Wizards...what were they thinking?

[Morningbreath]

I looked at the spell lineup back in May or June of 1999 and I thought, wow this looks like alot of fun. Started a wizard right out of the box and really did everything I could to learn the class and how to use it's spells.

First thing I find out is all of the AE spells are completely useless in groups. You just did not cast them unless you felt like being an ass(and getting kicked). So from then on a majority(wizards get more AE spells than single target DDs) of my damage spells went completely untouched for the next 30-odd levels.

If I could have somehow bounced those nukes off the tank and had the mobs register that damage as coming from the tank instead my clothie caster, I would have been in hog heaven. Obviously there would have to have been a non-stacking limitiation similar to what DOTs had to keep players from having 4 wizards in every group.

So what do you do when there's no groups available as a wizard? You try to solo. With only root--no pets, no sow, not even snare. You would think a cold spell would at least have a slowing effect!

Everybody tells new wizards to get jboots. Riiiight. Jboots drop off a 34 mob and unlike twink melee gear, they aren't tradeable. If wizards are going to be so damn group-unfriendly then at least give them a self-only run speed boost in the early stages.

Anyway, playing on this server's been a blast but because it follows the original game to the letter it brings back some of the frustration I had with that dev team. It's a shame that Everquest turned into such a melee-fest that even a pure magic damage class like the wizard became obsolete in groups by the first expansion.

[Lojik]

Wizards 1-29 are very weak admittedly. They solo pretty well though 29+ and 55+ they are great for AOE groups and on raids. Traditional groups are not their forte.
I will agree with you though that many spells have 0 use for a wizard (any alkabor or rain spells plus others.) It is a bit of a shame

[Tecmos Deception]

Originally Posted by Morningbreath [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

It's a shame that Everquest turned into such a melee-fest that even a pure magic damage class like the wizard became obsolete in groups by the first expansion.

Eh. A typical grinding group is only one small part of the whole of EQ.

Wizards do just fine soloing (yeah pre-snare sucks but they are still better off than any melee is for soloing, assuming no twinking), are great in AE groups at high levels, and are awesome in raids. They've got teleports and roots and stuns and snares besides some gimmicky stuff. Their toolbox isn't overflowing like a necros or enchanters, but hating on them overall just because they don't fit too well (they aren't TERRIBLE in groups, just not good) into normal xp grinding groups is wrong.

[Estu]

FYI, find a bard to duo with and you can make good use of those PBAEs.

[Morningbreath]

Originally Posted by Tecmos Deception [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Eh. A typical grinding group is only one small part of the whole of EQ.

Wizards do just fine soloing (yeah pre-snare sucks but they are still better off than any melee is for soloing, assuming no twinking), are great in AE groups at high levels, and are awesome in raids. They've got teleports and roots and stuns and snares besides some gimmicky stuff. Their toolbox isn't overflowing like a necros or enchanters, but hating on them overall just because they don't fit too well (they aren't TERRIBLE in groups, just not good) into normal xp grinding groups is wrong.

You can't assume no twinking for a melee lol. Hell if I knew buying a lifetime supply of SOW potions would balance my class I might have looked at the whole thing differently.

Wizards should be good in normal xp grinding groups. Emergent gameplay is great but it shouldn't be a requirement to make a class functional. Quadkiting gave the developers an excuse to throw in the towel and concentrate on turning melees into gods in groups that wizards couldn't even hope to compete with.

[diplo]

play on the red server so you can put those spells to use.

[Lojik]

Originally Posted by Morningbreath [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You can't assume no twinking for a melee lol. Hell if I knew buying a lifetime supply of SOW potions would balance my class I might have looked at the whole thing differently.

Wizards should be good in normal xp grinding groups. Emergent gameplay is great but it shouldn't be a requirement to make a class functional. Quadkiting gave the developers an excuse to throw in the towel and concentrate on turning melees into gods in groups that wizards couldn't even hope to compete with.

Why should wizards be good in normal experience groups? They already excel in so many other situations. Being able to teleport is very useful, and wizards will be top DPS on most raid targets in Kunark. Once you hit 29 you'll solo better than most classes as well.

What level is your wiz? Wizards are really an example of a class that is weak early on but very powerful at high levels. Weak early on as well because you can't really twink one that well (barring a few exceptions) and melee is a lot easier to twink. On a fresh server where low level melee don't have access to high level gear, I think you'd find a wizard to be much better in an experience group. This can also be a bonus too, as wizards are not nearly as gear dependent as probably 10 or 11 of the other 13 classes (mage/necro below them maybe?)

Be patient and your days of 10,000 DPS in an aoe group will come soon enough!

[Raavak]

Root nuke until level 16... Hell you can tank & nuke almost until then with just a snake fang. At 16, if you have balls, beg for sow or buy sow potions then quad kite with pillar of fire. Once you get 29 quad'ing gets easy.

[JackFlash]

I've played a wizard since 2000. I couldn't disagree with you more. If you want to see more of your spells in action take chances, think outside the box, and get levels. Good luck!

[Morningbreath]

Originally Posted by Lojik [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Why should wizards be good in normal experience groups?

Wow.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.