Talk:Soul Sorcerer (5e Subclass)

Hello, fellow wikian! The idea is awesome, makes sense for a socerer to utilize his/her own soul for magical power. However, here are some comments I'd like to share:

• Prerequisites. Note that alignment is not something that is supposed to be fixed. This may vary, but some DMs ask PCs to change their alignment based on their actions. (In my case, I asked my fighter to change his alignment from Neutral Good to Neutral when he decided that being nice to people all the time didn't benefit him much, and adopted a more cynical and pragmatic approach.) This is part of the reason why each race's alignment only mentions that a specific race tends to be more inclined to a specific alignment, because there's always an exception or two. (Or pretty much everyone, which is quite frequent in drows. Seriously, why is the race Chaotic Evil when every single one of them seems to be Chaotic Good?) Which is the reason I am personally opposed to putting an alignment prerequisite on the archetype, that is kinda like 3.5rd to me.

• Soul Projection. So basically, I expend one of my spell slot to deal damage, right? As an action, presumably, but up to what range? No attack roll or saving throw or whatever, it just hits? I didn't really understand what you mean by "cast a small projection and deal damage", do I make a double of myself that walks up to the target and punch it in the face?

Differing damage type per alignment is nice and all, but apart form the rather long rant above, this might be a bit misleading. Note that there could be an Evil Light-domain cleric who wants to annihilate the entire world with fire, and a Good Shadow-origin sorcerer who is sinister but only misunderstood. Damage type does not directly represent a specific alignment. Besides, it's still okay with radiant and necrotic damage, but force damage is something like an Almighty type in Shin Megami Tensei and Persona franchise: If you're not familiar with some JRPGs (although I highly recommend playing them, it's awesome [fanboying intensifies]) you can't resist or ignore it for the most time.

Here is my version of wording, shamelessly ripped off from paladin's Divine Smite feature: As an action, you can expend one sorcerer spell slot to choose one creature you can see within (range) feet from you. You cast a small projection to hit the creature. (You make a spell melee/ranged attack roll against the target, on a hit)/(The creature must succeed on a [ability] saving throw against your sorcerer spell save DC or) The creature takes (damage type) damage. The damage equals 1d6 plus your Charisma modifier for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d6 for each spell level higher than 1st (to a maximum of?).

• Soul Infusion. Pretty much same as above. Plus, I don't see why this must be 3rd-level spell slot or higher, considering that cleric and paladin gets a similar feature passively, and paladin can expend a spell slot of any level.

• Confident Soul. Not bad per se, but doubling your ability modifier is somewhat unorthodox. Maybe you can double your proficiency bonus, perhaps? Plus, Charisma saving throw bonus is somewhat weak, considering that you rarely make one in the first place. (The most frequent saving throws made are dex, con, and wis - if you're familiar with older editions, each represents Reflex, Fortitude, and Will.)

• Sure Soul. This is 18th-level feature, right? Making an attack as insta-hit and maximizing damage is strong, but you will understand that D&D is not all about dealing damage. Yes, combat is one of the bread and butter of D&D, but even in the combat you can come up with many different ways to have a spotlight.

Five long rests? That's perhaps one of the most unorthodox feature restoration I've seen within few weeks. It is a strong feature, yes, but perhaps nerfing this feature and making it "recharge after a long rest" would be more like it.

• Suggestions. From what I see so far, pretty much every features are all about dealing damage. Utilizing soul can come up with many different flavor, and I'm rather sad to see those potentials lost. Maybe utilizing soul can give you ability to something more than just delivering heavier punches, such as meddling with other's soul, temporarily leaving your body and into the Astral Plane (see monk's Empty Body feature for general idea), gaining access to more mind-affecting spells, and forth. I'm counting on this archetype, I believe that this can be improved and expanded for like 20 percents more awesome. --WeirdoWhoever (talk) 12:36, 12 April 2017 (UTC)