Why can't wizards heal?

[AFGNCAAP]

It's always been that way, but I think, for the longest time, the general concept is that only divine magic may genuinely restore life & limb, whereas arcane magic cannot (since it does not have such divine origin—miracles and whatnot vs. paranormal science, if you will).

I disliked the arcane/divine split, and preferred the idea of just one magic system, with a single spellcaster class (ala the Generic Classes system in Unearthed Arcana). I could see the story behind such characters vary: a hedge mage, a priest of an ancient order, a scientist-like magic-user researching magics, an enlightened psychic, etc. However, all of them could fall under a generic spellcaster class.

Now it's not impossible for wizards in 4e to heal, as others have mentioned. It's just that the Leader class is the best-suited for the job.

 

[med stud]

It's always been that way, but I think, for the longest time, the general concept is that only divine magic may genuinely restore life & limb, whereas arcane magic cannot (since it does not have such divine origin—miracles and whatnot vs. paranormal science, if you will).

I disliked the arcane/divine split, and preferred the idea of just one magic system, with a single spellcaster class (ala the Generic Classes system in Unearthed Arcana). I could see the story behind such characters vary: a hedge mage, a priest of an ancient order, a scientist-like magic-user researching magics, an enlightened psychic, etc. However, all of them could fall under a generic spellcaster class.

Now it's not impossible for wizards in 4e to heal, as others have mentioned. It's just that the Leader class is the best-suited for the job.

They can't heal using arcane magic but they can multiclass into cleric for some healing. Healing word comes with the initation feat and Cure X Wounds can be swapped for some wizard utility power.

 

[Jhaelen]

Why in no D&D/AD&D game setting a single mage has developed a "cure wounds" spell?

There's no reason in previous editions. There's a very good reason in 4E: Wizards don't develop any spells. The get a list of powers that allow them to fulfill their (combat) role, just like any other class.

And what would happen if wizards and sorcerers could cast healing spells?

There would be nothing inherently 'broken' if a class using the arcane power source also had healing spells.
If there was an arcane leader class, it would have healing spells of course.

Many or even most classes in the PHB seem to lean towards a secondary role. So it would also be quite possible to create an arcane defender/controller/striker who is a secondary leader.

The only reason there's no arcane leader class in the PHB is fluff (and tradition).

 

[Voadam]

And what would happen if wizards and sorcerers could cast healing spells?

In my games I added cure spells to every core caster's spell list at the lowest levels any class gets them to encourage easy group healing and not force a cleric healer role.

1 group had a sorcerer as the only healer for a while then later picked up a healing focused druid. My other group had a Witch's Handbook Witch (from Green Ronin) who was later replaced by a cloistered cleric who can heal.

IMO it causes no problems to let wizards and sorcerers heal in 3.5 and will make these arcane classes into more of a healer role than power artillery (not a bad thing).

In my normal spell list high level game that I play in my ranger wizard eldritch knight relies upon summoning that good celestial thing that heals and a wand of cure light wounds when he is soloing.

Lack of healing is more of a pain than more available healing IMO.

 

[Old Gumphrey]

Why can't clerics cast wizard and sorcerer spells? Hmmm... we could just have one spell casting class i guess. It would simplify things.

Seriously, the same argument can be made as to why can't clerics cast fireballs... the basic casters are specialized to some extent.

Just like I wouldn't bring my kid to a mechanic when he is ill, I wouldn't be asking a wizzie to heal me.

Yeah...go read Firestorm (cleric 19 daily); then, go read Astral Storm (cleric 29 daily) and tell me they don't cast "wizard" spells ("wizard" in this case meaning heavy damage over a large area--more, actually, than said wizard is capable of coming up with).