DND 3.5e Wizard VS RL response

[Xar Zarath]

So we've done this type of threads before but I would like to find out what do you think the playground would be the military response to magic? Look at out history, somebody figures out nukes, everyone gets them M.A.D is in play.

But now there's a wizard who can do all sorts of magic tricks, from fireballs to meteor strikes, the wizard's power and versatility is something that he can wield reliably and without needing to give up his independence.

So assume magic works in our world. What would be the govt's of the world's defence be? After all if someone has a nuke, someone else creates a nuke, nuclear deterrent et al. What would we create to "fight back"? A magic nuke? A super smart AI that can know magic?

Also assume that we don't know how to do magic? Since magic does work in our world, we would have to study and experiment until we get it but it may take decades, perhaps centuries. (if we as a race survive that long)

[Ruethgar]

It would depend highly upon what mechanics you are following. Are we to assume all magic works or only certain types? For example, is the Weave in existence and if so does that mean so is Mystra? And which gods are "real" and do they intervene, because any and every priest and many paragons of concepts could have magic in far less time with prayer compared to Wizard experimentation most likely. Also, Incarnum could be a lot more intuitive for people aligned with it than other magics. Furthermore, how many of the Planes exist? If the Realm of Dreams comes into being, we will most likely all die very quickly as there are already people skilled in Lucid Dreaming. If the Concordant Domain of the Outlands and its denizens come into being, humanity will likely experience a gargantuan decline for tipping the balance of power on the planet.

[RoboEmperor]

Knowledge Censorship. Just because spells that create clones of gods or spells that enslave efreetis exist doesn't mean everyone knows about it and has access to it.

Just like in real life, everyone can create pipe bombs, drugs, etc. if they have the knowledge and training.

So now in a DICTATORSHIP with NO INTERNET, it's going to be really, really hard to find spells that the government deems too dangerous.

Still, that won't stop wizards from researching those spells on their own, or sorcerers figuring it out on their own, so there would be laws that ban that kind of stuff. Anyone with the ability to cast planar binding will be arrested and maybe executed. Same with ice assassin, wish, Shapechange, etc.

But that's just public control. The government would have all of their top wizards abusing every trick in the book, and with rival kingdoms, have contracts of maximum allowable ice assassins of prismatic dragons they are allowed to have at any given time and such.

[Xar Zarath]

It would depend highly upon what mechanics you are following. Are we to assume all magic works or only certain types? For example, is the Weave in existence and if so does that mean so is Mystra? And which gods are "real" and do they intervene, because any and every priest and many paragons of concepts could have magic in far less time with prayer compared to Wizard experimentation most likely. Also, Incarnum could be a lot more intuitive for people aligned with it than other magics. Furthermore, how many of the Planes exist? If the Realm of Dreams comes into being, we will most likely all die very quickly as there are already people skilled in Lucid Dreaming. If the Concordant Domain of the Outlands and its denizens come into being, humanity will likely experience a gargantuan decline for tipping the balance of power on the planet.

all magic types exists. Gods are silent/aloof ala Eberron. Consider all planes have already existed since Creation began but with the wizard here, this is the first time we realise they exist.

[Ashtagon]

all magic types exists. Gods are silent/aloof ala Eberron. Consider all planes have already existed since Creation began but with the wizard here, this is the first time we realise they exist.

The existence of a FR-style weave implies an active Mystra, which contradicts silent/aloof Eberron-style gods.

[Âmesang]

Inevitably I end up imagining an epic wizard casting Proctiv's move mountain, raising the mountain-top up to a sufficient height… then dispelling it to make it fall back to earth.

*scribbles down notes to make a warforged spellcaster named "Ultron."*

[Ruethgar]

There is also the issue of unfathomable mental processes. Int 18 is supposed to be Einstien level, but a level 20 Wizard will probably have nearer Int 30 which would likely be extraordinarily difficult to comprehend. Not to mention his other stats and what they could become with the wave of a hand.

And how many of the mechanics of D&D would fade over? Because despite their efforts, I highly doubt anyone in reality has breached level 3 or so even if they would have gained XP based on encounters beyond that.

As the the aforementioned censorship would not work with divine as noted in Dark Sun.

[Xar Zarath]

So realistically with say, D20 modern rules for us, we could never come up with a deterrent against the Wizard?

[Honest Tiefling]

The existence of a FR-style weave implies an active Mystra, which contradicts silent/aloof Eberron-style gods.

I dunno...You could have Mystra out in the world doing what she does best while the Eberron gods are in the metaphorical closet hiding from her. I mean, its not like anyone's ever hidden any powerful source of magic from Dame Dies-a-lot before.

[Zanos]

So realistically with say, D20 modern rules for us, we could never come up with a deterrent against the Wizard?
If he's a 20th level wizard, there's little we could do. We won't even know he exists unless he wants us to, and few things are beyond the scope of his power when his environment lacks magical countermeasures.

[Necroticplague]

Step one: Get a civil-minded high level wizard on gov't side.
Step two: Note actions of undesired caster.
Step three: Eschew Material Teleport through Time to stop it retroactively.
So we end up with MAD from "if anything too severe happens, this will turn into a clusterf*** of temporal shenanigans, and nobody wants to deal with that".

[Telonius]

If it's possible for Pun-Pun to ascend, he will. Granting himself an arbitrary amount of Wisdom and Intelligence, he figures out all the world's problems, and we live in a utopia for the rest of our days; we really would be living in the best possible of worlds. Or he gets bored and resets it, and watches us all just for the lulz.

[Âmesang]

So realistically with say, D20 modern rules for us, we could never come up with a deterrent against the Wizard?
That depends; how many cats could we round up?

[atemu1234]

That depends; how many cats could we round up?

And more importantly, still, how many catgirls must die?

[Yahzi]

So assume magic works in our world. What would be the govt's of the world's defence be?
If we assume the wizard is the kind of wizard that the Playground tends to create, the government's secret weapon is Sasha Grey, a very tiny, discrete needle, and a drop of botulinum. :smallbiggrin: