PDA

View Full Version : [3.5] Generalist Wizardry Houserule



Chrizzt
2010-08-01, 06:26 PM
Hello Folks!

I'm thinking of talking my DM into allowing the Generalist Wizardry ability from Races of the Wild, which is usually an Elven Wizard Substitution Level, for Humans too.

I'd like to play a generalist wizard [without giving up anyone school, not even evocation], but I definitely want to play a Human generalist wizard. Do you think it would be in any way an unbalancing houserule to allow Humans take this substitution level?

I don't like the fluff of playing elves, but this substitution level seems the only (really) viable way to play a generalist [and get something even remotely acceptable, compared to the many ways to make really powerful specialists and their many abilities].

Another option would be a Domain Wizard and create a very diverse Domain with not too powerful, but useful utility spells, but even then they seem a little bit too powerful, considering that they do not loose out anything. The more elegant solution simply seems to be to allow this Sub for Humans too.

Thank you for your counsel.

Prodan
2010-08-01, 06:27 PM
Generalists are already viable. Tier 1 class and everything.

If you want to specialize and not lost two schools, be a diviner.

Chrizzt
2010-08-01, 06:35 PM
Perhaps an addition:
Are there any reasons (from crunch view) why the authors of Races of the Wild have chosen elves as recipients of Generalist Wizardry? Is this substitution level necessary to balance out the Con loss or the like? [From fluff point of view, in my opinion, Humans seem similarily fit for it, as they are thought of being highly adaptable]

Boci
2010-08-01, 06:39 PM
Perhaps an addition:
Are there any reasons (from crunch view) why the authors of Races of the Wild have chosen elves as recipients of Generalist Wizardry? Is this substitution level necessary to balance out the Con loss or the like? [From fluff point of view, in my opinion, Humans seem similarily fit for it, as they are thought of being highly adaptable]

Elves have a tradition of being adept with magic in literature, but in D&D there was no reason to choose them (exept gray elf).

Yuki Akuma
2010-08-01, 06:44 PM
Perhaps an addition:
Are there any reasons (from crunch view) why the authors of Races of the Wild have chosen elves as recipients of Generalist Wizardry? Is this substitution level necessary to balance out the Con loss or the like? [From fluff point of view, in my opinion, Humans seem similarily fit for it, as they are thought of being highly adaptable]

Races always have a racial substitution class for their favoured class. The favoured class of elves is Wizard. But elves generally don't favour any particular kind of wizardry (unlike Gnomes, say). Therefore...

A Human Wizard class would likely focus on their adaptability, rather than their innate talent for magic (as the Elf Wizard class does). Some sort of minor spontaneous casting, similar to the Signature Spell feat, perhaps.

gorfnab
2010-08-02, 12:25 AM
With the right feats and build (see spoiler) an Elf Generalist wizard can potentially be self sufficient and also really not have to pay for learning new spells because of the abundance of spells known they get per level.

Elf Generalist Wizard info that I posted on a different board:

Easy Bake No "Worries" Wizard

Elf, preferably Gray

Elf Wizard Racial Sub - Races of the Wild
Eidetic Spellcaster ACF - Dragon Magazine #357
Spontaneous Divination ACF - Complete Champion
Collegiate Wizard feat - Complete Arcane

1st Level - 7+ Int mod 1st level spells known, all cantrips, spontaneous divinations, 1 extra spell per day of highest level *(see below)
No Familiar, No Scribe Scroll, No Spellbook

If flaws are available (for a first or low level one shot)
Precocious Apprentice: Melf's Acid Arrow, Ice Knife, or Combust - Complete Arcane
Acidic Splatter, Winter's Blast, or Fiery Burst - Complete Mage

Or for longer campaigns
Sacred Vow + Vow of Poverty - Book of Exalted Deeds - depending on the campaign, this may work

*Note: Every level after 1st that advances wizard spellcasting gets you 5 spells known for free instead of the usual 2

Edit: If you're playing in Eberron, the feat Aerenal Arcanist (Player's Guide to Eberron) will net you an additional spell known per level netting you 8+Int spells at 1st level and 6 additional spells known every level after that.

Kylarra
2010-08-02, 12:34 AM
Not quite as flexible as the generalist, but you may try to get Domain Wizard (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wizardVariantDomainWiz ard) approved.

Chrizzt
2010-08-02, 06:36 AM
@All: Thanks everyone for your kind replies! I have read everything carefully and will give thought about everything.

@Prodan: Right, they are Tier 1. I had a comparison of a Generalist to Specialists in Mind. In D&D, you can drop one or two schools without really wasting potential, as Illusion nearly copies Evocation, and Enchantment basically does the same as Illusion. The Reason why I want to be Generalist is not the crunch power alone, but the possibility of a real old school wizard, who can learn every wizard spell he encounters. Think of a wizard who is hundreds of years old, who is high level, but can not cast a frickin' magic missile because this low level spell is of his banned school(s).

Oh, and concerning Diviner, as I said:
I'd like to play a generalist wizard [without giving up anyone school, not even evocation]

But perhaps I am simply thinking too much in ways of optimizing. Maybe this Tier 1 thing should be enough.. but still.. ; )

@Kylarra:

Another option would be a Domain Wizard and create a very diverse Domain with not too powerful, but useful utility spells, but even then they seem a little bit too powerful, considering that they do not loose out anything. The more elegant solution simply seems to be to allow this Sub for Humans too.
Well, as I said, i have already thought about Domain wizard. The standard domains are certainly powerful, but not what I had in mind. The Domain should be quite diverse, perhaps a home brew "Archetypical wizard" Domain, with Fireball, Teleport, Magic Missile.

All Kinds of stuff a stereotype pointy-hat-wizard usually can do (including sub-optimal blasting stuff for style and fun), but I'm not sure yet which spells to pick in such a case.

Kylarra
2010-08-02, 12:04 PM
Dur I can totally read. My bad.:smallredface:

Lapak
2010-08-02, 12:09 PM
But perhaps I am simply thinking too much in ways of optimizing. Maybe this Tier 1 thing should be enough.. but still.. ; )My honest opinion is 'probably this.' I don't think giving the Generalist to humans would make Generalist any more or less unbalanced, really, but when it comes down to it a plain old non-specialized Wizard is plenty powerful enough without further augmentation. They're plenty viable and acceptable as they stand.

Andion Isurand
2010-08-02, 05:11 PM
I would use the Domain Wizard variant from UA instead, since all generalist wizards of all races can use it.

Analytica
2010-08-02, 05:29 PM
There is a feat chain in Lost Empires of Faerun that gives you back a prohibited school.

PId6
2010-08-02, 11:08 PM
I doubt it would be more unbalancing than wizards already are, since specialists are better than generalists anyway, elven or not. Gray elves and humans are about even for wizards as far as races go too (depending on build). If someone wanted this as part of their character concept, I'd allow it.

ericgrau
2010-08-02, 11:12 PM
@Prodan: Right, they are Tier 1. I had a comparison of a Generalist to Specialists in Mind. In D&D, you can drop one or two schools without really wasting potential, as Illusion nearly copies Evocation, and Enchantment basically does the same as Illusion. The Reason why I want to be Generalist is not the crunch power alone, but the possibility of a real old school wizard, who can learn every wizard spell he encounters. Think of a wizard who is hundreds of years old, who is high level, but can not cast a frickin' magic missile because this low level spell is of his banned school(s).

Shadow evocation has lousy damage and destroys the main advantages of the crowd control evocation spells. The real issue is when you add new books with so many spell options that you're bound to find a spell in another school to replace any spell in a banned school, eliminating any drawback of specialization. The natural solution is then to use one of those books to give some kind of bonus to the generalist. If you can't, then yes it is a fair house rule to allow it anyway.

Chrizzt
2010-08-05, 07:43 AM
Thank you all for your kind help. I will think about all your replies, and have a talk with my DM about the whole matter.