D&D 5E (+) Balancing Gritty Rest

[ECMO3]

The wizard might just cast cantrips unless absolutely needed to cast something powerful.

This is definitely my experience. It also means you don't spam things like shield or Greater Invisibility. You are more likely to save that slot for something offensive when you really need it.

 

[Tony Vargas]

I remember magic fountains that would give you permanent ability score boosts and other crazy stuff.

 

[Blue]

This is definitely my experience. It also means you don't spam things like shield or Greater Invisibility. You are more likely to save that slot for something offensive when you really need it.

Greater Invisibility and such, oh yeah.

But when you have 3rd and higher level slots and your cantrips are scaling up (remember, starting at 5th), 1st level slots aren't all that useful to spend an Action on offensively. Utility or defensve reaction, like Shield, become worthwhile uses for 1st level slots.