Will Wizards Still Lord it Up?

[JoeGKushner]

One of the biggest problems that the D&D game has faced in terms of classed opponents is wizards.

Generally, their low hit points and lack of impressive spells till higher level means that many settings, including Forgotten Realms and Greyhawk, tend to have numerous wizards that are in the higher end of the game.

Fighters on the other hand.... even Drizzt despite his popularity, is generally seen as a 14th level (or so last time I checked) character, a far cry from the numerous 18-20th+ level wizards running around.

So will fighters (and other classes), be represented at the higher end of the game or can we expect to see various wizard towers where evil magicians look down on the foolish fighters?

 

[Jack99]

Funny, as a DM, I have never had these "issues" in my campaigns. You should try it, if you aren't happy with what WoTC does...

 

[Ahglock]

I never even knew there was a level difference. NPC levels if there not enemies I've never cared about. Though I guess around 15 years or so ago I was somewhat interested in the circle of eight, I thought it was a cool concept and there all wizards so I guess I see your point.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Funny, as a DM, I have never had these "issues" in my campaigns. You should try it, if you aren't happy with what WoTC does...

He should try your campaign? Wouldn't that be a hell of a commute?

 

[Frostmarrow]

Funny, as a DM, I have never had these "issues" in my campaigns. You should try it, if you aren't happy with what WoTC does...

Stop nipping discussions in the bud. Please.

 

[Quantarum]

I always assumed it was because of all classes wizards were most likely to grow into the 'movers & shakers' of a world. Even if a fighter or somesuch rises to be king he still has to contend with mortality, while by cliche one assumes wizards will find some way to extend their lifespans.

-Q.

 

[Anthtriel]

Compare Elminster to Drizzt.

High Level Wizards can do pretty much everything, and know pretty much everything. They can teleport between continents (and planes), monitor the events in various countries at once, and take out armies.

High Level Fighters can swing their sword well. Sure, they can become kings, but then they just do what a Level 1 Commoner can do. They can still take out armies, but that requires chi/supernatural flavor, and grognards hate that.

See who's more important, and which class more works better in high levels? When you DM the FR and some really big event happens, then you can always say that Drizzt hangs out in the North and didn't notice/couldn't come quickly enough anyway. For Elminster and the other 100+ near godlike Wizards in the FR, you always need an excuse why they didn't notice or don't bother.

That's why BBEGs after some point almost need to be casters. A fighter cannot even move between planes or converse with outsiders. He needs high level caster underlings, and then some excuse why they follow him instead of being BBEGs themselves.

 

[hong]

It will be a test of the Iron Heroization of D&D whether it successfully manages to change the "it's not broken as long as the fighter can't do it" mentality.

 

[WayneLigon]

Something that one of my first GM's said has stuck with me for 30 years: "Fighters serve." Back in the 1E days after a mage got to a certain level he was invincible to any level of fighter, so fighters were at best servants. To my mind, 3E changed that a great deal but it can still do with some tweaking.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Since its beginning, D&D has had strong elements of nerd revenge fantasy. I'm still shake my head when I run into people who think its ok for the "jock" class to get sidelined the higher level you go.