Wizard
You are an eternal student of the arcane secrets of the universe, using your mastery of magic to cast powerful and devastating spells. You treat magic like a science, cross-referencing the latest texts on practical spellcraft with ancient esoteric tomes to discover and understand how magic works. Yet magical theory is vast, and there's no way you can study it all. You either specialize in one of the eight schools of magic, gaining deeper understanding of the nuances of those spells above all others, or favor a broader approach that emphasizes the way all magic comes together at the expense of depth.
Key Ability: Intelligence
At 1st level, your class gives you an ability bonus to Intelligence
Hit Points: plus your Constitution modifier
You increase your maximum number of HP by this number at 1st level and every level thereafter.
Roleplaying the Wizard
DURING COMBAT ENCOUNTERS...
You likely try to stay out of the fray, carefully judging when to use your spells. You save your most powerful magic to incapacitate threatening foes and use your cantrips when only weaker foes remain. When enemies pull out tricks like invisibility or flight, you answer with spells like glitterdust or earth bind, leveling the field for your allies.
DURING SOCIAL ENCOUNTERS...
You provide a well of knowledge about arcane matters and solve arguments with logic.
WHILE EXPLORING...
You locate magical auras and determine the arcane significance of magical writing or phenomena you uncover. When you run across an unusual obstacle to further exploration, you probably have a scroll that will make it easier to overcome.
IN DOWNTIME...
You learn new spells, craft magic items, or scribe scrolls for your party, and seek out new and exciting formulas in addition to spells. You might even forge scholarly connections and establish a school or guild of your own.
YOU MIGHT...
- Have an unquenchable intellectual curiosity about how everything in the world around you works - magic in particular.
- Believe fervently that your school of magic is superior (if you're a specialist) or that true mastery of magic requires knowledge of all schools (if you're a universalist).
- Use esoteric jargon and technical terms to precisely describe the minutiae of magical effects, even though the difference is probably lost on other people.
OTHERS PROBABLY...
- Consider you to be incredibly powerful and potentially dangerous.
- Fear what your magic can do to their minds, bodies, and souls, and ask that you avoid casting spells in polite company, as few can identify whether one of your spells is harmless or malevolent until it's too late.
- Assume you can easily solve all their problems, from dangerous weather to poor crop yields, and ask you for spells that can help them get whatever they desire.
INITIAL PROFICIENCIES
At 1st level, you gain the listed proficiency ranks in the following statistics. You are untrained in anything not listed unless you gain a better proficiency rank in some other way.
PERCEPTION
Trained in PerceptionSAVING THROWS
- Trained in Fortitude
- Trained in Reflex
- Expert in Will
SKILLS
- Trained in Arcana
- Trained in a number of additional skills equal to 2 plus your Intelligence modifier
ATTACKS
- Trained in the club, crossbow, dagger, heavy crossbow, and staff
- Trained in unarmed attacks
DEFENSES
- Untrained in all armor
- Trained in unarmored defense
SPELLS
- Trained in arcane spell attacks
- Trained in arcane spell DCs
CLASS FEATURES
You gain these features as an . Abilities gained at higher levels list the levels at which you gain them next to the features' names.
Ancestry and Backgrounds
In addition to the abilities provided by your class at 1st level, you have the benefits of your selected ancestry and background, as described here.
Initial Proficiencies
At 1st level, you gain a number of proficiencies that represent your basic training. These proficiencies are noted at the start of this class.
You'll see the following term in many wizard class features.
Metamagic: These actions tweak your spells. You must use a metamagic action directly before Casting the Spell you want to alter. If you use any action (including free actions and reactions) other than Cast a Spell directly after, you waste the benefits of the metamagic action. Effects added by a metamagic action are part of the spell's effect, not of the metamagic action.
Arcane School
Many arcane spellcasters delve deeply into a single school of magic in an attempt to master its secrets. If you want to be a specialist wizard, choose a school in which to specialize. You gain additional spells and spell slots for spells of your school.
If you don’t choose a school, you’re a universalist, a wizard who believes that the path to true knowledge of magic requires a multidisciplinary understanding of all eight schools working together. Though a universalist lacks the focus of a specialist wizard, they have greater fiexibility.
Arcane schools can be found here
Arcane Spellcasting
Through dedicated study and practice, you can harness arcane power to cast spells. You can cast arcane spells using the Cast a Spell activity, and you can supply material, somatic, and verbal components when casting spells (see Casting Spells).
At 1st level, you can prepare up to two 1st-level spells and five cantrips each morning from the spells in your spellbook (see below), plus one extra cantrip and spell of your chosen school of each level you can cast if you are a specialist wizard. Prepared spells remain available to you until you cast them or until you prepare your spells again. The number of spells you can prepare is called your spell slots.
As you increase in level as a wizard, your number of spell slots and the highest level of spells you can cast from spell slots increase, shown in Table 3–19: Wizard Spells per Day.
Some of your spells require you to attempt a spell attack roll to see how effective they are, or have your enemies roll against your spell DC (typically by attempting a saving throw). Since your key ability is Intelligence, your spell attack rolls and spell DCs use your Intelligence modifier. Details on calculating these statistics appear in Spell Attack Rolls.
Heightening Spells
When you get spell slots of 2nd level and higher, you can fill those slots with stronger versions of lower-level spells. This increases the spell's level to match the spell slot. You must have a spell in your spell repertoire at the level you want to cast in order to heighten it to that level. Many spells have specific improvements when they are heightened to certain levels. The signature spells class feature lets you heighten certain spells freely.
Cantrips
A cantrip is a special type of spell that doesn't use spell slots. You can cast a cantrip at will, any number of times per day. A cantrip is always automatically heightened to half your level rounded up—this is usually equal to the highest level of spell you can cast as a sorcerer. For example, as a 1st-level sorcerer, your cantrips are 1st-level spells, and as a 5th-level sorcerer, your cantrips are 3rd-level spells.
Spellbook
Every arcane spell has a written version, usually recorded in a spellbook. You start with a spellbook worth 10 sp or less, which you receive for free and must study to prepare your spells each day. The spellbook contains your choice of 10 arcane cantrips and five 1st-level arcane spells. You choose these from the common spells on the arcane spell list from this book or from other arcane spells you gain access to. Your spellbook's form and name are up to you. It might be a musty, leather-bound tome or an assortment of thin metal disks connected to a brass ring; its name might be esoteric, like The Crimson Libram, or something more academic, like A Field Study in Practical Transmutation.
Each time you gain a level, you add two more arcane spells to your spellbook, of any level of spell you can cast. You can also use the Arcana skill to add other spells that you find in your adventures (See Learn a Spell).
Arcane Thesis
During your studies to become a full-fledged wizard, you produced a thesis of unique magical research on one of a variety of topics. You gain a special benefit depending on the topic of your thesis research. The arcane thesis topics presented in this book are below; your specific thesis probably has a much longer and more technical title like “On the Methods of Spell Interpolation and the Genesis of a New Understanding of the Building Blocks of Magic.”
Arcane thesis can be found here.
Arcane Bond
You place some of your magical power in a bonded item. Each day when you prepare your spells, you can designate a single item you own as your bonded item. This is typically an item associated with spellcasting, such as a wand, ring, or staff, but you are free to designate a weapon or other item. You gain the Drain Bonded Item free action.
Drain Bonded Item
Arcane Wizard
Frequency once per day
You expend the power stored in your bonded item. During your turn, you gain the ability to cast one spell you prepared today and already cast, without spending a spell slot. You must still Cast The Spell and meet the spell's other requirements.
Source Core Rulebook pg. 205
Skill FeatsLevel 2
At 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter, you gain a skill feat. You must be trained or better in the corresponding skill to select a skill feat.
Wizard FeatsLevel 2
At 2nd level and every 2 levels thereafter, you gain a wizard class feat.
Skill IncreasesLevel 3
At 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter, you gain a skill increase. You can use this either to increase your proficiency rank to trained in one skill you're untrained in, or to increase your proficiency rank in one skill in which you're already trained to expert.
At 7th level, you can use skill increases to increase your proficiency rank to master in a skill in which you're already an expert, and at 15th level, you can use them to increase your proficiency rank to legendary in a skill in which you're already a master.
General FeatsLevel 3
At 3rd level and every 4 levels thereafter, you gain a general feat.
Ability BoostsLevel 5
At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter, you boost four different ability scores. You can use these ability boosts to increase your ability scores above 18. Boosting an ability score increases it by 1 if it's already 18 or above, or by 2 if it starts out below 18.
Ancestry FeatsLevel 5
At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter, you boost four different ability scores. You can use these ability boosts to increase your ability scores above 18. Boosting an ability score increases it by 1 if it's already 18 or above, or by 2 if it starts out below 18.
Magical FortitudeLevel 5
Magical power has improved your body’s resiliency. Your proficiency rank for Fortitude saves increases to expert.
Expert SpellcasterLevel 7
Extended practice of the arcane has improved your capabilities. Your proficiency ranks for arcane spell attack rolls andspell DCs increase to expert.
Lightning ReflexesLevel 9
Your reflexes are lightning fast, helping you avoid danger. Your proficiency rank for Reflex saves increases to expert.
AlertnessLevel 11
You remain alert to threats around you. Your proficiency rank for Perception increases to expert.
Weapon ExpertiseLevel 11
Through a combination of magic and training, you’ve learned how to wield wizard weapons more effectively. You gain expert proficiency in the club, crossbow, dagger, heavy crossbow, staff, and unarmed attacks.
Defensive RobesLevel 13
The flow of magic through your spellcasting and your defensive training combine to help you get out of the way before an attack. Your proficiency rank in unarmored defense increases to expert.
Weapon SpecializationLevel 13
You’ve learned how to inflict greater injuries with the weapons you know best. You deal an additional 2 damage with weapons and unarmed attacks in which you are an expert. This damage increases to 3 if you’re a master, and 4 if you’relegendary.
Master SpellcasterLevel 15
You command superlative spellcasting ability. Your proficiency ranks for arcane spell attack rolls and spell DCs increase to master.
ResolveLevel 17
You’ve steeled your mind with resolve. Your proficiency rank for Will saves increases to master. When you roll a successat a Will save, you get a critical success instead.
Legendary SpellcasterLevel 19
You are a consummate spellcaster, with a comprehensive understanding of both arcane theory and practical spellcraft.Your proficiency ranks for arcane spell attack rolls and spell DCs increase to legendary.
Archwizard’s SpellcraftLevel 19
You command the most potent arcane magic and can cast a spell of truly incredible power. You gain a single 10th-level spell slot and can prepare a spell in that slot using arcane spellcasting. Unlike with other spell slots, you don’t gain more 10th-level spells as you level up, though you can take the Archwizard’s Might feat to gain a second slot.
ARCANE SCHOOLS
If you specialize in an arcane school, rather than studying each school equally (as universalists do), you gain an extra spell slot for each level of spell you can cast. You can prepare only spells of your chosen arcane school in these extra slots. In addition, you can prepare an extra cantrip of your chosen school. You also add another arcane spell of your chosen school to your spellbook.
You learn a school spell, a special type of spell taught to students of your arcane school. School spells are a type of focus spell. It costs 1 Focus Point to cast a focus spell, and you start with a focus pool of 1 Focus Point. You refill your focus pool during your daily preparations, and you can regain 1 Focus Point by spending 10 minutes using the Refocus activity to study your spellbook or perform arcane research.
Focus spells are automatically heightened to half your level rounded up. Focus spells don’t require spell slots, nor can you cast them using spell slots. Certain feats can give you more focus spells and increase the size of your focus pool, though your focus pool can never hold more than 3 Focus Points. The full rules for focus spells appear here.
ABJURATION
As an abjurer, you master the art of protection, strengthening defenses, preventing attacks, and even turning magic against itself. You understand that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You add one 1st-level abjuration spell (such as feather fall) to your spellbook. You learn the protective ward school spell.
CONJURATION
As a conjurer, you summon creatures and objects from places beyond, and use magic to transport to distant locales. You understand that the true key to victory is strength in numbers. You add one 1st-level conjuration spell (such as summon animal) to your spellbook. You learn the augment summoning school spell.
DIVINATION
As a diviner, you master remote viewing and prescience, learning information that can transform investigations, research, and battle strategies. You understand that knowledge is power. You add one 1st-level divination spell (such as true strike) to your spellbook. You learn the diviner’s sight school spell.
ENCHANTMENT
As an enchanter, you use magic to manipulate others’ minds. You might use your abilities to subtly influence others or seize control over them. You understand that the mind surpasses matter. You add one 1st-level enchantment spell (such as charm) to your spellbook. You learn the charming words school spell.
EVOCATION
As an evoker, you revel in the raw power of magic, using it to create and destroy with ease. You can call forth elements, forces, and energy to devastate your foes or to assist you in other ways. You understand that the most direct approach is the most elegant. You add one 1st-level evocation spell (such as shocking grasp) to your spellbook. You learn the force bolt school spell.
ILLUSION
As an illusionist, you use magic to create images, figments, and phantasms to baffle your enemies. You understand that perception is reality. You add one 1st-level illusion spell (such as illusory object) to your spellbook. You learn the warped terrain school spell.
NECROMANCY
As a necromancer, you call upon the powers of life and death. While your school is often vilified for its association with raising the undead, you understand that control over life also means control over healing. You add one 1st-level necromancy spell (such as grim tendrils) to your spellbook. You learn the call of the grave school spell.
TRANSMUTATION
As a transmuter, you alter the physical properties of things, transforming creatures, objects, the natural world, and even yourself at your whim. You understand that change is inevitable. You add one 1st-level transmutation spell (such as magic weapon) to your spellbook. You learn the physical boost school spell.
UNIVERSALIST
Instead of specializing narrowly in an arcane school, you can become a universalist wizard—by studying all the schools equally, you devote yourself to understanding the full breadth of the arcane arts. For each level of spell you can cast, you can use Drain Bonded item once per day to recall a spell of that level (instead of using it only once per day in total). You gain an extra wizard class feat, and you add one 1st-level spell of your choice to your spellbook.
ARCANE THESIS
During your studies to become a full-fledged wizard, you produced a thesis of unique magical research on one of a variety of topics. You gain a special benefit depending on the topic of your thesis research. The arcane thesis topics presented in this book are below; your specific thesis probably has a much longer and more technical title like “On the Methods of Spell Interpolation and the Genesis of a New Understanding of the Building Blocks of Magic.”
Improved Familiar Attunement
You've long held that fine-tuning the magic that bonds wizard and familiar can improve the mystic connection, compared to the safe yet generic bond most wizards currently use. You've formed such a pact with your familiar, gaining more advantages from it than most wizards. You gain the Familiar wizard feat as a bonus feat. Your familiar gains an extra ability, and it gains an additional extra ability when you reach 6th, 12th, and 18th levels. Your connection with your familiar alters your Arcane Bond class feature so that you store your magical energy in your familiar, rather than an item you own; you also gain the Drain Familiar free action instead of Drain Bonded Item. Drain Familiar can be used any time an ability would allow you to use Drain Bonded Item and functions identically, except that you draw magic from your familiar instead of an item.
Source: Core Rulebook pg. 205 1.1
Metamagical Experimentation
You've realized that the practice known as metamagic is a holdover from a time long ago, when wizards had to work out their own spells and variations rather than rely on spells recorded by others and passed down over the years. This allows you efficient access to various metamagic effects. You gain a 1st-level metamagic wizard feat as a bonus feat. Starting at 4th level, during your daily preparations, you can gain a metamagic wizard feat of your choice that has a level requirement of no more than half your level, which you can use until your next daily preparations.
Source: Core Rulebook pg. 205 1.1
Spell Blending
You theorize that spell slots are a shorthand for an underlying energy that powers all spellcasting, and you've found a way to tinker with the hierarchy of spell slots, combining them to fuel more powerful spells. When you make your daily preparations, you can trade two spell slots of the same level for a bonus spell slot of up to 2 levels higher than the traded spell slots. You can exchange as many spell slots as you have available. Bonus spell slots must be of a level you can normally cast, and each bonus spell slot must be of a different spell level. You can also trade any spell slot for two additional cantrips, though you cannot trade more than one spell slot at a time for additional cantrips in this way.
Source: Core Rulebook pg. 206 1.1
Spell Substitution
You don't accept the fact that once spells are prepared, they can't be changed until your next daily preparation, and you have uncovered a shortcut allowing you to substitute new spells for those you originally prepared. You can spend 10 minutes to empty one of your prepared spell slots and prepare a different spell from your spellbook in its place. If you are interrupted during such a swap, the original spell remains prepared and can still be cast. You can try again to swap out the spell later, but you must start the process over again.
Source: Core Rulebook pg. 206 1.1
Staff Nexus
Your thesis maintains that early and intense adoption of staves from the first days of study can create a symbiotic bond between spellcaster and staff, allowing them to create remarkable magic together. You've formed such a connection with a makeshift staff you built, and you are ready to infuse any staff you encounter with greater power.
You begin play with a makeshift staff of your own invention. It contains one cantrip and one 1st-level spell, both from your spellbook, but it gains no charges normally during your preparations; you must expend a spell slot to grant it charges in the same way you would add additional charges to a normal staff. You can Craft your makeshift staff into any other type of staff for the new staff's usual cost, adding the two spells you originally chose to the staff you Craft.
At 8th level, you can expend two spells instead of one when preparing your staff, adding additional charges equal to the combined levels of the expended spells. At 16th level, you can expend up to a total of three spells to add charges to the staff, adding additional charges equal to the combined levels of all three spells.
Source: Advanced Player's Guide pg. 142
Every level at which you gain a feat, select one of the following feats. You must satisfy any prerequisites before taking the feat.
| Name | Level | Benefit | ||
| Augment Summoning | 1 | — | ||
| Call of the Grave | 1 | — | ||
| Charming Words | 1 | — | ||
| Diviner's Sight | 1 | — | ||
| Force Bolt | 1 | — | ||
| Hand of the Apprentice | 1 | — | ||
| Physical Boost | 1 | — | ||
| Protective Ward | 1 | — | ||
| Warped Terrain | 1 | — | ||
| Dimensional Steps | 4 | — | ||
| Dread Aura | 4 | — | ||
| Elemental Tempest | 4 | — | ||
| Energy Absorption | 4 | — | ||
| Invisibility Cloak | 4 | — | ||
| Life Siphon | 4 | — | ||
| Shifting Form | 4 | — | ||
| Vigilant Eye | 4 | — |