Are spellcasters more powerful?

[LokiDR]

Are the primary spellcasters (sorcerer, wizard, cleric, druid) more powerful than their siblings? Power defined as: destructive capability, party utility, and general problem solving skills.

This is not just a rant thread. What specific capabilites does one grouping have over the other? Could one side get along without the other?

 

[WattsHumphrey]

Spellcasters win, hands down.

Destructive capability: Depending on the level, the destructive capability of well min-maxed fighters or well min-maxed spellcasters should vary. The bonus here is that the spellcasters can generally do their damage from farther away.

party utility: I can't think of one way in which a noncaster is any where near the font of utility that a caster is. A caster can fly, haste, buff, heal, and do any number of special abilities that any of the other classes cannot. The best example here of how casters and noncasters do not match up are in a series of spells that you've seen me use. Teleport, Etherial Jaunt, Etherialness, and Dimension Door are all key abilities that nobody should be able to do without.

problem solving skills: Well, as far as these go, I'd generally say that it depends on the player, not the character. But high mental stats are what the spellcasters are known for, and high mental stats tend to lend better to IC reasons for solving problems.

So all in all, noncasters are useful, but just there to die.

 

[Crothian]

the fewer encounters and the more time PCs have to prepare, the Spellcasters are the most powerful. However, have long days were they burn through spells and have encounters they are not prepared for and non spellcasters do a little better. Still, the way most people play they do give advantages to the spellcaster, even though the spellcaster already starts with the advantages.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Remember the Dragonlance legend of why mages in Krynn are allowed to carry daggers?

-Hyp.

 

[Steverooo]

Remember the Dragonlance legend of why mages in Krynn are allowed to carry daggers?

Nope.

At lower levels, casters are weaker. At higher levels, the non-casters are.

 

[Gez]

Actually, what I wanted to vote was:

Arcane casters are lame, they drop like flies and have crappy spells that continually get shafted more and more with each revision, errata, and new edition.

But divine casters are exceedingly powerful, with their armor that equal a fighter's, their nice BAB, good saves, and nifty extra abilities like turn undead or wildshape. Plus they got to cast spells that are supposedly arcane-only, while arcane casters may die rather than cast divine-only spells.

 

[diaglo]

i agree with Gez in combat oriented campaigns.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Keep in mind that casters always manage to avoid the front line of combat (if they're wise)...as well as always having a quick escape ready (Exp. retreat, invis., fly, dimension door, teleport). Just another few advantages to add to the list.

Spellcasters are the secret masters of any adventuring party.

 

[Simulacrum]

It truly depends on the style of campaign. If the campaign is realisticly balanced and all factors are calculated in it evens out pretty much. (no munchkinism allowed! and very intelligent foes and complex challenges, giving no mercy in a save or die situation etc...)
At lower levels casters so weak they literaly have to hide in the last row for 12+ levels until they can dish out 7th level spells and they can start stand their own ground.
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My experience tells me that these two factors are very essential for gaining the upper hand in 90% of all situations:
BEST saves available (especially will / fort) + a lot of hitpoints (high con).
Spellcasters lack both, thus in an eye for an eye situation the casters dont have a real advantage

 

[Bauglir]

BEST saves available (especially will / fort) + a lot of hitpoints (high con).

Hmmmm now who has access to good saves in BOTH will & fort?
Who has a nice big hit dice AND access to hp boosting spells?

( *Agrees with Gez* )

Well.. I don't think arcane casters are underpowered, but I do think divine casters have a LOT more power and are often overlooked for some reason.