In Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited (DDO), which is developed by Turbine, Inc., players have the ability to choose between eleven unique classes that fill a variety of roles. Every class has its own purpose and excels in different situations, so no class should be thought of as "worthless".
The Wizard Class of Dungeons and Dragons Online
Spell characters are typically ones that fight at a long ranged with their magical abilities. These characters rely on spell points to cast their spells. Spells points can be replenished by resting at a town or inn, using a potion, or using a rest shrine. Spell characters typically lack a good strength and defense, so they do not excel at close ranged combat. One of these spell classes is the wizard.
Wizards are described by DDO as "Wizards can use a huge variety of spells and can fine tune their spell list to the task. They can assist the party, summon allies, or destroy opponents with the power of the elements."
While this is a good general description as to what the wizard can do, the curtness of it makes wizards seem less than what they are. Firstly, when DDO says that "wizards can use a variety of spells and fine tune their spell list", they mean that a wizard can use every arcane spell in the game, and then can easily switch out the spells in their spell book at an inn or at a rest shrine to meet whatever challenge the dungeon is bringing.
Wizards are highly adaptable in the variety of spells they can use. The effects of their magics do things such as summoning a beam of fire, controlling a person, summoning a monster to aid them, and even opening locks or doors (the rogue and sorcerer are the only other classes that can do this.)
Also, because of the vast amount of magics available to the wizard, a player can pick their abilities to fit whatever their preferred playing style is. Turbine, Inc. knows that players shouldn't have to conform themselves to fit a predestined playing style of magic. As if players didn't have enough choices for picking of their spells, every time a character levels up, players will also be able to pick their feats. Wizards have the distinct advantage to be able to pick from bonus metamagic feats. These are useful abilities, such as being able to raise the power of the spell or the duration of it.
The wizard, like all of the classes, does have weaknesses and should not be thought of as all-powerful. During the beginning levels, players will need to micro-manage their use of spell points, otherwise they will find themselves facing an enemy without any spells to cast. This is a quick way to bring about a wizard's death.
The game does provide some alternatives, such as using a wand (which only actives 25% of the time for a level 1 wizard) or attacking normally (but a wizard will often times miss.) The level 1 spell Master's Touch grants the wizard proficiency with simple and martial weapons for a duration of time, allowing them to defend themselves slightly without penalty.
Wizards also have low constitution and dexterity, compared to other classes, so they don't last long in a fight where they're being hit. Another alternative to throwing a spell-point lacking wizard into the fray, at least in the first level or two, is to use the spell Summon Monster I. This will summon a fairly strong companion to kill off enemies for a beginning wizard, and allows easy micro-management of spell points. A full list of spells, feats, and enhancements can be found here: http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/Class:Wizard
Basic Stat Points of a Wizard
(Please note that these stats are based on the recommended path for the class, by DDO.)
A level 1 wizard's stats are as follows:
- 10 STR (Strength is not terribly important for a wizard, but if a player wished to play a dual class, or just a wizard that fights with a weapon in general, this needs to be raised. Strength affects how powerful a weapon hit is and the chance to hit.)
- 12 DEX (Dexterity affects the armor class of a wizard and also reflex saves. This stat point is only slightly important to most wizards, as there are spells to raise a wizard's armor class.)
- 14 CON (Constitution affects fortitude saves and how many health points a character has. This skill is important if player's think they won't instantly kill creatures and they wish to live. As a note, during the first few levels it will seem to the player as if they can one hit most creatures with their spells, but this will change later on in the game.)
- 18 INT (Intelligence, by far, is the most important skill for the wizard. It affects how many spell points a wizard has, the strength of those spells, and also which spells a character can access. This stat affects how many skill points a character gets.)
- 8 WIS (Wisdom affects will saves. For a wizard, it plays no other role (unless it is with an ability they chose.))
- 8 CHA (Charisma has no effect on wizards, unless it is with an ability that the player chose.)
Is the Wizard a Good Class?
The wizard is an excellent class and should be a welcome addition in any party. They can adapt easily to different situations and shouldn't be pushed to the side. For beginning players, a wizard will be a challenge to play if both of the spells Master's Proficiency and Summon Monster I are not chosen, as they will find themselves running out of spell points. Soloing the beginning dungeons can be quite easy (or doable at least) if Summon Monster I is chosen.
Players will enjoy being able to customize the magics to their individual playing style. If they don't pick a spell they wanted during their leveling up, they will also be happy to know that wizards can inscribe scrolls. This means that they can learn spells of off scrolls.
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