How do sorcerers learn new spells?

[eyebreaker7]

They only get so many and can spontaneously cast them. Does a sorcerer(ess) just suddenly know the new spells you want them to have? Or is there someone that teaches them?

"To learn or cast a spell, a sorcerer must have a Charisma score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a sorcerer’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the sorcerer’s Charisma modifier."

"These new spells can be common spells chosen from the sorcerer/wizard spell list, or they can be unusual spells that the sorcerer has gained some understanding of by study. "

[Kelb_Panthera]

It's left intentionally vague.

If the GM is using the DMG variant whereby level up involves spending several weeks in training with a master then it's probable that it's taught to you by another sorcerer or maybe even a dragon or some other supernatural creature.

If you just level up when you hit the xp with no delay or training necessary (the default) you can say whatever makes sense. I go with the sorcerer has been mulling over arcana when he spends the 15 minutes in meditation to restore his spells each day and has had an epiphany. It's supposed to be natural talent, after all.

[KillianHawkeye]

There's at least one instance in the novels about the 3e iconic characters where Hennet the Sorcerer spontaneously learns a new spell by leveling up in the middle of a magic duel, so I'm pretty sure a Sorcerer's magic just gets uncovered or revealed to them as they get more powerful.

[Biggus]

The nearest they come to describing it is the first line of the Sorcerer's entry in the PHB: "Sorcerers create magic the way a poet creates poems, with inborn talent honed by practice". Their spellcasting is based on Charisma, which is defined as "strength of personality". Putting these together, it suggests to me that they are inspired to create new magic, either by looking deep within themselves or by observation of the world, and when they have an idea they then have to practice and experiment to perfect it, perhaps as a musician does when they write a new song. Usually this comes out with something very similar to an existing spell, which is not surprising as standard spells are presumably the most natural/easy way to create a given effect, but occasionally one of them will bring something completely new into the world.

[Malphegor]

There’s a few different variants, even in the dmg there’s even a tiny paragraph saying some sorcerers are blessed by a patron who at the time of a levelup is sent an emissary who gifts them their spells, which is like a proto-Warlock flavour for sorcerers.

Personally, I go by sorcerers constantly trying out things in their own time and figuring out breakthroughs as they go.

[Peelee]

It's left intentionally vague.

If the GM is using the DMG variant whereby level up involves spending several weeks in training with a master then it's probable that it's taught to you by another sorcerer or maybe even a dragon or some other supernatural creature.

If you just level up when you hit the xp with no delay or training necessary (the default) you can say whatever makes sense. I go with the sorcerer has been mulling over arcana when he spends the 15 minutes in meditation to restore his spells each day and has had an epiphany. It's supposed to be natural talent, after all.

And yet still requires material components. Always bristled against that. "It's a natural talent, these people just naturally fling bat guano around and happen to discover they can make fireballs!"

[Keltest]

And yet still requires material components. Always bristled against that. "It's a natural talent, these people just naturally fling bat guano around and happen to discover they can make fireballs!"

My understanding is that a sorcerer casting a spell is doing the same things that a wizard is, physically, but where a wizard needs to study their book to learn it, and the act of channeling the magic power burns the memory of how to do it from their mind, a sorcerer just sort of intuits it, and powers it with their own personal magical energy instead, so they don't have that mental burnout. But a sorcerer still has to train and exercise their power like a fighter has to exercise their muscles and practice swording.

[Peelee]

My understanding is that a sorcerer casting a spell is doing the same things that a wizard is, physically, but where a wizard needs to study their book to learn it, and the act of channeling the magic power burns the memory of how to do it from their mind, a sorcerer just sort of intuits it, and powers it with their own personal magical energy instead, so they don't have that mental burnout. But a sorcerer still has to train and exercise their power like a fighter has to exercise their muscles and practice swording.

I have no issue with the training and exercise, it's the use of materials. Wizards have to study to replicate magic through use of words, actions, and materials. Sorcerers use inherent magic, and thus shouldn't need to use materials, since they have their own magical energy. Just as a quick an ddirty, no DM would have a fight with a red dragon with the statement, "you see the dragon retrieve some iron powder as it casts Antimagic Field", even though they cast as sorcerers.

[Vizzerdrix]

I have no issue with the training and exercise, it's the use of materials. Wizards have to study to replicate magic through use of words, actions, and materials. Sorcerers use inherent magic, and thus shouldn't need to use materials, since they have their own magical energy. Just as a quick an ddirty, no DM would have a fight with a red dragon with the statement, "you see the dragon retrieve some iron powder as it casts Antimagic Field", even though they cast as sorcerers.

I always figured it was something akin to a craving when developing the spell. It just doesn't feel right to not feed some sulphur or bat poop to the casting of fireball, to the point where you can't, with out certain other feats.

[Angrith]

And yet still requires material components. Always bristled against that. "It's a natural talent, these people just naturally fling bat guano around and happen to discover they can make fireballs!"

Which is one reason I love the pf sorcerer so much. Not only do the bloodlines give a lot of flavor, but eschew materials is a bonus feat at level 1.

[Endarire]

You're inspired to write a song, but you still require a guitar, keyboard, flute, or other instrument to play it. That's how I viewed it.

[Peelee]

You're inspired to write a song, but you still require a guitar, keyboard, flute, or other instrument to play it. That's how I viewed it.

A wizard can learn music theory and use that knowledge to write song. A sorcerer can just hum or sing a new song on the spot without having to know sheet music. That's how I view it.

[Calthropstu]

The answer to this is, as so many other questions are answered, "Ask the GM."

Even by the same GM or story author it can vary widely from character to character.

Let's take a look at some possibilities:

Gerivede the chaos sorcerer has a deep connection to the maelstrom and the proteans who inhabit it. Each night in his dreams they whisper words of power to him. Sometimes these words have no meaning, sometimes they manifest as new spells in his mind. Sometimes they alter his physical and mental abilities.

Merlinia the Seer, as she is known, has the blood of celestials in her body. She feels the weight of the gods gaze upon her and struggles to be worthy of the gifts her blood grants her. She feels the gods reward her for her dilligence in fighting evil in all its forms. The more she commits to their glory, the more the power grows inside her.
'
Gergoth the Superb One struts his stuff. After defeating the Dragon Limorilixiathig and drinking its blood, power coursed through his body and a new spell formed in his mind. He wasn't sure why or how he needed to drink dragons blood, but he knew it unlocked new arcane spells deep in his mind. He wasn't a particularly bright person, so sitting around with books and studying wasn't for him. He was glad he drank that cup that had first unlocked his magic.

Fortina studied with the wizards guild, making sure the magic she wanted to learn could be cast properly. Slowly and surely, she was beginning to feel the magic being taught to her take root in her body. Once it was imprinted completely in her mind, it would never leave her. But first she had to learn the motions and words. She had to know instinctively when to channel her arcane energies to ignite in a glowing orb. But more importantly, she needed to learn how to cast it exactly where she wanted it without putting everyone but her targets in danger.

All 4 of those ways are valid. Still more methods could be invented. So whatever your GM wants to be the method for learning sorcery is what it will be.

[Nall21cp]

Basically they learn them through immaculate conception, but the vagueness provides plenty of roleplaying and story potential for a player and DM.

I played a sorceror once and we ruled that my lower level spells were based on personal emptions but as i leveled up, i would have to pick spells that i either spent time interacting with (a wizard ally use to spar with me in downtime), or obvious "improvements" from the original: having color spray meant id prioritize prismatic spells as available, or scorching ray would mean i prioritize fire spells as available. That allowed my spell list to also be in-game characterization.

[Zaq]

You're inspired to write a song, but you still require a guitar, keyboard, flute, or other instrument to play it. That's how I viewed it.


A wizard can learn music theory and use that knowledge to write song. A sorcerer can just hum or sing a new song on the spot without having to know sheet music. That's how I view it.

Pretty much exactly this, yeah. Maybe they were inspired by hearing the same song or a similar song somewhere else (which is why we're still picking from the same list), and maybe they just came up with it on their own, since after all, magic comes from somewhere.

[Doctor Despair]

I played a sorceror once and we ruled that my lower level spells were based on personal emptions but as i leveled up, i would have to pick spells that i either spent time interacting with (a wizard ally use to spar with me in downtime), or obvious "improvements" from the original: having color spray meant id prioritize prismatic spells as available, or scorching ray would mean i prioritize fire spells as available. That allowed my spell list to also be in-game characterization.

If I'm reading that right, your DM basically made you be some sort of specialist Sorcerer, right? I suppose it's not such an issue for a mailman Searing Spell kind of build, but it does limit versatility a lot for other builds. It is nice RP flavor though! :)