Rules scope: This guide uses the 2014 Half-Elf and 2014 Sorcerer, with optional subclasses and feats identified by source. Revised 2024 species and class rules work differently.
Legacy Half-Elf traits
The 2014 Half-Elf gains +2 Charisma and +1 to two other ability scores. The +1 increases cannot also be applied to Charisma. Half-Elf Skill Versatility grants proficiency in two skills of your choice; the Sorcerer class separately grants two skill proficiencies. That is four before background skills, not four including the background.
Fey Ancestry gives advantage on saving throws against being charmed and prevents magical sleep. It does not improve concentration saves, which are Constitution saves triggered by damage. Darkvision and extra languages provide exploration benefits but do not affect spellcasting.
Legal scores and Ability Score Improvements
A legal 27-point-buy base is Strength 8, Dexterity 14, Constitution 13, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 12, Charisma 15. It costs exactly 27 points. Apply the Half-Elf bonuses once: +2 Charisma, +1 Dexterity, and +1 Constitution produce 8/15/14/10/12/17. You cannot start with a base Charisma of 16 from point buy or standard array.
At Sorcerer level 4, an Ability Score Improvement can add +2 Charisma to take 17 to 19, or +1 Charisma and +1 to another ability to reach 18 Charisma. A feat such as Fey Touched can also raise Charisma by 1 if you choose it as the feat’s ability. Plan the next increase based on the actual score rather than assuming the racial +1 can go to Charisma.
Choose a Sorcerous Origin
Draconic Bloodline adds hit points and an unarmored AC formula. At Sorcerer level 6, Elemental Affinity adds Charisma to one matching spell damage roll; resistance to that type requires spending 1 Sorcery Point and lasts 1 hour. It is not passive resistance.
Divine Soul allows you to choose Sorcerer spells from the Cleric list within your Sorcerer spells-known and spell-level limits. It does not grant the whole Cleric list or let you prepare Cleric spells. Its level-1 affinity feature gives one additional known spell. Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul also have specific expanded-spell features and replacement rules; use their text rather than treating them as access to every spell from other classes.
Spell level and class progression
The 2014 Sorcerer gains 3rd-level spell slots at Sorcerer level 5. You can first learn counterspell then, not at level 3. Distinguish a spell’s level from your character or class level when planning a build. Sorcerers know a limited number of spells and do not prepare a fresh list from the full class list each day.
Fey Touched grants misty step and a qualifying 1st-level divination or enchantment spell, plus a +1 increase to Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. Misty step has a bonus-action casting time; it is not a reaction. The spells can be cast once without a spell slot per long rest and can also be cast with spell slots if you know or have them prepared under the feat’s wording.
Metamagic and action economy
The 2014 Sorcerer chooses two Metamagic options at Sorcerer level 3, then gains further choices at levels 10 and 17. Metamagic Adept grants two options and 2 Sorcery Points, not one option. The feat’s points return after a long rest and can be spent only on Metamagic.
Quickened Spell costs 2 Sorcery Points. When you cast any spell as a bonus action on your turn, the spell cast with your action that turn must be a cantrip with a casting time of one action. Twinned Spell costs points equal to the spell’s level (minimum 1) and can only affect eligible single-target spells; Twinned haste costs 3 points.
Concentration and multiclassing
War Caster grants advantage on Constitution saves to maintain concentration, plus other benefits with specific conditions. Fey Ancestry does not grant the same advantage. Resilient (Constitution) adds proficiency only if you do not already have it; a Sorcerer starts proficient in Constitution saves, so this portion is redundant for a single-class build.
A Sorcerer/Paladin multiclass requires Strength 13 and Charisma 13. A Sorcerer/Warlock multiclass requires Charisma 13. Multiclassing delays Sorcerer spells known, spell slots from the class table, and Sorcerer features; evaluate those costs before taking a dip.
Resource and defense planning
Font of Magic arrives at Sorcerer level 2 and gives Sorcery Points equal to your Sorcerer level. Points normally return on a long rest. Spell-slot conversion follows the feature’s cost table and does not add points to your Charisma modifier. Keep some points for the Metamagic option or subclass feature you expect to use; a feature’s cost and timing matter as much as its effect.
Draconic Resilience is a reliable AC formula, while Mage Armor can be useful for other Sorcerers. The formula and armor spell do not stack as separate AC calculations. A Half-Elf’s Fey Ancestry also does not make a Sorcerer broadly resistant to magic. Check the exact save or condition named by each trait before relying on it in an encounter.
