment, 2-3 levels in Sorcerer and the rest in Wizard gives you almost the best of both worlds, with how easy it is to create sorcery points. ( Without cheating ).
I’m a bit surprised you rated Draconic better than storm for level 1 abilities and multiclassing.
Getting free mage armour and a single 1st level spell (all but 3 of which you have access to anyway) doesn’t seem anywhere near as useful as the ability to fly with a bonus action, which can be abused out of combat by casting ritual spells. And unless you’re going to at least sorc 6, I think that alone makes storm a more attractive option for multiclassing. The obvious exception is taking armour of agathys for an abjuration wizard build, although you can take warlock for that too.
On the other hand, I think you were probably a bit too generous with the level 6 and 11 abilities for storm, so it probably balances out anyway. Other than create water the additional spells don’t give you much of a bonus, and the features require your sorc to be close to enemies to get good mileage out of them. Definitely nowhere near as good as the damage bonus and free flight for Draconic!
Perhaps I was a bit harsh with the flying ability at level 1 for storm sorcerers. The use of ritual spells is obviously a good idea, but as a sorcerer I'd probably take other spells over the ritual spells. That's just me though! I know I have used that in the past and it's handy to have. I don't like the opportunity cost of picking a ritual spell over the other available spells.
It all balances out in the end I guess! It's good to hear what other people think and why you have different opinions.
Factual and right
@@CasualVeteranGamer yeah that’s a fair point about the opportunity cost of a ritual spell. If you’re multiclassing with something like a wizard or a bard then it’s much less of an issue but I can see that a pure sorc might not want to spend a known spell slot say, disguise self