My first 4E game...

[pemerton]

I've never thought that 4e is retro. In my view it's not remotely retro.

 

[catsclaw227]

I think "better spent elsewhere" is totally subjective, and again based around combat as a defining factor.

Astral Fire: +1 damage to only spells with the fire or radiiant keyword...
Defensive Mobility: +2 vs. opportunity attacks
Improved Initiative: +4 feat bonus to initiative
Burning Blizzard: +1 to damage with powers with acid or cold keyword.

Skill Training: Thievery;+5 to open locks, pick pockets, disable traps, and sleight of hand

I'm sorry but the +1 damage with only specific powers doesn't seem to add up with the versatility of a +5 on 4 different types of actions.

The +2 vs. opportunity... eh, with a defender or two in the party this one again doesn't measure up... about the only one that seems even close in comparison is the Improved Initiative, since it helps you to hit a bunch of mooks before they can act.

But like I said, it's totally subjective.

You are right, it is subjective. And even though 4e was designed to "rule out" suboptimal choices, in most cases it will much better to take the multiclass feat Sneak of Shadows instead of Skill Training: Thievery because it gives you sneak attack as well. Note: I stated most cases because it has a Dex 13+ prerequisite.

But then the Wizard isn't just a Wizard anymore, she is a Wizard/Rogue.

Either way, you can have a Wizard be a thief as well and it still will not usurp a Rogues mojo. The Rogue is more than just a burglar in D&D, and always has been.