Wizard Spells?

[Shinkoro]

I'm making a wizard starting at 3rd level. And, I would like some input as to what spells would be very useful. I will have 7 first and 4 second level. I can use spells from any 3.5 source but dragon magazines.

I don't have much experience with wizards so any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking for the best combination of 1st and 2nd level spells I can get. I would like some suggestions of good/ cool applications of spells too.

Thanks

[Crazy_Uncle_Doug]

That's a tall order. There's a lot of wizard spells and it helps if you can narrow it down some. In general, what do you want to do with your wizard?

[Saph]

Hmm, 5th level? And I guess you're not specialised, or you would have said, so all schools are fine.

Well, then, I'd take:

3rd-level

Haste - Awesome party buff.
Slow - One of the most versatile and reliable debuff spells.

2nd-level

Glitterdust - Great spell, prepare it every day.
Invisibility - very useful in a lot of situations.
Alter Self - Cheaper and longer-lasting Flight.
Shatter - nasty offensive spell used against enemy gear, also deals with locks.

1st-level

Grease - Reflex knockdown, lots of other uses.
Shocking Grasp - 5d6 no-save damage, good backup plan if enemies get close.
Mage Armour - essential.
Shield - also essential.
Disguise Self - utility.
Charm Person - utility.
Colour Spray - your low-level save-or-lose.

These are all core; you could find good noncore ones as well, but you don't really need them.

Tactics

Stay away from enemies at all costs, as one good hit will bring you down and a critical will probably kill you. Use Haste at the beginning of every challenging fight; use your debuff spells as opportunities come up. Try to keep the party fighters between you and the bad guys. If you're outside and the enemies aren't using ranged weapons, use Alter Self to take the form of an avariel (if in FR) or a raptoran (if elsewhere) and fly - note that this draws attention, so don't do it if the enemies have bows. Make sure you have Mage Armour up whenever you expect to get into a fight - it lasts 5 hours at your level, which is enough to explore a small dungeon. Cast Shield at the beginning of longer fights. Get a bunch of scrolls of 1st-level spells like Mage Armour, Grease, Disguise Self, and Shield, as they're only 25 gp each. Get a scroll of Invisibility too, and use it in emergencies. Make sure your Spellcraft and Concentration are always maxed out for your level.

I could go on, but that's probably enough. :) Have fun!

- Saph

[TheAlmightyOne]

I used to be a wizard but my DM was really annoying and put in total 1 scroll in all 5 dungeons we had before the group folded. Also there was never any gold and the spells were ridiculously overpriced. This forced me to be very creative. Magic weaopn, shield, magic missile and eagles splendour were the only spells i used. Standing with a glowing sword, magical shield, just shot down the leader and an extra charisma bonus and I managed to bluff my way out of several of the impossible situations he kept putting us in. Anything left I sneak attacked. (due to the lack of scrolls available I was forced to multiclass)

[Dr. Weasel]

I used to be a wizard but my DM was really annoying and put in total 1 scroll in all 5 dungeons we had before the group folded. Also there was never any gold and the spells were ridiculously overpriced. This forced me to be very creative. Magic weaopn, shield, magic missile and eagles splendour were the only spells i used. Standing with a glowing sword, magical shield, just shot down the leader and an extra charisma bonus and I managed to bluff my way out of several of the impossible situations he kept putting us in. Anything left I sneak attacked. (due to the lack of scrolls available I was forced to multiclass)

This post is like... surreal, dude...

[The Valiant Turtle]

Well, since no one else has provided it, here's a link to the (in)famous Batman guide, which includes spell recommendations for all levels.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18500

[Sornjss Lichdom]

one of my favorite spells not on batman's guide is the Balful Transpostion spell, switch the places of two people, they dont even have to be you. YOu just have to win in a will save if there not willing.

My favorite time to use the spell is say your on a ship and you see the caption of an opposing vessal, get tons of fighters around you, turn yourself invisable, then switch places with the caption of the other ship, D-door back to your boat just in time to see the other caption getting run through by your shipmates.

[Crazy_Uncle_Doug]

Take one of the Lesser Orb spells from the Spell Compendium. Any will do, though my favorite is Lesser Orb of Force. The Orb spells require a Ranged Touch Attack, but do not allow a saving throw.

[Macrovore]

There is no lesser orb of force. That's basically magic missile. You're probably thinking of lesser orb of sound, which is the same thing as the other orbs, but with one die smaller for damage. but all the orb spells are good. Ranged touch attack, good damage, good scaling, no saves or SR. Even the greater versions (the 4th lvl ones, of which there is an orb of force) don't allow a save for the damage, just the special effect.