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nukunuku wrote:

Reaper's Touch is actually far inferior to Blade Channeling because Blade Channeling does the same thing except it works for every ranged power and not just two at-wills. However, dependent on the interpretation of whether or not making a "basic ranged attack" into a "melee attack" also makes it a "basic melee attack", Reaper's Touch might be better if all you're trying to do is get a better "basic melee attack." However, if you interpret Blade Channeling to also make your basic ranged at-wills into basic melee at-wills, then Reaper's Touch is entirely redundant.

As was already posted, Reaper's Touch can be used with the dagger or staff implement. So, those of us using a Staff (+2 Staff of Fiery something-or-other, in my case) can still get good use of the melee attacks. You seem to have it in your mind that a Sorcerer should always use a dagger, apparently.

Also, in addition to dealing damage, Dragonfrost pushes the target 1 square. That is quite on par with the Fighter's Tide of Iron and this one doesn't require a shield. Acid Orb is good for dealing Acid damage in melee and is nice if you have the Burning Blizzard feat (+1 damage to cold and acid powers.)

Either way, I think the OP is right: sorcs just don't have the defense to really put themselves into positions where making basic melee attacks are a good idea. Dragon mages can already do it somewhat reliably with their high Str, but Wild mages just can't afford the feats.

It's a nice way to say "Bite me" to a baddie who comes up to you just before you shift away and run like heck. Also, Dragon Sorc's have to take just as many feats to survive in melee. They just don't have to spend as many feats for dealing *damage* in melee.... High Str doesn't equal high Con.

Undrhil wrote:

As was already posted, Reaper's Touch can be used with the dagger or staff implement. So, those of us using a Staff (+2 Staff of Fiery something-or-other, in my case) can still get good use of the melee attacks.

In my opinion a d6 (or d8) vs. d4 for melee attacks doesn't make up for the vastly increased options available using any ranged attack through a dagger. Channeling a level 27 encounter through a dagger makes that feat much more useful than limiting it to at-wills only - especially if those two at-wills are also considered basic melee. All you're really gaining is +a couple average damage.

Granted, if you're using a Staff of Ruin or some other staff, it's a fair point; Blade Channeling clearly won't help staffs. So in that case you're gaining +a couple avg damage and staff powers vs. dagger powers. But since I have a feeling something like Reckless/Bloodclaw is going to end up being your most powerful melee-based weapon power anyway (like it is for everything else), and that works for either one, the versatility argument still seems more important. Your own preferences certainly may vary, and some builds may favor staffs more anyway, in which case it's a natural synergy.

movieholic wrote:

The best advice for a Sorcerer:

Have your sorcerer buy Versatile Armor for 680 gold. Choose Platemail. You probably have a 8 strength like i do, but heres the best part. Use the minor action of the armor and then you take NO PENALTIES to AC, REFLEX, or SAVES per the wording of the armor, this last until you use a minor action to turn it off which should be ummm never.

The character builder will give you a - 2 to ALL SKILLS, REFLEX, ATTACKS, etc. Make sure you use a red pen to auto-correct the compendium since it can't figure out how to not a give a - 2. And wizards can not really implement a fix for this since that would enable all the characters with DnD Insider to "cheat" so please keep that in mine.

Versatile Armor is found in the Adventurers Vault, Page 54, right hand column, 3rd from the top for reference

I am only level 3 but i read the books religiously for any advantage and this is by far one of the best things for a sorcerer and most characters.

Just make sure you ask the party defenders and leaders for help putting your clothes, er, armor on then activate as soon as possible and your good to go

Not at all how I originally interpreted Versatile armor when I first read it. Interesting thought, but there is absolutely NO FLIPPIN' WAY my GM would ever let me get away with this sort of thing as he would steadfastly maintain that it goes against the intention of what the armor was designed for. Am I alone in this?

(Great guide, keep up the great work!)