Wizard

Playing a Wizard in Tanaria: Pros & Cons

Pros (Why Play a Wizard?)

1. Largest Spell List in the Game
   • Wizards have access to more spells than any other class, allowing them to specialize or remain versatile.
   • They can prepare different spells each day, tailoring their magic to the adventure ahead.
   • With spellbooks, they can learn new spells outside of leveling up, making them the ultimate spell collectors.
 
2. Best Utility & Ritual Casting
   • Wizards can cast ritual spells for free, making them excellent at handling non-combat magic.
   • They have access to spells like Detect Magic, Identify, Teleportation Circle, and Scrying, making them invaluable in exploration and problem-solving.
   • No other class can handle as many magical challenges as a well-prepared wizard.
 
3. Unmatched Spellcasting Flexibility
   • Unlike sorcerers or warlocks, wizards can change their prepared spells every long rest, ensuring they always have the right tool for the job.
   • This makes them highly adaptable to shifting combat situations, puzzles, and roleplay challenges.
   • They can learn every wizard spell available to them, limited only by time and resources.
 
4. Specialized Schools of Magic
   • Wizards can specialize in one of eight schools of magic, gaining unique abilities based on their chosen focus.
   • Evokers excel in raw damage (Fireball, Lightning Bolt), while Abjurers enhance defense and counter magic.
   • Necromancers raise undead minions, and Diviners manipulate fate itself.
   • Each school provides enhanced abilities tailored to different playstyles.
 
5. Arcane Recovery: More Spellcasting Than Most Casters
   • Wizards regain some spell slots on a short rest, allowing them to cast more spells per day than most other casters.
   • This helps them keep up with warlocks in frequent-rest campaigns and conserve their strongest spells for when they matter most.

Cons (Challenges of Playing a Wizard)

1. Low Health & Weak Defenses
   • Wizards have the lowest hit dice (d6), making them extremely fragile compared to other classes.
   • They have limited armor options, often relying on spells like Mage Armor or Shield for protection.
   • A wizard caught in melee range is often doomed without quick spellcasting or an escape plan.
 
2. Complex Spell Management
   • Wizards must track prepared spells, spell slots, and their growing spellbook, making them one of the most complex classes to manage.
   • Choosing the right spells for the day can be challenging without proper foresight.
   • They require good planning and knowledge of the game to use effectively.
 
3. Vulnerable at Low Levels
   • Early-game wizards struggle with limited spell slots and poor survivability.
   • Before reaching higher levels, they often rely on cantrips and conservative spell usage to stay relevant.
   • They can easily die in a single hit from a strong enemy attack.
 
4. Requires a Spellbook (And Can Lose It!)
   • Unlike sorcerers and warlocks, wizards must store their spells in a spellbook.
   • If their spellbook is lost or destroyed, they lose access to their spells and must reconstruct it from scratch.
   • This makes them dependent on their equipment in ways other casters are not.
 
5. Slow Progression Compared to Other Casters
   • Learning spells beyond leveling requires gold, time, and access to written spells, making growth dependent on resources.
   • They lack natural spellcasting boosts like Sorcery Points or Metamagic, meaning they must rely on sheer preparation.
   • Wizards are at their strongest at higher levels, requiring patience to reach their full potential.

• Play a Wizard if:
  • You want the most spellcasting options available in the game.
  • You enjoy tactical planning and strategic preparation.
  • You like being the party’s problem solver with utility, control, and damage spells.
  • You prefer playing a scholar, researcher, or intellectual archetype.

• Avoid Wizard if:
  • You dislike complex spell management and preparation.
  • You want a durable spellcaster with better armor and health.
  • You prefer a spontaneous spellcasting style instead of pre-prepared magic.
  • You don’t want to worry about losing a critical spellbook.