Wizards are super powerful late-game, but surviving those low levels can be brutal. Early on, you're squishy and need to be smart with your spells and positioning. How are you guys building or playing your Wizards to survive the early grind? Any tips or tactics to make it through?
It’s really not hard. Mage armor and shield can do most of the heavy lifting, along with just not getting into melee. Firebolt has a long range, there’s no need to get anywhere near the fighting. Shocking grasp in case you do end up in melee and need to get out. Then at 3rd level pick up misty step as an escape hatch.
5e's not very lethal compared to older editions. I mostly rely on shield and positioning. Mage armor's a thing that comes recommended by many, but I hate using a spell slot on it. I tend to prefer to take my chances without it...but please do not take that as advice. For a newer player, Mage Armor's probably the best play.
I try to keep martials in between me and the enemy in battle. I try to be proactive in re-positioning myself as necessary to stay away from melee combat. I walk in the middle of the party so anything attacking from front or back has to go through someone else to get to me. Terminate enemy ranged attackers with extreme prejudice. Focus fire's great and I'll do that when I can, but I am not going to focus on a bandit fighting the fighter with a sword, when I have an archer trying to pin-cushion me. I'll control him if possible and kill if not. Target selection is just very situational. Sometimes it's necessary to throw up a shield to tank a hit and help kill someone else, first.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
5e's not very lethal compared to older editions. I mostly rely on shield and positioning. Mage armor's a thing that comes recommended by many, but I hate using a spell slot on it. I tend to prefer to take my chances without it...but please do not take that as advice. For a newer player, Mage Armor's probably the best play.
I try to keep martials in between me and the enemy in battle. I try to be proactive in re-positioning myself as necessary to stay away from melee combat. I walk in the middle of the party so anything attacking from front or back has to go through someone else to get to me. Terminate enemy ranged attackers with extreme prejudice. Focus fire's great and I'll do that when I can, but I am not going to focus on a bandit fighting the fighter with a sword, when I have an archer trying to pin-cushion me. I'll control him if possible and kill if not. Target selection is just very situational. Sometimes it's necessary to throw up a shield to tank a hit and help kill someone else, first.
I actually really like taking Magic Initiate Wizard on my Wizard characters and taking Mage Armor as my level 1 spell. This helps mitigate the spell slot tax of armoring up every day since you get a free casting. Take Shield as one of your spell choices at level 1 and you will be just fine with through the early levels.
If its like a party of all wizards or something yeah I guess. But with a more standard mix with a martial or two on the front line I frequently find it easier to survive as a wizard than many other classes even at low levels. Keep your distance, shield spell, spells with good range, effects that slow and hinder enemies and enough spell slots even at low levels to drop fight changing effects routinely.
I almost always play wizards, though I have tried every class. Some of the tips that I have for keeping our squishies alive are
1. After a long rest cast mage armour and false life on yourself. The higher level false life is the better.
2. Never ever ever ever touch that item your party has been searching for. I have been killed outright by books, rocks, gems, crowns, and all manner of objects. I usually make a fighter of barbarian touch it first. They have hitpoints to spare.
4. Wizards chronically have good perception so you might be tempted to have them at the front or back of your party's traveling order but always have them at the middle. They are less easy to hit that way.
5. Likewise, in combatyou want to try to coordinate you allies so that they engage the enemies whilst you hide behind them and cast spells.
6. Don't anger that powerful NPC you just met!
I hopw these help! Let me know if you need more.
-Igglywiv the Wizard
Played every class. Now playing every sub-class.
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- Igglywiv the Wizard
I played every class, now playing every sub-class.
You would not believe how much ADHD helps with creating campaigns!
All the suggestions are good, but if your going to mention dont piss off the NPC i would throw in if theres a barbarian in your group he should be your best friend, if any npc gives you an issue one of you can handle it, Muscle and the Mind , tag team as old as time
5e's not very lethal compared to older editions. I mostly rely on shield and positioning. Mage armor's a thing that comes recommended by many, but I hate using a spell slot on it. I tend to prefer to take my chances without it...but please do not take that as advice. For a newer player, Mage Armor's probably the best play.
I try to keep martials in between me and the enemy in battle. I try to be proactive in re-positioning myself as necessary to stay away from melee combat. I walk in the middle of the party so anything attacking from front or back has to go through someone else to get to me. Terminate enemy ranged attackers with extreme prejudice. Focus fire's great and I'll do that when I can, but I am not going to focus on a bandit fighting the fighter with a sword, when I have an archer trying to pin-cushion me. I'll control him if possible and kill if not. Target selection is just very situational. Sometimes it's necessary to throw up a shield to tank a hit and help kill someone else, first.
I actually really like taking Magic Initiate Wizard on my Wizard characters and taking Mage Armor as my level 1 spell. This helps mitigate the spell slot tax of armoring up every day since you get a free casting. Take Shield as one of your spell choices at level 1 and you will be just fine with through the early levels.
Wizards are super powerful late-game, but surviving those low levels can be brutal. Early on, you're squishy and need to be smart with your spells and positioning. How are you guys building or playing your Wizards to survive the early grind? Any tips or tactics to make it through?
It’s really not hard. Mage armor and shield can do most of the heavy lifting, along with just not getting into melee. Firebolt has a long range, there’s no need to get anywhere near the fighting. Shocking grasp in case you do end up in melee and need to get out. Then at 3rd level pick up misty step as an escape hatch.
5e's not very lethal compared to older editions. I mostly rely on shield and positioning. Mage armor's a thing that comes recommended by many, but I hate using a spell slot on it. I tend to prefer to take my chances without it...but please do not take that as advice. For a newer player, Mage Armor's probably the best play.
I try to keep martials in between me and the enemy in battle. I try to be proactive in re-positioning myself as necessary to stay away from melee combat. I walk in the middle of the party so anything attacking from front or back has to go through someone else to get to me. Terminate enemy ranged attackers with extreme prejudice. Focus fire's great and I'll do that when I can, but I am not going to focus on a bandit fighting the fighter with a sword, when I have an archer trying to pin-cushion me. I'll control him if possible and kill if not. Target selection is just very situational. Sometimes it's necessary to throw up a shield to tank a hit and help kill someone else, first.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
I actually really like taking Magic Initiate Wizard on my Wizard characters and taking Mage Armor as my level 1 spell. This helps mitigate the spell slot tax of armoring up every day since you get a free casting. Take Shield as one of your spell choices at level 1 and you will be just fine with through the early levels.
If its like a party of all wizards or something yeah I guess. But with a more standard mix with a martial or two on the front line I frequently find it easier to survive as a wizard than many other classes even at low levels. Keep your distance, shield spell, spells with good range, effects that slow and hinder enemies and enough spell slots even at low levels to drop fight changing effects routinely.
I almost always play wizards, though I have tried every class. Some of the tips that I have for keeping our squishies alive are
1. After a long rest cast mage armour and false life on yourself. The higher level false life is the better.
2. Never ever ever ever touch that item your party has been searching for. I have been killed outright by books, rocks, gems, crowns, and all manner of objects. I usually make a fighter of barbarian touch it first. They have hitpoints to spare.
3. Always have spells like dimension door and misty step prepared for a quick getaway.
4. Wizards chronically have good perception so you might be tempted to have them at the front or back of your party's traveling order but always have them at the middle. They are less easy to hit that way.
5. Likewise, in combatyou want to try to coordinate you allies so that they engage the enemies whilst you hide behind them and cast spells.
6. Don't anger that powerful NPC you just met!
I hopw these help! Let me know if you need more.
-Igglywiv the Wizard
Played every class. Now playing every sub-class.
- Igglywiv the Wizard
I played every class, now playing every sub-class.
You would not believe how much ADHD helps with creating campaigns!
Happy Pride Month!
5E isn't as lethal as older editions. I nearly died twice as a Wizard in a Basix/Expert D&D game. Once was from attribute damage.
In 5E, These help: Mage armor, shield, absorb elements, and maybe silvery barbs.
Stay away from melee (have ranged attack cantrips). Use cover if it is available.
Food, Scifi/fantasy, anime, DND 5E and OSR geek.
All the suggestions are good, but if your going to mention dont piss off the NPC i would throw in if theres a barbarian in your group he should be your best friend, if any npc gives you an issue one of you can handle it, Muscle and the Mind , tag team as old as time
Good idea.
Respectfully,
Nanra
One level dip into Cleric for armor and some healing.