We have a winner

Well, WOTC seems reactive rather than prescriptive. TSR was even worse, or should I say Gary Gygax was too unwilling to correct his design flaws. I prefer fantasy tropes where Wizards (or any class) by themselves can be overwhelmed. Hero teams always have their own synergy, positive and negative.

Glenn Wilson

Gotcha!

TBH the last time martial characters were “strong” was 1974 with 3 classes Fighting-man (D8 hp) Cleric (D6 hp) and Mage (D4 hp) before the first supplement article. And yet the push to make spell casters even more relatively powerful continues. One wonders if it is just easier to write more spells or if WOTC is following the sparkles and flash aspects of character design to sell more books.

Glenn Wilson

So good, Chris. This is why you make big bucks. Loved it!

Very Interesting! It surprises me that the game designers gave the additional two spells per level to the Tasha's subclasses, but didn't use the optional sorcerer class features to do this for the other sorcerer subclass options which are now effectively gimped and suboptimal.

Falcon_Neil

Phil Jones: but that sorlock guide is pre-tashas!

Mistwell

Mark Cronan, here is the link to TMs Sorlock. It’s an awesome build! https://youtu.be/WYeXSSQxxv4

Excellent analysis as always.

This just made me want to see more sorc builds from you. I'd love to see a SorLock build from you for instance. That's a halfling. Of course.

Mistwell

I know what you mean. I like modrons and I like the idea of a clockwork caster, but sorcerer seemed an odd choice for the base class. Wizard or Artificer would have made a lot more sense.

Treantmonk's Temple

That was a very good analysis. I agree with you that clockwork soul and aberrant mind completely changes a sorcerer power. However, it bothers me that I personally dislike the thematic of these subclasses. They don’t feel very “sorcery” to me, if you know what I mean. Mechanically they are stronger and have access to metamagic like all sorcerers, but it doesnt feel like a sorcerer anymore. But as I said, that’s something personal. I’m sure there are lots of players that liked the theme of the subclasses or don’t mind this kind of thing.

Great work as always. This time I think I have more to offer than a simple good job. I think you missed the mark on a couple points. HtH: when you take the ability to quicken and or twin a spell along with booming blade and green glade blade the sorcerer can put out a massive amount of damage. Allowing them to compete with even the blade singer. And if you take Crawford’s post that he would allow shadow blade and the two above cantrips you have some truly terrifying options. 2nd I don’t think you gave subtle spell enough attention. What would a wizard give to be able to have counter spell free spells. That to me is extremely powerful. As always you are the sage I trust the most. Thanks for your thoughtful analysis.

Bryan S. Warren

Awesome. I look forward to watching this. Any chance we could get a similar video but with warlocks? I’m constantly trying to reconcile my lack of slots and reliance on DM short rests with the awesome class feature.