D&D 4E New to 4ed Wizard Class

[mtflannery89]

So I have played a little bit of 3.5 in the past and my gaming club recently switched to 4ed. I loved the idea of playing a wizard that mainly used spells that would cause enemies to kill themselves in strange and interesting ways (tricks, illusions, charms, etcetera) Upon doing some research into the 4ed wizard class it doesn't seem as though wizards have the same versatility that they once had in 3.5.

Are there any illusionists out there that can give me any words of advice or tips? Is it worth it to play an illusionist? Also, more importantly, can you even truly play as a full-fledged illusionist?

Thanks everyone for your time and responses,
Flannery

 

[Nahat Anoj]

Could you be more specific? Like, what do you think an illusionist should be able to do that can't be done by a 4e wizard? I ask because the 4e wizard has an illusionist build with a lot of illusion magic.

 

[Riastlin]

Well, the wizard class is definitely much different in 4ed than prior editions. The wizard now has to work much more closely with the rest of the party to help set things up. As a controller, his role is more about making life miserable for his enemies than outright killing them (which is the striker's role).

That being said, I do think, at least early on, there are a fair number of illusion (or illusion-like) spells available to the wizard. Winged Horde for instance, while not technically an illusion if I recall correctly, is a great at-will that could certainly be refluffed to an illusion. The Mage (essentials wizard) also has some nice illusions, including one that makes the targets think they are falling into a pit (pulls them and knocks them prone if I recall). You can also do wonderful things with charm spells (which could also be reflavored into an illusion). The mage in a party I play in loves to cast Hypnotism on a target marked by the fighter. The target then attacks his buddy, which triggers the fighter's mark, allowing the fighter to attack the initial target, a very nice 2 for 1. The key to the wizard now though, as I said, is to work with your group and make sure everyone knows how their characters click. The wizard can absolutely make life miserable for his foes if played right and in the right party.

As for other illusion spells, I would have to take a look through the CB to know for sure, but I do seem to recall there being a fair number, including an illusionist build if I am not mistaken.

 

[Ryujin]

If you want your enemies to kill themselves in interesting ways, then you might want to look at the Warlock, instead of the Wizard. Feylocks, in particular, have spells that make opponents take whacks at their friends, at thin air, etc..

 

[Destil]

Enchantment wizards are good at getting enemies to kill each other.

Illusionists are good at screwing enemies over. The Illusionary Ambush and Phantom Bolt at wills, for example (though Freezing Burst is pretty much better than bolt in most ways until you start getting illusion benefits from feats or a mage build).

 

[Mengu]

Hypnotism is the wizard at-will you're looking for.

 

[mtflannery89]

Is mirror image still around? What about spells that give concealment to others? Spells that can be used to distracts guards while we pass through unnoticed?

 

[hipnotode]

you still have your cantrips (light, ghost sound, mage hand and presdigitation).

 

[Neonchameleon]

Is mirror image still around? What about spells that give concealment to others? Spells that can be used to distracts guards while we pass through unnoticed?

Mirror Image - possibly. Don't recall it though. Concealment, yes. (And some don't belong to the wizard, although Invisibility does.) Distraction? Ghost Sound (cantrip), Minor Image (L2 utility), ways of using Aracana for bluff checks. Generally they are weaker than their 3.x equivalents - but wizards no longer lose brawls with housecats.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

Mirror Image is a level 10 daily utility. It only works on the caster and lasts for an hour (longer than most dailies). It's not as potent as it used to be, but that goes for pretty much all magic in 4e, to the vast benefit of the game, IMHO.

And as the others have said, the wizard you want is totally doable in 4e. Besides the Illusionist and Enchanter builds of Wizard (or Mage - you can use and be good at both), you can also do lots of nasty mind-control effects with the Psion (not sure if they get any illusions), Fey pact Warlock (as Ryujin suggested), and possibly others I haven't thought of. You might even be able to come up with a good hybrid character, though I don't recommend that if you're new to 4e.