What 3rd-level spells should any Wizard prepare?

[dcollins]

A Wiz 7 simply doesn't have enough slots of his highest level to waste them on open slots. When he needs a 3rd level spell (his highest!), he needs it now.

Although I would personally agree with your conclusion, note that a Wiz7 does in fact have a 4th level spell slot. The poll is actually set up specifically so the question is not about the wizard's highest spell slot.

 

[irdeggman]

I voted for Fireball (come on its expected for the wizard to have that one)

Invisibility Sphere (real handy spell, effects the group too)

and Dispel Magic (although this spell just cries to be placed on a scroll IMO) which would free up for fly or blink.

 

[irdeggman]

Just to give this thread a bit more juice: I'd like to talk about spells that have been mentioned that are actually terrible choices, given the purpose of this thread. And boy-howdy, have there been a few:

• Haste: I think people are picking it because of what it did in 3.0e. Have you looked over the spell since then? Bottom Line: +30 speed, +1 attack, +1 AC, and an extra attack with a full attack action. That's good, true, but it's not good enough. Those bonuses are useless to spell casters, like wizard and clerics....and in an average party, that's half the party members! Also: While your casting Haste, you could have been casting some of the real bread-and-butter of the Wiz/Sor 3rd level spell list: Fireball, Fly, Slow, Stinking Cloud, and Summon Monster III, to name a few. Okay, I'm reaching a bit on this one.......

Responses?

Actually the extra 30' movement can be real advantagous. It allows the party to close quicker (against ranged attackers) and allows the wizard (and cleric) to get away quicker. Alright it also allows the cleric to get to the injured party members faser to heal them.

No, even with its downgrading in 3.5 this is still a pretty good all party spell.

 

[Ziggy]

Actually the extra 30' movement can be real advantagous. It allows the party to close quicker (against ranged attackers) and allows the wizard (and cleric) to get away quicker. Alright it also allows the cleric to get to the injured party members faser to heal them.

No, even with its downgrading in 3.5 this is still a pretty good all party spell.

Agree, Haste is still very good, especially at lower levels. The movement is essential, both in closing with enemies, and to get away from trouble (also for archers). And the extra attack will (almost) double the firepower at these levels, makin a big difference.

On higher levels Haste is less essential, as you have many more opportunities for movement, and the extra attack is less of an difference. Still my 15th level mage still cast it from time to time, depending on the encounter parameters.

.Ziggy

 

[Zepherus Bane]

Fly and Dispel Magic are my picks. Always need a way to get away and if you don't have break enchantment, Dispel Magic is often good enough for the job.

 

[dcollins]

Thanks for the responses, all. Here's the current results (those within 50% of top in bold):


64 Dispel Magic
53 Fireball
45 Fly
38 Haste
20 Slow
12 Lightning Bolt
10 Arcane Sight
10 Protection from Energy
9 Displacement
8 Summon Monster III
7 Hold Person
6 Magic Circle Against Chaos/Evil/Good/Law
6 Suggestion
5 Clairaudience/Clairvoyance
5 Magic Weapon, Greater
5 Stinking Cloud
4 Gaseous Form
4 Invisibility Sphere
4 Tiny Hut
4 Tongues
3 Blink
3 Heroism
3 Nondetection
3 Vampiric Touch
2 Explosive Runes
2 Flame Arrow
2 Sleet Storm
2 Water Breathing
2 Wind Wall
1 Deep Slumber
1 Keen Edge
1 Major Image
1 Rage
1 Ray of Exhaustion
0 Daylight
0 Gentle Repose
0 Halt Undead
0 Illusory Script
0 Phantom Steed
0 Secret Page
0 Sepia Snake Sigil
0 Shrink Item

 

[Testament]

Fireball: If at first you don't succeed, blow it up.
Dispel Magic: COMPULSORY! So many situations can be cleaned up with this.
Fly: If fireballing doesn't work, make an exit.
Haste: The party will love you for it.

 

[Darmanicus]

Dispel Magic: the only reason we managed to take out a Minotaur Blackguard with some really annoying DRing armour.
Haste: so what if it's been nerfed for 3.5, it still gives out a few abilities to everybody in the party and there's been absolutely NO complaints whatsoever.
Displacement: my character has a belt with this enchantment on it and it's the only reason I'm still around to tell tha tale.

 

[Nail]

Although I would personally agree with your conclusion, note that a Wiz7 does in fact have a 4th level spell slot. The poll is actually set up specifically so the question is not about the wizard's highest spell slot.

Whoops.