So, since very few of us get to play characters to level 20 (and I've never had the fortune to run a game to that level either), I've never seen the full power of a 20th-level Wizard. So, using the following scenario, what could a Wizard of 20th-level accomplish?:
The city is under siege, with the approaching army outnumbering the forces behind the city's stone walls five to one. The outlook is grim, but the city does have one significant advantage: the Wizard. He steps out onto the city wall and views the battlefield. After a moment of thought, he starts weaving his hands before him, uttering words of the arcane and expending components from his pouch.
The weave expands, snaps at his command, and manifests in the middle of approaching the army with...
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C. Foster Payne
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."
Take 2 Epic Boons, Boon of High Magic and Boon of Spell Recall. This gives you three 9th level Spells. Max out Intelligence (obviously). Wear Robes of the Archmagi, use an Arcane Grimoire +3, and Winged Boots. Drop two Meteor Swarms (average damage of 140 in eight points of 40’ radius) and concentrate on Immunity (good luck in an Army disrupting concentration when you’re Immune to all damage (Stun would still do it so use those Winged Boots wisely)). I also like the Dunamancy spell Ravenous Void, but it requires concentration so Immunity wins out. Follow up with individual spells to lock down high priority targets and all the Area of Effect Spells you can muster. Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and Prismatic Spray. If you don’t destroy the army with damage, the loss of morale will. Welcome to Epic levels.
Edit: If beforehand he had cast Simulacrum, all the better.
"As the Wizard on the wall looks out at the vast army, He see's in his minds eye
"Three Mages of vast power, reciting words to a spell, that grip his minds with chains that can only be described as the deepest of despair coming up from the very jaws of hell, to hold him fast and chain him down."
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Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.~ Yoda
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Paul Atreides
In general turning away an army as a wizard is something you want to have lots of warning for; there are a bunch of ways of degrading, slowing, and damaging an army on the move, but if it's already in your face the remaining options are not great.
Aside from cheese and not knowing how the character is built or has available and is basically just standard 20th level wizard and the scenario presented is basically just one action so..
Probably Meteor Swarm.
Your scenario is extremely limited and hard to imagine. No PC is designed at just walking out as is and fending off an army. Not even Level 20. You need epic boons, legendary items and more to even remotely have a chance of winning - and it's not much of a chance, unless the army is superbly stupid or very small in number and barely an army.
Wizards with ample set up time and resources could capture demigods, transform landscapes and create their own armies of undead and magen and bound beings. But just walking out with nothing but some at-hand components to an army that just instantly appeared? Very little - same as any character of any class.
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"As the Wizard on the wall looks out at the vast army, He see's in his minds eye
"Three Mages of vast power, reciting words to a spell, that grip his minds with chains that can only be described as the deepest of despair coming up from the very jaws of hell, to hold him fast and chain him down."
I don't think you've grasped the point of the assignment.
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Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
He steps out onto the city wall and views the battlefield. After a moment of thought, he starts weaving his hands before him, uttering words of the arcane and expending components from his pouch.
The weave expands, snaps at his command, and the wizard vanishes, to reappear in a teleport circle a thousand miles away. "My friends, you will be missed, but I'll make sure to inform your neighbors so they can take vengeance for you."
One thing I’m curious about is whether the OP meant a purely 20th level Wizard or something more like a 20th+ level Wizard. Because as I showed up above, you absolutely can wipe out an Army at “22nd” level. If we’re talking purely 20th level, it’s still doable but does require at least some level of prep.
Honestly, I was just looking to see what some ideas were for how a 20th level wizard might go about supporting an army being attacked by a larger force. Just how powerful is a wizard at this level (no Wish spell in the mix)?
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C. Foster Payne
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."
A 20th level wizard, given the chance to prepare and their choice of terrain, is the absolute pinnacle of destructive capability that a mortal can achieve.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Honestly, I was just looking to see what some ideas were for how a 20th level wizard might go about supporting an army being attacked by a larger force. Just how powerful is a wizard at this level (no Wish spell in the mix)?
A wizard is extremely destructive but also likely to get focus fired, and no PC can really survive being focus fired by an army, at least without considerable prep work.
I'd second using divination to target key elements of the opposing army's command structure. And certainly meteor swarm and invulnerability are among my first picks as well. But other good options include, wait till the enemy creates a breach and plug the breach with a Gate. Doesn't have to be to the Nine Hells or the Abyss... Limbo will do nicely. Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting, Maddening Darkness, Reverse Gravity, and Incendiary Cloud are other large-scale damage options. But perhaps the best is being the one who cast Imprisonment--because it means you can more easily end the spell. Remember that ancient dragon we put into minimus containment? Now it's a full-sized, angry dragon in the middle of the opposing army.
But all of that is the direct combat options, and the scarier options are the ones that take time to prepare. Ever heard of a spell called modify memory? On the time scale of fighting an army, you'd get four castings per day (and six per day in the week before the fight). Multiply by the number of days available, and that's the number of enemy soldiers who remember agreeing to switch sides (at a signal, at an opportune moment, as soon as the fighting starts, etc.). Also, did that army need to march in order to get to the city? Mirage Arcana, and they walked into the Swamp of Death (or the wrong direction, or into a third party's territory) instead of towards our city.
Other good options--Antipathy affects choke points into the city. Control Weather makes the enemy's half of the battlefield a muddy slog. Well placed Deminplanes keep abducting 36 soldiers at a time. Drawmij's Instant Summons brings a Sphere of Annihilation into play at an opportune moment (bonus points if you cast Sympathy on the Sphere beforehand). Mass Suggestion might get a few on the day, but could easily create deserters beforehand. Mighty Fortress gets you instant battlefield fortifications, and Move Earth gets you a moat--or breaches a dam. Sequester means that even should the opposing force win the day, they won't achieve their goal if that goal is claiming a hostage. Simulacrum allows you to be in two places at once. Telepathy allows for instant communication, and Teleport for instant travel. Didn't get the the opposing general with the first Cloudkill? Well, Locate Create is a 4th level, and now strike force PC can Teleport to the enemy HQ.
And then just spam Fireball, Cone of Cold, and Prismatic Spray. Or wall spells for battlefield control. Or summon spells to reinforce your troops. Or curses and charms to degrade the opposition.
For serious hilarity, just keep casting Mass Suggestion and say "kill your commanding officer" over and over. A few incidents of that will shut an army down fast as paranoia goes through the roof.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Honestly, I was just looking to see what some ideas were for how a 20th level wizard might go about supporting an army being attacked by a larger force. Just how powerful is a wizard at this level (no Wish spell in the mix)?
A wizard is extremely destructive but also likely to get focus fired, and no PC can really survive being focus fired by an army, at least without considerable prep work.
The spell Invulnerability plus distance from spells that could Stun?
The spell Invulnerability plus distance from spells that could Stun?
One of the better options (though you need more than stun; for example, there's sleet storm).
Wow, that is a long range. I think so long as one of the 8 points of Meteor Swarm hit that spellcaster you’d be fine, but obviously spells like that could screw up even a flying caster.
Wow, that is a long range. I think so long as one of the 8 points of Meteor Swarm hit that spellcaster you’d be fine, but obviously spells like that could screw up even a flying caster.
How are you casting meteor swarm if you're using your 9th level slot for invulnerability?
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So, since very few of us get to play characters to level 20 (and I've never had the fortune to run a game to that level either), I've never seen the full power of a 20th-level Wizard. So, using the following scenario, what could a Wizard of 20th-level accomplish?:
The city is under siege, with the approaching army outnumbering the forces behind the city's stone walls five to one. The outlook is grim, but the city does have one significant advantage: the Wizard. He steps out onto the city wall and views the battlefield. After a moment of thought, he starts weaving his hands before him, uttering words of the arcane and expending components from his pouch.
The weave expands, snaps at his command, and manifests in the middle of approaching the army with...
C. Foster Payne
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."
Whatever the DM will let them get away with depending on how they worded their wish.
Okay, yes, the Wish spell could do anything. But short of that particular game-breaking ability, how could a wizard fight an army?
C. Foster Payne
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."
Take 2 Epic Boons, Boon of High Magic and Boon of Spell Recall. This gives you three 9th level Spells. Max out Intelligence (obviously). Wear Robes of the Archmagi, use an Arcane Grimoire +3, and Winged Boots. Drop two Meteor Swarms (average damage of 140 in eight points of 40’ radius) and concentrate on Immunity (good luck in an Army disrupting concentration when you’re Immune to all damage (Stun would still do it so use those Winged Boots wisely)). I also like the Dunamancy spell Ravenous Void, but it requires concentration so Immunity wins out. Follow up with individual spells to lock down high priority targets and all the Area of Effect Spells you can muster. Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and Prismatic Spray. If you don’t destroy the army with damage, the loss of morale will. Welcome to Epic levels.
Edit: If beforehand he had cast Simulacrum, all the better.
ok,
"As the Wizard on the wall looks out at the vast army, He see's in his minds eye
"Three Mages of vast power, reciting words to a spell, that grip his minds with chains that can only be described as the deepest of despair coming up from the very jaws of hell, to hold him fast and chain him down."
Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.~ Yoda
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” - Paul Atreides
In general turning away an army as a wizard is something you want to have lots of warning for; there are a bunch of ways of degrading, slowing, and damaging an army on the move, but if it's already in your face the remaining options are not great.
Aside from cheese and not knowing how the character is built or has available and is basically just standard 20th level wizard and the scenario presented is basically just one action so..
Probably Meteor Swarm.
Your scenario is extremely limited and hard to imagine. No PC is designed at just walking out as is and fending off an army. Not even Level 20. You need epic boons, legendary items and more to even remotely have a chance of winning - and it's not much of a chance, unless the army is superbly stupid or very small in number and barely an army.
Wizards with ample set up time and resources could capture demigods, transform landscapes and create their own armies of undead and magen and bound beings. But just walking out with nothing but some at-hand components to an army that just instantly appeared? Very little - same as any character of any class.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
I don't think you've grasped the point of the assignment.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
An accurate rendition is probably
Step One: use divination to locate the general of the opposing force.
Step Two: Meteor Swarm.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
One thing I’m curious about is whether the OP meant a purely 20th level Wizard or something more like a 20th+ level Wizard. Because as I showed up above, you absolutely can wipe out an Army at “22nd” level. If we’re talking purely 20th level, it’s still doable but does require at least some level of prep.
Honestly, I was just looking to see what some ideas were for how a 20th level wizard might go about supporting an army being attacked by a larger force. Just how powerful is a wizard at this level (no Wish spell in the mix)?
C. Foster Payne
"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."
A 20th level wizard, given the chance to prepare and their choice of terrain, is the absolute pinnacle of destructive capability that a mortal can achieve.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
A wizard is extremely destructive but also likely to get focus fired, and no PC can really survive being focus fired by an army, at least without considerable prep work.
I'd second using divination to target key elements of the opposing army's command structure. And certainly meteor swarm and invulnerability are among my first picks as well. But other good options include, wait till the enemy creates a breach and plug the breach with a Gate. Doesn't have to be to the Nine Hells or the Abyss... Limbo will do nicely. Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting, Maddening Darkness, Reverse Gravity, and Incendiary Cloud are other large-scale damage options. But perhaps the best is being the one who cast Imprisonment--because it means you can more easily end the spell. Remember that ancient dragon we put into minimus containment? Now it's a full-sized, angry dragon in the middle of the opposing army.
But all of that is the direct combat options, and the scarier options are the ones that take time to prepare. Ever heard of a spell called modify memory? On the time scale of fighting an army, you'd get four castings per day (and six per day in the week before the fight). Multiply by the number of days available, and that's the number of enemy soldiers who remember agreeing to switch sides (at a signal, at an opportune moment, as soon as the fighting starts, etc.). Also, did that army need to march in order to get to the city? Mirage Arcana, and they walked into the Swamp of Death (or the wrong direction, or into a third party's territory) instead of towards our city.
Other good options--Antipathy affects choke points into the city. Control Weather makes the enemy's half of the battlefield a muddy slog. Well placed Deminplanes keep abducting 36 soldiers at a time. Drawmij's Instant Summons brings a Sphere of Annihilation into play at an opportune moment (bonus points if you cast Sympathy on the Sphere beforehand). Mass Suggestion might get a few on the day, but could easily create deserters beforehand. Mighty Fortress gets you instant battlefield fortifications, and Move Earth gets you a moat--or breaches a dam. Sequester means that even should the opposing force win the day, they won't achieve their goal if that goal is claiming a hostage. Simulacrum allows you to be in two places at once. Telepathy allows for instant communication, and Teleport for instant travel. Didn't get the the opposing general with the first Cloudkill? Well, Locate Create is a 4th level, and now strike force PC can Teleport to the enemy HQ.
And then just spam Fireball, Cone of Cold, and Prismatic Spray. Or wall spells for battlefield control. Or summon spells to reinforce your troops. Or curses and charms to degrade the opposition.
For serious hilarity, just keep casting Mass Suggestion and say "kill your commanding officer" over and over. A few incidents of that will shut an army down fast as paranoia goes through the roof.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
The spell Invulnerability plus distance from spells that could Stun?
One of the better options (though you need more than stun; for example, there's sleet storm).
Wow, that is a long range. I think so long as one of the 8 points of Meteor Swarm hit that spellcaster you’d be fine, but obviously spells like that could screw up even a flying caster.
How are you casting meteor swarm if you're using your 9th level slot for invulnerability?