Why So many Wu jen only spell

[Bihor]

I was looking at the spells in the Complete Arcane and I notise that almost half of the new (well new and recycled) spells where for Wu jen exclusively.

They seem to be perfectly good spell for Sor/Wiz list.

 

[Darkness]

Yeah, that was strange.

 

[Crothian]

I guess they feel that the flavor spells of the Wu Jen is not appropriate for the other classes. But it really made a lot more of that book useless and hard to use.

 

[Victim]

Because a unique spell list is the main draw point of the wu-jen. Having weird spells is their class defining trait, just as mega blasting is the main focus of the warmage.

 

[zoroaster100]

I'm planning to use the Wu Jen spells as less known or "foreign" Wizard/Sorcerer spells to add a little specialness to an occasional NPC wizard, sorcerer, lich or spellcasting dragon (and of course allowing PCs to research each spells after they've seen it used, if they so choose).

 

[Crothian]

Because a unique spell list is the main draw point of the wu-jen. Having weird spells is their class defining trait, just as mega blasting is the main focus of the warmage.

I'd think that the oriental feel of the class would be the main draw since they have had one oriental base class in each complete book. But making the wu jen's spells only for that one class, they limit the usefulness of that part of the book. There needed to be a reason for them to be wu jen only other then because.

 

[lkj]

I have to agree that I think the Wu Jen having a lot of unique spells is what makes them interesting. I've just introduced one as an NPC in my campaign, and the use of various Wu Jen only spells has really added some flavor. Without that, the various other little class features don't do much, and there isn't much different other than the name. Heck, in my campaign I've set Wu Jen and Warlocks up as opposing Orders (under different campaign-specific class names). They come from a land foreign to the PC's and are the only spellcasting available in that area. It's fun.
That said, if you aren't using Wu Jen, then I'd probably just throw all the spells on the Sor/Wiz list. No harm, no foul.

AD

 

[Saeviomagy]

I think the reason they did it is that the wujen is a lame oriental flavoured rehash of the wizard class with little to distinguish it otherwise, and it could have easily been replaced with a few new spell entries (available to ALL wizards and sorcerors) and some feats.

And the actual number of wujen only spells is closer to 1/3rd. Which is still far, far too much for such a pointless class.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Agreed. Me thinks the Wu Jen was someone's pet project...

 

[Testament]

As far as I can tell, a lot of it was the attack of the cut and paste goblins from OA.