POLL: Sorcerer spells in normal mode - level one

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This poll is a follow up to the other thread: http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/14/2930.html

Grade the level one sorcerer spells according to their usefulness in normal mode. Remember that the typical sorcerer will be able to learn five of these in normal mode, and cast eight per day.

Grading scale:
A: Powerful
B: Effective
C: Marginal or highly situational.
D: Ineffective. Do not learn.
F: Worthless. Do not learn.
?: I don't know.

Poll Information
This poll contains 19 question(s). 21 user(s) have voted.

Poll Results: Sorcerer spells in normal mode - level one (21 votes.)

Burning Hands (Choose 1)
* A - 10% (2)
* B - 19% (4)
* C - 48% (10)
* D - 10% (2)
* F - 14% (3)
* ? - 0% (0)

Charm Person (Choose 1)
* A - 33% (7)
* B - 24% (5)
* C - 19% (4)
* D - 10% (2)
* F - 14% (3)
* ? - 0% (0)

Chill Touch (Choose 1)
* A - 0% (0)
* B - 0% (0)
* C - 19% (4)
* D - 5% (1)
* F - 76% (16)
* ? - 0% (0)

Chromatic Orb (Choose 1)
* A - 76% (16)
* B - 14% (3)
* C - 5% (1)
* D - 0% (0)
* F - 5% (1)
* ? - 0% (0)

Color Spray (Choose 1)
* A - 0% (0)
* B - 19% (4)
* C - 24% (5)
* D - 29% (6)
* F - 29% (6)
* ? - 0% (0)

Grease (Choose 1)
* A - 5% (1)
* B - 24% (5)
* C - 29% (6)
* D - 29% (6)
* F - 14% (3)
* ? - 0% (0)

Ice Dagger (Choose 1)
* A - 0% (0)
* B - 29% (6)
* C - 14% (3)
* D - 33% (7)
* F - 19% (4)
* ? - 5% (1)

Identify (Choose 1)
* A - 24% (5)
* B - 24% (5)
* C - 38% (8)
* D - 10% (2)
* F - 5% (1)
* ? - 0% (0)

Larloch's Minor Drain (Choose 1)
* A - 0% (0)
* B - 19% (4)
* C - 19% (4)
* D - 24% (5)
* F - 38% (8)
* ? - 0% (0)

Mage Armor (Choose 1)
* A - 33% (7)
* B - 43% (9)
* C - 10% (2)
* D - 10% (2)
* F - 5% (1)
* ? - 0% (0)

Magic Missile (Choose 1)
* A - 90% (19)
* B - 10% (2)
* C - 0% (0)
* D - 0% (0)
* F - 0% (0)
* ? - 0% (0)

Minor Mirror Image (Choose 1)
* A - 5% (1)
* B - 19% (4)
* C - 29% (6)
* D - 24% (5)
* F - 24% (5)
* ? - 0% (0)

Protection From Evil (Choose 1)
* A - 10% (2)
* B - 33% (7)
* C - 52% (11)
* D - 0% (0)
* F - 5% (1)
* ? - 0% (0)

Protection from Petrification (Choose 1)
* A - 5% (1)
* B - 14% (3)
* C - 14% (3)
* D - 19% (4)
* F - 48% (10)
* ? - 0% (0)

Ray of Enfeeblement (Choose 1)
* A - 5% (1)
* B - 14% (3)
* C - 24% (5)
* D - 19% (4)
* F - 19% (4)
* ? - 19% (4)

Shield (Choose 1)
* A - 24% (5)
* B - 38% (8)
* C - 24% (5)
* D - 5% (1)
* F - 5% (1)
* ? - 5% (1)

Shocking Grasp (Choose 1)
* A - 0% (0)
* B - 5% (1)
* C - 24% (5)
* D - 14% (3)
* F - 52% (11)
* ? - 5% (1)

Sleep (Choose 1)
* A - 10% (2)
* B - 33% (7)
* C - 43% (9)
* D - 5% (1)
* F - 10% (2)
* ? - 0% (0)

Summon Monster I (Choose 1)
* A - 5% (1)
* B - 10% (2)
* C - 38% (8)
* D - 14% (3)
* F - 33% (7)
* ? - 0% (0)

 

Chromatic orb, Magic Missile, Sleep, (it is great against goblins and orcs for the first chapters) and Shield/Armor are definite winners of this spell level. IMHO, ofcourse. Ice Dagger or Burning Hands are not that bad if you fancy elemental damage, especially with elemental feats later on, they are handy to have!

 

Only 9 voters? I thought this game was still a little more popular than that.

 

Magic Missile, Chromatic Orb, and Mage Armor are spells that I find useful even mid- to late-game--these three I never do without.

Sleep would be more useful if a sleeper didn't wake up after the first hit (unlike BG or NWN), but it still has its uses early on. Same goes for Burning Hands, when enemies are low HP and attack en masse.

Shield is nice, but duration stinks. Identify isn't that big a deal, because by the time you start finding stuff worth identifying, your Knowledge:Arcana level is fairly high.

The rest I usually don't bother with, but that's more a matter of my play style than anything else--I've never found much use for enchantment/charm spells, and ray of enfeeblement is like identify: by the time you face something strong enough to use it on, the target shakes it off quite easily.

 

I voted as I remember using the spells. Don't think I ever used Icy Dagger.

Chromatic orb, Magic Missile, Sleep and Identify are. IIRC, the ones I used the most.

 

Why pick up Mage Armour when you can get a Ring to cast it once every day?
I don't get it... It's not like there isn't any protective item granting more armour bonus.

 

Yeah...I've played this game times and again but still haven't figuered out what "Chromatic Orb" does...could someone explain it to me...

 

Chromatic Orb is my most used 1st level spell. It is absolutely devastating at level 5 and beyond.

====================
Chromatic Orb (Evocation)
Level: Brd 1, Sor/Wiz 1
Range: Sight of Caster
Duration: Special
Casting Time: 1
Area of Effect: 1 creature
Saving Throw: Reflex negates

This spell creates a 4-inch-diameter sphere that can be hurled unerringly to
its target. The orb's effect depends on the level of the wizard: a 1st-level
sphere inflicts 1-4 damage and blinds the target for one round. A 2nd-level
sphere inflicts 1-6 damage and inflicts pain upon the victim. A 3rd-level
sphere deals 1-8 damage and burns the victim for 1-3 fire damage. A 4th-level
sphere deals 1-10 damage and blinds the target for four rounds. A 5th to 6th-
level sphere deals 1-12 damage and stuns the target for three rounds. The 7th
to 9th-level sphere deals 2-16 damage and paralyzes the victim for 13 rounds.
==================================

 

@Caradhras
I just like to have the spell at the start of the game--particularly when I'm doing a solo run with a sorcerer.

@Lionheart
I don't have the spell description text handy--it deals 1d4+(caster level) damage plus extra effects based on level.
IIRC if your caster level is 6+ you get a stunning/paralyzation effect if the target fails its save. It's perfect for paralyzing those ogres at Shaengarne bridge so they don't damage the supports too much before you kill them.

@Acrux
Thanks, you got the description up before I finished my post.

 

Magic Missile and Chromatic Orb are must-haves. Identify, shields and sleep can be useful. I always take Summon I simply to trip the traps

 

Protection from Petrification was voted better than 'F' by 7 out of 15 participants...can this spell be used for anything at all in IWD2? I don't recall ever being petrified, am I missing something?

 

Pretty sure you aren't missing anything, nunsbane. Elections aren't perfect...

 

last bump