Linear Warriors, Quadratic Wizards - TV Tropes

Melee classes gain power at a linear rate as they level up. Magic classes gain power quadratically as they level up. A quirk some Video Game and especially Tabletop RPG game systems share is that physical-ability-based classes are more powerful, versatile or useful at lower levels than magic-using classes. However, at higher levels, the magic users have superior versatility and power over the "hack and slash" types. The divide is usually exacerbated by the ease with which a young warrior can go wading into combat compared to a novice mage. The fighter just needs decent armor and a weapon, and with their marvelous Hit Points, they can do reasonably well in the thick of things. Magical weapons aren't required but can (usually) be used immediately and give amazing bonuses. Wizards, on the other hand (especially young/low level ones), have no such easy shortcuts to massive power; they have to study, find or invent spells, and discover magic items that aren't so powerful they cause them to

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