Ho there! Welcome friend! You might notice an interesting group of spellcasters sitting in the corner of my tavern today. Well, let me tell you, you see, a Tiefling, an Aasimar, and a Half-Ef walked into the bar this morning. HA! No joke. And guess what, there’s a serpent man here too! He’s outside, shedding his skin. HA HA! Ho, that part was a joke. He’s in the outhouse.

Today, The Dragon’s Beard is celebrating the enigmatic sorcerer class, but these shy fellows requested we keep the party simple, not like our normal boisterous festivities. Far be it from me to argue with someone born with such innate powerful magic.

My barmaid, Evelyn, tells me one of the two Tiefling here today, the woman, was in fact cursed, not born with her power. Hmmm…I wouldn’t know how that feels.

*wink*

*wink*

Anyway, let’s discuss what makes sorcerers so rare and unusual in fantasy and roleplaying games.

Weapons and Armor

Sorcerers are one of the worst melee classes in tabletop games. Don’t bother handing them weapons other than a light crossbow, sling, darts, staff, or maybe a dagger. They can’t master their use. However, since sorcerers are not carrying spell books in their hands, they may want to hold something. Since fidget toys are rare drops in most RPG games, your sorcerer friend may have a compulsion to hold something. If they decide to grip a dagger in their sweaty palm, don’t let them run up and down the stairs of my inn unless they are carrying it pointing down.

As far as armor is concerned, sorcerers don’t wear any. They can’t wear any. Ho! Don’t get old Balbo wrong. They aren’t naked! That would make for an interesting fantasy, wouldn’t it? Sorcerers are often adorned in fancy hats that award an interesting bonus for their wearer. Like a hat of invisibility. Can you imagine, sneaking about unseen, then, whoosh! Fireball to the face! Ha! I should ask one of these fine young users of magic if they have ever done that. It would be an amazing story to share with future adventurers.

Not only hats, but they can also wear capes imbued with special properties. Maybe a fancy cape, with a purple and gold pattern, or a tan one and a grey border. If your sorcerer is more of a spring than an autumn, they can pick a cape that is bright yellow and orange. A bold choice for the deep dungeons, but at least they would never get lost in the dark. More important than color is how useful the cape’s attribute is. Look for a cape that gives you an additional benefit that helps your team and/or your play style.

Magic – Yep, they got some!

The source of their magic is what makes sorcerers different than other magic user classes like wizards, warlocks, druids, and others. While many other spellcasters rely on inanimate objects like spell books, amulets, wands, staffs, or pacts with demons and devils, the sorcerer is using powers that are innate. Stop waving that wand at me, Harrius of Potterville! No, you’re not a sorcerer, you can’t have a free drink! Some wizards don’t know when to call it a day and go to bed. Ha!

Most sorcerers are born with innate power. Others have had power forced upon them. So, depending on their backstory, it could be a blessing or a curse. They also have access to something called Metamagic, which allows them to manipulate and customize their spells. This can be incredibly useful and increase the range and destructive force of a spell, among many other things.    

Races

In Dungeons and Dragons, the popular races for sorcerers are Yuan-Ti (serpent men), Tieflings, Aasimar, Half-Elves, and sometimes boring old humans. The top picks are often Aasimar and Tieflings. Those races often look like demons and angels…odd, right? I’m expecting an…interesting environment here in the bar as the night hours grow late. You see, I placed a wager with the cook, he thinks the Tieflings will get more attention from the drunkards than the Aasimar. Tis the devil you know, he said.

In games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Halflings, Gnomes, and Drow are added to the list. Which would you pick? A Drow sorcerer sounds truly wicked.

Backgrounds

Spellcaster backgrounds are often easier to pick than others. Players will often want bonuses that make them more powerful. There are four or five viable options, but Balbo suggests two great ones that people seem to agree on.

Charlatan is a good background for your new sorcerer build, and so is faction agent. Charlatan will help you make up for low dexterity with some extra charisma and deception skills. Faction Agent will add insight and mental skills that can help round out your sorcerer’s abilities. People also like to pick courier as a background; it gives insight and persuasion benefits as well as some fine upscale clothing that will make you the best one to meet with the nobles when questing.   

Who should play a Sorcerer?

Someone who wants raw power and is okay with being super squishy. Maybe you’re the creative one in your group of gamers. Or perhaps you like being the mysterious one. Playing a sorcerer means taking on a fun and exciting responsibility. It will be a mighty challenge, but the reward is the discovery of great power.  

That being said, this class may not be the best for beginners. However, it’s absolutely a great step for players who enjoy taking on the magic user roles and want to try something new. You know who you are, you have probably said, “burn baby, burn,” several times during tabletop game nights.

Can you name a famous sorcerer from a TV show, movie, or book? My pick is John Constatine, the occult detective from DC Comics.

Customize your Magic and your Beard!

Are you ready to have the next fantasy fable written about the exploits of your character? Well, Tabletop Beard is here to support your sorcerer and your beard, on this new adventure. Not everyone is born with the innate power of growing a big full beard. Some need an extra hand, and that is when Tabletop Beard will join your team to help you with your journey.

Tabletop Beard’s premium beard care products are created with the finest ingredients. Like the wielders of Metamagic, our company’s beard care magicians have crafted and customized fragrances you will thoroughly enjoy. The sorcerer scent will have you channeling chaos with the aroma of otherworldly cosmic cotton candy.

Our gathering of sorcerers may not be filling The Dragon’s Beard with song and merriment, but the inn is overflowing with an exciting undercurrent of mystery that is keeping everyone entranced, as if they just glimpsed the edge of another realm. Are you ready to join them? Let’s go, gamers!