Do Sorcerers Get Wings? Unlocking the Secrets of Soaring Spellcasters

The question of whether sorcerers can sprout wings is a frequent one among players of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e). The answer, while straightforward, comes with nuances that can significantly impact your gameplay. The short answer is: Yes, sorcerers can get wings, but it’s not a default ability, and it’s specific to certain subclasses.

Specifically, a Draconic Bloodline sorcerer gains the ability to grow wings at a specific level. Let’s delve deeper into how this works and explore other related aspects of sorcerous flight.

Draconic Wings: Manifesting Your Inner Dragon

The most common way for a sorcerer to gain wings is through the Draconic Bloodline subclass. At 14th level, a Draconic Bloodline sorcerer gains the Draconic Wings feature. This allows them to manifest a pair of dragon wings from their back as a bonus action.

Here are the key aspects of Draconic Wings:

• Bonus Action Activation: Summoning or dismissing these wings requires only a bonus action on your turn, making it incredibly flexible in combat and exploration.
• Speed: The flying speed granted by these wings is equal to your current walking speed. This ensures the flying is useful and keeps you mobile.
• Duration: The wings last until you dismiss them, also as a bonus action. This makes flight something they can maintain for long periods, limited only by having to spend bonus actions to toggle the effect.
• Magical Nature: These wings are inherently magical, appearing and disappearing at your will, and not bound by physical limitations.

The ability to sprout dragon wings, coupled with the inherent powers of a sorcerer, makes high-level Draconic Bloodline sorcerers formidable opponents and incredibly mobile allies.

Other Sorcerer Flight Options

While the Draconic Bloodline is the most well-known path to winged sorcerer glory, it’s not the only one. Sorcerers of other subclasses can access flight, but in different forms:

Divine Soul Sorcerer

The Divine Soul sorcerer subclass, often imbued with celestial magic, can gain flight through the Angelic Form feature at 14th level. This doesn’t grant literal wings but a magical ability to fly and hover.

Aberrant Mind Sorcerer

The Aberrant Mind sorcerer, linked to psychic and otherworldly forces, gains flight with Revelation in Flesh at level 14, another transformative ability that grants the power to fly.

Storm Sorcerer

Storm Sorcerers can achieve flight earlier and in more varied ways:

• Tempestuous Magic (Level 1): This feature allows a Storm Sorcerer to fly a short distance as a bonus action immediately after casting a 1st-level or higher spell.
• Wind Soul (Level 18): At 18th level, Storm Sorcerers gain a permanent flying speed equal to their current walking speed.

It’s worth noting, however, that not all sorcerers can fly. Most sorcerer subclasses don’t get flight features built-in. This means choosing your subclass carefully can dictate whether your sorcerer takes to the skies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of sorcerer flight, as well as a variety of related topics.

1. What level do Draconic Bloodline sorcerers get wings?

A Draconic Bloodline sorcerer gains the ability to manifest dragon wings at level 14.

2. Can a Draconic Sorcerer use their wings to hover?

Yes, they can use their wings to hover. The rules for flight in 5e allows for flying to be used to hover. The text of Draconic Wings specifically states the sorcerer gains a flying speed, and this means a normal ability to hover.

3. Do the Draconic Wings function in heavy armor?

The rules for Draconic Wings do not impose any restrictions based on armor. Therefore, a Draconic Sorcerer can summon their wings and fly even while wearing heavy armor.

4. Can other races fly in 5e?

Yes, other races can have innate flying abilities, most notably Aarakocra and Winged Tieflings, and some races might gain flight through racial features or other game mechanics like feats.

5. Can a Dragonborn Sorcerer get wings from the Draconic Bloodline?

Yes. Even though Dragonborns are related to dragons, the Draconic Bloodline sorcerer’s wings are still an option. They aren’t mutually exclusive.

6. Do sorcerers have a natural breath weapon ability?

No. The sorcerer class itself, does not grant a natural breath weapon. However, the article you gave included information from an older version of the game, and these rules are not compatible with 5th edition.

7. Which dragon ancestor is best for a Draconic Bloodline Sorcerer?

The most frequently recommended are Red, Brass, and Gold, as they boost fire damage, and many damaging spells a sorcerer uses are fire based.

8. Is the Draconic Bloodline the best sorcerer bloodline overall?

No, the best sorcerer bloodline is subjective and depends on your playstyle. The Arcane bloodline, for example, is favored for its strong focus on metamagic.

9. What is the lifespan of a Dragonborn?

Dragonborn reach adulthood by 15 and live to be around 80 years old.

10. Can sorcerers wear armor?

By default, sorcerers do not have armor proficiencies. They can gain light armor proficiency by taking the Lightly Armored feat, or by multi-classing.

11. Can wingless dragons fly in D&D 5e?

Typically, no. Wingless creatures are not generally considered capable of flight in 5e. However, there may be special rules or monster abilities that make exceptions for specific creatures.

12. Do sorcerers gain a class feat at level 1?

No, sorcerers do not get a class feat at level 1, unlike some classes like Fighters. Human’s, however, can have a feat from their ancestry at first level.

13. What do sorcerers get at level 2?

At level 2, sorcerers gain sorcery points and the ability to use Metamagic to manipulate their spells.

14. What are some good races for sorcerers?

Some of the best races for sorcerers are Elf, Half-Elf, and Human, because their attributes align well with the sorcerer class.

15. Are sorcerers weaker than wizards?

Not necessarily. Sorcerers are less flexible in their spell selection, but can be more potent with the spells they do know, thanks to Metamagic. Wizards, on the other hand, have a greater breadth of spell options. Both are potent spellcasters, and not weaker overall.

Conclusion

The ability to fly is a powerful tool for any adventuring party. For sorcerers, the path to the skies is typically through the Draconic Bloodline, but other subclasses offer unique ways to ascend. Understanding these different options allows you to tailor your character to your desired playstyle, ensuring you not only rain down spells but can also do it from above. Whether you choose dragon wings, celestial magic, or the force of a storm, the power of flight is well within reach for a dedicated sorcerer. Choose your bloodline, and get ready to soar!