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

[UngeheuerLich]

Under 5th level.

1st-4th is called out in the book as the 'apprentice' levels or some such. These are also the levels which Karinsdad is talking about.

Level 1-4: take a crossbow, do nearly as much damage as the fighter. Done.
use poison spray, nearly do as much damage as the fighter. Also done.
At level 1-4, noone has extra attack, the feature bringing at will damage of specialized fighters way above the nonspecialists.

No theorycrafting, but having exactly this situation in play.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Two quick moderatorial things

1. [MENTION=70176]Kaychsea[/MENTION], people have kept it civil, please don't start mud-slinging ("you have been sniffy")
2. [MENTION=2011]KarinsDad[/MENTION], I think that the idea of 'RAW' is dead and buried as far as 5e is concerned. Don't go bringing it up again thanks!

Now, back to discussing stuff fun stuff!

 

[Kaychsea]

1. [MENTION=70176]Kaychsea[/MENTION], people have kept it civil, please don't start mud-slinging ("you have been sniffy")

I thought sniffy was unduly polite, but apologise for any offense felt.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Thanks, much appreciated.

 

[Grymmlocke]

I am not sure what game you are playing. But in the 5th edition, I am playing. They are the ones that GOT UBER-fied! Especially when comparing them to damage done by 3.5/ Pathfinder standards. Hell some of their cantrips do 1d10 damage. And you ALWAYS can cast those spells! There is NOT 1 healing cantrip for healers.... NOT 1. Not even one that does even 1d4, 1d3, or even 1d2 points of healing. The wizards are SUPPOSED to have a whole plethora of spells at their disposal. Which they still have. But wizards are basically the artillery of D&D. And this is proven with cantrips (spells they can cast at will) that do a good deal of damage.... But clerics and other healer types have 0 healing cantrips.... My opinion, mind you, but you MIGHT want to change the name of this thread to " Clerics got the shift in 5th edition."

 

[aramis erak]

I am not sure what game you are playing. But in the 5th edition, I am playing. They are the ones that GOT UBER-fied! Especially when comparing them to damage done by 3.5/ Pathfinder standards. Hell some of their cantrips do 1d10 damage. And you ALWAYS can cast those spells! There is NOT 1 healing cantrip for healers.... NOT 1. Not even one that does even 1d4, 1d3, or even 1d2 points of healing. The wizards are SUPPOSED to have a whole plethora of spells at their disposal. Which they still have. But wizards are basically the artillery of D&D. And this is proven with cantrips (spells they can cast at will) that do a good deal of damage.... But clerics and other healer types have 0 healing cantrips.... My opinion, mind you, but you MIGHT want to change the name of this thread to " Clerics got the shift in 5th edition."

Any healing cantrip makes the rest of the healing rules totally pointless. That's why you don't see them.

 

[RevTurkey]

I don't have the patience to do a tactical/mathematical analysis but around our gaming table everybody actually commented on how great the new Wizard is in 5e. I come from a background of comparing new editions of D&D to BX and 1E... and compared to those editions, the new version of the low level Wizard seems pretty powerful and engaging to play. I think you might be falling into a trap most of us do from time to time with roleplaying gaming and just thinking about it all a bit too much maybe? In the big scheme of things, the new class...whether more or less poweful is clearly not broken. It can do many interesting things to contribute to the excitement and adventure around the table as can all the classes in the new edition. if indeed your character is getting mathematically overwhelmed by the other player's characters and that bothers you...do something creative through play to make your Wiz stand out? Some of the weakest tactical characters my friends and I have played are also some of the most memorable...because they gained notoriety and influence despite their percieved lack of firepower...also a well found magic item can shift that balance dramatically too...something the DM might consider at some point. Just thoughts...enjoy the game

 

[True_Blue]

I actually give a lot of scrolls out to the party's wizard and druid to help with this "problem". Its not necessarily that I think a Wizard is weak or does low damage, I just don't think they get to cast enough spells. I want them in the thick of things being magical, and casting the same cantrip over and over again doesn't do it for me. This is actually one of the reasons I switched from 4e to 5e, I wanted to go back to where spellcasters had a bunch of options, through spells, scrolls, wands, etc.

The 1st level wizard, who is almost 2nd level, in my campaign has already found a Wand of Magic Missile, and probably 3-4 scrolls, which she has used almost all of them so far. And I plan on keep introducing more scrolls, so every combat she should be casting a few spells *at least*.

So far I haven't seen her outshine anyone else, but I've seen her enjoy casting different spells and doing cool magical effects. I also adjust the battles enough to take this into account, so they aren't blowing through enemies, but she feels very magical casting a good amount of spells a day.

I will always have a soft spot for wizards and I love them as a class, but I really don't think they get to cast enough cool spells. So as the DM, I've mitigated that with very good success.

 

[Uchawi]

I agree a lot of the perception is due to bias, when considering previous editions and wizard performing mind blowing acts of changing reality and the more toned down approach of 5E; which I appreciate. But one thing stands true in reference to casters getting clear choices, that have a greater or lesser impact on any given situation, and martial character having the illusion of choice presented by things such as multiple attacks.

 

[Werebat]

But... but wizards MUST overshadow ever other class! If they can't rogue better than the rogue, DPR better than the DPR-focused classes, and make everyone else wish they were playing a wizard... then they aren't WIZARDS, dammit!