D&D 5E your fist level wizard has used their 2 spells. Now What?

[Redwizard007]

ive used 2 spells shield and magic missile in my first combat. i have a cantrip that is somewhat useful but what does your low level wizard do when they dont have anything but cantrips left. What weapons do you take/equipment etc. What else do you do to help the party especially if theres back to back combat

I probably concentrate on the spell I've already cast and dodge, concentrate on the spell I've cast and cast a cantrip, or concentrate on the spell I've cast and make a ranged attack.

 

[Undrave]

Characters should be able to be their concept/archetype at all times.

This is what I tell to people who tell me to just use a Battlemaster to play a Warlord in 5e...

It's also a weakness of the first level Paladin in that it has nothing at-will or permanent to DO that's really Paladin-esque.

 

[MarkB]

If you're a fist level wizard, then obviously you should specialise in unarmed attacks.

 

[Micah Sweet]

why yes, this is what we need... stronger casters.

Glad you've gotten on board.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Glad you've gotten on board.

yeah... lets give fireball at will

 

[Micah Sweet]

yeah... lets give fireball at will

Let's give it to wizards against their will, once every hour.

 

[Eltab]

Learn a ranged cantrip and ask the Thief, err Rogue, to teach you how to do that "hide around the corner" trick.
And as noted above, thank the deities that cantrips were invented before you began adventuring.

- another 1e Magic-User with 1 spell slot, 1 HP, a dagger and Robe "Armor"

 

[James Gasik]

If you're a fist level wizard, then obviously you should specialise in unarmed attacks.

You laugh but in a 2e game, a guy I knew had this spell called Fist of Stone that gave him 18/00 Strength, but only for his hand. Since nothing stopped him from specializing in Punching (it wasn't a Fighter-Only option), thus getting 2 attacks per round for 8-9 damage at +4 to hit with a chance for a KO. It was truly ridiculous to see in action.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

You laugh but in a 2e game, a guy I knew had this spell called Fist of Stone that gave him 18/00 Strength, but only for his hand. Since nothing stopped him from specializing in Punching (it wasn't a Fighter-Only option), thus getting 2 attacks per round for 8-9 damage at +4 to hit with a chance for a KO. It was truly ridiculous to see in action.

in 2e there were cool little work arounds (but barring additional books base PHB DID say fighter only spec)

2e also had (in non core TSR suppliants) weapon mastery (bring the +1/+2 up to +3/+3) at the cost of a 3rd slot, weapon High mastery (a bonus to your reaction when useing that weapon, and gave you yet more attacks) at the cost of a 4th slot and weapon GRAND mastery (increase damage die by 1 code) at a 5th slot but they had level prereqs too and THOSE were 100% fighter only... and any of the combat classes (fighter/ranger/paladin if you used the book Barbarian and the weird chronomancer fighter thing) could take DEATH BLOW for 2 NON weapon profs (I think you had to be 9th level) where you roll to hit a target as your only attack that round, if you hit they make a save (I think vs death magic not 100% sure) or die... but it didn't work if they were at full hp or if your weapon could not hurt them... some creatures (lich, vampire ect) only drop to 0 (I know we did that for PCs too, but that might have been a house rule)

a 12th level human fighter with a 16str (no bonus to hit but +1 damage) in 2e could not only be a force to be reckoned with BUT could make a caster FEAR him getting close (not that they didn't have win buttons and defenses... stone skin drove my players nuts).

a long sword fighter at level 12 with 16 str had a 9 thac0 with even just a +1 long sword that would be adjusted to a 5 with bonuses... so could hit a -10 (theoretical max) with a 15 and hit a -12 (reserved for gods and super dragons) on a 17, would only crit on a 20 though make 3 attacks (and I think it was with a bonus 2 from high mastery to initiative) and deal 1d10+5 or 1d20+5 per attack... in a game that 100hp was godly at 20th level... or he could have that above death blow.

give him a better weapon or str or just more magic items and he could be deadly to even a dragon

 

[Baron Opal II]

ive used 2 spells shield and magic missile in my first combat. i have a cantrip that is somewhat useful but what does your low level wizard do when they dont have anything but cantrips left. What weapons do you take/equipment etc. What else do you do to help the party especially if theres back to back combat

Well, obviously it's time for firebo...
"SHOVEL"
Wait, what?
"SHOVEL!"

(The Weekly Roll #15, which leans toward my sensibilities.)