Spellbook Sorcerer (D&D Sorcerer variant)

Unofficial rules compendium

The spellbook sorcerer is conceptually very close to a wizard and may work best in a setting that for some reason lacks wizards.

A spellbook sorcerer is very close to a wizard in outlook and method. Like a wizard, the spellbook sorcerer has a spellbook and prepares a number of spells from his spellbook each day. Where a wizard plans which spells he is to cast how many times, loading up the spell and leaving a few short syllables unspoken, the spellbook sorcerer memorizes a magical spell pattern through which he can channel energy again and again, just like a regular sorcerer. This means that while a wizard prepares an exact selection of spells for the day, the spellbook sorcerer selects a palette of spells, and can decide exactly what spells to cast as the opportunity presents itself.

Bonus feats:

• Level 1:
  • Scribe Scroll
• Level 5, 10, 15, 20: select from this list:
  • Any metamagic feat
  • Any item creation feat
  • Spell Mastery

Spell Preparation

The spellbook sorcerer has a spellbook, just like a wizard. A level one spellbook sorcerer starts with all of the standard level zero spells (cantrips) from the player's handbook and three level one spells. In addition he has a number of level one spells equal to his Intelligence modifier from personal research and excellence as a student. If the sorcerer has a negative Intelligence modifier, he does not receive fewer spells. Each level the sorcerer advances, he learns two new spells for free, representing his magical study. Any additional spells must be scribed in the same manner a wizard does.

When a spellbook sorcerer prepares spells, he selects which spells to use for that day up to the limit of his "known spells" class feature. In other words, a spellbook sorcerer has access to the same palette of spells a regular sorcerer has, but can change the exact spells in his mind from day to day. It takes a spellbook sorcerer an hour to prepare spells.

There are some possible complications to this:

• Feats that grant extra known spells, such as New Spell, adds the spell to the spellbook sorcerer's spell book and spell list, but does not give any additional known spells. This makes New Spell less interesting to spellbook sorcerers than to the other sorcerer variants.
• A multiclass wizard/spellbook sorcerer only needs to maintain one spellbook for both his classes. Any spell in this book can be prepared by either class, subject to normal spell slot limits.
• Spellbook sorcerers can learn and use the Spell mastery feat, just like a wizard can. Like a wizard, a spellbook sorcerer can prepare read magic from memory alone.
• It is possible to have to few spells of a certain level to prepare the full number of spells for that level. Such spells known can still be used for spells of a lower level. Keep this in mind when adding new spells to the spellbook.