(no subject)

So, I've been doing some solo D&D (maybe I'll have the energy to write up on the hobby at some point), but anyway, point is, I have issues with the Wizard.

The biggest problem balancing D&D wizard is the fact that, in this game, every other spell casting class faces significant spell casting limitations.

Before I go through each class, a quick primer on how spell casting works in D&D:

( Vancian Magic )

So, let's run through the list of full spell casters (aka the classes that can cast level 9 spells) and see how they stack up:

( Read more... )

---

So, we've identified the wizard's problem. It's got the power of a sorcerer, the selection variety of a bard, the flexibility of a druid, and the ... OK, see, I'd say that a wizard and a cleric fulfills two very different niches until you realize WISH exists. See, the thing about WISH is that it is effectively a spell that replicates any spell (even 9th level spells if you are willing to take the stress).

And that's only getting into the core wizard without touching on all the subclass bonuses that comes along.

It really becomes a case of why play anything else other than wizard when everyone else is effectively a down grade of wizard? (Again, with maaaaaaaybe an argument made for cleric due to wizards having to resort to necromancy when it comes to restoring the team in early levels, but that poofs away in late game when there are many, many other ways negate damage.)

And all you really need to do is see this optimization video to realize oh, akshually, fuck playing anything not a wizard.

Yes, yes, there is the basic fantasy of "but I just wanna swing a big sword", but beyond the narrative reason, game mechanics doesn't really offer a compelling reason to try something else out.

So. Here's my very simple proposed fix:

( Just. Limit. The. Wizard. More. )