And here is the key. It doesn't matter if other classes aren't meant to use spells, headband allow it by min-maxing. Which is OK, but it is also OK to ask for equivalent equipment for wizrds to balance things out. Also, magic missile is not that good. After all, average damage is 10.5 damage points. So at most you would have 4 in a combat. Then rest. On the other hand, rogue can have infinite backstabs. At Dexterity 18, using +1 weapon, it is easy that they have 5+1d8+1d6 damage each attack, average 13. And that is, of course, if they don't use venoms or other nasty stuff. So even if you duplicate the magic missiles, damage wise, the arcane trickster is more effective. And that is even before we take into account the "hide" cheese move. You can effectively solo the game as a rogue arcane trickster. Which granted, is the same as BG1. And there is even some boots of speed there. XD
I agree. I'm not sure why so many people in this thread are referring to magic missile, as if it's the end all be all of spellcasting.
For one, it's not even available to all casters, only arcane casters. It also becomes barely relevant after a getting past the first few levels. It's sole purpose is that it provides arcane casters a guaranteed way to finish off weak or damaged enemies.
