Andy Collins speaks - the Elf Wizard

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I've always thought of elves as the iconic wizard race (well, along with humans) and I never really considered why it is that there seem to be so few 3E elven wizards but I definitely sensed that there are in fact very few of them. I never really thought that other races were better, I just figured there's not really much reason to be an elf wizard. In that regard, I think AC is spot on with his assessment. The only reason I thought of playing an elven wizard was for multi-classing purposes (re: favoured class).

 

[coyote6]

Completely off topic - Moradin needs the war domain. Don't do it for me - do it for all the dwarf clerics in D&D minis who are forced into a horridly sub-optimal feat choice.

I'd rather see all clerics get proficiency with their god's favored weapon (with possible exceptions for gods that favor some of the really useful exotic weapons). Thus, the real benefit of the War domain would be the free Weapon Focus feat.

(If that's somehow not enough, let 'em qualify for Weapon Specialization with said weapon after they reach 9th or 12th level as a cleric.)

 

[Psion]

Andy Collins:
As written in the PH, elves actually are a subpar choice for wizards--halflings are significantly better; heck, even gnomes are probably a better choice.

Din't I just say almost the exact same thing?

Obviously, I agree. Wizard should not be a poor choice for elf or vice-versa.

 

[Nifft]

IMHO, the RAW has Elves being the best Rogues in the game, and above-average Druids.

-- N

 

[Banshee16]

I agree, but I still think elves should be sorcerers.

And that's an opinion I'm taking to my grave. Do you hear me WotC?!?! MY GRAVE!!!!!

I'd tend to agree on this. I remember thinking that when reading the new PHB back in 2000. It just seemed that elves have always been a very magical race, where the art of spellcasting comes to them easily. That sounds way more like a sorcerer than a wizard. Also, elves have never been the sort sitting in a tall tower reading old books and playing with cobwebs...

Banshee

 

[MerricB]

I really strongly disagree with the "Elves should be sorcerers" viewpoint.

Elves should be spontaneous casters - that I can agree with. But the sorcerer, as written, can cast only a handful of spells. And, normally, big flashy effects like fireball and magic missile.

By the way magic works in the D&D world, I much prefer my elves to learn many, many types of magic spell over the years.

Cheers!

 

[Jdvn1]

I have to agree with Merric here. I think Elves are better suited toward the studious lifestyle of Wizardry. If someone mention an obscure arcane topic, leave it to an Elf to go, "Pfft, I've heard of _that_. I can't believe you haven't heard."

 

[beaver1024]

Is this a question of racial balance or class balance? I think Andy's confused here which is which. Clearly the whole Elven wizard racial substitution level was not tested or thought out because trying to bring the racial imbalance into class imbalance will cause even more problems with Elven subraces which are clearly make superior wizards (eg Sun Elves, Grey Elves). Grey Elves are also in core rules.

Smells quite badly of the 2e attitude that Elves should be better than everyone at everything concept.

 

[Steverooo]

"Historically", the AD&D 1e Elf got (IIRC) +1 INT & DEX, and -1 CON. Thus, in 3.xe, you would expect him to have +2 INT... but he doesn't. +2 INT would probably make Elves the best "Wizii".

As for me, based upon the description of Elves in the PHB, I think their Favored Class should be ANY Arcane class, including Bard... but the cries from the peanut gallery, if that were done, would be deafening!

 

[Crothian]

Is this a question of racial balance or class balance? I think Andy's confused here which is which. Clearly the whole Elven wizard racial substitution level was not tested or thought out because trying to bring the racial imbalance into class imbalance will cause even more problems with Elven subraces which are clearly make superior wizards (eg Sun Elves, Grey Elves). Grey Elves are also in core rules.

Gray Elves are in the core rules now? That must be new as none of my PHBs has them.

Most books just look at the core rules for balance. Sun elfs which are not core might interact with other non cores they were not meant to react with and become unblancing. I doubt that is the case here but I havn't seen exactly what these things are and what is lost compaired to what is gained.