“I’m genuinely starting to appreciate the mechanics of D&D. Especially...”
I think that it's awesome that you *get it* as a D&D newbie! Most newbies in my experience see the limits on spell casters as a huge negative, and think that being a big, bad fighter who can kill may things is the best way to go. You can see the bigger picture, and let me tell you, that makes the *best* party member. *I'd* love to play with you in my party, that's for sure. You are going to have so much fun!
I’m already having so much fun! I have an awesome DM and an awesome group, we’ve only had two sessions so far and I can already tell this is going to be a great campaign.
Being a big, bad fighter is cool when that’s what you want to be, we’ve got a straightforward Protection Fighter in our party and she’s the bees knees! But listening to The Adventure Zone made me want to play a flip wizard, really really bad.