Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 AdrianLP Feb 01, 2015 7:59:21	In old editions Wizards used to be very powerful at high levels. In fact I think many complained they could do the roles of other classes better than some of those other classes.   What are wizards like at high levels in 5e? Are they still uber powerful relative to other classes?   From a strictly numbers game, what is their damage output like at various stages in their career?   Do they invalidate any other classes?
#2 Kalani Feb 01, 2015 8:53:28	AdrianLP wrote:
#3 Devils-Advocate Feb 01, 2015 9:55:21	They've managed to hit a pretty good balance this edition. As always, it's going to depend very much on the situations that arise, how well the Wizard is prepared for them, and how much the Wizard is expected to deal with in a day. Damage wise, they're in the same ballpark as the Fighter, with slightly less at-will damage and single-target damage, but slightly more potential for damage spikes, and better AoE. Out of combat, Wizards *can* fill another class's role and do it about as well. But with the more limited number of spell slots, they can no longer fill every class's role at once, even at high levels. They're extremely versatile, but they have to chose what role they're going to fill *today*, instead of being able to fill all roles all the time. They also don't really outshine specialist classes at their shtick, they just produce comparable results.
#4 EzechielDantan Feb 01, 2015 22:55:37	The sorcerer is probably better at dealing damage, a wizard is more flexible with utility spells though.   Either way casters have quite a few limitations in this edition that could easily bring them up to par with the martials. In comparison many people are now worried about the OP'ness of barbarians, paladins and archers more than other things.
#5 Cyber-Dave Feb 02, 2015 7:04:47	So far, this edition seems very balanced to me. More balanced than 4e, actually, but without the homgonous resource usage of 4e and built from a spotlight philosophy of balance (which means that a little more work is required from the DM to keep everything running smoothly, but so much work as to sap my fun in my experience). I am very happy with their balancing act.
#6 Touc Feb 02, 2015 8:30:23	Three massive changes in spellcasting have balanced out the wizard from previous editions, in a good way: More spell damage only if a spell cast in a higher level slot Buff spells replaced with "concentration" spells that can only be maintained one at a time "Save or die" caster with absurdly high ability scores no longer a realistic build Actual play has been pleasing.  Because wizards cannot stack buffs and summons like previous editions, less risk they'll run afoul of invalidating other character classes.
#7 mellored Feb 03, 2015 6:48:59	Wish is about the only spell that can invalidate other classes.  Mainly by casting simulacron and copying another PC, and bypassing the normally prohibitive cost of the spell.   But beyond that, (and before level 17) they are more about utility then combat.  They have have a few big damage spikes now and then (paticularlly AoE damage spikes), but with the way damage scales, they can really only show off 1 or 2 times per day.  And even then, they arn't much ahead of the other classes, and it eats into their utility (i.e. no teleport).     Though currently, the most powerful character is a well buffed archer fighter (bless, foresight, crossbow expertise, sharpshooter, elemental weapon).