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I am using the dnd insider to create my level two Wizard (Mage - enchanter) and I'm noticing that I certain abilities, feats or spells that were recommended I take in the Wizards handbook (such as the winged horde spell, freezing burst, horrid whispers, or daily powers like watery sphere!). In fact, the insider character builder doesn't even let me take the Staff of Defense option. It's not even offered to me??

Can someone please explain to me why I'm not able to select some of these powers/feats that were recommended in the handbook? Am I doing something wrong? Thanks for your help!!

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can you link to the guide you were looking at? Staff of defense is a class feature not a feat/power. rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/4531/… –  Colin D Nov 16 '12 at 15:26
are you using the "custom" option or the "create" option? looks like they've resolved your issue, but I'd definitely make sure you use teh "custom" option when creating a character. –  wax eagle Nov 16 '12 at 18:16
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up vote 3 down vote accepted

Staff of Defense is for Arcanists, not Mages.

Wizard is a general class, with a set of powers, but several possible "builds", including Mage and Arcanist. The original build of the wizard (Arcanist) gets the Implement Mastery option, which is what you use to get Staff of Defense. Mage is the Essentials build, and gets to pick from a variety of different styles (including Enchanter) instead of getting an Implement Mastery.

I think there's a feat that Mages can take at paragon tier that allows them to acquire an Implement Mastery.

TLDR: There are several "types" of wizard, and only arcanists can get Staff of Defense.

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Okay that makes sense. Is that the same reason that I can't select some of the powers such as winged horde or watery sphere? –  Bruce A Nov 16 '12 at 16:29
Usually E-classes don't get all the power options of the parent class, but this is made up for by having stronger class features. I know martial e-classes have a feat (martial Cross training) that they can use to lose a power strike and gain a parent class encounter power. –  Joshua Aslan Smith Nov 16 '12 at 17:20
@BruceA see my comment above, that's usually a consequence of choosing the "Create" or "quick" option –  wax eagle Nov 16 '12 at 18:17
@BruceA: For the powers, it may be that the designers chose not to offer certain powers because they doesn't fit the "concept" of an Enchanter or Necromancer or whatever, but the rules are very clear that as a wizard you can take any wizard power. On a side note, when was that handbook last updated? Winged Horde got nerfed a year or so ago and is no longer a top-tier choice for most wizards. –  Oblivious Sage Nov 16 '12 at 20:30
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