One thing that @Yaarel mentioned about 100 wizards makes me think of something else to consider beyond the mechanics. What impact would this cantrip have on the world? For example, in a game world like Eberron, a cantrip like this would likely have been used by every soldier unskilled in archery, since a cantrip wand would be far easier to mass produce than a 1st level wand. And when something is that prevalent, especially in a war, some defense would be developed. Maybe a version of mage armor that would be immune to the cantrip, or grant resistance to force damage. In fact, resistance to force damage is such a niche aspect that I think it could just be added to the existing mage armor spell without any other changes. I don't know. Using logic to extend how the cantrip might impact the greater game world seems like an interesting exercise. Additionally, if there is some pressure to have such a cantrip/spell, then there would be greater incentive and resources expended in that world to make it happen.
Make Shield a cantrip too.One thing that @Yaarel mentioned about 100 wizards makes me think of something else to consider beyond the mechanics. What impact would this cantrip have on the world? For example, in a game world like Eberron, a cantrip like this would likely have been used by every soldier unskilled in archery, since a cantrip wand would be far easier to mass produce than a 1st level wand. And when something is that prevalent, especially in a war, some defense would be developed. Maybe a version of mage armor that would be immune to the cantrip, or grant resistance to force damage. In fact, resistance to force damage is such a niche aspect that I think it could just be added to the existing mage armor spell without any other changes. I don't know. Using logic to extend how the cantrip might impact the greater game world seems like an interesting exercise. Additionally, if there is some pressure to have such a cantrip/spell, then there would be greater incentive and resources expended in that world to make it happen.
Make Shield a cantrip too.
Shield
Abjuration Cantrip
Casting Time: 1 reaction*
Range: Self
Components: V S
Duration: Instantaneous
Classes: Sorcerer, Wizard
An invisible barrier of magical force appears and protects you. You have a +2 bonus to AC against the triggering attack, and you take no damage from magic missile.
* - which you take when you are hit by an attack or targeted by the magic missile spell
Of course, then you have two must-have cantrips.
That's not a big change from how things are now. Unless you have an AC in the 20s, you get the same effect with chill touch or firebolt. Or, heck, a bunch of goons with crossbows.My only concern is potential abuse, like a Wizard School with a 100 apprentices all focus-firing to eliminate one target after an other.
Sure, but the autohit makes the Magic Missile firefocus a fairly invincible tactic.That's not a big change from how things are now. Unless you have an AC in the 20s, you get the same effect with chill touch or firebolt. Or, heck, a bunch of goons with crossbows.
Canonically, the Five Nations fielded units of Arcaneers (often known as Wandslingers) in the Last War. They would usually know two or more cantrips and one 1/day 1st-level spell (the equivalent of the Magic Initiate feat), and they would use some form of arcane focus for their spells. Note that these are cantrips the soldier in question knows and uses a tool to cast, not a magic item handed out to unskilled people.One thing that @Yaarel mentioned about 100 wizards makes me think of something else to consider beyond the mechanics. What impact would this cantrip have on the world? For example, in a game world like Eberron, a cantrip like this would likely have been used by every soldier unskilled in archery, since a cantrip wand would be far easier to mass produce than a 1st level wand.
Canonically, the Five Nations fielded units of Arcaneers (often known as Wandslingers) in the Last War. They would usually know two or more cantrips and one 1/day 1st-level spell (the equivalent of the Magic Initiate feat), and they would use some form of arcane focus for their spells. Note that these are cantrips the soldier in question knows and uses a tool to cast, not a magic item handed out to unskilled people.