Pure sorcerer vs sorlock

[Rivazar]

I got back to BG3 after early access.
I already planned companions builds more or less, so only my char left.
Which if more fun to play sorc pure or sorc lock?
Yes I know that I can swap anytime and reroll for a bit of gold but still I need to Chose what First to try.
As i understand pure sorc gets more spells and more spell slots with more Metallgiesserei options while sorlock is just sorc with Eldrich blast which sound a bit boring.

[CorwynCorey]

It is a differing playstyle in many ways.

Warlocks get slots back on a short rest. They have options for melee. They have the most reliable damage and knockback in the game, and costs nothing, but has options. They are, in essence, the fighter of casters.

Pure you get more spells. more points. Which in itself is more options.
They play differently.

[wendigo211]

I'd say start with a pure Sorc until about level 5 or 6. Depending on how you feel about the class at that time, you can either add some Warlock or continue as a Sorc.

[Cl∅VER]

Warlock I would recommend if you want to be a viable martial as well as caster (though paladin would be better as multiclass for that) I don't think converting pact slots into sorcery points works very well yet in BG3 tho, as far as I can tell it prioritizes your spell slots and will only use pact slots if you have no other slots left.

[Rivazar]

Originally posted by pinkscope:

Warlock I would recommend if you want to be a viable martial as well as caster (though paladin would be better as multiclass for that) I don't think converting pact slots into sorcery points works very well yet in BG3 tho, as far as I can tell it prioritizes your spell slots and will only use pact slots if you have no other slots left.

I already want to make Wyll pala warlock

[Ranpo]

I like pure Sorc more, invincibility shield plus haste basically lets you nuke the whole map while taking zero dmg for 3 rounds

[lazarusblack]

If you want raw power, go pure sorc. Warlock just limits the sorc builds max power potential while making the class a little less squishy in exchange. You don't get greater situational versatility and infact, you'll always end up favouring your sorc abilities in combat, over the weaker and less effective warlock ones, due to the action economy.

I agree that if you really want martial prowess from a sorc build, go paladin instead.

[Gregorovitch]

A level 12 sorcerer gets one level 6 spell slot plus two sorcery points more than a warlock 2/sorcerer 10 sorlock. Slots available for level 1-5 five spells are identical for level 10 and level 12 sorcerors

In return the Sorlock gets Eldritch Blast which does more reliable damage than pretty much any other spell until Fireball and certainly more than any other spammable bread and butter spell. However access to fireball is delayed by two levels of course.

Then you have another advantage for Sorclock in that your two warlock slots are refreshed on a short rest. One of those slots will almost certainly be reserved for Hex but it does mean you have one remaining offering three casts per long rest of any warlock spell at your current max spell casting level which has to be set against the loss of that one level six spell slot.

A final advantage is Hex. This warlock spell, which is 100% spammable, removes stat bonuses from enemy saving throws as well as enhancing Eldritch Blast damage output. This means many regular sorcerer spells can be made much more likely to land.

The Sorlock trade off is already generally very popular in table top D&D because of the power of this Eldritch Blast cantrip and Hex.

However in BG3 there two reasons why the case for the Sorlock is even stronger than normal:

1. BG3 has a LOT of verticality, way beyond what you see in a typical table top game. This makes Eldritch Blast's knock back ability almost God tier.

2. Withers shenanigans can be exploited to stack higher level Warlock spells later in the game to take full advantage of those extra three warlock casts you get per long rest (technically six but three are almost always used for Hex).

[captain403]

Originally posted by Gregorovitch:

A final advantage is Hex. This warlock spell, which is 100% spammable, removes stat bonuses from enemy saving throws as well as enhancing Eldritch Blast damage output. This means many regular sorcerer spells can be made much more likely to land.

This is incorrect. It only affects stat bonuses when the target uses an ability. Saving throws and attack rolls are explicitly excluded from hex.

[Edstyles]

Originally posted by pinkscope:

Warlock I would recommend if you want to be a viable martial as well as caster (though paladin would be better as multiclass for that) I don't think converting pact slots into sorcery points works very well yet in BG3 tho, as far as I can tell it prioritizes your spell slots and will only use pact slots if you have no other slots left.

Is lock really a viable martial. Smacking stuff as a pure lock doesnt sound very compelling. Thats what elritch blast isthere for allready.

Imo if u want a martial as a pure class with full spellcast. Bard is a far better option