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View Full Version : D&D 5e/Next Muscle Wizard Casts Fist - Wizard School



Oramac
2021-08-26, 04:02 AM
I'll admit, this is just something I wrote for fun. Still, it seemed right to share it and get feedback.

I present the School of the Fist (with a new spell as well!)

https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-LopXZSGbRMFSTJdHsrJ

## School of the Fist

You focus your study of magic on those rare areas that fuse physical might with magical prowess. These rare wizards focus on spells that damage their enemies at close range, and are often found in the thick of battle with armies, working as bouncers or enforcers, and even making their way in the world as adventurers.

### Close Quarters Savant

Beginning when you select this school at 2nd level, the gold and time you must spend to copy a spell with a range of 5 feet, self, or touch into your spellbook is halved.

### Strength of Mind

When you take this school at 2nd level, you may choose to use strength as your spellcasting ability instead of intelligence.

While not wearing armor or using a shield you may add your strength modifier to your armor class. and and each time you gain a level in this class, you gain 1 additional hit point.

Additionally, you are proficient with unarmed attacks, and your damage die for unarmed attacks is a d6.

### Fist of Fury

Beginning at 6th level, your expertise with unarmed strikes increases. When you use your action to cast *fist*, you may make an unarmed strike against the same target as a bonus action.

### Furious Casting

At 10th level, your ability to weave your spells close to your opponents peaks. You no longer suffer disadvantage on attack rolls while within 5 feet of an enemy creature, and when you cast a spell of 1st level or higher while within 5 feet of an enemy creature, you gain temporary hit points equal to twice the level of the spell cast.

Additionally, after casting the spell, you do not trigger opportunity attacks for the rest of your turn.

### Strengthened Spells

At 14th level, your damaging spells carry your own strength with them. When you deal damage with any spell, you may add your strength modifier to the damage dealt.


### New Spell

#### Fist

*Evocation Cantrip*

Casting Time: 1 Action

Range: 5 feet

Components: V, S

Duration: Instantaneous

You briefly wrap your fists in powerful magic. As part of the action used to cast this spell, you must make an unarmed melee attack against one creature within the spell’s range, otherwise the spell fails. On a hit, the target suffers 1d8 bludgeoning damage.

This spell’s damage increases by 1d8 when you reach 5th level (2d8), 11th level (3d8), and 17th level (4d8).

paddyfool
2021-08-26, 10:19 AM
Are you by any chance inspired by Grimalkin from The Wandering Inn or Alex Armstrong from Full Metal Alchemist?

JNAProductions
2021-08-26, 10:43 AM
Close Quarters Savant
Neat.

Strength Of The Mind
This isn't inherently problematic.
It is, however, an ENORMOUS problem with the magic items in the game. You can get 29 in Strength with a Belt Of Storm Giant Strength, and can even hit 30 with the Hammer Of Thunderbolts and Gauntlets plus the belt.

Actually, on second thought, the ability to boost your AC, casting stat, and attack stat all in one might be too much.

Fist Of Fury
Seems fine.

Furious Casting
Avoiding AoOs seems out of place. The rest looks fine.

Strengthened Spells
Looks fine.

Fist Cantrip
Model it after the Blade Cantrips. As written right now, Bugbears can't benefit from their natural reach when using it, and they should probably be able to. Same with Enlarged Wizards.

Overall
It's simple, it's effective, and barring magic items, it's fine. The issue is magic items-the DM would have to avoid ever dropping or letting the PCs acquire a serious Belt Of Giant Strength, since that'd launch this into OP with the quickness.

Kane0
2021-08-26, 06:41 PM
Close Quarters Savant
The issue is magic items-the DM would have to avoid ever dropping or letting the PCs acquire a serious Belt Of Giant Strength, since that'd launch this into OP with the quickness.

If it were a pro-wrestling style belt that everyone recognises and wants to challenge the wizard for I could see it working. Which is the kind of levity this subclass seems to be going for.

Oramac
2021-08-27, 12:27 AM
Are you by any chance inspired by Grimalkin from The Wandering Inn or Alex Armstrong from Full Metal Alchemist?

Honestly, I have no idea what that all is. Sorry. This is based on a T-Shirt that Travis Willingham wore during an episode of Critical Role (and that I subsequently bought for myself).


Strength Of The Mind
This isn't inherently problematic.
It is, however, an ENORMOUS problem with the magic items in the game. You can get 29 in Strength with a Belt Of Storm Giant Strength, and can even hit 30 with the Hammer Of Thunderbolts and Gauntlets plus the belt.

Actually, on second thought, the ability to boost your AC, casting stat, and attack stat all in one might be too much.

I totally forgot about magic items. Good call.

As for the rest, I was thinking it might be a bit much. But OTOH, how do you make a wizard that doesn't completely suck ass in melee? (I'm looking at the Bladesinger not getting Int attacks here). I guess I could change it back to Int casting and attacks, but that feels like it defeats the purpose of being a MUSCLE wizard.


Furious Casting
Avoiding AoOs seems out of place. The rest looks fine.

That's fair.


Fist Cantrip
Model it after the Blade Cantrips. As written right now, Bugbears can't benefit from their natural reach when using it, and they should probably be able to. Same with Enlarged Wizards.

Believe it or not, it's modeled on Booming Blade. I just copy/pasted the wording and changed it to specify unarmed attacks. I'm afraid I don't follow you here. The Bugbear feature states "When you make a melee attack on your turn, your reach for it is 5 feet greater than normal". The Fist spell says "...you must make an unarmed melee attack against one creature within the spell’s range...". Both call out making a melee attack, and neither specifies it need be a weapon attack.

Can you clarify your concern on this one?


Overall
It's simple, it's effective, and barring magic items, it's fine. The issue is magic items-the DM would have to avoid ever dropping or letting the PCs acquire a serious Belt Of Giant Strength, since that'd launch this into OP with the quickness.

A valid concern.


Which is the kind of levity this subclass seems to be going for.

Absolutely. This was something I wrote as a semi-joke. It was fun, but I don't expect to ever use it in actual play.

paddyfool
2021-08-27, 01:35 AM
Honestly, I have no idea what that all is. Sorry. This is based on a T-Shirt that Travis Willingham wore during an episode of Critical Role (and that I subsequently bought for myself).

Fair enough.

Grimalkin the Fist Mage (https://thewanderinginn.fandom.com/wiki/Grimalkin) is a muscle bound Mage and bodybuilder who crops up from book 6 onwards of a very long ongoing webfiction. He specialises in body enchantment spells and has also found that greater physical strength leads to greater mana reserves (for him, at least). In combat, he's known to use magic to punch things really hard. Quote from his first appearance: "You call yourself proper apprentices? I’ve had bowel movements faster than you! Pump those legs! Do you want to be [Mages] or not!?”

Alex Armstrong is a fairly ludicrous (https://youtu.be/UIo1tQE6RnY) supporting character from a well known anime.

JNAProductions
2021-08-27, 06:42 AM
Fist has a range of 5', so you can only target someone within 5' unless you have Spell Sniper or similar.

Old Harry MTX
2021-08-27, 11:54 AM
Fist has a range of 5', so you can only target someone within 5' unless you have Spell Sniper or similar.

JNA is right, I think it should have range of self, and delivers effects on the target of the attack.

For the rest, the concept is very nice.

Oramac
2021-08-28, 01:09 PM
Fist has a range of 5', so you can only target someone within 5' unless you have Spell Sniper or similar.


JNA is right, I think it should have range of self, and delivers effects on the target of the attack.

For the rest, the concept is very nice.

Ahh! Ok, I gotcha. I'll definitely change that. Thanks!