1e to 3.5
Wizards actually have it BETTER in 3.5e! Remember, back in 1e, there was that mean ol' double standard... Non-Fighter-Subclasses (other than the Unearthed Arcana[/U[ Barbarian) were limited to an 18 STR (+1/+2 To-Hit/Damage, IIRC) and +2 HP/die with a CON 15+, so a Mage with 18 STR & CON was significantly inferior to a Fighter/Paladin/Ranger with the same stats (and the latter got a percentile roll to take them as high as +3/+6, too)!
Nowadays, any PC with an 18 STR or CON gets +4/+4, or +4 HP/Die (unless they're a Half-Orc, who gets +5/+5, or an Elf who gets +3, instead).
All in all, Wizrads are better at melee than ever...
Wizards actually have it BETTER in 3.5e! Remember, back in 1e, there was that mean ol' double standard... Non-Fighter-Subclasses (other than the Unearthed Arcana[/U[ Barbarian) were limited to an 18 STR (+1/+2 To-Hit/Damage, IIRC) and +2 HP/die with a CON 15+, so a Mage with 18 STR & CON was significantly inferior to a Fighter/Paladin/Ranger with the same stats (and the latter got a percentile roll to take them as high as +3/+6, too)!
Nowadays, any PC with an 18 STR or CON gets +4/+4, or +4 HP/Die (unless they're a Half-Orc, who gets +5/+5, or an Elf who gets +3, instead).
All in all, Wizrads are better at melee than ever...
