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Low Level Wizards Really Do Suck in 5E
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<blockquote data-quote="Mort" data-source="post: 7547357" data-attributes="member: 762"><p>Let me start by saying, I think comparing the 5e wizard to past editions is not only tricky, it's misguided. The question is, are low level wizards effective in 5e.</p><p></p><p>That said:</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>It's been a while but from what I recall wizards didn't have a good to hit in 1e, in 5e their to hit with the cantrip is on par with any other class.</p><p></p><p>5e sleep is still a killer spell at low levels, easily taking down multiple weak opponents.</p><p></p><p>The second bit (more wands etc.) is/was very dependant on DM. I remember being rather wand and scroll starved as my DM didn't use published adventures.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>But a 5e wizard is more flexible due to the casting no longer being pure Vancien. With a bit of system mastery this is a big deal. And the low level 5e wizard has more defensive options than the low level 2e wizard. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>More true at higher levels, when the mage gains other options. But even with that, I think it's a feature not a bug. The wizard shouldn't be "stand back and let me handle this..." It's a team effort.</p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p>The cantrip not "feeling" magical is pure opinion, I happen to disagree, but it's not worth a back and forth (hence opinion).</p><p></p><p>Magic missile being useless? I just don't see it. Magic missile is automatic consistent (if low) damage with a damage type (force) that very few creatures have resistance to. That means it's a great finishing off spell, even into high levels. If you know a creature is about to drop (and if it doesn't, it's lack of HP is irrelevant to how hard it hits!) magic missile is likely the safest bet to drop it.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mort, post: 7547357, member: 762"] Let me start by saying, I think comparing the 5e wizard to past editions is not only tricky, it's misguided. The question is, are low level wizards effective in 5e. That said: It's been a while but from what I recall wizards didn't have a good to hit in 1e, in 5e their to hit with the cantrip is on par with any other class. 5e sleep is still a killer spell at low levels, easily taking down multiple weak opponents. The second bit (more wands etc.) is/was very dependant on DM. I remember being rather wand and scroll starved as my DM didn't use published adventures. But a 5e wizard is more flexible due to the casting no longer being pure Vancien. With a bit of system mastery this is a big deal. And the low level 5e wizard has more defensive options than the low level 2e wizard. More true at higher levels, when the mage gains other options. But even with that, I think it's a feature not a bug. The wizard shouldn't be "stand back and let me handle this..." It's a team effort. The cantrip not "feeling" magical is pure opinion, I happen to disagree, but it's not worth a back and forth (hence opinion). Magic missile being useless? I just don't see it. Magic missile is automatic consistent (if low) damage with a damage type (force) that very few creatures have resistance to. That means it's a great finishing off spell, even into high levels. If you know a creature is about to drop (and if it doesn't, it's lack of HP is irrelevant to how hard it hits!) magic missile is likely the safest bet to drop it. [/QUOTE]
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