Wizard daily power question

[BTRobertson]

This is a basic one, but I can't seem to find anything in the rulebook about it.

I've got a level 7 Wizard with the Expanded Spellbook. I'm also using the WotC Character Builder to generate my sheet. With the updates to the rules and released expansion books, the CB allows me to have access to powers that I normally wouldn't unless I bought every book. So, here's what I've got for my wizard's daily powers. My main question is: how many of these am I allowed to cast per day? I can choose a bunch, but am I restricted to two only? One 1st level daily and one 5th level daily, regardless of how many I "know"?

Level 1 Daily:

Flaming Sphere
Acid Arrow (Spellbook)
Phantom Chasm (Expanded)

Level 5 Daily:

Grasp of the Grave
Bigby's Icy Grasp (Spellbook)
Web (Expanded)

So I can "know" six spells, but how many can I cast per day at level 7 and beyond? And if I missed this in the PHB, please let me know where it's located so I don't forget again.

 

[BTRobertson]

Well, I think I may have found the answer now anyway. Let me explain and then you can tell me if I'm right or wrong.

Regardless of spellbook or expanded spellbook knowledge, I can still only prepare one daily power from each level of "known" powers once per extended rest (4 hour meditation since I'm an Eladrin and don't need to sleep like other PCs). So, just because I know six powers, three at each level (1 and 5), I can still only choose one power from each level per extended rest.

Eg. after an extended rest, I can choose one power from Flaming Sphere / Acid Arrow / Phantom Chasm (and one Utility power, as it were), and one power from Grasp of the Grave / Bigby's Icy Grasp / Web. I can only cast up to two daily powers then, at level 7, per extended rest. Is that accurate?

Seems a bit limiting, if truth be told, but I do see the benefit of having a lot of known powers to choose from as a Wizard, since I can at least attempt some method of strategy. But again, you can only pick your powers after an extended rest, so I think it's still limiting that a Wizard can't pick powers on the fly from his/her repertoire of known powers. That's my opinion only.

 

[abyssaldeath]

Each level of daily power can be cats once. The Wizard gets to choose each day which daily spell he is able to cast that day, but he will only be able to cast one 1st level daily spell and one 5th level daily spell just like any other class. The Wizard just gets more flexibility then any other class since every day they can change what spells they have memorized that day. The rules for that are on page 158 of the PHB.

 

[abyssaldeath]

Well, I think I may have found the answer now anyway. Let me explain and then you can tell me if I'm right or wrong.

Regardless of spellbook or expanded spellbook knowledge, I can still only prepare one daily power from each level of "known" powers once per extended rest (4 hour meditation since I'm an Eladrin and don't need to sleep like other PCs). So, just because I know six powers, three at each level (1 and 5), I can still only choose one power from each level per extended rest.

Eg. after an extended rest, I can choose one power from Flaming Sphere / Acid Arrow / Phantom Chasm (and one Utility power, as it were), and one power from Grasp of the Grave / Bigby's Icy Grasp / Web. I can only cast up to two daily powers then, at level 7, per extended rest. Is that accurate?

Seems a bit limiting, if truth be told, but I do see the benefit of having a lot of known powers to choose from as a Wizard, since I can at least attempt some method of strategy. But again, you can only pick your powers after an extended rest, so I think it's still limiting that a Wizard can't pick powers on the fly from his/her repertoire of known powers. That's my opinion only.

You are correct, but it is only limiting when compared to the Wizard of previous editions. Your casting limit is the exact same as every other class. If you were allowed to cast more than one Daily spell per Daily spell level you would have an advantage WELL above any other class. Especially since Wizard daily spells tend to be very powerful.

 

[BTRobertson]

Good point. I do love Bigby's Icy Grasp...it's the bane of my DM's existence. Thanks AD for your help. I had a suspicion I had it right and was playing it right, but for some reason I was confused because of the extra powers known versus cast. I've been playing it right all along, fortunately.

 

[Nifft]

So, just because I know six powers, three at each level (1 and 5), I can still only choose one power from each level per extended rest.

Correct.

Seems a bit limiting, if truth be told, but I do see the benefit of having a lot of known powers to choose from as a Wizard, since I can at least attempt some method of strategy. But again, you can only pick your powers after an extended rest, so I think it's still limiting that a Wizard can't pick powers on the fly from his/her repertoire of known powers. That's my opinion only.

IMHO, the feat Expanded Spellbook is a waste, because in 11 levels of play I've hardly ever prepared a different Daily spell based on my next day's expected activities.

However, I've frequently prepared different Utility spells, with which Expanded Spellbook helps not at all.

Cheers, -- N

 

[LightPhoenix]

IMHO, the feat Expanded Spellbook is a waste, because in 11 levels of play I've hardly ever prepared a different Daily spell based on my next day's expected activities.

However, I've frequently prepared different Utility spells, with which Expanded Spellbook helps not at all.

This is my experience as well.

In theory, you have increased versatility. In practice, you usually pick your feats/items based on a set of predominant attack powers, and the other ones become less useful. I built a thunder/lightning wizard, and never swapped out my attack powers.

 

[Jhaelen]

However, I've frequently prepared different Utility spells, with which Expanded Spellbook helps not at all.

QFT. It's really the utility spells that you'll want more of. This is something that is true for every class.

 

[abeattie]

Look into a mnemonic staff -- if only as an off-hand implement.

That will let you swap out a daily once per day. Works for utilities or daily spells. Mid-combat even.

 

[Mentat55]

QFT. It's really the utility spells that you'll want more of. This is something that is true for every class.

Maybe a good house rule would be to make Expanded Spellbook apply to utility spells, and not daily attack powers.

EDIT: There is already a feat called Aerenal Arcanist from the EPG. It is specifically for Aerenal elves, but is available to any arcane class, and stacks with the Spellbook class feature of wizards. Pretty nice.