I need other people's opinions on this

[centipedes]

So my DM just recently wrapped up a campaign where I played a rogue 10/sorcerer 1/arcane archer 6

I enjoyed playing that character but for our new campaign, I'm pretty dead-set on wanting to play something more magic oriented. I am thinking about either an Elven Wizard (possibly sorcerer) or maybe a Druid or Ranger even.

What do you guys suggest?
I'm playing 3.5E

 

[Crothian]

Wizard is going to be the most magical oriented. They have a great list of spells, get item creation and meta magic feats, and with specialists can be a lot of fun.

Sorceres I found to be more limited becasue they get so few spells but they cast them lots of times.

Druids tend to rely more on the wildshape and use spells to buff themselves and kick ass that way.

Rangers are fun in the ewilderness way they are but have very limited magic.

I would go wizard based on the little bit you've said.

 

[IronWolf]

Wizard is going to be the most magical oriented. They have a great list of spells, get item creation and meta magic feats, and with specialists can be a lot of fun.

I agree with this. I would go wizard if you are looking for magical oriented. Not only a great list of spells, but relatively flexible as well once you get the spellbook built up. Scribe Scroll off the bat for helping you have those utility spells on hand without needing to use slots in your day-to-day casting. Definitely seems like the good choice to me.

 

[Dausuul]

It really depends on what you want.

Where arcane casters are concerned, I strongly favor sorcerors over wizards, just because I hate the bookkeeping aspect of Vancian casting and I like the additional spells per day. But that's just a personal preference.

Wizards are stronger on the strategic level--given time, they can prepare just the right spells for any situation. Sorcerors are stronger on the tactical level--more spells per day, and all of their spells are at their fingertips all the time. Pick whichever one you like better. (Wizard zealots will tell you the sorceror is weak. The proper response is to keep casting the same friggin' spell at them until they roll over and die.)

For the divine casters, clerics and druids both tend to be melee/caster hybrids, but in very different ways. Clerics are the gods of self-buffing, turning themselves into martial juggernauts who can put fighters to shame, while druids use wild shape, animal companions, and summon nature's ally to overwhelm the enemy with a horde of beasties.

 

[Oryan77]

I usually make my decisions by thinking of an interesting character concept, and then imagining what class this guy would probably be.

I made a Dwarven Wizard once that seemed like it would be a lot of fun to play. It was confirmed to be an interesting choice when my friend responded with, "A DWARF wizard?"

I would have played him as a filthy, grimy, guy that wore old ragged robes. His scrolls would always be tattered and dirty, usually crammed in a scroll case instead of being rolled up. His spellbook would be in the same sort of condition with beer & food stains on the pages. I imagined him being like a construction worker that temporarily got a job in the office but never could adjust to a cleaner appearance.

Unfortunately, the DM thought I was a crappy DM, which in turn must mean I'm a crappy human being, which in turn also meant that I deserved to be called names and my manhood needed to be questioned. When I realized that the DM intended to show me how to properly DM once I began playing, I parted ways. So I spent all that time creating the PC and never got to play him.

I say, think of a character type first, then imagine what class you could see him as, and go from there. It might help you decide which class to play.

 

[Cor_Malek]

Power of wizard v sorcerer aside (though just as a mention - sorc can use scrolls ;-) ), I never end up playing wizard simply because the spell preparation pisses me off. In theory, yeah - I can prepare some cool utility spell. But I need to know that I need it in advance. Or reserve some of my already scarce slots. And of course if I lose my spellbook - I'm cooked.
Cleric is my second in line - the useless spells I prepared at least can be used as heal/harm ;-)

On the other hand, a friend loves wizards - and he does make them work.

IMO - this is only a matter of preference, so just choose one ;-) Or, perhaps a duskblade?

 

[BrokeAndDrive]

Play as GOD.

 

[Cor_Malek]

Play as GOD.

I hear he got nerfed back in Zaratustra module.

 

[nedjer]

I ain't looked at 4e in a while but there's maybe a Bard Wizard Hybrid out there. Bard with utilities might be amusing?

 

[Nebt Bhakau]

Speaking just for myself, centipedes, I prefer the wizard because they get Scribe Scroll for free, allowing you to craft your own scrolls for spells that you will only use situationally.