OSR Old school wizards, how do you play level 1?

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Guarding the rear with a dagger in my teeth.

 

[Lanefan]

See you really need to share plans with everyone.

Plans?

Plans???

Never heard of the concept...

But on the other hand, a lot of my memories of 1e play include moments of "screw your buddies over for funsies" because apparently some people thought that was hilarious.

I don't think this one was so much "screw your buddies over" as "we need to do something RIGHT NOW" and not thinking it all the way - or even just a little way - through.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Throw darts. Duh.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Guarding the rear with a dagger in my teeth.

I feel like having it in your hand would be more effective.

 

[Lanefan]

I feel like having [a dagger] in your hand would be more effective.

Debatable.

Having it in your teeth allows you to strike fearsome poses and maybe make any enemies think twice about attacking you.

Having it in your hand removes any doubt that you know what you're doing with it, and the enemies swarm in.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I feel like having it in your hand would be more effective.

It's intimidating AF, and keeps my hands free for throwing darts or casting my light spell in the eyes of an attacking kobold.

 

[Voadam]

It's intimidating AF, and keeps my hands free for throwing darts or casting my light spell in the eyes of an attacking kobold.

And keeps your hands free for the somatic components of the light spell! Magic users, always thinking ahead with intelligence to gain a clever advantage.

Light (Alteration)
Level: 1 Components: V, S

Apropos of nothing, wisdom is not a prime requisite for magic users.

 

[Guest 7042500]

Guarding the teeth with a dagger in your rear.

 

[nevin]

You’ve cast your single spell for the day and combat breaks out again. How do you spend your tur

Depends on how poor I am. hide, use my staff, whatever I can do. Once I have money a WarDog is my friend and I use a crossbow.

 

[Cruentus]

Depends on how poor I am. hide, use my staff, whatever I can do. Once I have money a WarDog is my friend and I use a crossbow.

Agree on the money element. We play OSE, and a wizard can craft a magic item for 500gp and one week of time if it mimics a spell effect (i.e. a scroll). With gold for XP, its usually worth the time investment for a couple of scrolls to take along. You need 2,500 xp to get to level 2, so you'll likely have close to that in GP to spend as a first level magic-user.

Wardog, Hireling, etc. all solid options.