I'm interested to hear everyone's opinion on this little dilemma.

There are some good disabling spells: stinking cloud, web, slow, teleportation field, emotion, chaos etc. However, as a sorcerer you can't pick all of them. If you had to choose between:

1) picking 'web' at lvl 2 and 'slow at lvl 3, or
2) only picking 'chaos' at lvl 5

What option would you choose, option 1 or 2?

Option 1

pro:

- You can stack them in a spell sequenser (lvl 7) combined with greater malison, to make an effective combo.
- You can get them early

contra:

- You have to pick two spells instead of one, thus leaving less space for other important spells

Option 2

pro:

- 'Chaos' is a better disabling spell than 'web' or 'slow', both in terms of effect (leaving victims confused) and saving throw (saves made at a -4 penalty). I know 'slow' also has a -4 saving throw penalty, but it has a less powerful effect.

contra:

- you get it later
- you can only stack it in a spell trigger (lvl 8), so you have to wait really long to be able to use it in the effective 'greater malison + chaos + whatever' trigger.

I'm sure you can come up with other pro's and contra's of both options. So what do you think?

Chaos.

- Enemies only.
- Effective later on, when it really matters.
- Requires only one slot.

Pretty obvious choise for me. :cool:

Chaos is a great spell.

Web has its uses as well though. All the time the enemies are within the web they can get re-stuck. This is a great disabling spell against Mages/Clerics. Plus, you can use free-action to move through it.

Stinking Cloud is a pain. You have to wait for it to clear before continuing, plus you can't send your warriors in to the thick of it.

I'd go with Web and Slow. Stacked Web's are nasty. :)

I'd go for web AND chaos. Just combine it with spider spawn and chaos and your enemies will fall!

Opt. 2

Web + Web + Spider Spawn in a trigger mwaa hah hah ha.
Also there are not many worthwile lvl 2 spells and you will be able to cast plenty of them very early in the game! However there are quite a few good lvl 5 spells such as animate dead, breach, sunfire, spell immunity etc.

However there are quite a few good lvl 5 spells such as animate dead, breach, sunfire, spell immunity etc.Yes, that's true. But I think there are basically three mandatory spells at this level: breach (at lvl 10), lower resistance (at lvl 11) and animate death (at lvl 15). That leaves room at lvl 13 and 28. At lvl 13 I really want to pick 'spell immunity'. Remains lvl 28, when the game is nearly over. By that time it isn't really helpful to pick another direct damage spell like 'sunfire' or 'cone of cold'. I already have 'fireball', 'flame arrow', 'ice storm', 'chain lightning' and 'abi dalsim's' then.

So I think I'll go with 'chaos' now. Still not really sure though...

I very much agree that there are four must have level 5 spells: Breach, Lower Resistance, Spell Immunity and Animate Dead.

The fifth spell chosen is not important.
IMO Chaos is pretty pointless at level 28 - it's still among the best choices remaining, so it's by no means a bad choice - and Sunfire is a better choice since a Spell Trigger with three Sunfires is pretty decent damage.

Sunfire is bugged in that it incorrectly bypasses MR.

For the second level spells, I would have gone for Horror over Web - it doesn't affect your own party, completely disables anyone it affects, makes them run around like idiots (easy prey for missile characters) and neither has a save penalty. Okay, so Horror doesn't work on some critters like demons, undead and dragons, but by that stage you've got a few other tricks to pull and virtually no-one is going to try a second-level spell on Firkraag or Shangalar.

Web is better than Horror.
Your "missile" characters can shoot at targets in a Web at least as well as those running around under the influence of Horror. With Horror the target might run away so you have to pursue them, losing time.
Web keeps them in one place making it easier to cast area damage spells on those affected.
Web stacks.
Web save is at -2.
Web lasts longer.

After Heerscher explained that Chaos was intended to be taken at level 28 this whole topic became a non-question.

Think about it!
The question is if you take Web at or before 375,000 xp or take Chaos at 6,750,000 xp. That's not a choice! :confused:

Web stacks.
Web save is at -2.
Web lasts longer.:doh:

Hooray! I learned something new today! Thanks for that info, Earl (and others) - when I finally get around to using a Sorceror, I'll put this thread to good use.