D&D 5E Building a better Wizard

[Paul Smart]

Hi, everyone.

Last but not least let's talk Wizards. What works for them? What would you change and why? How can they be improved?

I would love to hear everyone's thoughts. Also, let's keep it civil.

 

[Ath-kethin]

What works for them: they can do anything
What needs to be improved: they are all basically the same.

Solution: different spell lists for each specialization, with little to no overlap. This will invariably result in some specializations being more common than others, to which I reply: that is already the case anyway. Making each type of wizard more distinct form the others can only serve to make the class more interesting, and give each a discrete role that can't just be filled by one of the others.

 

[Krachek]

Not agree.
Wizard need spell variety to be effective. There is too much energy resistance and magic resistance.
I'm not a fan of school specialist.
I would be happy if they have design the class with no archetype. Only a main class with general features.

 

[aco175]

I could go with a single class that is more generalist and gains some specialization at 3rd level. In old times there was no warlock or sorcerer so the mage needed to be all things mage-like. We need to look at what role the wizard fills that the other classes do not and try to make that better.

I also like specializing is a school of magic. I find that does not make all mages the same. There can be an evoker or a transmuter.

There is also the idea of academies or colleges where there are certain spell taught at places. Something like a fire or ice college.

 

[Gardens & Goblins]

Anyone tried the Spell Point system from the DMG with the wizard?

If so, thoughts/feedback would be appreciated.

Edit: I should add: I do like my wizards but the Vancian approach to spell casting, while it makes, 'a' sense, doesn't really do anything for me personally, what in this fancy modern world of mana and power points..

 

[mellored]

Wish->simulacrum needs fixed. Though that applies to all casters.


They could use a generalist sub-class. One that focuses on the classic "get all the spells" mentality, with some features that let you utilize them a bit better.

i.e.
2: You learn 2 new level 1 wizard spells, and increase the number of spells you learn when leveling up to 3. In addition, you have twice your proficiency bonus for arcana checks.
6: As a bonus action, you can rapidly prepare 1 spell from your spellbook. Once you do this, you can not do it again until you take a short or long rest, after which the spell is no longer prepared.
10: You can copy ritual spells of other classes into your spellbook, but only cast them as rituals.
14: As a bonus action, you can rapidly prepare 1 spell from any class spell list of 5th level or lower. Once you do this, you can not do it again until you take a short or long rest, after which the spell is no longer prepared.

 

[guachi]

My biggest objection is that the schools seem somewhat bland. Though I think the class is immensely fun otherwise. So much so that the base class and the large number of potential spells outweighs the blandness of the schools.

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Fold the sorcerer and warlock into the wizard class. You don't need such a huge range of mechanics to describe the same basic character concept.

Get rid of the whole thing about preparing spells. Let the wizard cast any spell that know, as long as they have the slots for it, but make sure that they can't know anywhere near half of the spell list.

 

[Tony Vargas]

Last but not least let's talk Wizards. What works for them?

Well, gee, more sub-classes in the PH than any other class, more and more diverse spells - with the conspicuous exception of healing - and spontaneous casting & at-will cantrips. It's rarely been a better time to play a wizard.

What would you change and why? How can they be improved?

Like any Tier-1 class, the wizard can only be improved by taking away from it.
What you take away depends on what you're going for. More of classic feel, for instance: cantrips, rituals, spontaneous casting.

 

[mellored]

Fold the sorcerer and warlock into the wizard class. You don't need such a huge range of mechanics to describe the same basic character concept.

I disagree.

I much prefer a variety of mechanics.