Why do YOU hate specialization?

[entr0py]

I don't. I used to, but the alternate class features available to the spec wizards in the PHBII have changed my position.

 

[MarkB]

Wizards are scientists to me. Who want to know EVERYTHING AND EVERY DARN SPELL IN ANY BOOK IN THE WHOLE WORLD, PLANES, WHATEVER THERE'S OUT THERE SO GIVE IT TO MEEEE!

Sure, but how many scientists are there (outside of comic books) who are just general "scientists"? Most of them tend to be "physicists" or "astronomers" or "biologists" or...

 

[Plane Sailing]

I felt that the best specialisation was the 1e Illusionist - where the specialist mage has a distinct spell list. I suppose the beguiler, warmage etc are the logical heirs of that approach.

The existing specialisation would probably have been better if it had been handled more like cleric domains - a bonus spell per level and a specialist power. You could ditch prohibited schools alltogether and assume that ALL wizards specialise in one field (or you could have a list which is effectively a 'generalist' domain alongside the specialist domains).

That's how I'd like to see it handled.

 

[Nifft]

(or you could have a list which is effectively a 'generalist' domain alongside the specialist domains).

The Psionics way of doing it is nice, where there's a large list of "general" stuff you can choose (with each effect still being from one school/discipline), but also each specialty having a unique list of reserved powers/spells which are off-limits to other specialists.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Sorry, gotta correct you here: anger leads to +4 Strength and Constitution for 3 + newly modified Con rounds. After that, anger leads to Fatigue.

Hate leads to a +2 bonus on Bluff, Listen, Sense Motive, Spot, and Survival checks; and a +2 bonus on weapon damage.

Cheers, -- N

How can hate lead to +2, when they're a favored enemy? Favored /= hated

Hate leads to Bane weapons. Then to Bane/Holy/Burst weapons.

 

[EyeontheMountain]

Another biased poll. Is it that hard to make a balanced one and then find out what people REALLY think?

I like specialization as it gives more spell slots, something wizards are very lacking in. Even the Focused specialist variant has been seen in my games, though losing another school really does hurt, losing two can be done with little problem, but three is a lot.

But all those slots. Heaven, especially since the wizard in question is a gish build who uses spell slots to power arcane strikes more than he actually casts the spells.

FOr him the specialization is working out very well.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

I like specialization. I really like the Master Specialist.

And for the record ...

I like polls. They make me happy. [Thanks for giving me an option to choose in your poll!]

 

[Nifft]

Another biased poll. Is it that hard to make a balanced one and then find out what people REALLY think?

Not all polls are for all people... please feel free to self-select in (or otherwise).

Cheers, -- N

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

PHB2 + UA + CM = Specialists Rawk...I like giving up 3 schools and having more spells per day than a sorcerer, with higher level spells sooner. It's really balanced...

Wait...am I missing something that PHB2 gives you, or is your "more spells per day than a sorcerer" coming strictly from the focused specialist variant from CM? Because if that's the case, you missed the fine print, and the reason my spiffy new evoker decided to skip out on it. Yes, you give up another school and get an extra 2 spells per level for your specialty, but you also give up a slot per day from your main pool each spell level!!!! So, you end up with the SAME spells per day as a sorcerer, except you've just gimped yourself into having fully half of them restricted to one school. Once again, don't know what PHB2 adds to the mix, maybe my point's irrelevant.

Just like to add, while Master apecialist is very good for abjurers and conjurors (like they needed a boost!), and downright obscene for necromancy, it's terrible for some schools, most starkly evocation. Given my aforementioned character, just felt like letting that one off my chest. It's not fair!!!

 

[Old Gumphrey]

Ok my bad. "The same number of spells as a sorcerer on even levels" and "higher level spells and more spells per day on odd levels". Oh and 5 bonus feats. I play a master specialist evoker and I kick buckets and piles of ass all day long every single session.

EDIT: and nevermind the fact that I'm gimped because I can use 4 4th-level spells from 2 schools at 7th level, but the sorcerer can use 1 4th-level spell from 1 school at 8th...