Wizard specialization incentives

[Elder-Basilisk]

We need not, however, conclude that Andy is right. Personally, I think he needs a new pair of glasses. Since in 3.5, I generally conclude that generalist wizard > specialist wizard, I think Andy is flat out wrong.

However, I also think that standard elves make poor enough wizards that the racial substitution level can be balanced against human generalist and specialist wizards.

According to Andy picking a PHB elf and being a specialist wizard is viable. Hence the racial sub level is balanced against specialist wizards.

Therefore if PHB elf + wizard racial sub level = viable wizard and PHB elf + specialist wizard = viable wizard then one can generalise that elven wizard racial sub level = elven specialist wizard. Since we know that elven wizard racial sub level > elven generalist wizard, we can conclude that specialist wizard > generalist wizard. At least this is how Andy sees it.

 

[Roman]

Alternately, allow Sorcerers to choose spells off ANY primary spell list (Cleric, Druid, Wizard), give them 4 skill points/level, and grant them Use Magic Device as a class skill, BUT their class spell-list consists of ONLY those spells they can currently cast.

-- N

This may be a good idea. Just curious, though, would it be balanced instead to let sorcerer spells count as spell-like (spelling?) abilities instead of spells? This would have some positive mechanical effects for the sorcerer and seems to be in spirit with the class. On the other hand, I give all casters in my campaigns the Eschew Material Components feat for free (mostly because I hate material components and honestly cannot be bothered to keep track of them for NPCs and it is tedious to the players likewise - All DMs I play with do the same as me and give hand this feat out for free to all casters), so it might be futile.

 

[Roman]

BTW: Would making 0th level spells being castable at will for sorcerers be unbalancing (I was also thinking of this for specialist wizards in their school of specialty before I was convinced that they are actually balanced with generalists)? It does not seem to me that way, but a second opinion would be appreciated.

 

[Rystil Arden]

BTW: Would making 0th level spells being castable at will for sorcerers be unbalancing (I was also thinking of this for specialist wizards in their school of specialty before I was convinced that they are actually balanced with generalists)? It does not seem to me that way, but a second opinion would be appreciated.

It would be unbalanced at low levels and not so much at high levels. I've seen a variant sorcerer that gives out a "Sorcery" ability at levels 6 11 and 16, and one of the choices for I think either level 6 or level 11 was unlimited cantrips at will.

 

[Roman]

It would be unbalanced at low levels and not so much at high levels. I've seen a variant sorcerer that gives out a "Sorcery" ability at levels 6 11 and 16, and one of the choices for I think either level 6 or level 11 was unlimited cantrips at will.

Right, I did mean unlimited 0th level spells at higher levels - not straight from level 1.

 

[Nifft]

would it be balanced instead to let sorcerer spells count as spell-like (spelling?) abilities instead of spells?

No.

Casting arcane spells in armor, with no chance of spell failure, is NOT balanced.

Spell-like abilities are generally better than spells. If you want that kind of caster, take a look at the Warlock, and what he has to pay for his abilities.

-- N

 

[Roman]

No.

Casting arcane spells in armor, with no chance of spell failure, is NOT balanced.

Oops and I assumed that spell-like abilities only have the advantage of not needing material components...

 

[Roman]

As a side question - has anybody tried to make specialist sorcerers?

 

[Nifft]

Oops and I assumed that spell-like abilities only have the advantage of not needing material components...

So your "must-have" spells are now Stoneskin, Shapechange, and anything else that's normally balanced by a material component. Not a good idea.

-- N

 

[Victim]

One thing to consider is that many schools of magic are essentially one trick ponies. Almost all enchantments attack the Will save, and can be negated by Mind Blank. So in many cases, the ENTIRE SCHOOL will be very inefficient. And in the cases where Will attacks are good, you can just use other spells to do almost the same thing. Many evocations are elemental based damage dealing - with CA, now conjuration has some of that as well. There's enough overlap between schools to allow characters to minimize their losses.