Druid vs Wizard - which is the more powerful class?

[Argyle King]

When it comes to class power, most discussions I see about 3rd Edition focus on how much better casters are than non-casters. Most often, the classes touted as being the strongest are the wizard and the druid. It's not often that I've seen a comparison of the two classes against each other though. So, with that in mind, I ask which you feel is the more powerful class -3.5 wizard or 3.5 druid? Why do you feel the way you do?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Depends on what level the comparison occurs at. Druid initially and through the mid-levels, but wizard gains the overall advantage once high levels are reached.

 

[TwoSix]

Wizards have a higher ceiling at mid to high levels in a higher op game. Otherwise, I'd say druid.

 

[MJS]

* makes popcorn *

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Wizards have a lot more flexibility. Druids have stronger "fundamentals" (AC, saving throws, hit points, and so forth) giving them the edge if surprised.

A high-level wizard is difficult to surprise. With the right spells, that becomes impossible (Foresight). Contingency and Simulacrum also greatly enhance survivability. At worst, the wizard will flee, research you, and return to gank you when you least expect it. Or better yet, charm or dominate you into telling everything.

 

[Ahnehnois]

Druids by a mile. Sure, wizard spells are better, but the first goal of D&D characters is to not die, and hit points and fort saves are always useful. Also, druids have skills and modestly effective combat options when their spells run out or aren't useful, and druid pets are better than wizard pets.

Conversely, wizards are all smoke and mirrors. Your power is predicated on tricks. To be fair, they're really good tricks and you get a lot of them, but if you don't have the right spell available, you're a glorified commoner. Sure, you'll get Wish eventually, but for most of your career you'll just be wishing you had it.

 

[Dandu]

Druids by a mile. Sure, wizard spells are better, but the first goal of D&D characters is to not die, and hit points and fort saves are always useful. Also, druids have skills and modestly effective combat options when their spells run out or aren't useful, and druid pets are better than wizard pets.

Conversely, wizards are all smoke and mirrors. Your power is predicated on tricks. To be fair, they're really good tricks and you get a lot of them, but if you don't have the right spell available, you're a glorified commoner. Sure, you'll get Wish eventually, but for most of your career you'll just be wishing you had it.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Sun Tzu was what level wizard, again?

On the other hand, Clausewitz was a druid -- all that friction and "fog of war" business.

 

[Dandu]

Sun Tzu was what level wizard, again?

I don't know about Sun Tzu, but Zhuge Liang got retconned into being a great magician.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Better depends upon the circumstances.
Both prepare spells in advance.
Druid get's the better pet for combat.
Druid is better at hitting things in combat.
Wizard has more ways of breaking and reshaping the universe, but Druid can reshape large chunks of the world.
If totally surprised and unprepared for an encounter, Druid has more not-prepared-spell options.