Interesting debate. The argument seems to focus on how we decide. Various 3E rules are being implemented in the form of kits, so going back to AD&D2e for advice isn't going to be a deciding factor for what is included or allowed. However, 3E cut out dual classing altogether, whereas in AD&D2e it was what separated humans from other races.
So we have a game where there is a mix of rulesets and we need to determine what is going to be offered to the player. We can all see that this isn't going to wreck multiplayer (this isn't an MMO, after all), so let's look at difficulty of implementation and how realistic it would be to offer it.
Do the developers have the resources they need to implement this, and is the payoff worth it for them? It is in their hands.
(P.S. on the basis of the dual-classing explanation back in the day, Humans should be able to dual to *any* class, including specialist mages/wizards - this was the only way to multiclass and be a specialist wizard other than being a gnome/illusionist. Furthermore, on the far more recent explanation of the Sorcerer class, someone with any amount of levels can multi to it at *any* time given the requisite charisma. In other words, if you look at the original source books, they say 'yes'.)
The 2nd edition Sorcerer can't dual or multiclass (it's one of their main disadvantages). Their magic comes to them so easily they consider all other professions beneath them and refuse to study them.
(the Pre-Folly Sorcerer was Human only, due to experiments some Netheril Arcanists had done to their bloodlines via knowledge gained from the Nether-Scrolls, though since the fall, it's not impossible that a near pure-blood elf or some half-elves might have some small spark of that magic twisted blood in their veins, since the Elves did lend aid to the survivors of Netheril after the Fall)
Post-Folly Sorcerer (from the netheril campaign setting).
Identical to the current version except-
Prime attribute Intelligence. (If intelligence requirements for spell level were enforced, the same limits as mages).
3 total known spells per spell level (full capacity is gained the instant they can access that spell level), with bonus capacity per spell level based on high intelligence. (+1 for 15-16 (total 4), +2 for 17-18 (total 5), +3 19+ (total 6)).
Gains knowledge of 1 new spell per level, up to highest spell level they can cast, similar to specialist mages, but without the school requirement. (Capacity limit still applies).
Can learn spells from scrolls as a mage does. (Capacity Limit still applies).
Once per level up can choose to trade out a spell at least 1 level lower then their highest cast-able level for a new spell of equal or lower level. (Capacity Limit still applies).
Is always 1 level behind mages when accessing new spell levels. (4 for 2nd, 6 for 3rd, 8 for 4th, 10 for 5th, 13 for 6th, 15 for 7th, 17 for 8th, 19 for 9th, 22 for 10th (10th level slots are currently not implemented)).
Well, my argument was that it would make sense within the lore. I'm still not convinced it would be a good idea from a balance perspective.
I don't know where this idea that Sorceror's are overpowered came from. They get the same number of spells as a specialist wizard by the end game, slightly more mid-game, but have a fixed known spells. Given that a LARGE number of spells are only useful at certain levels (e.g. Sleep, Chaos, Web, etc.) or certain scenarios (Prot Fire, Control Undead, etc.) Sorc's really aren't any more powerful. (though the weird pause in mage spell progression ought to be applied to them as well).
They are much less of a hassle to play though and ought to be an option for dual/multi. (Especially as the elves are such a lackluster magical multi-class relative to gnomes for no good reason.)
Comments
So we have a game where there is a mix of rulesets and we need to determine what is going to be offered to the player. We can all see that this isn't going to wreck multiplayer (this isn't an MMO, after all), so let's look at difficulty of implementation and how realistic it would be to offer it.
Do the developers have the resources they need to implement this, and is the payoff worth it for them? It is in their hands.
(P.S. on the basis of the dual-classing explanation back in the day, Humans should be able to dual to *any* class, including specialist mages/wizards - this was the only way to multiclass and be a specialist wizard other than being a gnome/illusionist. Furthermore, on the far more recent explanation of the Sorcerer class, someone with any amount of levels can multi to it at *any* time given the requisite charisma. In other words, if you look at the original source books, they say 'yes'.)
(the Pre-Folly Sorcerer was Human only, due to experiments some Netheril Arcanists had done to their bloodlines via knowledge gained from the Nether-Scrolls, though since the fall, it's not impossible that a near pure-blood elf or some half-elves might have some small spark of that magic twisted blood in their veins, since the Elves did lend aid to the survivors of Netheril after the Fall)
Post-Folly Sorcerer (from the netheril campaign setting).
Identical to the current version except-
Prime attribute Intelligence. (If intelligence requirements for spell level were enforced, the same limits as mages).
3 total known spells per spell level (full capacity is gained the instant they can access that spell level), with bonus capacity per spell level based on high intelligence. (+1 for 15-16 (total 4), +2 for 17-18 (total 5), +3 19+ (total 6)).
Gains knowledge of 1 new spell per level, up to highest spell level they can cast, similar to specialist mages, but without the school requirement. (Capacity limit still applies).
Can learn spells from scrolls as a mage does. (Capacity Limit still applies).
Once per level up can choose to trade out a spell at least 1 level lower then their highest cast-able level for a new spell of equal or lower level. (Capacity Limit still applies).
Is always 1 level behind mages when accessing new spell levels. (4 for 2nd, 6 for 3rd, 8 for 4th, 10 for 5th, 13 for 6th, 15 for 7th, 17 for 8th, 19 for 9th, 22 for 10th (10th level slots are currently not implemented)).
They get the same number of spells as a specialist wizard by the end game, slightly more mid-game, but have a fixed known spells.
Given that a LARGE number of spells are only useful at certain levels (e.g. Sleep, Chaos, Web, etc.) or certain scenarios (Prot Fire, Control Undead, etc.) Sorc's really aren't any more powerful. (though the weird pause in mage spell progression ought to be applied to them as well).
They are much less of a hassle to play though and ought to be an option for dual/multi.
(Especially as the elves are such a lackluster magical multi-class relative to gnomes for no good reason.)