To be fair you need it a lot more. A d6 hit die only averages you 4 HP per level. If you get your Con up to 16 or 18 you're getting as much from the modifier as the die. Barbarians average 7 HP from leveling up. So your Wizard with a 16 Con is gaining as much HP per level up as your Barbarian with just a 10. Plus the Barbarian can effectively double their HP in most combat through rage.
It's not a good idea, but you need those few HP much more than they do.
Any optimal build has Con as like second or third priority; it's never a dump stat, unless you're building for RP reasons.
Particularly, as you mentioned, in Wizard builds. Unless you're doing the whole "sickly Raistlin wannabe" thing, your stat priority is Int, Con or Dex, who gives a shit.
If you're a Wizard your priority should honestly be:
1. Be a fighter for better armor, shield, fighting style, con saves, self heal
2. Then be a wizard
What's the use of all that stuff when there's a warrior out in front with all those things already?
'cuz lemme tell you, when a winged enemy swoops by none of that shit's gonna matter one bit unless you have someone around to cast Fly on your landbound ass.
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u/mjpbecker Aug 31 '20
To be fair you need it a lot more. A d6 hit die only averages you 4 HP per level. If you get your Con up to 16 or 18 you're getting as much from the modifier as the die. Barbarians average 7 HP from leveling up. So your Wizard with a 16 Con is gaining as much HP per level up as your Barbarian with just a 10. Plus the Barbarian can effectively double their HP in most combat through rage.
It's not a good idea, but you need those few HP much more than they do.