Missile Command
Chapter: Season Two
I am speaking from experience on this one. For most of my time as a player I’ve always loved playing wizards or mages but damn those early levels are fucking brutal. “Okay I used my magic missile. I’m going to rest for the day.”
Next week brings more on Sam’s current unemployment and such things related.
You mean your group actually played that by the rules?!?
The gods know we sure didn’t.
We play Pathfinder which made cantrips unlimited, so, 1d3 points of acid damage every round? No problem. Daze, Ray of Frost, Disrupt Undead, etc. Arcane casters can still hide under the wagon when kobold ambush occurs, but now it’s just for cover while they play an effective role in combat, from beginning to end.
Why would a wizard waste his time any cantrip other then prestidigitation?
A light crossbow is cheap as hell and deals 1d8 points of damage a shot. Much better then a puny 1d3
A heavy crossbow deals 1d10 but is too much lbs for puny wizard to carry around.
Armour is why, my friend. Spells only need to hit touch AC, while a crossbow has to hit regular AC. With a Wizard’s attack bonus, even a little armour makes a big difference.
You play D&D under Level 5? When house cats are terrifying? Why? Though I know why they want old magic system. In D&D 3.5 at least, Mages are regarded as one of the 5 most overpowered base classes in the game. Post 5 they annihilate the world.
Magic missiles is NOT a spell for low level wizards. It is a waste of his lonesome slots. Even though in pathfinder it is perfectly possible to have up to 4 daily level 1 spells at the first level (1+2 from 20 INT + 1 from specialization) doing 1d4+1 guaranteed damage is just inferior to some other character doing, modestly, 1d8+3 damage half the time without spending anything (except maybe an arrow).
Early level wizards just have to content to doing subpar crossbow duty in between the highlights of the level 1 spells (Sleep, Color Spray, Ray of Enfeeblement, Charm Person, Grease and occasionally Enlarge Person). Also, certain pathfinder school specializations allow for some minor powers capable of doing better damage than cantrips while also going for that sweet touch AC.
Yet, in the end, I still think D&D’s magic system is fundamentally flawed. Even in 4th edition. ESPECIALLY in 4th edition.
Yeah, it’s better when they are horny teen bursting a little every damn round and waiting for a minute cooldown. Damn, i feel old after reading this.
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