Source
r/dndnext•
To_Do

Advice wanted: lvl 13 Sorcerer lvl 7 spell selection

Character Building

Hello, I'm having a little bit of trouble deciding what level 7 spell I should pick up.

To give you a quick overview of the character: Wild Magic Sorcerer level 13 / Variant Human/ Metamagic: Quickened, Heightened, Subtle / Relevant Feats: Lucky / Charisma 22 = Spell Save DC 19 / Con-Save +7 / relevant Magic Items: Staff of Swarming Insects

Spell selection so far

  • Level 1: Absorb Elements, Shield
  • Level 2: Misty Step
  • Level 3: Counterspell, Fear, Fireball, Fly
  • Level 4: Dimension Door, Polymorph, Giant Insect (Staff)
  • Level 5: Telekinesis, Wall of Stone, Insect Plague (Staff)
  • Level 6: Disintegrate

Picking Teleport or Plane Shift isn't really a viable option, because we have a Bard and a Druid in the party who took / have access to those spells.

Therefore my options include: Crown of Stars, Etherealness, Prismatic Spray or Reverse Gravity.

Crown of Stars means ranged damage, which is definitely nice since our party does not have a lot of it.

Etherealness feels very situational.

Prismatic Spray is mostly just gonna end up being a bad Fireball for a level 7 spell, even if it can affect more targets.

Reverse Gravity runs into the issue that we have mainly melee damage dealers, which would be crippled by this spell. Doesn't work against quite a few creatures (flying, hovering).

Any advice and opinions welcome!

Posted Aug 28, 2018, 5:52 PM UTC

222
GhostTypeTrainer•

Big fan of Crown Of Stars. Non-concentration and gives you a bonus action option when you're not Quickening something.

8
Super_leo2000•

I would go with Crown of Stars or Reverse Gravity.

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Crown of stars biggest selling point is that it is concentration free.

​

reverse gravity is just super badass lol.

3
SacredWeapon•

Still take reverse gravity. In the event that you're fighting in a cavern of ideal height, it's up to 20d6 bludgeoning damage to all enemies as you slam them into the ceiling, then drop concentration and let them fall. Falling is so fast it'll all happen on your turn.

Outside one, it's a removal spell that lets you split the enemy, wall of force style, often no-save. Melee will be grateful to fight half as many enemies, then the other half (minus 10d6 hp, no save) once they're done. Just angle it so that not all enemies are in the area. And don't try to suspend enemies in a cavern long-term, it's not going to work.

Great when the enemy is immune to fear and charm, though I am surprised to not see HP on your spell list.

Also given your quickened metamagic, highly recommend considering swapping dimension door for sunbeam. You usually don't need 2 teleportation spells.

I dislike Crown of Stars. It's basically the same amount of damage as Sunbeam (4d12 = 26, vs 6d8 = 27), costs a higher level spell slot, affects only one target, no extra effects. With sunbeam, you quicken it, immediately get a blast in, possibly hitting 2 or more targets, then can full action another blast. Following turns, cast a normal spell quickened, action to use sunbeam again.

It's not concentration and it reverses the action economy, which is easier on your SP. That's great and all, but level 7 slots are worth quite a lot, and it's still single target. Wording is also a bit unclear as to whether you get to do any damage as part of your casting action, or if it's hard-limited at 4d12 per round as a bonus action, action just summoning the motes.

I will note one thing about it, though: it has great synergy with your tides of chaos to get advantage on the attack roll. If your DM refreshes this regularly, it'll help you a good bit, since you can crit on these.

3
KnightsWhoNiGod•

Uh Sunbeam takes concentration and offers a constitution save which are generally very high around this level instead of an attack roll against an AC which is generally pretty easy to hit at this level and you have the possibility to crit. You can pop Crown of Stars before a battle since it lasts for an hour and starts the fight with a bonus action and do a lot of damage.

2
SacredWeapon•

Wild magic sorcerer can apply a penalty to a target's saves, though, after seeing their roll against his spell effect.

If you hit 2 targets, and both save, sunbeam did more damage.

Concentration and SP economy is the big distinguishing factor, but when two spells are closely competitive and one is a higher level, I favor the lower level spell.

In truth, the ideal answer might well be 'both', since he can use both each turn, and any successful blind from sunbeam is free advantage with Crown of Stars. Maybe he doesn't need it, if his DM gives constant refreshes on his tides of chaos. I do, and spell->refresh tides->use tides on bonus action mote attack is pretty good.

But I just really love reverse gravity and feel very little compares to it. 70 AoE damage all at once or removal of half the enemy, no save for most of them, it's just a lot of potency.

Also- assuming at high levels your most frequent enemy is something super-tough that you'll never beat on saves is not really realistic. High level parties will face mobs of mid-level enemies, who will still fail DC19+1d4 CON saves, as well as solo high-level enemies, against whom crown of stars is stronger.

2
The_Goudy_MinMaxer•

Definitely etherealness. Just a super useful spell. Second choice would be prismatic day for the funness of it and because it’s a great AoE spell.

2
lucasmcmlDM•

I would pick either Delayed Blast Fireball or Crown of Stars, they both deal great damage and your party already have the teleport/plane shifting ones

1
To_DoOPSorcerer•

Delayed Blast Fireball does the same amount of damage an upcast Fireball does, unless you let it cook but I don't think that's a very viable option in combats that only last about 3-5 turns on average. I do agree on Crown of Stars being a good choice.

1
cosmichippo117•

The sorcerer, however, is best equipped to cook off a full DB fireball due to subtle spell.
The vizier welcomed Fiona to the court of the lich king. Mages were difficult to recruit, and harder still for an organization with an unjustly soured reputation.
They took their place at the center of the table, and Fiona pulled herself in. A speck of guano stuck from her finger to the underside of the table, the flash of light unnoticed under the table skirt.
“So, it says here you served 10 years apprenticing in necromancy. Who was your master?”
“None other than-” Fiona stammered out before spilling wine all over her robe. Undead servants lumbered over to assist, but she shooed them away.
“It’s quite alright, I’ll simply wash up in the fountain of dread outside. I’ll only be a moment.”
The vizier sighed. How could it be so difficult to find a decent mage? If he couldn’t hit his animate dead quotas this quarter, his bonus might -
#BOOM

2
everlivingbees•

Delayed Blast Fireball is super easy to just let cook, especially if you’re deling with enemies who have no idea what you just cast so they let it sit.

1
copypastepukeI want to play Lizardfolk Mystic•

Go FIRESTORM. ten ten foot cubes of whirling fire death? It's just cool at the start of a battle to go, THESE TEN GUYS? YEAH FUCK YOU WITH FIRE BITCH. edit: you could always go FINGER OF DEATH and raise yourself a temporary ally...

1
Bittershort•

Finger of death zombie is a permanent (until killed) ally

2
To_DoOPSorcerer•

I didn't list Finger of death because it really doesn't work with the flavor of the character.

Party used to have a grave cleric that opposed (almost all) necromancy and even though he didn't like the cleric, what he said about necromancy stuck with the character.

1
copypastepukeI want to play Lizardfolk Mystic•

Yes, and unless youve got negative energy wave you cant heal it to keep it up and killing

-2
Bittershort•

They regain all hit points on long rests and they can spend hit dice on short rests

3
copypastepukeI want to play Lizardfolk Mystic•

Wow, that is awesome news that I entirely missed

1
To_DoOPSorcerer•

AoE damage / CC is not an issue and Fire Storm damage feels subpar against individual strong mobs.

1
copypastepukeI want to play Lizardfolk Mystic•

Not every spell is great for every situation, true. But when it is useful? its gonna be an epic moment for a character. Besides that, go with the spell your character thinks is the coolest

2
To_DoOPSorcerer•

I really like the second part of your post. The characters perception of cool should definitely have an influence on what I pick, thanks.

2
worstdndplayereverWorst Sorcerer Ever•

I would pick Sunbeam.

But out of your selection, Crown of Stars. I'm going for it on my Divine Soul because it's thematic and works well with something else I have, though; Sunbeam would be my pick in other circumstances.

1
Kimura304War Duke•

I have Reverse Gravity and Prismatic Spray on my sorcerer. I tend to favor reverse gravity most of the time but I have wings so I can fly in the area if needed. You really need a staff of power so you can drop stone wall and fireball and grab some other spells.

1
AshArkon•

Crown of stars lasts 1 hour, has no concentration, gives you another option in combat, and looks super cool.

I may be a bit biased, but it is one of my top favorite spells.

1