ExploderWizard said:
That is perfectly acceptable, as long as they COULD use the powers if they so desired. Its like Leon in "The Professional". He kills with a knife because he is that skilled, but that doesn't mean he forgot how to shoot a rifle.
Well, as far as "at-will" powers go...sure, no problem. If you want to use a 1st-level "at-will" when you're 27th-level, be my guest. It's pointless, but go right ahead.
As far as "per-encounter" or "daily" powers, I don't think it's particularly unbalancing to allow them access to their "set-aside" abilities. On the other hand, a reasonable case can be made
from a martial arts perspective that those
special moves that were your awesome abilities 5 years ago are just not things you practice anymore.
Lack of practice = unavailable.
However, I freely admit some coolness in the following...
In the first book of
The Dresden Files (something I bring up a lot whenever magic systems get discussed), the main character, Harry Dresden, is in the fight of his life (up to that point, anyway). He's drained, and doesn't have any energy left for any big spells. He doesn't have his blasting rod, and basically, all he's got the strength for are cantrips. And he's attacked - by giant, magically-animated, scorpions. He's backed into the corner of a kitchen...a broom falls over...he plucks a straw from the brush...and "sweeps away" his assailants. With
a cantrip that he'd almost forgotten he knew. It's
trés cool.
But that's essentially a super-creative use of "Mage Hand" - an at-will power. I'd never prevent a high-level wizard from whipping out a cantrip. I might even let all wizards have prestidigitation for free.