Ancalagon
Dusty Dragon
People often measure damage as a metric of PC performance because it's easy to measure, and it's easier to compare.
But the true power of casters - especially at higher levels, and especially for wizards - is not how much damage they can do. There is nothing special about damage. In 5e, a large group of ordinary archers can kill a dragon.
The true power of a caster is how much they can affect the plot. Say you have to go to the temple of doom to rescue the golden turnip (... it doesn't matter). The temple is a 4 weeks journey through a very dangerous jungle and time is of the essence!
The wizard says "no problem. Go shop for potions and stuff, and meet me back in 2 days". The party gathers again... and the wizard, following a few days of heavy divination, freaking teleports the party to the temple.
How much damage is that?!?
There are countless such possibilities.
But the true power of casters - especially at higher levels, and especially for wizards - is not how much damage they can do. There is nothing special about damage. In 5e, a large group of ordinary archers can kill a dragon.
The true power of a caster is how much they can affect the plot. Say you have to go to the temple of doom to rescue the golden turnip (... it doesn't matter). The temple is a 4 weeks journey through a very dangerous jungle and time is of the essence!
The wizard says "no problem. Go shop for potions and stuff, and meet me back in 2 days". The party gathers again... and the wizard, following a few days of heavy divination, freaking teleports the party to the temple.
How much damage is that?!?
There are countless such possibilities.