Wizard alternate class features -- OK or too much?

[nittanytbone]

Its worth noting that one strong thing about wizards is that they have little MAD. They really only need high INT and good CON. Decent DEX doesn't hurt but isn't required. Everything else can be dumped (except Charisma for enchanters).

Thus, they really excel in games with lower point buy. However, 28 point buy should be enough to make any sort of class, even those with greater MAD.

Just be glad that this player didn't optimize their character even more, I suppose. For example, being a gnome would have given an additional bonus to CON at the expense of more STR (which is useless to wizards), as well as handy size modifiers to AC/to hit (ranged touch attacks anyone?). Vanilla regular plain Elves actually don't make great wizards, despite it being their favored class.

However, it could be worse. This player dumped Illusion (highly versatile and handy) instead of Evocation (not that helpful or powerful). Also, they are a transmutation specialist, implying that they want to focus on buffs for the most part. That seems to imply that they can be a decent team player and slap handy buffs on their friends at times instead of "stealing the show."

 

[Quartz]

The character having a 21 in his prime stat when everyone else has 17 at best seems a little off. All the other players will want +2 items for their characters. Given the min-maxing of stats and class, I'm getting a distinct Munchkin vibe: just watch out for when he gets Polymorph Self. Don't shy from attacking his weaknesses - but don't target them either - and you should be fine.

 

[Darklone]

As long as you disallow Reserve Feats, balancing a wizard is easy: De- or increase the number of encounters per day till he's done with his spellslots.

 

[Perun]

Thanks for the replies, folks!

As long as you disallow Reserve Feats, balancing a wizard is easy: De- or increase the number of encounters per day till he's done with his spellslots.

Yeah, I don't really like reserve feats, and having seen them in use in another game, I don't really allow them in my games, so that's not a problem.

Regards.

 

[Spatula]

So he put bad scores into everything but INT and CON... this person is a pretty serious munchkin. I would look over every non-core option he wants very carefully, and explain to him upfront you reserve the right to say 'no' after the fact if something turns out to be too much.

EDIT: looking at the Escalation Mage, it seems fine up until the final level. I wouldn't allow no-consequence escalations unless the spell level + normal metamagic modifier was something the character could actually cast, as opposed to max spell level - 1.