Andy Collins speaks - the Elf Wizard

As some might remember, recently we had a big discussion on the first substitution level of the Elf Wizard from Races of the Wild - it gained increased access to new spells, an additional spell slot of the highest level castable, and could not be a Specialist.

The balance concerns of this were intriguing to me, so I asked Andy Collins (one of the developers of the book) about it. Here is his reply:

Andy Collins:
As written in the PH, elves actually are a subpar choice for wizards--halflings are significantly better; heck, even gnomes are probably a better choice. (The next elf (generalist) wizard I see in a game will be the first one I've seen in 5 years of playing 3rd edition D&D.) Thus, we wanted to put in an option that made wizard a slightly more interesting choice for elves.

Simultaneously, this also points elves at the generalist wizard path rather than the specialist, which is appropriate for the "nonspecialized" nature of the elf.

I think it's entirely appropriate for some substitution levels to represent good choices, particularly when the race/class combo is iconic to the game. Dwarf fighter (from RoS) is marginally better than fighter, for example.

That said, I don't think that the elf wizard sub level's power is so good to mean that all wizards should be elves or that all elves should be wizards.

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So, there you have it. (Thanks muchly to Andy for his reply).

It doesn't bother me, I like that elves are the best Wizards with these options. Certain races should be better as certain classes.

Crothian said:

It doesn't bother me, I like that elves are the best Wizards with these options. Certain races should be better as certain classes.

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I agree, but I still think elves should be sorcerers.

And that's an opinion I'm taking to my grave. Do you hear me WotC?!?! MY GRAVE!!!!!

Heh.

Thanks, Merric, for the heads-up. It's nice to know the designers' intentions, and I think Elf Wizard substitution levels are cool.

Andy Collins said:

As written in the PH, elves actually are a subpar choice for wizards--halflings are significantly better

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On what does he base this?

Elves have to deal with a low CON, it's true, but high DEX helps them avoid getting hit, 30' movement lets them stay out of trouble better than those short-legged halflings, and free shortbow and longbow proficiency gives them a big edge when they're low level.

I can see a case that the halfling's AC and Save bonuses might make them marginally better than an elf (and only marginally, at best, since pretty much everything they meet can grapple and pin them in short order), but 'significantly'?

(Note that I've not seen the Elf Wizard substitution in RoW and thus have no opinion on it - I just find the claim about halflings a little odd).

Capellan said:

Elves have to deal with a low CON, it's true, but high DEX helps them avoid getting hit,

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+2 Dex = +1 AC. Small = +1 AC. No advantage to the Elf. I don't know why you mention it.

Capellan said:

On what does he base this?

Elves have to deal with a low CON, it's true, but high DEX helps them avoid getting hit, 30' movement lets them stay out of trouble better than those short-legged halflings, and free shortbow and longbow proficiency gives them a big edge when they're low level.

I can see a case that the halfling's AC and Save bonuses might make them marginally better than an elf (and only marginally, at best, since pretty much everything they meet can grapple and pin them in short order), but 'significantly'?

(Note that I've not seen the Elf Wizard substitution in RoW and thus have no opinion on it - I just find the claim about halflings a little odd).

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Compared to a normal elf wizard, and assuming equal starting stats, the halfling wizard has:

Better saves.

Better hit points.

Better armor class.

Better chance to hit with ranged attack spells.

Sure, his Strength is lower, but when was the last time that made a huge difference for wizards?

Capellan said:

On what does he base this?

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Halflings get:
+1 AC (including Touch & Flat-Footed)
+1 to ALL saves
+1 to attack rolls
+2 Dex (another +1 to AC and attack rolls, another +1 Reflex)
-2 Str (who cares? Small equipment weighs way less anyway...)
ANOTHER +1 to some ranged attack rolls -- get yourself a +1 Returning Distance Spell-Storing Dagger and you are a happy l'il sniper.
Lower land speed -- after you get used to Overland Flight, you won't care.

Elves get:
Weapon proficency -- yeah, you're gonna use those, right.
+2 to some Will saves -- okay, but better for weak-Will classes
Needs little sleep -- unless you're a Wizard. And that sucks.
+2 Dex
-2 Con (fewer HP, -1 Fort save)

-- N

And with his 20' move and -5 penalty to grapple checks, the low-level halfling wizard survives how? He's still going to be AC 12 against touch attacks, and he's not going to be able to outrun anything.

I can buy that a 10th level halfling wizard might be a better deal than a 10th level elf, but I wonder how the halfling survived past 2nd level in the first place

Nifft said:

Weapon proficency -- yeah, you're gonna use those, right.

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At 1st and 2nd level? Speaking as someone who's played an elf wizard: yes, in almost every battle.