Most Over/Underrated Class?

[Petrocorus]

Why does it have to be evocation? What is wrong with just taking all of the interesting level 1 Abjuration spells, and the mostly-Abjuration interesting level 2 spells?

What level 2 Abjuration spell? Arcane Lock?

Going with the previous example....... but for the most part EKs are about Abjuration spells and your handful of free pick enhancement/mobility spells.

So we agree that this is a situational spell that you want to have and that you will use once in a while for the few situations it is very good for, and that most of the time you'll want to use your spell slot on something else.

Nope. Take Abjuration instead. There's plenty of good ones, more than you can actually afford to learn.

OK. Which ones?
Obviously you want Shield and Absorb Element, but then? Protection from Evil and Good?
Before level 13, those are the only relevant (for you) Abjuration spells. So at level 12 you'll have 8 spells known. 2 of any school (while there are plenty you'd want), those 3 from Abjuration and then 3 from Evocation. That probably means a quite situational Shatter and two very situational other blast spells.

After level 13, you may want Counterspell and/or maybe Dispel Magic, despite your Int probably not being that good. Notably if there are no other caster in the party.
And then? Non-detection? Protection from Energy?
Both have their merits, but the first is situational and the second is a concentration spell, and you probably want to concentrate on Haste or Fly most of the time.
You probably want Stoneskin too, but you'll get it at level 19.

So, because of this limitation, you'll end up with a portion of your few spells known filled with situational spells, while being forbidden of using the very good buffs you can find in Illusion or Transmutation.