[EDIT] Do i need high Dexterity as sorcerer?

[Deathjester]

I was thinking of creating a slightly Str focused sorc who uses heavy armors lategame, but some spells use dexterity to hit right? Should i abandon these foolish hopes and just put points into Dex? I played kingmaker so i sort of know what i'm doing.

[EDIT] After a bit of research i came to the conclusion that i need to abandon the idea of using a heavy armor and instead think of using medium, the idea is that i can fight effectively while transformed into a dragon while still being able to sling spells. This is my character build: Str: 12 Dex:14 Con:14 Int:10 Wis:10 Cha:21

I will take Crossblooded sorcerer with Demonic bloodline, which will give me a +6 STR and as a second bloodline a Draconic bloodline and later on 4 levels of Dragon disciple which will give me 4 STR and 2 Nat armor.

Is this a viable build?

I'm looking for a fun game, not necessarily a minmaxed demigod. If most of my spells hit and i can hold my own against enemies i'm happy.

[ajfusch]

My magic users have nice dex (not overly high since the focus is still their main attribute) and no armor but they still cannot hit a barn door most of the time.

So, anything that restricts dex would be unwise if you want to use rays, I guess.

[Mork]

A melee sorcerer should mostly not care about spell that use DEX to touch. You want to use your spells to buff yourself to oblivion and hit the enemies with your 2 handed weapon.

Using a heavy armor for such character would be extremely subpar versus simply multiclassing with 1 level of scaled fist monk and using archemage armor.

For example, 9 sorcerer / 1 scaled fist / 10 Eldritch Knight stats would look like this ->

STR 19 -> 24
DEX 14
CON 12
INT 7 - 10
WIS 7
CHA 16 or 18

[Stink Bug]

If you want to be an arcane caster in heavy armor that doesn’t naturally support it (as both Magus or Armored Bloodrager do), be aware you’ll have to take the Arcane Armor Training line of feats and they only go up to 20% failure reduction. In addition, using it consumes a swift action, which means no quickened spells or use of the Sorcerous Reflex mythic. The Hellknight Signifier prestige class will help with both of those issues if you intended to pursue an armored Sorcerer, but to be honest a straight Eldritch Scion Magus might fit your intended character better with no wasted feats or non-caster class levels needed.

[darkholyPL]

Why would you take heavy armour?
There is zero reason to do so, outside of 'for fun'. You'll get much more actuall AC by not wearing any armour, and just buffing yourself.

[Nismu]

it is handy at least early game when you don't have much damage options (unless going melee sorc builds) though if you don't use much ray attacks there is little use for it as for basic damage you can later get staff that lets you do burning arc all day long ( though pretty much need to be fire specced to be really noticeable damage wit it but it is something. )

[Deathjester]

Updated the text, please take a look and tell me what you think.

[Stink Bug]

Originally posted by Deathjester:

Updated the text, please take a look and tell me what you think.

If you intend to be transformed, when you polymorph into a dragon anything in your armor or shield slots do not merge, meaning your medium armor is wasted. Also, crossblooded Sorcerer functionally delays your new spell level by one, for example you wouldn't get a level two spell until CB Sorc level 5! There is a Mythic ability which gives you a full second bloodline with no penalties, which puts crossblood to shame. Also be aware both the Demon and DD strength increases are inherent, and might not stack (I haven't tested).

As someone who also loves fun concepts over min/maxing and has tried several sorcerous eldritch knight types, I can say they take so long to get "online" in terms of being melee capable that by the time they do you're already used to being a pure caster AND have tons of (much more effective) spells per day to sling instead. If you intend to rely on the dragon transformation, you won't even have access to that until chapter 4, maybe late chapter 3.

[Deathjester]

Originally posted by Stink Bug:

Originally posted by Deathjester:

Updated the text, please take a look and tell me what you think.

If you intend to be transformed, when you polymorph into a dragon anything in your armor or shield slots do not merge, meaning your medium armor is wasted. Also, crossblooded Sorcerer functionally delays your new spell level by one, for example you wouldn't get a level two spell until CB Sorc level 5! There is a Mythic ability which gives you a full second bloodline with no penalties, which puts crossblood to shame. Also be aware both the Demon and DD strength increases are inherent, and might not stack (I haven't tested).

As someone who also loves fun concepts over min/maxing and has tried several sorcerous eldritch knight types, I can say they take so long to get "online" in terms of being melee capable that by the time they do you're already used to being a pure caster AND have tons of (much more effective) spells per day to sling instead. If you intend to rely on the dragon transformation, you won't even have access to that until chapter 4, maybe late chapter 3.

Do you know if dragon attacks use STR or DEX to hit? Is it whichever is higher or is it only STR?

[ayrtep]

The typical argument for high dex for a sorcerer, is that sorcerer can't use spells in armour so need to get AC from dex. If there is something about your build why that is not an issue then fell free to dump dex.

For example you could take a couple of student of war levels. This moves AC from dex to int. Guess that would mean you want to use a sage sorcerer. Not suggesting this is a good idea, just an illustration.