How to Play Wizard in Dungeons and Dragons

., Choose the right stats., Prepare your Spells Carefully: Wizards are highly limited in their volume of spells compared to all other classes., Expand your Spellbook: Unlike sorcerers, wizards can know an unlimited number of spells, as long as they...

11 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Choose the right stats.

    Choose a race with an Intelligence bonus.

    In
    3.5, elves and humans take control while eladrins are more useful in 4e.

    A high intelligence score is compulsory for a wizard because that ability governs his spell casting.
  2. Step 2: Prepare your Spells Carefully: Wizards are highly limited in their volume of spells compared to all other classes.

    Intelligence ranks first for a wizard, then Dexterity/Constitution, then Wisdom, then Strength and lastly Charisma. , Choose the spells you think you will need most.

    For example, if you are going to raid a goblin's fortress, preparing a magic missile is probably a better idea than comprehend languages, unless you plan on interrogating the evil goblin chieftain, who only speaks Goblin. , If the Arch-Mage of Bellfield, or whoever, is in town, you might ask him/her to allow you to copy some spells from their spellbook.

    They might charge you a fee, but most wizards, especially those of a higher level than you, will be happy to allow you to. , If you're going against just one opponent, fireball isn't the best spell.

    Sometimes you might just not cast a spell at all.

    Having a crossbow to assist your companions is a great way to refrain from spell casting while still feeling as though you are in the game. , Without expending a spell slot, you can cast any spell on the scroll as long as it is of a level you can cast.

    Even if the scroll is above the highest level you can cast on your own you still may be able to use it.

    You must make a caster level check with a Difficulty Class (DC) of the scroll's caster level +1.

    This helps conserve spell slots, and they're pretty cheap. , For one, their near unlimited selection of spells means that almost no magic item is out of reach of the high-level wizard to craft.

    And even low-level wizards can craft magic items.

    Wizards get Scribe Scroll as an automatic feat at first level. , So have a quarterstaff, a dagger and maybe a crossbow with you.

    These items can also be use out of combat.

    How can you cut ropes without daggers, or measure water without a quarterstaff? ,
  3. Step 3: Expand your Spellbook: Unlike sorcerers

  4. Step 4: wizards can know an unlimited number of spells

  5. Step 5: as long as they have enough spellbooks.

  6. Step 6: Cast Spells Cautiously: The wizard who casts spells at every opportunity is the wizard who dies first.

  7. Step 7: Use Scrolls Liberally: Scrolls are probably the best items in the game for wizards except for staffs.

  8. Step 8: Craft Magic Items: One advantage wizards have over sorcerers is that they are much better suited to crafting magic items.

  9. Step 9: Have Mundane Items: If you are out of spells

  10. Step 10: you will need to fight with hands.

  11. Step 11: Finished.

Detailed Guide

Choose a race with an Intelligence bonus.

In
3.5, elves and humans take control while eladrins are more useful in 4e.

A high intelligence score is compulsory for a wizard because that ability governs his spell casting.

Intelligence ranks first for a wizard, then Dexterity/Constitution, then Wisdom, then Strength and lastly Charisma. , Choose the spells you think you will need most.

For example, if you are going to raid a goblin's fortress, preparing a magic missile is probably a better idea than comprehend languages, unless you plan on interrogating the evil goblin chieftain, who only speaks Goblin. , If the Arch-Mage of Bellfield, or whoever, is in town, you might ask him/her to allow you to copy some spells from their spellbook.

They might charge you a fee, but most wizards, especially those of a higher level than you, will be happy to allow you to. , If you're going against just one opponent, fireball isn't the best spell.

Sometimes you might just not cast a spell at all.

Having a crossbow to assist your companions is a great way to refrain from spell casting while still feeling as though you are in the game. , Without expending a spell slot, you can cast any spell on the scroll as long as it is of a level you can cast.

Even if the scroll is above the highest level you can cast on your own you still may be able to use it.

You must make a caster level check with a Difficulty Class (DC) of the scroll's caster level +1.

This helps conserve spell slots, and they're pretty cheap. , For one, their near unlimited selection of spells means that almost no magic item is out of reach of the high-level wizard to craft.

And even low-level wizards can craft magic items.

Wizards get Scribe Scroll as an automatic feat at first level. , So have a quarterstaff, a dagger and maybe a crossbow with you.

These items can also be use out of combat.

How can you cut ropes without daggers, or measure water without a quarterstaff? ,

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