Arcane Envy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane Envy [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
OrlannWands
07-10-06, 05:50 PM Hi everyone,

Now, I'm a not an incredibly petty person and while my human wizard character is supposed to be pretty arrogant, I've noticed something incredibly strange- I'm territorial about the use of magic in my party.

At lower levels, I felt very happy and secure in my position as the resident arcane spellcaster, but as we all advance into mid/higher levels, my party members and I have accumulated magic items and abilities that essentially replicate everything that my character is based on (this campaign is really template heavy, it seems).

Now, because I'm new to D&D (only been playing about a month or so now), I'm curious to know if this is an isolated phenomenon or if my pettiness something that a lot of spellcasters experience.

What I want to know is this: Do other spellcasters (divine, arcane, whatever) go through a period of feeling replaced by items and skills acquired at higher levels or even territorial with other spellcasters (NPCs or PCs alike)?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Bane
07-10-06, 08:20 PM Not really. My party has never replicated my Tiefling wizards penchant for converting enemies into other things. Usually corpses, but occasionally stone, glass, or dust. There was also a period when he would convert enemies into disposable minions with a wide variety of Enchantment spells.
Gedrin
07-11-06, 03:59 AM Wizards have the greatest, pretty much unlimited, breadth of arcane ability. They can learn any arcane spell. No other arcane class has that option. If you're finding all your abilities duplicated and feel the need to have something uniquely yours...find some new spells to use. It's really wierd that the complete breadth of a wizard's power could even come close to being mirrored by a party.

If you get really antsy, have your character invent an entirely new spell.
Tytalus
07-11-06, 04:09 AM I've had a similar experience. There's a sorcerer (homebrew unmilited spells/day variant) in our party that focuses on manipulating the elements. Since he has (currently) very little powers in the area of enchantment (charm, suggest, hypnotize, dominate, etc.), I made that the focus of my bard character.

Random treasure roll while the sorcerer is looking for loot by himself: a staff of charming. Now he can not only do what I do, but better even.

It did bother me quite a bit (and it used to be by far the most valuable item in the party at that time), but eventually I didn't mind. It made for an interesting story development (charmed dragon-like thingy), so I currently just focus on other things I do well.
allenchan
07-11-06, 04:21 AM Uhm, I dare ask what items are replacing your highest level spells at the appropriate level, this is definately not the norm.
FeceMan
07-11-06, 04:27 PM Hi everyone,

Now, I'm a not an incredibly petty person and while my human wizard character is supposed to be pretty arrogant, I've noticed something incredibly strange- I'm territorial about the use of magic in my party.

At lower levels, I felt very happy and secure in my position as the resident arcane spellcaster, but as we all advance into mid/higher levels, my party members and I have accumulated magic items and abilities that essentially replicate everything that my character is based on (this campaign is really template heavy, it seems).

Now, because I'm new to D&D (only been playing about a month or so now), I'm curious to know if this is an isolated phenomenon or if my pettiness something that a lot of spellcasters experience.

What I want to know is this: Do other spellcasters (divine, arcane, whatever) go through a period of feeling replaced by items and skills acquired at higher levels or even territorial with other spellcasters (NPCs or PCs alike)?

I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Ermmm...no.

Have a druid in the party who's a complete ass and won't let my archivist cast certain spells, but that's the closest anyone's getting to what you're feeling.
Stumm_Dolch
07-11-06, 04:42 PM This sounds like a great character trait to play with. Roleplay your frustrations with your party. Nines forbid your character becomes more unique. /wink Seriously though, turn this into a good thing quick or you may develop a real jealosy of other party member's roles/abilities.
OrlannWands
07-11-06, 10:11 PM Wow, thanks you guys for all the feedback- I think I'm gonna really drive my character in a "research wizard" direction to help alleviate the situation! ^_^
Bane
07-11-06, 10:37 PM Wizards have the greatest, pretty much unlimited, breadth of arcane ability. They can learn any arcane spell. No other arcane class has that option. If you're finding all your abilities duplicated and feel the need to have something uniquely yours...find some new spells to use. It's really wierd that the complete breadth of a wizard's power could even come close to being mirrored by a party.
Not quite true. Bards get some spells that wizards don't get access to. So do Hexblades, if I'm not mistaken. And Wu Jen.
The_Apathetic_Despot
07-12-06, 02:10 AM You think thats bad, try playing one of 2 rogues in a party with a barbarian who liked to smash down locked doors! every time one of us picked even the simplest lock, it was a huge victory :D
Dragonsblood
07-12-06, 02:45 AM I like wizards that actually supply the party with magic items via craft feats. I typically have the mindset that the stronger my party is, the stronger I am.

Who was it that said the best defence a wizard can get is a well equipt fighter between you and the enemy?
Missing Minds
07-12-06, 08:16 AM You think thats bad, try playing one of 2 rogues in a party with a barbarian who liked to smash down locked doors! every time one of us picked even the simplest lock, it was a huge victory :D

And your DM never had any traps to teach the barbarian any sort of lesson? Or did the barbarian have short term memory issues?
Zillah
07-12-06, 10:38 AM errr...get over yourself. you are not replacable. why? cause their items can't cast spells as being YOU on YOUR turn. your a freakin mage, you are needed in the party, believe me. and if you want to be more a part of their itemness, write scrolls for them and be horridly valuable. :P

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
OrlannWands 07-10-06, 05:50 PM	Hi everyone, Now, I'm a not an incredibly petty person and while my human wizard character is supposed to be pretty arrogant, I've noticed something incredibly strange- I'm territorial about the use of magic in my party. At lower levels, I felt very happy and secure in my position as the resident arcane spellcaster, but as we all advance into mid/higher levels, my party members and I have accumulated magic items and abilities that essentially replicate everything that my character is based on (this campaign is really template heavy, it seems). Now, because I'm new to D&D (only been playing about a month or so now), I'm curious to know if this is an isolated phenomenon or if my pettiness something that a lot of spellcasters experience. What I want to know is this: Do other spellcasters (divine, arcane, whatever) go through a period of feeling replaced by items and skills acquired at higher levels or even territorial with other spellcasters (NPCs or PCs alike)? I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Bane 07-10-06, 08:20 PM	Not really. My party has never replicated my Tiefling wizards penchant for converting enemies into other things. Usually corpses, but occasionally stone, glass, or dust. There was also a period when he would convert enemies into disposable minions with a wide variety of Enchantment spells.
Gedrin 07-11-06, 03:59 AM	Wizards have the greatest, pretty much unlimited, breadth of arcane ability. They can learn any arcane spell. No other arcane class has that option. If you're finding all your abilities duplicated and feel the need to have something uniquely yours...find some new spells to use. It's really wierd that the complete breadth of a wizard's power could even come close to being mirrored by a party. If you get really antsy, have your character invent an entirely new spell.
Tytalus 07-11-06, 04:09 AM	I've had a similar experience. There's a sorcerer (homebrew unmilited spells/day variant) in our party that focuses on manipulating the elements. Since he has (currently) very little powers in the area of enchantment (charm, suggest, hypnotize, dominate, etc.), I made that the focus of my bard character. Random treasure roll while the sorcerer is looking for loot by himself: a staff of charming. Now he can not only do what I do, but better even. It did bother me quite a bit (and it used to be by far the most valuable item in the party at that time), but eventually I didn't mind. It made for an interesting story development (charmed dragon-like thingy), so I currently just focus on other things I do well.
allenchan 07-11-06, 04:21 AM	Uhm, I dare ask what items are replacing your highest level spells at the appropriate level, this is definately not the norm.
FeceMan 07-11-06, 04:27 PM	Hi everyone, Now, I'm a not an incredibly petty person and while my human wizard character is supposed to be pretty arrogant, I've noticed something incredibly strange- I'm territorial about the use of magic in my party. At lower levels, I felt very happy and secure in my position as the resident arcane spellcaster, but as we all advance into mid/higher levels, my party members and I have accumulated magic items and abilities that essentially replicate everything that my character is based on (this campaign is really template heavy, it seems). Now, because I'm new to D&D (only been playing about a month or so now), I'm curious to know if this is an isolated phenomenon or if my pettiness something that a lot of spellcasters experience. What I want to know is this: Do other spellcasters (divine, arcane, whatever) go through a period of feeling replaced by items and skills acquired at higher levels or even territorial with other spellcasters (NPCs or PCs alike)? I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Ermmm...no. Have a druid in the party who's a complete ass and won't let my archivist cast certain spells, but that's the closest anyone's getting to what you're feeling.
Stumm_Dolch 07-11-06, 04:42 PM	This sounds like a great character trait to play with. Roleplay your frustrations with your party. Nines forbid your character becomes more unique. /wink Seriously though, turn this into a good thing quick or you may develop a real jealosy of other party member's roles/abilities.
OrlannWands 07-11-06, 10:11 PM	Wow, thanks you guys for all the feedback- I think I'm gonna really drive my character in a "research wizard" direction to help alleviate the situation! ^_^
Bane 07-11-06, 10:37 PM	Wizards have the greatest, pretty much unlimited, breadth of arcane ability. They can learn any arcane spell. No other arcane class has that option. If you're finding all your abilities duplicated and feel the need to have something uniquely yours...find some new spells to use. It's really wierd that the complete breadth of a wizard's power could even come close to being mirrored by a party. Not quite true. Bards get some spells that wizards don't get access to. So do Hexblades, if I'm not mistaken. And Wu Jen.
The_Apathetic_Despot 07-12-06, 02:10 AM	You think thats bad, try playing one of 2 rogues in a party with a barbarian who liked to smash down locked doors! every time one of us picked even the simplest lock, it was a huge victory :D
Dragonsblood 07-12-06, 02:45 AM	I like wizards that actually supply the party with magic items via craft feats. I typically have the mindset that the stronger my party is, the stronger I am. Who was it that said the best defence a wizard can get is a well equipt fighter between you and the enemy?
Missing Minds 07-12-06, 08:16 AM	You think thats bad, try playing one of 2 rogues in a party with a barbarian who liked to smash down locked doors! every time one of us picked even the simplest lock, it was a huge victory :D And your DM never had any traps to teach the barbarian any sort of lesson? Or did the barbarian have short term memory issues?
Zillah 07-12-06, 10:38 AM	errr...get over yourself. you are not replacable. why? cause their items can't cast spells as being YOU on YOUR turn. your a freakin mage, you are needed in the party, believe me. and if you want to be more a part of their itemness, write scrolls for them and be horridly valuable. :P