Is Elven Magic bugged? (Elf natural talent)

[Sephariel]

So, I have been testing the sorcerer class with a few different races and while I was trying out the elf, which has the Elven Magic talent (+2 DC), I found out that it seems bugged.

For example, when I cast daze on the first enemy I meet in the Aldori Keep, the DC is 14 with the maximum of 18 charisma possible with the elven race, whereas a half-elf or an halfling with 20 charisma has a DC of 15. Normally with Elven Magic, the elf DC should be 16, no?

Am I missing something here? I thought elves were supposed to be the best at spellcasting in this game? Are they?

[Mork]

Its +2 spell penetration ... not DC

Edit: +2 to overcome spell resistance

[Sephariel]

Ohhh, I see. Well, is the +2 spell penetration worth the -1 DC ?

[Mork]

I will say DC is more important ... most of the monster don't have any spell resistance.

Elf are strong wizard or Int sorcerer

[jsaving]

Agreed, hardly any monsters in the game have spell resistance so DC is way more important than spell pen.

[Sephariel]

So, elves makes lousy sorcerers compared to other races who caqn achieve 20 charisma at creation then?

[Blood Flowers]

Originally posted by Sephariel:

So, elves makes lousy sorcerers compared to other races who caqn achieve 20 charisma at creation then?

Yes. Especially if you are running an illusion sorcerer since Gnomes are hands-down the best for that role.

If you expect to hit level 20 (which with just the base game it is rather unlikely unless you run less than 6 characters and don't share XP), you only put 19 points in CHA since it gives you more stat points to distribute as a whole. This is relevant if you are playing in the BtSL rogue-like mode where you almost always hit level 20. Also sort of relevant if you just really want to be min-maxed for the late game in the campaign and have the DLCs to boost your XP. Though, the early strength may be worth more than the slightly stronger late game.

[jsaving]

"Lousy" is probably overstating it. Many spells you cast won't have a DC, like haste and magic missile, so your charisma won't affect how well you can cast them. Other times you'll cast a spell that doesn't have a saving throw (negating the need for a high DC) or cast at a foe who has spell resistance (in which case you'd wish you had the elven +2 to spell pen). However there will certainly be times when elves are slightly worse at casting a spell than another race would have been.

[Amigo]

Ive been playing on challenging difficulty as an eldritch knight and i can tell you theres good enough amount of tough enemies with spell resistance.

You can take a couple of feats to increase spell penetration. Some spells (conjuration spells mostly) ignore spell resistance completely.