Old Newbie Wizzie needs some clarification [Archive] - Wizards Community

Old Newbie Wizzie needs some clarification [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
buckethead111
11-10-07, 12:21 AM I haven't played in 15 years but my son asked me to be a part of the winter campaign his buddy's dad is running. I got stuck playing the wizzie (I like divine casters or sword play usually). Now when I played way back when a wizard got to pick new spells at each level he gained. According to the PH page 155 (I believe this is 3rd Ed. but it is what we are using) it says you gain 2 new spells per level, as it assumes you are researching as you go.

The DM has stated that no new spells are learned unless you find a scroll during the adventure. That means I could be stuck with the same lame spells he forced on me by randomly rolling to start the game for a very long time. Is this a typical way people play the game now? I DM'd and played a lot in the early 90's and had some DM's ban a couple of spells or maybe tell a character to pick a path to follow and tell them they must pick one of their two new spells each level from that area of focus but I have never seen anyone play like this. I mean he may as well play the dang character himself if I have to be molded in the image he wants. Just checking. I am in my mid-30's now and don't have the time to sit around if I am not going to be able to enjoy the process, so if those are the rules I may opt out because I feel it totally elimnates the purpose of the game - enjoying the game and being a unique character. I spent weeks preparing this character (with him knowing what I was doing) only to have him change my race and spells at the last minute. I am not hanging around if I am just going to be the person playing his character.
AstralFireIX
11-10-07, 12:27 AM I haven't played in 15 years but my son asked me to be a part of the winter campaign his buddy's dad is running. I got stuck playing the wizzie (I like divine casters or sword play usually). Now when I played way back when a wizard got to pick new spells at each level he gained. According to the PH page 155 (I believe this is 3rd Ed. but it is what we are using) it says you gain 2 new spells per level, as it assumes you are researching as you go.

The DM has stated that no new spells are learned unless you find a scroll during the adventure. That means I could be stuck with the same lame spells he forced on me by randomly rolling to start the game for a very long time. Is this a typical way people play the game now? I DM'd and played a lot in the early 90's and had some DM's ban a couple of spells or maybe tell a character to pick a path to follow and tell them they must pick one of their two new spells each level from that area of focus but I have never seen anyone play like this. I mean he may as well play the dang character himself if I have to be molded in the image he wants. Just checking. I am in my mid-30's now and don't have the time to sit around if I am not going to be able to enjoy the process, so if those are the rules I may opt out because I feel it totally elimnates the purpose of the game - enjoying the game and being a unique character. I spent weeks preparing this character (with him knowing what I was doing) only to have him change my race and spells at the last minute. I am not hanging around if I am just going to be the person playing his character.

Mmm, you're in the wrong board, just FYI. At least I think so. Not trying to be snarky, though, so to move to your point...

I've never heard of anyone pulling that kind of crap on their casters before. Forcing a race/class change is somewhat common among bad DMs, but picking the spells for you is kinda new. I would opt out if I were you; once choice if removed from the game, I kinda feel at that point you should start playing video games, since choice and imagination are the benefits of D&D. Kinda wonder what he thinks he's pulling...
buckethead111
11-10-07, 12:29 AM Thanks.

Uhmm where would be a good place to repost this. We are playing in teh eberron setting.
AstralFireIX
11-10-07, 12:38 AM Well, it's not really a setting specific problem (unless he has a lore reason for this decision, which seems unlikely) so What's a Player to Do? (http://forums.gleemax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48) seems like the best choice.

Best of luck with resolving it.
Gurv
11-10-07, 06:48 AM No, that's not the way it goes. I wouldn't be happy if a DM made that call in a game.

He randomly rolled your spells for you at 1st level? That's even lamer than the "no spells when you level" rule.

Someone should explain to him that the purpose of those two spells gained at each level is to give some control to the player. There are plently of ways for the DM to influence how characters develop. He doesn't need to do this, and I think you're right: done this way, he might as well play the character himself.

Maybe you should consider playing a sorcerer instead. He can't seriously expect to pick your spells then, can he? If he does expect it, then you should drop out of the game now. Someone with that kind of house rule for character creation is going find ways to suck the fun out of every aspect of the game. Explain to you son and his friends that this guy isn't a very good DM and they'd be better off without him too.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
buckethead111 11-10-07, 12:21 AM	I haven't played in 15 years but my son asked me to be a part of the winter campaign his buddy's dad is running. I got stuck playing the wizzie (I like divine casters or sword play usually). Now when I played way back when a wizard got to pick new spells at each level he gained. According to the PH page 155 (I believe this is 3rd Ed. but it is what we are using) it says you gain 2 new spells per level, as it assumes you are researching as you go. The DM has stated that no new spells are learned unless you find a scroll during the adventure. That means I could be stuck with the same lame spells he forced on me by randomly rolling to start the game for a very long time. Is this a typical way people play the game now? I DM'd and played a lot in the early 90's and had some DM's ban a couple of spells or maybe tell a character to pick a path to follow and tell them they must pick one of their two new spells each level from that area of focus but I have never seen anyone play like this. I mean he may as well play the dang character himself if I have to be molded in the image he wants. Just checking. I am in my mid-30's now and don't have the time to sit around if I am not going to be able to enjoy the process, so if those are the rules I may opt out because I feel it totally elimnates the purpose of the game - enjoying the game and being a unique character. I spent weeks preparing this character (with him knowing what I was doing) only to have him change my race and spells at the last minute. I am not hanging around if I am just going to be the person playing his character.
AstralFireIX 11-10-07, 12:27 AM	I haven't played in 15 years but my son asked me to be a part of the winter campaign his buddy's dad is running. I got stuck playing the wizzie (I like divine casters or sword play usually). Now when I played way back when a wizard got to pick new spells at each level he gained. According to the PH page 155 (I believe this is 3rd Ed. but it is what we are using) it says you gain 2 new spells per level, as it assumes you are researching as you go. The DM has stated that no new spells are learned unless you find a scroll during the adventure. That means I could be stuck with the same lame spells he forced on me by randomly rolling to start the game for a very long time. Is this a typical way people play the game now? I DM'd and played a lot in the early 90's and had some DM's ban a couple of spells or maybe tell a character to pick a path to follow and tell them they must pick one of their two new spells each level from that area of focus but I have never seen anyone play like this. I mean he may as well play the dang character himself if I have to be molded in the image he wants. Just checking. I am in my mid-30's now and don't have the time to sit around if I am not going to be able to enjoy the process, so if those are the rules I may opt out because I feel it totally elimnates the purpose of the game - enjoying the game and being a unique character. I spent weeks preparing this character (with him knowing what I was doing) only to have him change my race and spells at the last minute. I am not hanging around if I am just going to be the person playing his character. Mmm, you're in the wrong board, just FYI. At least I think so. Not trying to be snarky, though, so to move to your point... I've never heard of anyone pulling that kind of crap on their casters before. Forcing a race/class change is somewhat common among bad DMs, but picking the spells for you is kinda new. I would opt out if I were you; once choice if removed from the game, I kinda feel at that point you should start playing video games, since choice and imagination are the benefits of D&D. Kinda wonder what he thinks he's pulling...
buckethead111 11-10-07, 12:29 AM	Thanks. Uhmm where would be a good place to repost this. We are playing in teh eberron setting.
AstralFireIX 11-10-07, 12:38 AM	Well, it's not really a setting specific problem (unless he has a lore reason for this decision, which seems unlikely) so What's a Player to Do? (http://forums.gleemax.com/forumdisplay.php?f=48) seems like the best choice. Best of luck with resolving it.
Gurv 11-10-07, 06:48 AM	No, that's not the way it goes. I wouldn't be happy if a DM made that call in a game. He randomly rolled your spells for you at 1st level? That's even lamer than the "no spells when you level" rule. Someone should explain to him that the purpose of those two spells gained at each level is to give some control to the player. There are plently of ways for the DM to influence how characters develop. He doesn't need to do this, and I think you're right: done this way, he might as well play the character himself. Maybe you should consider playing a sorcerer instead. He can't seriously expect to pick your spells then, can he? If he does expect it, then you should drop out of the game now. Someone with that kind of house rule for character creation is going find ways to suck the fun out of every aspect of the game. Explain to you son and his friends that this guy isn't a very good DM and they'd be better off without him too.