D&D 5E Gnome Wizard Starter Spells

[laughinggas]

About to start a multi-shot starting at level 1 and was looking for input on spells.

Stats were rolled and I rolled well. As such, I am a Forest Gnome with 20 Intelligence and 19 Dexterity.

Cantrips:
Minor Illusion (from forest gnome)
Prestidigitation
Firebolt
Toll the Dead

I figure these give me some good RP and fun uses as well as 2 different defenses to target for at will damage

Lvl 1 spells:
Detect Magic
Grease
Mage Armor
Tasha's Hideous Laughter
Thunderwave
Unseen Servant or Find Familiar

Lvl 2 selection (when I get there):
Find Familiar or Unseen Servant
Absorb Elements

I figure this selection gives a decent amount of utility, control, damage, and defense. Am I overlooking any spells in particular? I haven't listed shield because I will have 17 AC with Mage Armor to start with.

 

[Gavin O.]

I still think you should take shield. It's still a fantastic spell. 17 AC is still a reachable amount for the monsters you might face at level one
At level 1, the most powerful spell in the game is Sleep. It doesn't offer a saving throw, and on average puts 22.5 HP worth of enemy creatures to sleep, where your allies can then likely one-shot them with an automatic critical hit.
I would also swap out Thunderwave for Magic Missile. Thunderwave is unfriendly (as in, it hits allies) and it requires your enemies to basically be in melee range. (it has a radius of 10 feet and is centered on yourself) 2d8 damage averages to 9, where magic missile does 10.5 damage on average, gives you much better targeting, and always hits.