After playing D&D for 25+ years, I am starting my first wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

After playing D&D for 25+ years, I am starting my first wizard [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
bglose
10-29-04, 02:32 AM All,

Having never played a wizard I am at a loss how to set up my first wizard. Would you recommend specializing in a type of magic or just being a generalist? If so which schools of magic should I then give up?

Thanks,

Brian
BlaineTog
10-29-04, 02:43 AM I have 3 suggestions.

Do not specialize.
Specialize as a Diviner.
Take a look at Unearthed Arcana. It has alternate specialist wizards that are really well done.For the most part, I don't think specialization is worth it. The wizard's strength is in his many spells known, and an extra spell slot just isn't worth it (although the Diviner only has to give up one school, which works out well for me seeing as I never cast Necromancy spells anyway). However, the UA variants are very cool, totally worth the school loss (IMO).
Travin_the_Black
10-29-04, 04:49 AM I just started playing a wizard again the other day and I love the necro spells... he is very very much a swiss army knife though... I have a unusual setup. dwarf wizard that wear full plate! I took the still spell feat so I memorize spells one level higher so I don't suffer from the spell failure of the armor. I have an AC of 27 without my dex... so you can make just about anything if you get creative enough.

don't specialize!! not for your first charater. I have done it with some charaters but they have a very specific fit for it. my current charater is nto specialized and that is what his power is. on day I am going crazy debuffs and the next I am dumping straight dmg. things like ray of enfeeblement are AWESOME! it is like reverse heal. fight a dragon drop that on him. I debuff 6 str... that is 3 dmg on every hit for sure multiplied by 5 that is 15 hp my tank... err paladin doesn't take every round. then drop a level drain on it... or whatever.

the hardest thing you will have to do is decide the spells you mem every day.

I love the wizard!
amethal
10-29-04, 06:55 AM What sort of spells do you like?

I think the decision to specialise or not should be approached from a role-playing perspective not a "character maximisation" perspective.

Do you see your character as a popular enchanter, or a sinister necromancer? Do you think a tricky illusionist would be fun to role-play? Does the idea of the knowledgeable diviner, the defensive abjurer, the unpredictable conjurer, the creative transmuter or the trigger happy evoker inspire your imagination?

If not, play a non-specialist because it is easier (and you can still develop a distinct style to your magic if you later feel like it - by learning, for example, mainly illusionist spells). Most people seem to think it is also a more powerful choice.

I disagree - I love having an extra spell per day so much I'll gladly reduce my choice of available spells - but since I prefer sorcerers anyway I probably would say that and I am probably wrong!
Thermanshs
10-29-04, 07:10 AM I have written a short article about my views on specializing HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=185835&page=4&pp=30) (go to pg 4)
Moreover my thread is a more general guide to wizards hoping it would help people like you in their new career
mean_liar
10-29-04, 08:13 AM Don't hestitate to scribe scrolls for the obscure spells you may need but never feel like preparing. The cost in gold and XP is minimal and will essentially turn you into a sorceror - you'll be able to whip out an obscure spell or two when you absolutely have to.
CzarGarrett
10-29-04, 08:32 AM When getting new spells, try to go in this pattern: Per spell level, 1 purely offensive, 1 purely defensive, 2 utilty. This gets you some spells to battle with, some to keep yourself alive, and some that can be used outside of combat as well as creatively in combat
Draco Strang
10-29-04, 09:15 AM Every wizard I've made has been an abjurer. Of course, i've only played 4 wizards, but still.........

Abjuration is great because it's narrow, but so awesomely powerful on the defense side. give up enchantment and necromancy. Your bard can handle the ass kissing, and necromancy isn't that versatile anyway.

I love abjuration. (Plus it sounds really cool.)
Thermanshs
10-29-04, 09:17 AM I love abjuration. (Plus it sounds really cool.)

:heehee

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
bglose 10-29-04, 02:32 AM	All, Having never played a wizard I am at a loss how to set up my first wizard. Would you recommend specializing in a type of magic or just being a generalist? If so which schools of magic should I then give up? Thanks, Brian
BlaineTog 10-29-04, 02:43 AM	I have 3 suggestions. Do not specialize. Specialize as a Diviner. Take a look at Unearthed Arcana. It has alternate specialist wizards that are really well done.For the most part, I don't think specialization is worth it. The wizard's strength is in his many spells known, and an extra spell slot just isn't worth it (although the Diviner only has to give up one school, which works out well for me seeing as I never cast Necromancy spells anyway). However, the UA variants are very cool, totally worth the school loss (IMO).
Travin_the_Black 10-29-04, 04:49 AM	I just started playing a wizard again the other day and I love the necro spells... he is very very much a swiss army knife though... I have a unusual setup. dwarf wizard that wear full plate! I took the still spell feat so I memorize spells one level higher so I don't suffer from the spell failure of the armor. I have an AC of 27 without my dex... so you can make just about anything if you get creative enough. don't specialize!! not for your first charater. I have done it with some charaters but they have a very specific fit for it. my current charater is nto specialized and that is what his power is. on day I am going crazy debuffs and the next I am dumping straight dmg. things like ray of enfeeblement are AWESOME! it is like reverse heal. fight a dragon drop that on him. I debuff 6 str... that is 3 dmg on every hit for sure multiplied by 5 that is 15 hp my tank... err paladin doesn't take every round. then drop a level drain on it... or whatever. the hardest thing you will have to do is decide the spells you mem every day. I love the wizard!
amethal 10-29-04, 06:55 AM	What sort of spells do you like? I think the decision to specialise or not should be approached from a role-playing perspective not a "character maximisation" perspective. Do you see your character as a popular enchanter, or a sinister necromancer? Do you think a tricky illusionist would be fun to role-play? Does the idea of the knowledgeable diviner, the defensive abjurer, the unpredictable conjurer, the creative transmuter or the trigger happy evoker inspire your imagination? If not, play a non-specialist because it is easier (and you can still develop a distinct style to your magic if you later feel like it - by learning, for example, mainly illusionist spells). Most people seem to think it is also a more powerful choice. I disagree - I love having an extra spell per day so much I'll gladly reduce my choice of available spells - but since I prefer sorcerers anyway I probably would say that and I am probably wrong!
Thermanshs 10-29-04, 07:10 AM	I have written a short article about my views on specializing HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=185835&page=4&pp=30) (go to pg 4) Moreover my thread is a more general guide to wizards hoping it would help people like you in their new career
mean_liar 10-29-04, 08:13 AM	Don't hestitate to scribe scrolls for the obscure spells you may need but never feel like preparing. The cost in gold and XP is minimal and will essentially turn you into a sorceror - you'll be able to whip out an obscure spell or two when you absolutely have to.
CzarGarrett 10-29-04, 08:32 AM	When getting new spells, try to go in this pattern: Per spell level, 1 purely offensive, 1 purely defensive, 2 utilty. This gets you some spells to battle with, some to keep yourself alive, and some that can be used outside of combat as well as creatively in combat
Draco Strang 10-29-04, 09:15 AM	Every wizard I've made has been an abjurer. Of course, i've only played 4 wizards, but still......... Abjuration is great because it's narrow, but so awesomely powerful on the defense side. give up enchantment and necromancy. Your bard can handle the ass kissing, and necromancy isn't that versatile anyway. I love abjuration. (Plus it sounds really cool.)
Thermanshs 10-29-04, 09:17 AM	I love abjuration. (Plus it sounds really cool.) :heehee