Wizard v.s. Sorcerer

[Nerull]

Which do you enjoy playing more, a Wizard or a Sorcerer? I know this topic came up every once in a while for BG2, so I thought that I would go ahead and start some discussion in this area. I am planning to play an arcane spellcaster type (not Bard) my next run through the game (not finished yet, but getting there). In addition to choosing one, give me some insights into how different it is from BG2, and what things you like/dislike about the two classes. Thank you in advance for answering this question for me.

[Greadius]

Just from a game mechanics point of view I think Wizards are a better spellcasting class in NWN. They get spells faster, and have a greater selection. The draw back, of course, is that they must plan ahead. But in a game where reloading, reseting spells if you need it, and resting takes maybe 2 minutes that isn't a big drawback. The tabletop game, on the other hand, is a whole different story.

I think sorcerers make better pure artillery though, because they can respond to the different needs of massively violent death in a more precise manner.

I'm itching to play through it again as a spellcaster too... I'm considering either Monk/Wizard or Paladin/Sorcerer.

[Deathcow]

for starters, i would suggest being a wizard. after you know which spells you like best, i would say go with sorceror. i just played through with a wizard and im eyeballing those extra spells that a sorceror gets [img]smile.gif[/img]

i dont use that many spells, so being a sorceror seems better.

[Nerull]

Well, it seems like the sorcerer is winning out, but no one is stating why. Is it the extra number of spells? Not having to prepare spells? I know being able to remove spells you don't like is a big improvement over BG2.

[Deathcow]

probably the more spells per day thing. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Deathcow: probably the more spells per day thing. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I do like that new option allowing you to erase spells you choose that you do not like (Bard and Sorcerer). Very useful, making Sorcerer playable as a new player (I would never recommend it for a first time player in BG2).

[Fionnguala MacMorna]

With the new system of point allocation to the stats, if you want a character with a high charisma, you'd better pick a sorcerer over a wizard. It gives a second use to your charisma.

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Fionnguala MacMorna: With the new system of point allocation to the stats, if you want a character with a high charisma, you'd better pick a sorcerer over a wizard. It gives a second use to your charisma.

Also a great point. Persuade is a vital skill, and a high charisma really helps. Starting to lean even more towards sorcerer now, with some of the feedback that is coming in.

[oldbittercraig]

charisma and persuade are important, but the flip side is that the Wizard's higher INT gives the PC more points to spend on skills, including persuade...

If you sink 1/4 the extra skill points you get into Persuade, it will result in a better Persuade ability than a Sorcerer with a 19 Charisma...

[DraconisRex]

The NWN dev team made the sorceror too powerful by allowing the "unlearning" of a spell. This lack of flexibility of a sorcerer is supposed to be the drawback for the ability to cast MORE spells.

Prior to modifiers:

At 20th level a Sorcerer can cast 60 spells, including cantrips. At 20th level a Wizard can cast 40 spells. But the wizard can KNOW an infinite number of spells (in theory, but not in practice as you would need an infinite number of monkeys to transcribe them...).

Thus, the Wizard is POWERFUL due to his FLEXIBILITY and the Sorcerer is POWERFUL due to his ABILITY.

The game took away much of the downside of the Sorcerer by giving the PC the ability to erase selection mistakes. Thus, some game mechanic imbalance occured because the sorcerer now has some additional flexibility.

For example, Sleep is a good spell in the early levels, against weak opponents, while Magic Missile starts as a weak spell but increases in power in the mid-levels.

By being able to replace Sleep with Magic Missile, you're losing the consequences of your intial choice. i.e., you have chosen a powerful early game spell that becomes useless by mid-game. You then dump it in favor for a weak early-game spell that increases in power and becomes useful in the mid-game.

I understand WHY the dev. team took this route. Too many players are not going to be DnD players and rather than have a bunch of whining power-gamers trash their game in the forums, they'll put up with a few hard-core gamers who, if they play the game in their "hard-core" way, won't take advantage of this "loop-hole."

As far as the original question goes, I prefer a Wizard. Even with the dev team "loop-hole," the Wizard is still more flexible than the sorcerer and (not discussed in above) gets to higher level spells ONE LEVEL SOONER than the sorceror (on the odd level, not the even). This allows for greater multi-classing opportunities, especially with Rogue, Ranger and Fighter class skill-sets.