Sorcerer vs Wizard

[Talafar]

I am trying to decide which single-class is better, a Sorcerer or a Wizard. I want to get other's opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of each.

thanks.

[Visty]

sorc:
less spells known
more sp
faster casting

wiz:
more spells known
less sp
normal casting
more feats

[Noctus]

For new players (and this seems to be the case here): Wizard.

New players dont know yet which spells rock, and which are useless 95% of the time. On a sorcerer you are locked into your spell selection, and can only change one spell each 3 days. Wizards can swap out their complete spell selection at the tavern and at each shrine. Not having the right spell memmed is a non-issue for them.

[Kerns]

I agree with them, that if your unsure of what spells do what and how this interact within DDO it self, that Wizards are better....

Though I still prefer Sorc over a Wizard any day. (in game and PnP)

[cdemeritt]

For new players (and this seems to be the case here): Wizard.

New players dont know yet which spells rock, and which are useless 95% of the time. On a sorcerer you are locked into your spell selection, and can only change one spell each 3 days. Wizards can swap out their complete spell selection at the tavern and at each shrine. Not having the right spell memmed is a non-issue for them.

This... Also, going from dungeon to dungeon, the spells needed change... a sorc can get a good selection, but never all. A wizard can get all and is much more flexible.

That being said, once you get the spell selection down and are ready, a sorc can be a great deal of fun.

Wizard = Minivan
Sorcerer = Sports car

While the Sports car can be a lot of fun, do you really want to use it when you need to lug 5 kids from soccer practice, and then need to go to the store for groceries and Homedepot for lumber and Sears for that Bigscreen TV, all before dinner ?

[Talon_Moonshadow]

People tend to oversimplify this and miss some things IMO.

Sorc
Has fewer spells per lvl. And gets his next lvl of spell one lvl later than the Wiz.
His spells are Cha based.

(WF have a penalty to Cha...so do Dwarves)

UMD is a cha based skill. And many players consider it the best skill.

Sor have faster casting speed, and much faster cool down timer. This allows spam casting of spells at a very nice rate. (often overlooked is the power of spam casting CC spells IMO)

Sor has lot more SP. Very nice.

Few useful spells in DDO or a few really good all-purpose spells makes any handicap of Sorcs limited spell slots less of an issue.

Although Sorc have fewer feats, a nice all-puprose Sorc build can be easily made.

Wizards:
More spell slots, gets higher level spells one level sooner.
Capstone allows the highest save DC for their spells.

Wizards actually have a prestige class. :)
And some people even find it useful.

Wiz spells are Int based.
Giving wizards a lot more skill points per lvl than Sorcs.
Makes things like Shadow Mages and Wiz/Rogues possible.

Wizards have bonus spell feats. Allowing for great variety in types of builds.
Some wizards can actually fight without SP and stil be good casters as well. (to be truthful so can some Sorcs, but it's eaiser on a Wiz)

WF (and Dwarves) have no penalty to Int.

More spell slots leaves room for rapair spells without sacrifice.
(wizards also have repair as a class skill if that's worth anything to anyone)

Wizards can change spells easily to adapt in-dungeon to upcoming encounters.



I'm probably forgetting something right now, but I wanted to show that there are lots of subtle differences.

[Kerns]

That all being said. (below) there is something else.

DDO screws Sorcs Over, that simple. While the Primary benefit of a sorc was the shorter spell casting times/recover, it was also the increased Spell casting ability. I love the potions as much as anyone else, but the side effect is that a well prepared (with items, DDO store or farmed) can cast as many or even more spells then your Sorc, which is honestly a stab in the eyeball.
--- To make up for the fact that those pots exist to both sides, which is needed considering the game play. I believe SORC SP whould, slowly REGEN. To make up for the fact THEY SHOULD ALWAYS BE ABLE TO CAST SPELLS MORE OFTEN AND LONGER THEN A WIZZARD. Simply Put, Stop messing the sorc class over --- Also, am I forgetting the Exterme lack of any CHA based Runes or interactive objects, basically saying screw you to a sorc. There is STR, DEX, WIS, INT and every Other class Outside the DDO invented one (which is SWEET, atleast I love it) Favored Soul, Main Stat is used. While FvS and Sorc get dumped on for that aspect [I'd love to be proven wrong, and shown a CHA based check that requires a certain number or fail] ---

Sorc Characters ARE NOT FOR NEW PLAYERS. Yes if you Love to play a Sorc, please do. Though knowing it's easier to mess up on a sorc, then it is a Wizard.
---That being said. Once you learn what spells are what. I firmly believe the Sorc is Far better. (While not including any specialized irratating rog/wiz combos, or any combos that capatalize on the wiz main stat. Then it's a different debate all together.)

(Keep in mind, This considering GOOD players)
Things that make Sorcs (for pure player class arguements, while x-class debates are far to complicated and not the point here) better then Wizards is simple.
1. DDO is STATIC -- Dungeons DO NOT CHANGE
---Making any character that would capatalize on super flexability, more a mute point then it use to be, and in this is the same reason Stealth rogues are POINTLESS in DDO. NOTHING CHANGES IN DDO.
2. While the exisitance of Potions (SP) does make the MUCH hire SP/MANA pool of a Sorc/FvS less meaniful, that doesn't account for the FEWER POTIONS USED DURING COMBAT(Just Potions with More restoration to them), when TIME IS CRITICALLY needed to be used ON SPELLS.
3. A more solid build. I mean, a Sorc/FvS will be able to Spend their AP/Enhancement points, On their spells they HAVE, and not have to worry about spreading it across spells they MAY USE, thus more effective and focused in that manner, without the need to reset/respec AP to more correctly amp up spells that are more usefull to a dungeon.
--A Sorc Has it or they don't for a dungeon, and normally, that's just raw Spell damage really. They don't have to worry about the buff aspect to much (though it's nice when one puts it into their build and it works)
4. You Can't screw up the spells for a well balanced Sorc. You can't fluff it up at the Resting stone and get rid of the one spell that would have been super useful. Even exaustion (though you shouldn't play to that point anyway, for anyone) can't make you fluff your spell list up, basicly ruining the char for the dungeon.


People tend to oversimplify this and miss some things IMO.

Sorc
Has fewer spells per lvl. And gets his next lvl of spell one lvl later than the Wiz.
His spells are Cha based.

(WF have a penalty to Cha...so do Dwarves)

UMD is a cha based skill. And many players consider it the best skill.

Sor have faster casting speed, and much faster cool down timer. This allows spam casting of spells at a very nice rate. (often overlooked is the power of spam casting CC spells IMO)

Sor has lot more SP. Very nice.

Few useful spells in DDO or a few really good all-purpose spells makes any handicap of Sorcs limited spell slots less of an issue.

Although Sorc have fewer feats, a nice all-puprose Sorc build can be easily made.

Wizards:
More spell slots, gets higher level spells one level sooner.
Capstone allows the highest save DC for their spells.

Wizards actually have a prestige class. :)
And some people even find it useful.

Wiz spells are Int based.
Giving wizards a lot more skill points per lvl than Sorcs.
Makes things like Shadow Mages and Wiz/Rogues possible.

Wizards have bonus spell feats. Allowing for great variety in types of builds.
Some wizards can actually fight without SP and stil be good casters as well. (to be truthful so can some Sorcs, but it's eaiser on a Wiz)

WF (and Dwarves) have no penalty to Int.

More spell slots leaves room for rapair spells without sacrifice.
(wizards also have repair as a class skill if that's worth anything to anyone)

Wizards can change spells easily to adapt in-dungeon to upcoming encounters.



I'm probably forgetting something right now, but I wanted to show that there are lots of subtle differences.

[dragonlo]

For new players (and this seems to be the case here): Wizard.

New players dont know yet which spells rock, and which are useless 95% of the time. On a sorcerer you are locked into your spell selection, and can only change one spell each 3 days. Wizards can swap out their complete spell selection at the tavern and at each shrine. Not having the right spell memmed is a non-issue for them.

spot on can't agree more. To OP I wouldn't call wizard a noob class but rather a noob friendly class once you are more familiar with casting ingame you can either stick with wiz for its obvious advantages, as well as wiz/rog is awesome, or reroll as sorc all depens on your play style. Most importantly have fun

[voodoogroves]

Here's another Sorc/Wiz thread: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=195766

There are a number of CHA runes in the game. Xorian Cipher leaps directly to mind.

[sirfink]

Something that doesn't get brought up often in this discussion: mages get a TON of wands and scrolls. Both sorcs and wizards get end rewards along the lines of: useless robe, useless robe, +1 quarterstaff, a wand with 50 charges, so you tend to take the wand. You end up with so many wands you don't know what to do with them all and your inventory is absolutely overflowing with the dang things.

Wands benefit both classes for different reasons: they give wizards more spell points, effectively, and sorcs more spell variety.

Another thing to consider, especially for new players: a sorc's lack of spell variety actually makes them a bit easier to play. It can be pretty overwhelming to play a wizard due to the greater spell variety, being able to swap out spells during rests or while in a tavern. You often forget to swap spells, or don't have time to run to the nearest tavern to change up your spells before jumping into a dungeon. Sorcs never need to worry about this. You know what spells you have and you learn to cope with just those. Wizards are like having six or seven Swiss Army knives: you're constantly juggling between them, trying to remember where you put your corkscrew when a wine bottle shows up.

And regarding new players not knowing what spells are useful: a quick search of this forum leads to plenty of threads offering advice on what spells sorcs should select. In other words, plenty of players have already done the work for you and figured out what spells are useful and what spells are a waste of time. Most of the time a wizard, despite her huge spell variety, is casting haste, hypno, fireball and web. That's often all you really need to do in a decent party. So again, a point to sorcerers.

[7-day_Trial_Monkey]

Something that doesn't get brought up often in this discussion: mages get a TON of wands and scrolls.

Just in case some new people don't know, it doesn't have to be like that.

In the gameplay sections of options, you can remove the check in the box for "End rewards based on class" and get an end reward list with all possible items showing up, and not only stuff you are proficient with.