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

[James Gasik]

Does a fighter stop being a fighter if she only fights occasionally?

Do you feel like a Fighter if you only fight occasionally?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Bluff like hell.

“You're thinking "Did he cast six spells or only five?" Now to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being I am Magnum the 44th, the most powerful wizard in the world and can blow your head clean off, you've gotta ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, ork?”

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Do you feel like a Fighter if you only fight occasionally?

Answering for myself only, nope.

EDIT: had a brain fart while responding, real answer is below.

 

[overgeeked]

Do you feel like a Fighter if you only fight occasionally?

Yes. Likewise when I play any other class. No one gets to do their class schtick constantly.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Answering for myself only, nope.

Damn it. I got distracted- that was the answer for the RW conversation I was having as I was typing.

The actual answer is YES, I DO feel like I’m playing a fighter even when my warrior PC isn’t in combat. Sorry, @James Gasik

 

[Lanefan]

Agree, the feel of the character is important. If the magic-user is stuck having to use a sling, they feel much less magical. It's why I like the at-will and cantrip powers of 4e and 5e, and pathfinder. Also the reserve feats which I was reminded about a while ago. They allow the wizard to keep doing magic. If you want to limit it, then a charged wand works well I feel.

Gandalf feels pretty magical and yet when looked at more closely he doesn't use magic all that often.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

Gandalf feels pretty magical and yet when looked at more closely he doesn't use magic all that often.

That's because he has a permanent, seriously upcasted Shillelagh on his staff, and a Robe of Mithril Full Plate +5.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Do you feel like a Fighter if you only fight occasionally?

Why wouldn't they? And in any case, they're not just a fighter, or a magic-user, they're a character. You use the most efficient tool for the job, or at the very least the tool that makes the most sense for that person, with that personality, under those circumstances. Nowhere is it written that a character has to wiggle their fingers and shoot lasers at every opportunity.

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

The best weapon for a magic user to wield is 2-3 hirelings.

You're a skinny dude in robes. Buy some beefy boys and send them into danger for you!

 

[Micah Sweet]

The best weapon for a magic user to wield is 2-3 hirelings.

You're a skinny dude in robes. Buy some beefy boys and send them into danger for you!

Trained war dogs are also a good choice.