New DnD player--sorcerer

[Eldariel]

Which edition of D&D, first? My advice applies to 3.5.
What level are you starting at? Do tell so we can specify the advice better.

Anyways, the key to Sorcerer is picking versatile spells; you have very limited spells you can know so better make sure the ones you do know are ones you'll be able to use in many ways and all the time (because you have a lot of castings per day of the spells you know). Similarly, redundant spells of the same type are a bad pick. Focus on spells that do different things.

Like, if you know Fireball, you probably shouldn't bother learning Lightning Bolt too (and you don't really need either unless you want to specifically be hurting things), and it's really questionable if Scorching Ray and Enervation are both worth having.


The other point is obviously staying out of melee. Every time you cast a spell, if opponent isn't Large or doesn't use a reach weapon, you can take a 5' step away to cast safely (so that he cannot threaten you while casting; all creatures threaten squares around them which means you need to "cast defensively" or give them an attack of opportunity against you).

Otherwise, you need to cast defensively, which is really pretty easy on higher levels. Skill-wise, you should definitely take full ranks in Concentration. Beyond that, Spellcraft and Knowledge (Arcane) are useful to a caster, along with crossclass Tumble (it's a static DC 15 to move away safely without provoking attacks of opportunity, allowing you to get out of the reach of even bigger creatures to cast safely).


And yeah, if possible, interpose your own warrior-types between you and the opponents. Stay behind, but close enough that the other characters can protect you if the party gets ambushed.

Solo's Stupendously Superior Sorcerer Stratagems is an amusingly written guide to Sorcerer-hood.

Much of the spell advice from Playing a GOD also applies, since the guide glorifies versatile spells, just what Sorcerer wants.


EDIT: Switched to newer SSSSS Guide-link.