| Grayhorse |
Ok, this may have been talked about already, and im not seeing it but I think there is a power balance issue between the 2 classes with what you folks have done. Below are my reasonings:
When a wizard takes a specialty class(ie abjurer, necro, etc...) he is required to drop 2 classes of spells that he can no longer cast. However, this is really forcing the character into being a specialty class for any real type of bonus. The universal powers are ok, but just do not really offer a whole lot in the way of increased power to the mage. ITs a bait a switch tactics. And yes I know this is the same as 3.5, but i 3.5 the wizard also got a +2 to dc for the cast ability of that school and rec'd bonus spells that they could choose, not something assigned as per these rules.
The sorceror is totally revamped. Dont get me wrong, I like the changes with the addition of bloodlines, but with them added, I dont see a real reason to play the wizard now. Yes a wizard can cast all spells while the sorceror is limited, but the sorc has had bonus spells added at levels too that go into their spell list. WHile its not an additional spell persei, it is a new spell they can cast without having to take a spell slot up. In addition, the sorc gains wonderous powers and also gains new feats(similar to the wizard). The only real loss the sorc is now taking, is he is limited to 5 known spells. While this is limiting, its not an overburden with the additions that have been made. Example, draconic bloodline getting breathweapon that is d6 per level up to 3 times per day at level 17. thats 17d6(can we say wow). Most campaign settings allow players to do lots of resting, which now makes this an very over powered ability. Look at elemental and its bonus spells gained as another example. If a wizard takes a specialist school of say evocation, they are now going to pick 2 schools which can be any wheres from 8 to 12 spells that they can no longer cast either without penalties. I know im rambling some, sorry on this.
The wizard class to me now seems to be more penalized than the sorceror. The only way to not, is to be generalized, and then there is no beginning special skills til he reachs level 20 when he can than have the +2dc. By level 20, this is not a major boon because all casters are going to be good on dc's from magic increases to stats and items. In addition, other than the necromancy path(as a friend pointed out to me last night) the powers of the specialist mage are not exactly over powering, while the sorceror bloodlines allow for some very nasty additions.
I think in order for more players to want to chose, there needs to be some underlying changes made to the wizard schools and class. A good start as we discussed(my friends and I last night) is the readdition of the +2dc for the type of spells. The next addition is a little more hard to discern. We threw around dropping the prohibited schools alltogether(with some much heated discussion). We also discussed the readdition of 1 spell per 2 levels in addition for the specialist wizard. Ie, an addition 1st level evocationalist would gain a +1 to 1st level spells in the evocation art. The only issue we came up with doing this, is how do you add to the generalist wizards? another thought was to allow specialist wizards to be able to use their maximize, empower, etc without the negatives. example, a 1st level evocationist wizard could empower his 1st level burning hands without the increase to spell levels on the spell. Mind you, these are all just thoughts.
Right now though, with the way the 2 classes are setup, your not going to find alot of players willing to go wizard. The sorceror just has to many better options available to it. What are you alls thoughts on this?