Jigawatts
2014-08-26, 04:30 AM
I've seen lots of talk lately about the new Arcanist class and the Exploiter Wizard archetype from the Advanced Class Guide. Words like bloat and OP have come into play. Personally, given the current parameters, I dont see either the class or the archetype as being overpowered. I think one of the major components to classify something as being "OP" means that it has to be a no brainer, and I dont see either option being a no brainer over playing a wizard (comparisons to the sorcerer are for another thread). Lets take a small look at what each one has to offer and how they differ, shall we:
Specialist Wizard: Best spell progression, higher spells per day, full vancian memorization, specialist abilities, arcane bond.
Exploiter Wizard: Best spell progression, less spells per day, full vancian memorization, exploits (not including greater exploits?), weaker version of arcane reservoir.
Arcanist: Lower spell progression, less spells per day, better/more versatile memorization mechanic, arcane reservoir, exploits (including greater exploits).
Now "specialist wizard" is kinda broad and can encompass a lot, and while conjuration (teleport) might be the "best" option, none of them are exactly slouches. Anyway, when I take a look at the above three options, none of them stand out to me as the "no brainer", each of them have their benefits and their weaknesses when compared to the other two. And while the exploits are certainly nice to have, especially ones like Quick Study and Counterspell (just to name a couple), Im not positive that getting them is worth giving up the combination of specialist abilities and more spells per day. All in all, given the current design parameters, I call that pretty good class design.
What say you?
Specialist Wizard: Best spell progression, higher spells per day, full vancian memorization, specialist abilities, arcane bond.
Exploiter Wizard: Best spell progression, less spells per day, full vancian memorization, exploits (not including greater exploits?), weaker version of arcane reservoir.
Arcanist: Lower spell progression, less spells per day, better/more versatile memorization mechanic, arcane reservoir, exploits (including greater exploits).
Now "specialist wizard" is kinda broad and can encompass a lot, and while conjuration (teleport) might be the "best" option, none of them are exactly slouches. Anyway, when I take a look at the above three options, none of them stand out to me as the "no brainer", each of them have their benefits and their weaknesses when compared to the other two. And while the exploits are certainly nice to have, especially ones like Quick Study and Counterspell (just to name a couple), Im not positive that getting them is worth giving up the combination of specialist abilities and more spells per day. All in all, given the current design parameters, I call that pretty good class design.
What say you?