Systole
First Post
A 1st level fighter is going to get destroyed by a CR5 encounter. A 1st level wizard -- or any back-of-the-party type -- is going to have a much higher survivability.
And a 1st level wizard brings a huge amount to even a level 3 party if properly specced, by which I mean a controller/buffer. Enlarge Person, Grease, Obscuring Mist, Color Spray ... all of these things mean that a 1st level wizard could potentially be the single most useful person in a 3rd level party. Take a look at Harkoz for a good example.
And a 1st level wizard brings a huge amount to even a level 3 party if properly specced, by which I mean a controller/buffer. Enlarge Person, Grease, Obscuring Mist, Color Spray ... all of these things mean that a 1st level wizard could potentially be the single most useful person in a 3rd level party. Take a look at Harkoz for a good example.