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How many Wizards do you take currently?
I like running two (Lv4, Lv2), but since 8th Ed power dice generates from 2D6, I often get magic phases where only the one Wizard can realistically cast anything, so the other guy gets to sit on his ass being a waste of ~140 points.

What do you guys think? How do you combat terrible winds of magic rolls?

It's probably the best bet.

Plus you give the Lvl 2 a dispel scroll, so even if he is sitting around doing nothing he can come in useful once a game.

I do the same as you. The level 2 is normally there for a signature spell and as back up. But my level 2 also buffs my slann so its an added bonus.

But the low level caster usually takes dispel gear so its useful in other phases.

Thats what I do anyways. The level 2 is just a cheap back up/minor buff + extra dispel gear. The level 2 usually ends up doing the most damage when its time comes to shine.

I often end up having a lvl 4 and 2xlvl 1, but that's mainly due to the fact that my armies benefit greatly from the multiple arcane items (Bretonnians & Skavens)
Otherwise, people often spend too much points in magic by having too many wizards for no real benefit
The 2nd level on the backup wizard is often a waste, most of the time it's better to pick a lore with a great signature spell (Beasts, Fire, Metal for instance) and count on that + dispell scroll

I run a level 1 scroll caddy and a level 4 death on a peg.

The level 1 goes on fire or shadow depending on whether I run executioners or brolocks as my main unit.

And the level 4 is just downright awesome. With her 2+ ward vs magic and 3+ ward vs shooting she's pretty durable. And not to mention death is awesome.

For my TK LVL 4 Nehek+lvl2 death with hierotitan and casket.

For Empire running lvl 4 light lvl 2 beasts.

for DOC 6 wizards. 3 lvl 1 TZ, loc - TZ and 2 lvl 2 metals.

I'm currently trying a list with a lvl 4 & lvl 2 with lore of vampies (necromancers)
a lvl 2 with death (Vampire)
a lvl 2 with shadow (Vampire)

The lvl 4 is necessary as my general & the lvl 2 is backup in case of a bad miscast or lucky cannonball.

The two lvl 2s are for flexibility in spells, carrying the book of ahrkan & the staff of damnation & are vamps so they pull double duty in combat.

Lvl4 and 2 lvl2. I personally overcome poor wom rules with warpstone tokens usually have 2-3. My grey seer mainly boosts the army and two warlock engineers casting damage like scorch and warp lightning

Normally in my ogres I run a level 4 slaughtermaster with heavens or beasts (though I am thinking of trying death) and a level 2 with maw.

I will occasionally drop the level 2 to get a firebelly in there and take the maw on my slaughtermaster.

1 lvl 2 and ~3 lvl 1 shamans.

I used to run the lvl 4 and lvl 2 on my Empire but lately I've been trying a lvl 4 and lvl 1 scroll caddy. I miss the +2 to cast but it's a bit less points on a wizard that doesn't always contribute and he's usually good for drawing some dice out. I like taking either Heavens, Beasts, or Fire for him (something I go "fire council" and run the lvl 4 as fire also... but he's usually metal). I also like the extra options having another lore provides.

I never use a wizard at all. Usually play 2400 pts as WoC.

The best way to go is a Lvl4 and a Lvl1 or 2.

As you rightly point out, often, the Hero level Wizard doesn't get to cast anything, but that doesn't mean he's a waste of points. Far from it. The idea of a Lvl1 or 2 is to provide back up if your Lvl4 dies (so you're not dispelling at a -4 disadvantage), provide a supporting lore that may come in useful and carry a Dispel Scroll should your Lvl4 want another Arcane Item (such as the Book of Hoeth).

Taking multiple Hero Level Wizards is sometimes a good idea, for the spell variety (or other such niche roles, such as a Light Council or Goblin channel-spam). With my HE, I often take a Lvl1/2 on High Magic for that Lore attribute and Drain Magic (+ another potentially useful spell), and another Lvl1 on Beasts, for Wyssan's.

Occasionally, taking two lvl4s (or a Lvl4 and Lvl3) is not a bad idea either. In some VC lists, if you're not running a Vamp Lord, running a Lord Level Death Necromancer alongside the obligatory LoV General is useful for those extra, killy-awesome spells that Death Magic brings.

So, usually, a Lvl4 + a Lvl1 or 2 is the best way forward, but it's my no means the only way.

My Beasts roll with a Lvl 4 and a Lvl 2, with Lores of Shadow and... um... which one is in the BRB? Beasts or Wild? (Been a while since I've played, so I can't remember)Because I use the one from the BRB and not the gakky one from the Beastmen book.

For my VC... well, that army is still in flux as new models get added, so I can't quite pin down how many spell monkeys I'll use or what level they will be.