Dan Chernozub
First Post
After reading a couple of published adventures and playing a bit as a player, I have an impression that some (most?) DMs shun using NPC spellcasters unless it is a BBEG.
Me personally, while running DnD standard, magic-abundant worlds, I use at least a few low-level spellcasters in any humanoid group, regardless of their alignment/attitude towards the party.
If anything, because the world logic suggests that. If an Orc Tribe is warring with the Dwarven Forpost, why would only one side have a sizeable % of its combatants wielding magic? Obviously, orcs won't sport a lot of wizards amongst their ranks, but still.
On the other hand, I find even a limited spell selection can make an encounter more interesting. It not only brings variety to the mob, it also helps you create group tactics that really set apart fighting against intelligent foes from hacking through hordes of mindless brutes.
For example, a group of Bugbears with access to just a few 1st level spells can do so much more:
Disguise Self/Snare/Fog Cloud to set up an ambush;
Color Spray/Faerie Fire to maximize the damage and chaos;
Alarm the path to their hideout for protection;
etc ...
How often and how are you using/facing NPC spellcasters in your games?
Me personally, while running DnD standard, magic-abundant worlds, I use at least a few low-level spellcasters in any humanoid group, regardless of their alignment/attitude towards the party.
If anything, because the world logic suggests that. If an Orc Tribe is warring with the Dwarven Forpost, why would only one side have a sizeable % of its combatants wielding magic? Obviously, orcs won't sport a lot of wizards amongst their ranks, but still.
On the other hand, I find even a limited spell selection can make an encounter more interesting. It not only brings variety to the mob, it also helps you create group tactics that really set apart fighting against intelligent foes from hacking through hordes of mindless brutes.
For example, a group of Bugbears with access to just a few 1st level spells can do so much more:
Disguise Self/Snare/Fog Cloud to set up an ambush;
Color Spray/Faerie Fire to maximize the damage and chaos;
Alarm the path to their hideout for protection;
etc ...
How often and how are you using/facing NPC spellcasters in your games?