School Based Wizards?

[Zelkon]

So, I'm thinking of splitting the wizard into school based classes for my game, like the beguiler, dread necromancer, and warmage. The problem is, that leaves 5 schools in the dark. So, I was thinking of building equivalents for each type. My ideas so far were: turning the Bard into the Enchanter, making the Conjurer a Summoner, rolling divination and abjuration into some sort of defense mage, and turning the sorcerer into a generalist. I don't have any idea what the Transmuter should specialize in. Anyone have any ideas on how to do this? Any other input?

[Grinner]

Doesn't Pathfinder kinda do that already...?

Oracle = Diviner
Alchemist = Transmuter
Summoner = Conjuror
etc


And there's a bunch of other classes (http://grandwiki.wikidot.com/) written by third party designers.

It's a good idea, especially for a magic-focused game. If you can differentiate each class mechanically, I think it'll do well.

[Zelkon]

Doesn't Pathfinder kinda do that already...?

Oracle = Diviner
Alchemist = Transmuter
Summoner = Conjuror
etc


And there's a bunch of other classes (http://grandwiki.wikidot.com/) written by third party designers.

It's a good idea, especially for a magic-focused game. If you can differentiate each class mechanically, I think it'll do well.

Oh, cool. I'm not quite satisfied with Alchemist as the transumter, but these are great places to start.

[juicycaboose]

I'm pretty sure one or more other playgrounders have made school-based wizard-type classes, I've seen them linked a few times and they seem generally well received. I would link but I'm afraid it eludes me right now :(

[Zelkon]

I'm pretty sure one or more other playgrounders have made school-based wizard-type classes, I've seen them linked a few times and they seem generally well received. I would link but I'm afraid it eludes me right now :(

Same here. The one's I can find are either incomplete or fine to pilfer but not totally what I need.

[Zaydos]

With the transmuter the way I see it there are two options, you focus on effects that change creatures' (especially your) body which has the polymorph problem (if polymorph effects are a problem to you), or you focus on ones that transmute matter. If you go with the former you probably want to make Shapechange not grant Su abilities (use the 3.0 version).

Abjuration/divination I made a specialist for (in extended sig, named Countermage) so either you've already seen it and don't like it or you can feel free to take a look since it pretty much has all I'd say on that front.

Finally note that Beguiler is probably still better at enchantment than bard. Beguiler is really an Enchanter/Illusionist rolled into one.

Sorry I don't have much to say about the Summoner.

[D-naras]

The diviner specialist should be more of skill monkey, than pure mage. You could easily justify medium BAB and a good Reflex and Will save, due to knowledge of the future. Then limit their spells to Divination only, but give them useful class features, like taking 10 X/day on a roll, automatic critical hits X/day, 4+Int or more skills per level and a good skill list. You could propably use those Luck feats mechanics from Complete Scoundrel for inspiration.

[Ninjadeadbeard]

I like the OP's suggestions for new School-based classes, but why isn't the Sorcerer the Transmuter? Morphing oneself, others and stuff in general always seemed like one of those staples of Magic in fantasy. And usually the 'Bad Mage'(tm) was the one who used it most...which is what I see a lot of players assume about Sorcerers due to their bloodlines.

Generalists are too powerful.

[Zelkon]

[QUOTE=Ninjadeadbeard;16069957

Generalists are too powerful.[/QUOTE]

Not by definition. There are many easy ways to have a balanced generalist.

[Ninjadeadbeard]

Not by definition. There are many easy ways to have a balanced generalist.

Not with the 3.5 spell list you can't. :smallwink:

[Morph Bark]

Not with the 3.5 spell list you can't. :smallwink:

You can in several ways. It's just that most ways are either "your schools are balanced against each other, but you're OP compared to other people" or "you are balanced compared to other people, but your schools aren't equal".


This same question has been asked a lot before, and here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251565) is a thread that includes a table full of classes. A handful of those I've Tiered, and I think all the ones I have from the list there are Tier 3.