Given a choice between a D&D spellcasting class and a DC20 spellcasting class, I don't see many D&D players wanting to play the latter because of those drawbacks.
I am sorry, what? not sure I like the prone condition for that, feels like hidden vs invisible in 2024
Unless changed from the free playtest documents, the casters have less a drawback and each have their own power up gimmick Which is required to make them unique since you can freely choose your casting stat.
That's a simplification of what's going on. And the point thematically is magic comes from different places, which is what creates different classes. The mechanics are there to serve the theme, not just to have a random selection of strengths/weaknesses.
It's not a drawback though? It's being able to cast better, and with a far greater amount of variety, paired with an appropriate disadvantage. Exactly what balance is supposed to be in class design. Culling together different mechanics so that you get very distinct classes, while still having their overall power level be roughly equal.
Definitely to me. There's a lot more ways to change what your attacks do or what stance you want to be in, and you gain greater ability to choose when you want to perform actions. Like you can choose to block an ally from getting hit 4 times when it's not your turn, or choose to do a high-powered attack of opportunity, at the cost of not having as many actions on your turn when it comes.
Why not? It makes perfect thematic sense. The wizard is drawing a diagram to empower their spell and while doing so they aren't going to be able to defend themselves as well. Maybe you're confusing the terminology though with regards to the word prone.
So you only really need one.
Portable writing desk that you wear round your neck.
you write with Mage hand/Prestidigitation obviously, no prone nonsense.
If a wizard needs to draw a rune in order to cast a spell, why not draw one in midair like they do in certain anime like The Dragon Prince. It's just as thematic and it allows the wizard to maintain their dignity.
My Mage Hand has neater calligraphy than me.
