Best 3rd Level Wizard Encnter Power?

[babinro]

Icy Rays

I've seen it used to great effect numerous times. There are way too many monsters in heroic tier who simply do nothing for their turns if no one is within melee range. As such, Icy Rays is often the equivalent of the stun condition. At least, this was the case for much of my campaign. It is further improved if one of your melee characters has the ability to push 2+ squares with one of their attacks in order to keep them away.

 

[Elder-Basilisk]

Icy Rays

I've seen it used to great effect numerous times. There are way too many monsters in heroic tier who simply do nothing for their turns if no one is within melee range. As such, Icy Rays is often the equivalent of the stun condition. At least, this was the case for much of my campaign. It is further improved if one of your melee characters has the ability to push 2+ squares with one of their attacks in order to keep them away.

Color spray and fire shroud are the ones I see most often in LFR. However, like Babinro, I like the look of icy rays. It also combine very nicely with the various wizard zone powers. First you immoblize the target. Then you put him in the stinking cloud. So, not only does he not have line of sight to anything and probably loses a turn, but he also is guaranteed to take the start of his turn damage twice.

 

[satori01]

hmm....I need to take a second look at Icy Rays.
As a Tome of Readiness Wizard I can take both Color Spray....(radiant damage is too tempting to pass up especially coupled w/ the dazed condition)..and one other encounter power.

As a side question, why would people feel Icy Rays is better than Maze of Mirrors?

Sure Maze of Mirrors does no damage, but the burst and penalty to attack rolls can sure save your party from some damage.

 

[Stalker0]

So many great contenders. I wish more levels in 4e had less obvious choices and more contention like this one!

For my money, it really depends on your party and what you fight to answer this one. Personally I'm a big fan of color spray or maze of mirrors.

The wizard in my game uses MoM, and its pretty devastating. Daze is nice, but immobilize + attack penalty pretty much screws everyone. Melee guys can't move to kill you, ranged guys taking a big penalty are likely to miss anyway.

 

[Turtlejay]

My Illusionist Wiz uses Maze of Mirrors. It is my favorite power. Recently became 6th level, and I have once used the Visions of Avarice attack and then Maze of Mirrors to shut down an encounter.

Of course, were I not an illusionist, I might lean towards Fire Shroud. Minion killing potential, ally avoidance, and ongoing damage are all big IMO.

Jay