Another note -> when your fighting higher level content and wearing 100% cool down reduction(CDR) equpment -> don't rely on weak cantrips. You need to rely on your high damaging spells mostly, with some control thrown in there in dire situations. Firestorm over and over again on creatures and similiar AOE spells that do equivelant damage is a must. The reason to be doing this is to be farming for better equipment.

At one point I was stuck thinking cantrips was the best way to go and relied on it too heavily, which hampered my ability as a wizard. There was a temporary bug that occured that was eventually fixxed for wizard cantrips. Don't fall into the same mistake I did and rely on cantrips (level 0 spells) for high level content (level 20 monsters).

Although its not listed in this list, Stoneskin is another useful spell, ahtough its been awhile since I played. Its a good idea to test out for yourself the various spells and decide what you like best.
Although I list magic missile as a control wizard spell, its actually a damage spell, its just a useful damaging spell, and generally good for most mages to have. That doesn't mean that a good control/damage wizard couldn't opt for something else with those ability points.

Also when I was glancing thru the spell descriptions for disintegrate, I noticed all versions had a DC of 30 built into the spell, so a disintigrate I although wouldn't dealing as much damage would still be quite a devestating spell. As stated above, its probably a good idea to try out various builds like an ice damaging wizard, etc.

GOOD LUCK being the best wizard you can be.

Verified that sleep II is latest change, so updated this guide. The downside of using sleep is that if any sleeping creature takes damage, the creature is awaken and rejoins the battle. Although if used if don't have 100% CDR equipment and out of other good options, then having this as a backup isn't a bad thing. Sleep can be used most effectively in solo situations and when your allies will save the sleepers till the end.

Metor Swarm is the fire damaging spell that is quite effective, although its not that group friendly. As stated below, having any allies with fire resistance will make this spell esaier to not kill them.
Its a good idea to mix damage and control spells together, with changing your options and what spells you use based on the situation.

sleep lV? only have sleep ll... If you can change that...

your 3 goto spells to stop monsters in there tracks is hold monster, confusion, and bigby's hand. if you are waiting on cool down for those 3 spells, your fall back is the sleep and stuns as you blast with your cantrip. (Note that you don't want to blast anything you sleep)

Another option is chain lightning. I wanted to list a bunch of "options" and suggestions. Obviously this guide is just to give you options and make note that using these spells helps a party to control a fight better.

Sleep is another spell that can be helpful, but the downside is that if anyone does dmg to the sleepers, they will wake up.

and thanks for the Compliment MadMarkPhx

you could definitely try both slow and charm in the build, but the reason I use stuns and holds is because I want the enemy to be "controlled" as in stopped in its tracks. slowing is more of an enchanter type of thing, and so is charming.

Another thing that I didn't include that adds alot of dmg is fire storming type of spell. Its been awhile since I played it and I forget if this is the correct name. Its not ally friendly though, so its best if you have allies helping you to get them 100% fire resistance or if your hitting hard with the spell it can end up also killing your allies.

For equipment for a mage the best thing you can get is 100% cool down equipment. the easiest way to get this is to hunt tough mobs at max level, and they will start dropping 100% CDR equipment. This will allow you to start chaining the same spell over and over like Firestorm.

Good work. Erudite yet concise. Thank You.

no slow or charm? wouldn't you be better off using ice over electric for the significant slow? as well as access to difficult terrain on ice storm? 10% stun with ok damage just doesn't seem to be good enough compared to slowing any melee off an injured party member guaranteed, it also only requires 4 points compared to 9, damage is slightly higher but that's the rogue and fighters job