Do Sorcerers Get Healing Spells? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, sorcerers in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can access healing spells, though their healing capabilities are not as extensive or straightforward as those of classes like clerics or paladins. The key factor is the Sorcerous Origin a sorcerer chooses. While not all origins grant healing spells directly, several offer powerful options to mitigate damage and restore health. Notably, the Divine Soul origin is designed to allow sorcerers to act as potent healers. Additionally, while not as common, certain magic items and multiclassing options can expand a sorcerer’s healing repertoire. In other games, such as Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) and Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV), the approach to sorcerers and healing differs. Let’s delve deeper into how sorcerers handle healing across different contexts.
Healing Capabilities in D&D 5th Edition
The Divine Soul Sorcerer
The most prominent example of a healing-focused sorcerer in D&D 5e is the Divine Soul origin. This subclass grants access to the cleric spell list in addition to the sorcerer spell list. This means that Divine Soul sorcerers can learn powerful healing spells like Healing Word, Cure Wounds, and even Mass Healing Word. The Divine Soul also receives features that improve healing such as Favored by the Gods, allowing them to add 2d4 to a failed saving throw or missed attack once per rest, which can be incredibly helpful in keeping themselves in a position to heal, and Empowered Healing, letting them spend a sorcery point to reroll the dice when they restore hit points with a spell, potentially maximizing healing output.
Empowered Healing
All sorcerers have access to the Empowered Healing metamagic option (via the Metamagic Adept feat, or the variant class feature Metamagic Options). This metamagic allows a sorcerer to spend 1 sorcery point when they cast a spell that restores hit points to reroll any number of the spell’s hit point dice. This can be critical to optimizing healing, especially at lower levels where rolls can be variable. It’s important to note that while it doesn’t grant new healing spells, it drastically improves the effectiveness of the ones sorcerers do have.
The Limits of Sorcerer Healing
Even with the Divine Soul origin and Empowered Healing, sorcerers don’t usually become primary healers in the way a cleric or paladin might. They don’t have the same consistent access to high-level healing spells, and they possess a smaller number of spells known compared to other spellcasting classes. They’re often more suited as secondary or burst healers, providing crucial health regeneration in emergencies or amplifying existing healing.
Sorcerer Healing Outside of D&D
Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)
In ESO, the Magicka Sorcerer can effectively heal through various skills and abilities. Summon Twilight Matriarch is a key ability, providing a burst heal for the group. Furthermore, abilities like Empowered Ward not only provide shielding, but also grant the group Minor Intellect, increasing their Magicka Recovery. ESO sorcerers are capable of performing roles beyond that of simple damage dealers, often proving to be versatile and strong in supporting roles.
Other Games
The portrayal of sorcerers as healers varies significantly across games and settings. For example, in the game Dragon’s Dogma, sorcerers provide utility and status cleansing more than direct healing. Conversely, in games like Final Fantasy XIV, specific jobs like the Blue Mage can learn healing spells, offering more adaptability and strategic options. The ability of a sorcerer to heal greatly depends on the game mechanics and the specific design of the character class.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best way for a sorcerer to heal in D&D?
The Divine Soul origin is the most efficient path to healing as it gives access to cleric spells, including powerful healing options. Additionally, the Empowered Healing metamagic is an excellent way to increase the efficacy of your healing spells.
2. Can a standard (non-Divine Soul) sorcerer heal?
While non-Divine Soul sorcerers have fewer healing spells available, they can still learn a few. Additionally, through the Metamagic Adept feat, all sorcerers can access metamagic options such as Empowered Healing, making their healing efforts far more effective.
3. What are the primary healing spells available to a Divine Soul Sorcerer?
Divine Soul sorcerers have access to the cleric spell list, giving them choices such as Healing Word, Cure Wounds, Mass Healing Word, Prayer of Healing, and many more.
4. How does Empowered Healing work exactly?
Empowered Healing is a metamagic option. When a sorcerer uses a spell that restores hit points, they can spend one sorcery point to reroll any number of the dice rolled. You must use the new roll, even if it’s lower.
5. Can a sorcerer be a dedicated healer in D&D?
While a Divine Soul sorcerer can certainly fill a healing role, they are not usually as effective as dedicated healers like clerics or paladins due to having fewer spells known and a focus on offensive capabilities. Sorcerers often act as burst healers or secondary support.
6. Can sorcerers heal in Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)?
Yes, Magicka Sorcerers in ESO can be very effective healers. Their Summon Twilight Matriarch provides strong burst heals, and they can also provide support with Minor Intellect using abilities like Empowered Ward.
7. Are sorcerers good healers in other games like Dragon’s Dogma?
No, in Dragon’s Dogma, sorcerers don’t directly heal but can remove status ailments. Their focus lies in offensive magic and utility.
8. How do mages heal themselves in games like World of Warcraft?
In World of Warcraft, mages use barriers, and have abilities that heal a chunk of their HP. They can also obtain a legendary effect that grants them access to all three class barriers after they cast their chosen specialization’s barrier.
9. Do sorcerers need long rests to regain spell slots?
Yes, sorcerers regain all expended spell slots when they finish a long rest.
10. What are sorcerers’ primary weaknesses?
Sorcerers are known for having fewer hit points, and their lack of armor makes them vulnerable to physical attacks. They are often considered glass cannons, capable of dealing high damage but are unable to take much damage in return.
11. Can sorcerers switch spells?
Yes, at each new level sorcerers can replace one known spell. This allows for some customization and adaptation to different situations.
12. Are sorcerers better than wizards?
It depends on playstyle and preferences. Sorcerers have less access to spells, but use a limited amount of powerful spells with metamagic to enhance their efficiency. Wizards have far more spells at their disposal, but require books to scribe down new magic.
13. Can a female sorcerer be called a sorceress?
Yes, the female term for a sorcerer is a sorceress.
14. What is the strongest heal skill in ESO?
Many of the strongest healing skills in ESO are area-of-effect (AoE) Heal over Time (HoT) abilities that can be placed on the ground, allowing you to heal multiple allies.
15. Can a sorcerer multiclass into a healing class?
Yes, a sorcerer can multiclass into a class with more healing capabilities, such as a cleric or paladin. This can expand their access to spells and abilities for healing. However, it’s important to consider the potential trade-offs in overall class progression when multiclassing.
Conclusion
While not traditionally viewed as primary healers, sorcerers, especially Divine Soul sorcerers in D&D, can contribute significantly to a party’s survival through healing. The Empowered Healing metamagic option further enhances the effectiveness of any healing spells they learn. In games like ESO, their healing capabilities are even more pronounced, with unique skills and abilities that allow them to support groups effectively. Ultimately, the versatility and adaptability of sorcerers make them viable healers depending on the specific game system and character build.