CapnZapp
Legend
I'm happy for you, but just to make sure - you are aware you're talking about the class feature "Wild Magic Surge" now?I love the wild mage. I've played one, and I've DMed for some. When I DM, I rework the chance of a surge so that the number you have to get on the d20 isn't just 1 all the time but is a number equal to or less than the level of the spell slot used to cast the spell (eg. if you cast a 7th level spell - or a lower level spell using a 7th level spell slot - then when you roll your d20, you get a surge on a roll of 1-7).
That really doesn't help the Wild Mage's power, only her coolness/wackiness factor.
This thread is about whether Wild Mages gain something comparable to all the goodies bestowed upon Draconic Sorcerers. The main such thing would be advantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws. Or, in other words, another class feature than "Wild Magic Surge", specifically the "Tides of Chaos" feature.
My argument is that for a Wild Mage to compete against a Draconic colleague, she needs to use Tides of Chaos once for every spell she casts. That's right, if the sorcerer has, say, 15 spell slots, she has the capacity to gain advantage sixteen* times during the day, and she needs to use every single one of them.
*) not counting various other ways to cast more spells, such as Sorcery Points
But Tides of Chaos state once per long rest...? Yes, but it also empowers the Dungeon Master to have you Wild Surge after casting a spell. And this is the core of the trap.
This is sufficuently hidden so many players don't realize they need to make sure their DM is onboard before choosing the subclass. And that many Wild Surges goes against the instincts of many DMs. The end result is that yes, it is likely the Wild Mage is "as terrible as it seems", even though many posters might post anectdotal experiences to the contrary.
Only play a Wild Mage if you and your DM are prepared for a deluge of Wild Surges. To justify not choosing Draconic and its juicy subclass features you really need to operate on advantage throughout the day. Your every skill check should be done at advantage. Ideally your every save. Even better if you could attack at advantage, but there simply aren't enough spells with attack rolls to make that strategy worthwhile. (In fact, are there ANY spell that allows you a decent effect with a single attack roll. Both main contenders Scorching Ray and Eldritch Blast (for Sorlocks) use multiple attack rolls)
In the end, once you and your DM are up to speed on this crucial fact, it ceases to be an issue (obviously).