Thunderfoot
Hero
I'm going to take hit on this, but...this goes back to what I've said a million times before - balance is BS!. Balance is neither a good thing nor a requirement for D&D. 4e's everyone is the same is a sticking point for me. 3e was bad enough. (I've played both, ran campaigns in both and am not disparaging any edition, per se)
This idea that a wizard is the most powerful thing at higher levels is what is supposed to happen. But since DMs try not to kill PCs anymore, the idea that you actually have to make it to higher levels get lost in the sauce.
Sure a 7th level caster could do some pretty cool stuff, but they had to get there first and a kobold with a lucky crit could end the career of a wizard as easily as a lowly snake and a failed poison save. Does nobody remember the phrase, "wizards are squishy"? Or how about the converse, "Hey, meat shield, protect the caster."
In fantasy genres balance should be a dirty word unless you are talking about thief skills.
This idea that a wizard is the most powerful thing at higher levels is what is supposed to happen. But since DMs try not to kill PCs anymore, the idea that you actually have to make it to higher levels get lost in the sauce.
Sure a 7th level caster could do some pretty cool stuff, but they had to get there first and a kobold with a lucky crit could end the career of a wizard as easily as a lowly snake and a failed poison save. Does nobody remember the phrase, "wizards are squishy"? Or how about the converse, "Hey, meat shield, protect the caster."
In fantasy genres balance should be a dirty word unless you are talking about thief skills.