Wizards in PF2 once again have the least number of skills at creation of any character (before Int). This was true in the early days of the playtest, but was later changed to equal many of the other classes.
The Wizard is often given less spells as a class because Intelligence is their primary attribute. The main problems with this are. (all estimates of skills are class based and ignore backgrounds, ancestries and other creation differences)
1. The other Intelligence primary stat class, the Alchemist, gets 4 skills + Int to the Wizards 3 + Int. This breaks the paradigm that the Wizard should get less skill becuase they have a higher Int.
2. "we need to make sure the wizard does not compete with the Rogue for number of spells"
At minimum, the Rogue gets 9+ skills before Int, while the Wizard gets a maximum of 7 skills at 1st level. Would one more threaten the Rogue (like the Alchemist does")
3. They focus most of their studies on learning their spell books. This is true, which is why the Wizard has the least number of proficiencies of any class and the lowest HP. While this is true, the Wizard also stresses that they may "Have an unquenchable intellectual curiosity about how everything in the world around you works—magic in particular." Having the least number of class skills does not coincide with having an "unquenchable intellectual curiosity about how everything in the world".
4. The low number of skills is there to balance the class. The class does not get significantly balanced by having 1 less skill.
The Wizard should have 4 + Int at creation (one being arcane). This will not significantly unbalance the class but would indicate that they are a class that pursues knowledge and believes in Mind over Matter. (Wizards use the minds to control matter, and other minds)
Nightfox
