What 2nd-level spells should any Wizard have?

[Thanee]

While this is true, I still prefer Glitterdust because (1) it lets everyone see the invisible creature, not just the caster and (2) when there are no invisible creatures around, you still have the blindness effect which is never wasted, especially in the Wizard's case

Yeah. Best to have both, anyways!

Other advantages of See Invisibility include:

- Pretty good duration, thus you can have it running during a dungeon exploration, for example.
- Actual detection of invisible foes, while Glitterdust is just a means to fight them.
- Divination school (which is probably the best school specialisation in 3.5).

Glitterdust OTOH is (as Li said):

- Useful against non-invisible targets!
- Gives everyone the ability to perceive the target.
- Area effect.

So they are actually fairly different in application. See Invisibility is normally used to prevent being surprised by invisible attackers, while Glitterdust is used to fight them, once their presence has been spotted, which is mostly useful against Greater Invisibility (or Summoners ).

Bye
Thanee

 

[just__al]

In addition to the poll choices, I voted for glitterdust. It's a good offensive spell (will save to avoid blindness) and it can reveal invisible opponents which is always nice.

 

[diaglo]

all of them.

however, it depends on the campaign when (s)he will use them.

 

[Nail]

No Web? What were you thinking????

Web is the best 2nd level spell, bar none.

 

[Gaiden]

My take on the wizard is that he should learn every spell he can get his hands on. Also, for the wizard, obsolete spells are not a big deal because he can know as many as he wants. (Granted this costs money, but my vision of the wizard is the old knowledge seeker, i.e. Gandolf).

I will also add in on the lack of Glitterdust. It is an incredibly useful spell and is a must for any wizard or sorcerer. Mirror Image is another one that any wizard should have. This is the meaning of life and death at any level for melee combatants.

Web I have found is another incredible 2nd level spell.

I am surprised more people did not go for scorching ray and resist energy. Scorching ray is incredibly powerful for a 2nd level spell. Resist Energy I have found is better than protection from energy in many cases at higher levels and is still good at early levels.

Using the 3.0 original version of alter self, I find that it is an incredibly versatile spell as well.

 

[Thanee]

I am surprised more people did not go for scorching ray and resist energy. Scorching ray is incredibly powerful for a 2nd level spell.

Because Magic Missile is better than Scorching Ray within the boundaries of this poll.

Yeah, Resist Energy is really good!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Gort]

Wow folk don't like Acid Arrow much? When you happen upon a creature with good SR there's nothing better than a spell that bypasses the thing's SR, such as Melf's Acid Arrow.

Yeah, but I keep mispronouncing it as Melf's Massive Arrow which makes it sound too good

 

[Pax]

Glitterdust. It's a Mass See Invisible *and* a status-attack spell, all in one!

 

[JimAde]

Web. Gotta have it. Stops foes AND lets you set them on fire. Now how can that not be fun?

 

[dcollins]

Results

After 100 votes cast, here's the results ranked in order. Those within 50% of the top entry are listed in bold. Thanks for the write-in votes for spells such as glitterdust and web.


65 Invisibility
45 Scorching Ray
45 See Invisibility
44 Mirror Image
39 Alter Self
27 Knock
21 Acid Arrow
20 Rope Trick
16 Animal Buff (physical)
16 Resist Energy
15 Hideous Laughter
13 Glitterdust (write-in)
11 Blindness/Deafness
11 Blur
7 Animal Buff (mental)
7 Web (write-in)
6 Flaming Sphere
5 Touch of Idiocy
4 Darkness
3 Minor Image
3 Summon Monster II