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View Full Version : Speciallist wizard, is it worth it? (i know spelling is wrong)



nhbdy
2007-11-15, 08:19 PM
I was looking at the rules for wizard and looking at all the threads for wizards and i thoughtof a question that i haven't seen discussed, is specializing worth it to a wizard? i am mainly looking at advantages/disadvantages with a personal opinion, not a shouting match or arguement, thanks.

Crow
2007-11-15, 08:23 PM
In low levels, I would say yes. In higher levels, no.

MeklorIlavator
2007-11-15, 08:28 PM
It is considered one of the better things one can do. Extra spell slots are always welcomed, and this gives you one per level, plus almost every school has at least one spell that you want to prepare at least one version of per day, so this allows greater spell diversity. Also, evocation is generally considered a poor school, and divination only requires one forbidden school, so it seems a perfect fit. For those who want to specialize in another school, enchantment and necromancy are also seen as expendable. Overall, the loss of spell selection is balanced by the shear number of roles several of the schools can provide(Conj provides Battlefield control, Direct damage, summoning, and transportation, for example).


In low levels, I would say yes. In higher levels, no.
Actually, it helps you more as you gain levels because spells grow in power exponentially, and the more versatile spells are generally higher up, so having more higher level spells grants one more versatility and power.

VerdugoExplode
2007-11-15, 08:29 PM
Well, I'd say it is, if just for flavor purposes alone. That and you need to specialize to get into Master Specialist from the complete mage which can net you some nifty abilities. From a purely mechanical standpoint you will probably regret it at some point in time but the grass is always greener on the other side.

daggaz
2007-11-15, 08:41 PM
Mechanically, it is in your favor to specialize. That extra spellslot per day per spell level just pwns. ESPECIALLY at high levels, but also at low levels.. (nothing like an extra ninth level spell, nothing at all, but having an extra web when you can only afford one or two is real nice too). Yeah, you lose a bit of versatility, which is why you need to be a bit careful.

Div is the typical choice, cuz yeah, you only lose one school. But most people dont want to specialize in this, for fluff reasons, or for mechanical (a lot more in-battle use for other schools).

Conjuration or Transmutation are usually picked, requiring two dead schools.

So Evocation almost always goes, followed by Enchantment or Illusion. DONT lose necromancy, way too many good spells in there, you will be hurting. Usually its enchantment, as illusion has invis and shadow evocation magic. But thats just the batman guide, you can pick whatever schools you like.

Sornjss Lichdom
2007-11-15, 08:44 PM
Yes, if not for the spells, the nifty things from complete mage, and of course the awesome PHII variants. If you specalize in Conjurartion (the most popular specialist combo if you ask me) you can use Dimensional Door (or any conjuration spell) int mod/day.

It just makes me all tingly inside thinking about it.

Bare enchantment, kinda a hit but eh oh well. and evocation, shadow evo can cover contengincy at higher levels. no real loss.

Crow
2007-11-15, 08:46 PM
My current wiz is a 7th level buffer specialized in Transmutation. She dropped Evocation and Necromancy.

Temp
2007-11-15, 08:49 PM
Yes, if not for the spells, the nifty things from complete mage, and of course the awesome PHII variants. If you specalize in Conjurartion (the most popular specialist combo if you ask me) you can use Dimensional Door (or any conjuration spell) int mod/day. Beside the Conjurer ability, I don't think those are any more valuable than a Familiar.

Specializing is usually a very good move. The only exceptions I can think of are Evocation specializations--which are usually bad--and the Elf Substitution Level (RotW)--which is pretty good.

Aquillion
2007-11-15, 08:52 PM
It's usually a net gain overall, especially when you consider that there are things like Shadow Evocation and Limited Wish to cover barred spells when you absolutely need them.

The main reason you wouldn't take it would be to take the Elf Generalist first-level substitution ability instead, which gives you an additional spell slot of whatever your highest-level spells are (in other words, the chief benefit of specializing without actually having to specialize), plus one extra spell known at every level. It's from Races of the Wild.

Sornjss Lichdom
2007-11-15, 08:55 PM
I dont know a farmilar can be a right pain, they can scout for the low level, but just about more hindering to a highlevel caster who should have plenty of spells to deal with the lack of the reach/foward scout/etc. Not to menching the pain of lossing him. While I find most of the skills better, (not transmutation though). But thats just my two cents.

Temp
2007-11-15, 08:59 PM
Skill ranks and Share Spells make Familiars incredibly useful in my experience... far more than a weak ability a couple times a day.

...Things could easily differ between groups. I don't know.

Overlard
2007-11-16, 05:22 AM
Most of the groups I've gamed with avoid familiars. They're handy, but are often too much of a liability.

Kizara
2007-11-16, 05:47 AM
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18500&highlight=batman

BATMAN! :)