D&D 5E Low Level Wizards Really Do Suck in 5E

[Tony Vargas]

Well, yeah, but 5e Wizards can barely make the world burn three times ... twice tops.

Even a Novice (Lvl 1) can cast Animate Thread.

They always did, except maybe in 3.x. Just not this much.

The hallowed Classic Game (0D&D/B(/X)ECMI/AD&D/2e) balanced classes across levels, and the magic-user/wizard was 'balanced' by being terribly limited at low level and wildly powerful at high level.

Compared to the one-spell-wonders throwing darts the rest of the time with 1-4 hps between them and death, the 5e Wizard has it easy, even at 1st level. 6 hps + CON mod at first level, at-will cantrips, and not one memorized spell, not merely 2 spells prepped per day, but level + INT Mod spells prepared, and 2 daily slots (+1 slot recovered per short rest) to cast them spontaneously! When your not casting an actual spell, you can plink away with unlimited at-will cantrips.

True, the the 'Tier 1' on-par-with-CoDzilla 3.x Wizard had it even better in some ways - out-of-control optimized save DCs on their highest level spells, bonus spells/day for specialization and INT mod, specific crazy-broken spells, Concentration all but eliminating traditional restrictions on casting, &c - but it'd've killed to cast spontaneously /and/ have at-will cantrips. And, while the 4e wizard was arguably in great shape at 1st level with more hps and at-will & encounter spells, it rapidly fell far behind the traditional progression and, far from casting spontaneously, had much less flexible preparation rules holding it back, as well.

Nope, the 5e wizard should be thankful. It has the 4e wizard's at-wills & rituals, the traditional wizard's Vancian preparation, /and/ the 3.x Sorcerer's spontaneous casting, plus scaling save DCs on all its spells (not just the top level ones like in 3e).

 

[lowkey13]

*Deleted by user*

 

[Arkan Redenford]

I know that i am reviving an old thread, but i want to know If people today still thinks that low lv wizards are weak in 5e?

 

[Werebat]

I know that i am reviving an old thread, but i want to know If people today still thinks that low lv wizards are weak in 5e?

The consensus is that the 5e Wizard is underpowered even at high level. Compare to the totally OP 5e ranger.

 

[TwoSix]

The consensus is that the 5e Wizard is underpowered even at high level.

Obviously (thread) necromancy is powerful. I would debate if the wizard being underpowered even at high level is anything close to a consensus, though.

 

[Ath-kethin]

Obviously (thread) necromancy is powerful. I would debate if the wizard being underpowered even at high level is anything close to a consensus, though.

Agreed. One of the many indicators 5e is a really well-done system is that, for the first time in the history of D&D, people actually argue that fighters (fighters!) are overpowered compared to wizards.

I seriously had to sit down the first time I heard that.

 

[Bitbrain]

I know that i am reviving an old thread, but i want to know If people today still thinks that low lv wizards are weak in 5e?

The only times I have ever heard a complaint about low level wizards being weak were from my dad and another player from our old group . . . and that's only because they never, ever cast any spells or cantrips when they played Wizards.
I'm being completely serious.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Hypothesis: your dad was a 1st ed player, and so got into the habit of conserving spells, since in 1st they only got one spell per day at 1st level.

 

[Daniel Walker]

I started playing in the 80's and to this day personally believe that low level wizards are not as strong as their other party members. However, they do make up for that later and even in 5E I rarely see a wizard surviving if not in a decent party. But they SHOULD be in one. Defensive or Offensive it doesn't matter. I usually play a wizard/sorcerer and have found it fun regardless. However, I am very good at using the right spells when I need them. But it is a little upsetting to see some of my favorite low level spells are gone. (Grease was one of my favorites!). Also, spells do seem to be a little less powerful in 5E and monsters being stronger may seem a bit unfair. As a DM, I tend to reward spellcasters who can figure out the best use of their spells and if they survived an encounter then they are doing something right.

 

[Bitbrain]

Hypothesis: your dad was a 1st ed player, and so got into the habit of conserving spells, since in 1st they only got one spell per day at 1st level.

He was a 1st Edition player, yes.

But when I say he won't ever cast cantrips or spells when he plays as a wizard, I mean it.
His last 5e Wizard PC managed to reach 9th level before an evil cloud giant smashed him flat, and from character creation to death, He. Never. Cast. A. Single. Spell. Or. Cantrip. Ever.

By contrast, when he decides to play as a Druid, he'll cast spells like there is no tomorrow.