I'm forseeing a schism between those that like Blood Mage and those that like Spellstorm Mage...
I'm seeing a schism between all the other wizard-guru's and me when I say go with
neither.
After reading everything through - I'm pretty much convinced -
the way to go with a Wizard is Divine Oracle. (Available through Initiate of Faith feat)
Why Divine Oracle? So many reasons:
1) Initiative: In my opinion, the importance of initiative cannot be overstated for a Battlefield Controller. I cannot express the difference in effectiveness of Battlefield controls before the enemy moves vs. after the enemy moves. The Divine Oracle cannot be surprised and always rolls initiative twice - taking the better result. This is so huge it sold me on this path
before I read all this other great stuff.
2) Manouverability: In a game where full-attacks are gone, as well as double-move attacks - manouverability will become more important than ever. Getting the extra move action to be spent
any time over the encounter when you spend an action point may not be huge - but when you end up surrounded in melee - you may change your mind.
3) To Hit: With 4e - hitting will be your #1 priority. In 3.5 we enjoyed spells that didn't grant saves or SR - now you need to roll to hit on any spell that has an enemy target. The level 16 power gives 2 rolls on any vs. will attack. There is a downside if both rolls miss (dazed for a round) - but still well worth it I expect - and Wizards get lots of nice vs. will attacks.
4) Buff: A wizard is going to get Battlefield Control and Debuff - but is weak on buff. Prophecy of Doom and Good Omens are both very nice buffs that will turn a Controller into a Controller/Leader. When I pull out my 4e to Treantmonk dictionary - Controller/Leader = God.
The only power of the Divine Oracle that doesn't rock is Hammer of Fate - but I would hardly consider it terrible - and it's the only Divine Oracle power that is based on a stat (Wis :wink) so no MAD concerns at all.
Am I missing something???
