Orc Clockwork Sorcery Sorcerer Build Guide
Combining the relentless survivability of an Orc with the battlefield-controlling order of Clockwork Sorcery creates an unstoppable, highly durable magical commander.
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Why Clockwork Sorcery?
Sorcerers are traditionally known as fragile "glass cannons," but choosing an Orc completely changes the game. With species traits like Relentless Endurance, you gain a crucial safety net that lets you survive a lethal blow with 1 hit point remaining instead of falling unconscious. Combined with the Clockwork Sorcerer's ability to manipulate probability, you become a surprisingly durable Controller who can dictate the flow of battle without fear of immediately dying.
Your main role in the party is a Controller—someone who uses magic to restrict enemies and protect allies. At level 3, you gain Restore Balance, a feature that lets you neutralize advantages or disadvantages on d20 rolls. This works beautifully with your Orc Adrenaline Rush, which lets you dash as a bonus action and gain temporary hit points. You can position yourself perfectly on the battlefield, shrug off enemy attacks, and instantly shut down an enemy's lucky strike.
As you level up, features like Bastion of Law at level 6 allow you to create a protective ward to reduce incoming damage. Between your natural Orc toughness and your clockwork wards, you can stand closer to the front lines than any ordinary spellcaster, keeping your crucial concentration spells active while keeping your allies safe.
Clockwork Sorcery Features
Clockwork Magic
Level 3You learn additional spells that don't count against the number of spells you know: Alarm, Protection from Evil and Good (level 1); Aid, Lesser Restoration (level 3); Dispel Magic, Protection from Energy (level 5); Freedom of Movement, Summon Construct (level 7); Greater Restoration, Wall of Force (level 9). You can replace one of these spells with an abjuration or transmutation spell of the same level from the sorcerer, warlock, or wizard list.
Restore Balance
Level 3When a creature you can see within 60 feet is about to roll a d20 with advantage or disadvantage, you can use your reaction to prevent the roll from being affected by advantage or disadvantage. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Bastion of Law
Level 6As an action, you can spend 1 to 5 sorcery points to create a shimmering ward around yourself or another creature you can see within 30 feet. The ward lasts until you use this feature again or until you finish a long rest. The ward is represented by a number of d8s equal to the sorcery points spent. When the warded creature takes damage, it can expend any number of those dice, rolling them and reducing the damage by the total.
Trance of Order
Level 14As a bonus action, you enter a state of clockwork order for 1 minute. During this state, attack rolls against you can't benefit from advantage, and whenever you make an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest, unless you spend 7 sorcery points to use it again.
Clockwork Cavalcade
Level 18As an action, you summon spirits of order that restore 100 hit points total, divided as you choose among creatures within 30 feet. Each repaired creature is also freed from one curse, disease, or one of the following conditions: blinded, deafened, paralyzed, poisoned, or stunned. In addition, each creature of your choice within 30 feet that is damaged has any broken items they are wearing or carrying repaired. Once you use this feature, you can't do so again until you finish a long rest, unless you spend 7 sorcery points to use it again.
Recommended Ability Scores
Orc Traits That Benefit Clockwork Sorcery Sorcerer
Adrenaline Rush
Bonus action Dash with temp HP gives the Sorcerer both mobility and survivability.
Relentless Endurance
Dropping to 1 HP instead of 0 once per rest is a powerful survival tool for frontline Sorcerers.
Darkvision
Orc Darkvision helps Sorcerers scout ahead and fight in darkness without needing a torch.
Combat Effectiveness
| Level | HP | Melee DPR | Spell DPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 32 | 3.9 | 7.8 |
| Level 11 | 68 | 3.58 | 10.18 |
| Level 17 | 104 | 3.58 | 13.2 |
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ Clockwork Sorcery grants Clockwork Magic at level 3
- ♦ Darkvision for dungeon exploration
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low hit points — vulnerable in melee
- ♦ May require careful feat selection to optimize
Pro Tips
Use Adrenaline Rush to reposition safely, then cast a control spell to lock down enemies from your new vantage point.
When an enemy has advantage against an ally, use Restore Balance to even the odds and keep your team safe.
Stack your Orc Relentless Endurance with the protective ward from Bastion of Law to comfortably maintain concentration on powerful control spells.
Don't fear the front lines; your high Constitution and defensive clockwork features make you much tougher than typical Sorcerers.
Other Sorcerer Subclasses for Orc
Other Races for Clockwork Sorcery Sorcerer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clockwork Sorcery a good subclass for Orc Sorcerer?
What makes Clockwork Sorcery different from other Sorcerer subclasses?
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