"Originally under the guidance of the Zann Esu mage clan, she was eventually handed over to the Vizjerei in the hopes that their strict and unbending discipline would break her anarchic spirit. Yet even the esteemed Vizjerei instructors were unable to rein her in. She was continually being caught seeking out dangerous and forbidden magics, heedless of the consequences to herself or anyone around her." - Abd al-Hazir
The Wizard is a rebellious caster whose skills have amazed and surpassed even the most elite mages. Originally hailing from Xiansai, the Wizard has made her way from school to school learning more and more. The Wizard mastered the elemental skills of most wizards with Hydra and Meteor spells at her disposal. Not content with these simple elemental spells, the Wizard ventured her learning into matters of the Arcane. Able to bend time and reality, the Wizard has proven her skills as a caster. Lastly, the Wizard has used her skills to conjure up swords and even a familiar to help her in her fight against the demons that now inhabit Sanctuary.
Skills
Traits
More Coming soon!
Prismatic Cloak 0/3 (An icy mist that freezes to the bone, the low hum and spark of electricity in the air...even touching a Wizard can have dire consequences.
- Increase the effects of Ice Armor and Stone Armor by 100%
Ball of Lightning 0/1 (A shocking defense will make enemies ponder the wisdom of their assault)
- Periodically shocks a nearby enemy for 1/120 lightning damage.
Lore
The Wizard is a rebellious youth, never content with the strict schooling of most mages. She has been sent from school to school, with hopes that someone will be able to help her control her prodigal skills. Unable to, the Wizard was caught learning magics that she should not have been. Challenged, the Wizard attacked one of the leaders of the Vizjerei Mages. Surviving the battle, the Wizard left the school to practive her newly acquired magical skills against those who oppose her.
"Owing to my lack of tolerance for those who would use magic towards their own nefarious ends, many have assumed that I am averse to the practice of the magical arts on a philosophical level. Nothing could be farther from the truth. My quarrel is with those sorcerers who dismiss the ancient traditions and teachings – teachings that have been honed over millennia in order to preserve respect for authority and the rule of law.
Recently the youth of Caldeum have fallen prey to the overblown stories of just such a delinquent wizard. That is correct: I used the uncouth term Wizard, not Sorcerer. It seems that even the title of a civilized magic wielder is too restrictive for this young upstart. Through my contacts at the Yshari Sanctum of the mage clans, I am one of the few who actually know the truth behind the rumors now sweeping our streets regarding this hellion who flaunts her magic irresponsibly.
This wizard was sent here to spend her formative years under the tutelage of the best mages in the world. Well, it seems they neglected to teach our wizard manners on her native island of Xiansai, for she was a rude and uncooperative student from the very beginning. Originally under the guidance of the Zann Esu mage clan, she was eventually handed over to the Vizjerei in the hopes that their strict and unbending discipline would break her anarchic spirit. Yet even the esteemed Vizjerei instructors were unable to rein her in. She was continually being caught seeking out dangerous and forbidden magics, heedless of the consequences to herself or anyone around her.
Although there is no truth to the tales that she actually ventured into the infamous Bitter Depths below the Sanctum, she was caught in the Ancient Repositories, where the most dangerous incantations are housed for the safety of the public. When confronted by the great Vizjerei mage Valthek and demanded to account for herself, she brazenly attacked him rather than face the punishment merited by her acts. Exaggerated stories of the battle are already being inflated to mythic proportions by the more rebellious of our city's youth, but suffice it to say that she did not actually best Yshari's most powerful mage in single, honorable combat. The details of the encounter remain unclear, as Valthek has yet to regain consciousness, but it has been verified by reliable sources that she relied on trickery and deceit to bring the great man low. I have also been assured that the extensive property damage was chiefly the result of Valthek's magical prowess, not the upstart wizard's. As to where she is now, no one rightly knows, for she fled the city immediately after the encounter.
It is not my goal to alarm, but I find this situation disturbing. We now have a rebellious wizard, young and inexperienced, wandering the world, dabbling in powerful magics she does not understand. Those wiser than you or I determined long ago that certain schools of magic were too dangerous and forbade their practice. It is those magics that this wizard seems determined to explore – magics centered on manipulating the primal forces from which reality is constructed. Imagine, a headstrong nineteen-year-old youth, able to warp time itself to her will! The thought is truly terrifying. It is my honest hope that this self-styled wizard chooses never to return to Caldeum" - Abd al-Hazir
Development
The Wizard was the third class to be revealed. Shown at the 2008 Blizzcon, the Wizard helped fill in the magical caster archetype. Barring many similarities to the Sorceress of Diablo II including having many of the same spells, the Wizard has moved beyond the classic elemental spells. Adding a new type of damage to the Diablo franchise, the Wizard was given power over the Arcane. Most notably, Slow Time is a skill that shows how much more tactical this class will be. Being one of the first classes developed, along with the Barbarian, the Wizard was showcased with many of her skills unlike most of the classes. In fact, very little has been changed from the original concept of the Wizard.
Perhaps the biggest change in this character was the changing of her resource from mana to Arcane Power. This change with through many iterations. The first change was planned to be a more unstable energy source. Casting spells would raise her vulnerability up both increasing spell damage but leaving her exposed to increased damage. This changed after balancing this idea became too difficult. The Wizard now uses Arcane Power which is a fast regenerating set pool of energy. However, even this is subject to change as it was commented at the 2010 Blizzcon that they may be bringing her back to the iconic Mana system.