Low Level spellcasters -- what use are they?

[krunchyfrogg]

I'm just posting a thread here to get a general feel of how everybody deals with the low (1-3) levels of gaming, where the spellcasters in the group are not nearly as useful as they will be, nor are they as powerful.

We're having a rift forming in our gaming group over this issue, and I was hoping to bring it up into a public forum, because we've all faced this type of scenario (unless you start your games at 3rd level or higher).

The spellcasters (A Cleric and an Illusionist, both 2nd Level) commonly burn spells in interesting, mostly combat situations. Of course, these guys aren't going to contribute much with these spells (they're just not powerful), and the rest of the group is getting frustrated with having to rest more often than they're used to (after dropping a campaign where the characters were 6-8th levels). The Cleric player is basically being told to save all his spells for Cure Light Wounds, and the Illusionist is being told to save his Magic Missiles and Greases for the "big bosses." The Cleric player is miffed about not being able to cast Command, and the Illusionist finds himself down to a few Dancing Lights before anybody knows it.

So, while saving spells for the big fights might be the "best" thing, what are these characters supposed to do the rest of the time? The Cleric can fight still (although not on par with the two Fighters), but the Illusionist is almost useless. He's got a 6 STR, and we're usually closed into Melee combat before he gets a chance to let a missile fly from his sling.

So, what do you do with your low level spellcasters, to keep them in the game, and keep them interested. One of the best ways to lose players, in my experience, is to make them useless. Because if they're useless, they're not having any fun, and if they're not having any fun, they're missing the point in playing a game.

 

[Bagpuss]

Why use a sling? Whats wrong with a light crossbow? It does more damage and can be actually better than most offence wizard spells at low level. The slow rate of fire isn't a problem since a Wizard doesn't get a second attack until 12 level.

Most wizards or sorercers have Dex at a resonable level to help with armour class and at low level a Stat bonus can make you better at ranged combat than a fighter that's maxed his Str and Con.

You might even consider Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot if your human as they also effect all your "Ray" type damage spells.

 

[Umbran]

The basic way to deal with this is to play a little more to the strengths of all the PCs, not just the ones who like melee combat. That means using combat enemies who don't necessarily stay in melee. It also means using more encounters that aren't easily or best solved through combat.

 

[Alchemist]

Two words: Scribe Scroll.

The spellcasters should be loaded down with scrolls of all their favorites. Whether they make them or buy them is moot. Scrolls extend the usefulness of spellcasters to new and greater heights at least until the next big advancement in spell-storing, wands.


Not much else to say really. It requires expenditure of cash and or xp, but that's a small price to pay for most groups to get greater functionality out of their casters.

 

[Saepiroth]

It requires expenditure of cash and or xp, but that's a small price to pay for most groups to get greater functionality out of their casters.

and, of course, that scribed-as-level-one magic missle scroll only costs you 1 XP and a tiny handful of gold coins. scribe ten, and you're a combat pimp!

 

[Silver Moon]

Low Level spellcasters -- what use are they?

I've always thought that they were great to use as shields.

Seriously though, our group came up with a few 'house rules' that made low-level spellcasters viable characters in the game.

Many moons ago our group decided that all new characters can be started at 2nd level, but with zero experiece points. This extra boost gave them a fighting chance to make it to 3rd level.

Even more moons ago we adopted a house rule that allowed wizards (then called magic-users) to get bonus spells based on high intelligence that mirrored the clerical bonus spell table for high wisdom. This gave low level mages enough spell choices to contribute to the games.

 

[Saepiroth]

Low Level spellcasters -- what use are they? Even more moons ago we adopted a house rule that allowed wizards (then called magic-users) to get bonus spells based on high intelligence that mirrored the clerical bonus spell table for high wisdom. This gave low level mages enough spell choices to contribute to the games.

probabvly one of the best parts of 3rd edition, IMHO. standardized ability gains for spells is top-notch.

WE NEED A STR BASED CASTER IN HERE, STAT!

 

[El Ravager]

They turn into High Level Spellcasters?

 

[Broken Fang]

Enough said!

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Did something happen to Sleep and Ray of Frost when I wasn't looking?

Sleep is great against a large number of opponents. SOMEONE is going to miss their saving throw, after all. And those are people that the fighters don't have to worry about.

Ray of Frost ignores armor, IIRC. Not really great damage output, but it's a cantrip and can be cast over and over even at 1st level.

Just my two cents.