Gamer Forge Listener Email: Playing a Wizard for the first time

Gamer Forger Listener Email:
Name: Alison

Comments: Okay I am in some serious trouble here. I recently decided to try and play a mage in my gaming group and up till now I have only ever played rogues or fighters.
I really feel like I am way over my head. I forget half the spells I have memorized for the day and I really feel like I am dragging my team down.

Please help me!!

Gamer Forge Response:
When playing as a wizard (or any kind of mage), DCR says:

1. Index cards, plastic card sleeves, binders, and dry erase markers are your new best friends. Many gaming websites have specialty cards that can be printed for free, and include all the info you will need to keep things organized. Its important to have the info separated and itemized, so it can be easily read at a moment's notice. Include things like relevant key abilities and material components, along with the number of die used to calculate area of effect, damage, and duration. Keeping them in card sleeves or a card binder makes them even more organized and when used, the dry erase markers can be used to simply cross them off your list for the day or encounter, and then easily wiped clean when refreshed.
2. Play multiple roles. Contemporary RPG books define mages as a "controller". Don't be fooled. You can do more than this. Sure, fireball hurts multiple enemies simultaneously, but what about using it to create water by melting all the ice in ice troll's cavern? Every new area you walk into, think of how each of your spells can be used on the surroundings. Slow down your enemies so the heavy hitters can do their job or make it easier for the thief to sneak in or out of something. Shoehorning your mage with a role like "controller" is just plain silly.
3. Knowledge is your best defense. Your are, in theory, a smart character. Play that way. Know when running is better than standing and fighting. You are squishy like a soft nougat. You wear little to no armor. You aren't supposed to enter the fray. No one would hold it against you for keeping your distance. "He who fights and runs away, can live to run away another day."