Ridley's Cohort
First Post
I have a pet peeve that existed in multiple editions, I would like to see "corrected". Fat chance. But I am going to speak my peace.
When facing nonmagical but physically dangerous opponents, whom do you call first? The Wizard.
When facing a steeped in magic dangerous foe, whom do you call first? The Fighter.
The basic dynamic is that Wizards are extremely efficient at dishing it out when the opponents are magically weak. But magically powerful opponents like demons have so many layers of protection that spells are completely unreliable at doing anything at all.
IME it seems like fights involving very dangerous demons devolve into keeping the Fighter alive while he mindlessly whacks away with a sword. The more inherently magical the opponent the less important the Wizard's magic is likely to be.
Fighting a horde of orcs? It is almost not worth the Fighter getting out of bed in the morning. The Wizard spells are so efficient, so lethal, so reliable that a sword matters very little.
I am not really sure that this constitutes a balance problem. But I do think it is a weird flavor choice that I happen to find offputting. If you have an army to fight, shouldn't that be the job of the Fighter? If you have something weird and magical, isn't that the job for the Wizard?
I would further add, this seems counter to most "real world' mythical traditions. Incredibly potent magical beings have weaknesses. They follow rules that limit them. Rumplestilskin, the Genie in the Lamp could be commanded by those in on the secret. Devils could be summoned and service demanded, negotiated from them. Grendel's mother had a bane sword. Sauron had his One Ring. The more magical the being the more likely it is to have its limits, the more likely it would have reasons you should rely on the knowledge and skill of a Wizard and not a guy with a sharp stick.
Agree? Disagree?
When facing nonmagical but physically dangerous opponents, whom do you call first? The Wizard.
When facing a steeped in magic dangerous foe, whom do you call first? The Fighter.
The basic dynamic is that Wizards are extremely efficient at dishing it out when the opponents are magically weak. But magically powerful opponents like demons have so many layers of protection that spells are completely unreliable at doing anything at all.
IME it seems like fights involving very dangerous demons devolve into keeping the Fighter alive while he mindlessly whacks away with a sword. The more inherently magical the opponent the less important the Wizard's magic is likely to be.
Fighting a horde of orcs? It is almost not worth the Fighter getting out of bed in the morning. The Wizard spells are so efficient, so lethal, so reliable that a sword matters very little.
I am not really sure that this constitutes a balance problem. But I do think it is a weird flavor choice that I happen to find offputting. If you have an army to fight, shouldn't that be the job of the Fighter? If you have something weird and magical, isn't that the job for the Wizard?
I would further add, this seems counter to most "real world' mythical traditions. Incredibly potent magical beings have weaknesses. They follow rules that limit them. Rumplestilskin, the Genie in the Lamp could be commanded by those in on the secret. Devils could be summoned and service demanded, negotiated from them. Grendel's mother had a bane sword. Sauron had his One Ring. The more magical the being the more likely it is to have its limits, the more likely it would have reasons you should rely on the knowledge and skill of a Wizard and not a guy with a sharp stick.
Agree? Disagree?
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