D&D's War Wizard Is Appearing In Xanathar's Guide To Everything

[@gordongraham2064]

There's something heartwarming about Jeremy talking about imagery that viscerally satisfies him as a spur for making new mechanics. That's what it's all about, man.

[@Nerdarchy]

I converted my evoker over to a war mage. Digging it. Nerdarchist Dave

[@amishverma8415]

Nerdarchy Give us a build video!

[@iv0rysh0es39]

Let's get a Build of it! I'm getting some slight MTG Jace vibes.

[@billyrigby4839]

Agreed, we need a build video. My buddy Paul swears by you guys! Almost 60 years old and he uses KZbin for old music and Nerdarchy...lol

[@Nerdarchy]

Billy Rigby that's awesome! You just made my day. Nerdarchist Dave

[@billyrigby4839]

Nerdarchy Stay nerdy! :)

[@brosephnoonan223]

Rest now, sweet Lore Wizard... You were the very best of us, and you will be missed.

[@starsgears9200]

Hey, now we have Scribe, close enough!

[@thewonderfullymadejaraid7015]

@@starsgears9200, war magic and scribe are my two favorites. With them I can min-max OP cleric/wizard combos

[@vitorfarias1438]

Hearding him talking about multiclassing as war wizard from a martial makes me so proud of my Battle Smith War Wizard 🤧🤧

[@EntropicCheese]

I played the War Mage from the UA in a home game and I loved every second of it. The flavor ended up creating my favorite and most memorable character. Can't wait to see the official material!

[@Qururuka]

AKA the Hobgoblin class

[@eldersun5110]

When you thought that you enough with the school of evocation they give you the School of *D E V A S T A T I O N*

[@zoobertgoobert5168]

Wizard as a whole is the hobgoblin class

[@robertwinslade3104]

I hadn't considered a Hobgoblin War Wizard but now I desperately want to play one

[@blockhead134]

I'm glad someone else knows this. War Wizard is the single class/subclass that doesn't waste any hobgob features

[@rojacol4306]

@@robertwinslade3104 It's amazingly fun! I took the moderately armored trait, vampiric touch, and most of the bonus action concentration spells and it's been a blast!

[@SkullDixon]

I like the Idea of a War Wizard who isn't comfortable with War. One that was forced down this road either by family duty, time of need, defense of country, etc. He/she trained to be a war wizard but is a peaceful character who rather not solve problems through violence. However, I imagine you'll wont see a lot of players make this type of war wizard.

[@Diogolindir]

One of my characters has a similar Lore. Love it

[@leecody5885]

Like Major Armstrong in Fullmetal Alchemist

[@displeasedsociopath5939]

This reminded me of the Spellsinger I played last year. Whenever I cast shield, I would always block whatever attack it was with two fingers deflecting whatever attack in a wide arc away from me and simultaneously give my attacker a condescending tisk tisk. I can't wait to get my copy of Xanathar's Guide! Woot! :D

[@Troommate]

War h'uh....Yeah! What is it good for? ... .... A Sub Class Apparently :D

[@VBadBaboon]

SAY IT AGAIN, Y'ALL!

[@Ohiostesttubebaby]

I'm currently playing a Minotaur War Mage in a Dragonlance campaign and it's sooooooooo fun. Definitely one of my more favourite characters. Can't wait to get my hands on Xanathar's, sounds like they've added extra stuff to the subclass since the Wizard Revisited UA!

[@TroySpartan247]

What makes me think this class would be perfect for Travis at Critical Role?

[@gardenagnostic4138]

Troy Maybe in their next campaign! :D

[@insanekirby1]

Muscle Wizard casts fist?

[@matthewlaw3763]

Anyone else notice Steven on the cover of the book?

[@NavyDood21]

I love how he turned out to be something so similar to the war wizard. Hex Blade Warlocks are pretty badass.

[@actableteleportation2009]

This sounds like the perfect subclass if I ever want to play a hobgoblin devastator!

[@loweffortproductions1985]

"We wanted to make Wizards less... bookish" The only book this wizard is reading is Sun Tzu 😂

[@mooxim]

I want to make a Hobgoblin Devastator War Wizard.

[@jstogdill9195]

Hmm, gloomstalker/War Mage/Artificer with Alert feat = Lord of Initiative!

[@TravistheGREAT03]

Sad to see the Theurgist didn't make the cut after all this time... Well I guess to many people whied about other classes getting healing options.

[@T1ggles]

i wanted lore wizard, how else am i going to have Expertise in all 4 knowledge skills

[@oOPPHOo]

Lore Bard with either UA skill feats or a level in rogue?

[@Alhirae]

I mean, there's 25 sub-classes in Xanathar's. Chances are we might see it!

[@BlakeFaeMorton]

Actually, 27 sub-classess and only 1 for Wizard. Been confirmed for a while. War Wizard is it.

[@Alhirae]

That's unfortunate. Ah well.

[@darrenfunk8798]

The Expertise in all knowledge skills is icing, for sure. What I'm really keen on is the way the Lore Master plays to a breadth of wizard character types.

[@ericholthaus1170]

3.5 addition has warmage. Loved this class, take bass human fighter, secondary class warmage, and subclass spell sword. Give it a try and thank me later. :D

[@MikaKullu]

Rip Lore Wizard. Best Wizard, you will be missed...

[@matt.oconnor]

Chris Kallio unbalanced wizard. Ftfy*

[@drowjack]

I'm sure they will create something similar

[@Bluecho4]

You shined too bright, Lore Wizard. May you shine on, in the great beyond.

[@iX1NS0MN14CXi]

This is what I based my Homebrew villain after and I absolutely love him and the class

[@GregorifElfeNoir]

At first I had read "The Wax Wizard". Dammit that would have been interesting.

[@darrenfunk8798]

I feel like that would step down to a d4 hit die. I guess it's better than being made of wicker.

[@zecat3727]

Maybe a wizard that uses wax to manipulate the world around them.

[@wyattwieber3036]

Multiclass war wizard, bard, and UA ranger, and take the alert feat. Master of initiative. You could get a +18 with advantage

[@jonathanhernandez4976]

Wyatt Wieber no Swashbuckler in there?

[@wyattwieber3036]

Ah yes. That would up it to a +23

[@wyattwieber3036]

For when you absolutely, totally, HAVE to go first

[@cyrusserapheth9555]

Because he who goes first, ensures his enemy doesn't go second.

[@civisromanussum6163]

Got go fast.

[@Argonaut1ka]

I'm playing a Lore wizard right now, I love it, but yeah man it is OP.

[@KikoKay-Kay]

oh yeah. One of my players in a heroic campaign picked it up. Boy is it awesome XD and deals bullshit damage with str saving throws.

[@LadyFirelyght]

I play a lore wizard but I'm pretty much the worst at playing it so it's not OP hahaha

[@Argonaut1ka]

I like it cause I like the idea of altering spells cause you know so much about magic, and the huge buffs to knowledge checks. But yeah altering Hold Person/Hold Monster to a Str/Dex save, cause those spells make you auto fail those saves makes it silly, so you only have to hit them with it once. And just to make sure you can drop some spells slots to make the save higher. The save based shenanigans are what make it crazy (Edit: also the any type of magic damage, I think just removing necrotic and radiant from the list would that ok), if you're not doing that then it is going to feel like a pretty normal wizard, which is fine.

[@kbdekker]

I'm playing a Lore wizard, it fit my character concept, but hitting a undead baddie with a dex save radiant Shatter spell is brutal.

[@ExCrushter]

That doesn't make that spell op at all, you fail those saves if you fail to save against the initial spell. Lore Wizard isn't any more or less powerful depending on your creativity. Meta knowledge about a creature's stat weaknesses is what makes Lore more powerful, your dm should let you study foes rather than just let you "guess". If you take away the ability to modify spells, then what's the point of the lore wizard other than it basically being a school that gives you knowledge feats?

[@KyleMaxwell]

Cormyr lives.

[@aaronwilliams5846]

Or a Halruaan that's fed up with the stuffiness of diviners.

[@gyorgyor7765]

Kyle Maxwell that was my thought too.

[@gyorgyor7765]

Kyle Maxwell that was my thought too.

[@andya9899]

Purple dragons, war wizards....Cormyr is looking pretty badass

[@ggcpres]

But the real question is: how can we make this all about Drizzit

[@jag519]

lore wizard is my fav ever, sad to see it officially gone

[@jeffadams9807]

I'll Just Stick With My BLADESINGER For Now...

[@pranakhan]

Shoutout to Elric, hell yeah.

[@luccagontijo9276]

War mages go from saying "NOPE" to "NO YOU"

[@Pandaemoni]

@7:12 to the end it sounds to me like he's saying if you want to be an Eldritch Knight, but...you know...good at it, then Fighter/War Wizard is the way to go. I am happy to wait and see. I have been referring to the Lore Wizard as the "War Wizard" since it came out and glad to hear they have taken to heart the criticism of it being a little too good. Hopefully it's not out of line with the power of other wizard subclasses.

[@dzable6585]

Half-Orc Rage Wizard waiting to happen.

[@lukecarroll4052]

Azalin17 can't cast spells while enraged unless your do is nice

[@ReadingDave]

In first edition, dexterity was a measure of witty reaction.

[@jeagerblackpaw2922]

Currently running this as an unarmoured (mage armour, shield spell, physical shield, and ROP) AC29-36 tank at 8th level... (fighter 3 (battle master: Evasive Footwork) plus wizard (war mage) 5). Not seen this as a blaster really but makes a great tank for the group with utility and disruption of archers etc (lots of rituals, lightning lure). Powerful physical defenses, yep, but a horde of anything beating on a single target will score (critical) hits, force saves, and something will stick to drop the relatively low HP or even turn them against the rest of the group.

[@G-Blockster]

Elric of Melnibone' is most definitely a Conjurerer/Summoner and Pact of the Blade Hexblade (able to use CHA to inflict melee' damage).

[@zedrummer0]

Is the Fighter/War Wizard multiclass you mentioned going to step on the toes of the Eldritch Knight? I mean... isn't that what the Eldritch Knight does?

[@lucaturilli777]

Partially. You're trading potentially one or two attacks from the Fighter for greater spellcasting progression, albeit in a lesser form. I'm more miffed that the Sorcerer still noticeably lacks a melee oriented subclass, which at this point almost every other caster has.

[@seansbink]

They are probably never going to make a melee oriented subclass for Sorcerers because they don't want to make Sorcadins any more powerful than they already are. But that being said I would love to see a melee oriented Sorcerer subclass as well.

[@monosito59]

War Wizard: For the Wizard who lifts with their mind AND their body. I dig it lol

[@SilverScribe85]

What is an example of what a War Magic wizard can do?

[@adamholcomb200]

I like the Cormyr Warmage it's cool but I really hope the Lore Mage(General Wizard) has not been scraped. We need the Lore Mage because not every wizard specializes in one school😎💯

[@adamholcomb200]

KirKanos08 I hope at some point we can get a Generalist Wizard from WOTC. There has been one in every edition 🤷🏼‍♂️💯

[@broutefoin]

It's been out for a while that the wizard was only getting 1 subclass in the Guide, so, no lore wizard, sorry.

[@liger04]

Not specializing in one school is also a feature of a War Mage. The biggest difference is that the Lore Mage has wizard smites and weakness-seeking elemental spells, which are insanely strong from the moment you get them 'till the end of a campaign.

[@adamholcomb200]

broutefoin I hope at some point in the future we get the Lore Mage of some sort🤔😎💯👍🏼

[@ArchmageValexion]

Can you link to the leak?

[@JohnvanCapel]

Overall, digging the War Wizard. Like you said, it sits somewhere between an Abjurer and an Evoker, but brings its own unique little quirks. I wouldn't quite put them constantly on the front-line like I would a bladesinger, but there's tactics that become a lot more viable with a War Wizard than with the PHB Wizard subclasses. I also love the idea behind making a Wizard who's trained in thwarting other Wizards, and turning their magic back on them. It's why I'm of the opinion that Absorb Elements is a great complement for the War Wizard - it lets you accomplish that a little, taking energy from incoming elemental attacks and turning it back on someone in melee range.

[@jand.4737]

Tenser's transformation is good for War Wizards. During the spell's duration you can't cast spells, that means you ignore the Deflective Shroud's downsides. Additionally Deflective Shroud helps keeping up concentration on Tenser's.

[@shaderunner8220]

THANK YOU! now i can properly make a character based off roy mustang

[@duke1252]

I'm so happy about this! Way better than trying to tool a pre-exisiting class.

[@robinfiybe]

I made a minotaur wizard named Minerva with this and she's now one of my favorite ttrpg characters I've played

[@tk-zay5073]

Robin from fire emblem? Cool!

[@The482075]

This is how I would build the War Wizard: Level 2: War Wizard Race: High Elf (female) Background: Criminal (slightly amended) Alignment: Chaotic Neutral Speciality: Burglar Trait: The best way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't do it. Ideals: Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. Bond: Learning about magic is more valuable than any treasure. Flaw: Greed or honour. Greed or honour. Honestly, could go either way. Weapons: Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaffs, light crossbows, longsword, shortsword, shortbow, longbow Skills: Deception, Stealth, Arcana, Investigation, Perception Tools: Card Set, Thieves' tools Saves: Intelligence, Wisdom Languages: Common, Elvish, Dwarfish, Abilities: Strength (12), Dexterity (15), Constitution (14), Intelligence (16), Wisdom (10), Charisma (8) Cantrips: Presdigitation, Mage Hand, Minor Illusion, Fire Bolt This is a sneaky war wizard who explores dungeons to uncover magical secrets. They prefer the waring tradition since they want to become powerful arcane fighters. No multi-classing required.

[@coreyklinzing2395]

I'm actually really sad to see the lore wizard go. I played one in a one shot-- an academic researching how magic works any why certain components were needed for certain spells-- and it was a blast.

[@GigaTyGuy]

I see a little overlap with the Eldritch Knight. Is the thematic difference mainly one is a martial master with some magic while the other is a magic master with some martial ability?

[@onixmortes]

I was hoping for the Thurgey Wiz so I could get some Azuth/Mystra themes going. CC wiz and healing..... It sucks because we already have Fighter/Wiz multiclassing, Bladesinger, and Eldrich Knight for melee casters. Also Abjuration was the counter speller and temp HP wiz. This just feels like a super niche wizard that already has classes that have the same mechanics. Where as the Thurgey wiz has many lore examples with no subclass. Also lore wiz could have been reworked so we could have a generalist wizard. I don't know. Feels like wizards are getting shafted by yet another melee caster.

[@lordilluminati5836]

arcana domain cleric

[@thenovicedm7966]

Curious about whether or not a Fighter Battle Master should get some bump to Initiative based on similar conceptual bonus given to the War Wizard for their tactical battle prowess? A highly intelligent fighter would have the same sort of tactical mindset (one could argue) in the game. Do other classes get such benefit from both DEX and their Primary Ability attributes ? Barbarian ? Monk ? Rogue ?

[@VioletMoonfox]

Steve, after concluding the boss's turn, turned to the next player. "Greg, it's your turn. What does Damithar the Wizard do?" Greg smiles, his toothy grin giving Steve an ominous feeling of dread. Puffing his chest, Greg moved his miniature boldly right up to the boss who just tossed around the fighter like a rag doll. "I cast FIST!"

[@williams091479]

I'm REALLY looking forward to this whole book, but this option in particular. I'm going to be playing a wizard in my next campaign, and I hope the book is out before we get to the point where I have to pick my archetype, or my DM lets me switch if this winds up being as neat as it sounds.

[@bayani_0]

I may play a wizard just for this

[@nuissance8600]

This would be what Vilgefortz and his Fourteen needed at Sodden Hill.

[@sludgeman]

When 3.5 was still on, I created a villain that I called the Real Mind Bender (cause there was already a Mind Bender sorcerer prestige class). It was an Enchanter/Ilussionist who was usually behind scenes, using a controlled npc as proxy, and even when present, used a Simulacrum, while he kept himself hidden with true invisibility. 4th edition ditched enchanters and I still feel 5th edition doesn’t give enchanters the place they deserve, prefering the typical evocation wizard. Hope someday realize that an enchanter can be as dangerous as a necromancer without needing dead ppl. A medium town could be his canvas, taking control of main authorities.

[@jthompson7175]

War Mage screams Hobgoblin. :D

[@mtyler3047]

Those abilities are the EXACT ones I have been waiting for!

[@Revan_7even]

I'd really like to see an official 5e War Priest, something one step closer to the combat oriented fighter than the support cleric and mid-ground paladin. Started working on a home-brew this week actually that is like a paladin with fighter's extra attacks, no lay on hands or fighting style that still uses limited/slower cleric spells progression. Plan on running it by my DM when he starts up his next campaign.

[@leonardoraele]

Timmothy Smith What are you talking about? War cleric in on the PHB

[@Revan_7even]

Leonardo Raele I know War Domain is, I'm referring to the Pathfinder War-Priest. I made one for a one-shot campaign and it was really enjoyable (it was also my first cleric I've ever played since starting with a friend's dad's 2.5 handbooks 5 years ago). I haven't actually had a chance to play any 5e cleric, but War Domain Cleric but it seems a bit underwhelming for the niche its meant to fill.

[@leonardoraele]

I haven't played pathfinder's war priest, but I played 5e war domain cleric in a short campaign and it felt really good. Try spiritual weapon.

[@Revan_7even]

Best way I can describe it is if a War Cleric got the fighter's extra attacks instead of blessing of the trickster and avatar of battle; guided strikes, war god's blessing, and divine strike get replaced with paladin's divine smite; spell cleric spell progression is limited to 6th level spells with the first 6th at lvl 16 instead of 11.

[@NabrocMajere]

At last!!! Harry Dresden comes to D&D!!!!!!!!!!

[@e.regular3501]

I know you commented 4 years ago and might not see this, but... Yes! So glad someone else thought that! I also thought of The War Doctor from Doctor Who

[@criran]

RIP All Eldrich Knights. Bladesingers pretty much mortally wounded them and now the War Wizard will perform the coup de grace.

[@ryanscanlon2151]

Damnit why no Lore Wizard! D&D NEEDED the lore Wizard it was a multi classer's dream, every milestone level was worth loosing out on a stat bump for! If we can't get the lore wizard as it was can we at least get some of its features at feats? The level 2 ability to change a spells damage type is so good for making themed characters for instance an Electromascer by letting you turn your spells like into lightning themed spells all while eliminating the biggest draw back of being a themed character which is dealing with enemies resistant or immune to you chosen damage type, sure sucks being a fire wizard when fighting red dragons. It sounds like you carried over the lvl 6 ability pretty decently, the lore wizard one was a bit odd but still super fun to burn extra spell slots to increase the utility of a spell. The lvl 10 ability to swap out a prepared spell on the fly was beautiful because it would allow those super niche spells that never see play in the game to finally get used. And that 14th level ability is really cool because you can still get a bit of the endgame spells even if you dipped 6 levels into something else. Maybe put the level 10 and 14 feats behind a level requirement but that lvl 2 is an absolute must have.

[@alicebrown6215]

The Lore Wizard was broken as shit. Oh? Fighting undead? Strength Save fireball of Radiant damage. Ancient red dragon? Fireball, except it does freezing damage.

[@ryanscanlon2151]

It's powerful but look at what amazing thematic options it opens up, you can be an acid wizard I'de like to see you build a decent dps wizard using primarily the acid damage spells, or heck an ice wizard or a necromancer dealing necrotic damage. with a 2 level dip you could do fun stuff in multiclassing, like allowing an evil cleric to masquerade as good by disguising the necrotic damage it deals because of its alignment to radiant, or a blade lock/eldrich knight jedi by making your spells do force damage, a favored soul sorcerer that actually uses divine power aka radiant. for such a small dip the options it opens up are amazing and fun.

[@Rathkryn]

*IT'S D&D!!! You can do that anyways by crafting your own spells!* You're only limited to what you can imagine and what your DM will approve. For example, Geek & Sundry had an article about converting a D&D wizard into a Diablo-esque necromancer at one point. Just change spells like Spiked Growth into skeletal hands that claw and grasp at people walking through the areas and do necrotic damage. I gave the necromancer in one of my games Corpse Explosion. Which was a spell that allowed him to target a corpse and cause it to explode like a fireball but with necrotic damage. To make up for it being harder to use I allowed him to cast it without expending a spell slot on an undead he had raised and currently controlled, limiting the number of times per long rest to his intelligence modifier. This way it gave him something to do with corpses that weren't humanoid, and zombies that weren't going to last through a hard hitting battle anyways.

[@ryanscanlon2151]

yeah that part there about what the dm allows is the killer sometimes, having an offical feature like this makes it much easier

[@darrenfunk8798]

I think the War Wizard will be a wonderful addition to the wizard. There is one thing, however, I strongly feel the 5e wizard does not address in official print (to my knowledge). Along with the less bookish War Wizard I was really hoping to see an uber bookish wizard, a refined the Lore Master or the like, see print as well. As a player, I'm disappointed by that turn. I'm not looking for the Lore Master to be OP like the Unearthed Arcana offering, just something that isn't constrained by focusing on either one school or weaving martial combat into their magic. A generalist and academic 'purist', if you will. I suspect that the Lore Master got a significant amount of negative feedback in the surveys, not because it's a bad core concept, but because what we saw was too powerful in some respects. It's likely too close to print for Xanathar's Guide to address this, currently, I feel the wizard really lacks a good, balanced academic generalist. This, paired with the War Wizard would really round out the wizard options.

[@stellaraevum799]

Darren Funk I agree.

[@ZenodudeMC]

Cant wait to make my Ex Hobgoblin Devastator!!!

[@nahsti8043]

A sword, stave and plate mail - if there is a battle mage class like that in DnD, maybe this "War Wizard" is that? I'd start playing DnD I've always wanted this kind of class in an MMORPG or any sort of RPG game

[@KatoCoyoteCombatWorkshop]

This probably isn't that kind of class. The war wizard is still an unarmored spell caster, but uses magic to function in place of their armor and weapons. If you want to play a character like that, there are tons of options, like the blade singer wizard or even the handbook's Eldritch knight. Blade Pact warlocks also fill this role.

[@nahsti8043]

Thanks I will look into it, I want to start playing and thats the kind of character I've always wanted

[@StalrosTheGreenMage1]

I know this was a year ago, but it never hurts to shove in a level 1 War Cleric with the rest being War Wizard levels (technical terms, this is called a multiclass dip), you get proficiency in heavy armor and shields with cleric healing potential, yet still be nearly a full wizard. It surpasses the idea of a full wizard IMO. You can reach Armor Class values of 25 with the abilities of the classes alone; without even considering magical items that would raise it higher.

[@GammaTheGreat]

How would the initiative bonus work with the Greyhawk Initiative system?

[@TheSubscriberWithNothing]

Warmage/swashbuckler multiclass with maxed out Dex, Cha and Int with the alert feat for a plus 20 to initiative, a dream that I've struggled to make reality.

[@hyacinthdavidson5924]

thesubscriber withnothingtodo some bard levels to add half your proficiency bonus

[@TheSubscriberWithNothing]

Theo Davidson Does that work? I thought that was only ability checks.

[@hyacinthdavidson5924]

thesubscriber withnothingtodo initiative is an ability check RAW

[@nick1wasd]

It seems like the inverse ratio of the Eldritch Knight, if the EK if 1/3 magic 2/3 sword, then the War Wiz is 2/3 magic 1/3 hacky slashy.

[@VashTheAnimelover]

War wizard sounds fun :) but I'm worried it makes the bladesinger redundant, or outshines it in it's own field? If there was a class that should get intelligence to initiative it feels like it makes more sense for the bladesinger than the warmage fx doesn't it?

[@DarthShadow25]

Does anyone know if we will be able to rework our AL characters and keep them AL legal once this comes out? I know they did that before, and it would make sense for them to do that again for something like this.

[@asearcher520]

Can anyone say how different this version is from the UA article?

[@chaddixon9764]

We talking about shields and we didn't mention Harry Dresden?

[@justinpedrazaful]

I like the idea of the class but it feel like the 6th level ability power surge relies to heavily on counterspell and dispell magic sow if you are in a campaign with no magic user enemies then its pretty much useless thats how I see it

[@sivulaa]

I agree I would have liked to see instead the war wizard can add its int modifier to cantrip damage

[@justinpedrazaful]

@@sivulaa the evocation wizard can already do that

[@sivulaa]

@@justinpedrazaful yes, but this is only cantrips, not limited to one damage roll in a turn and since it replaces the level 6 ability it comes earlier

[@HELLFIRExxIFRIT]

This is perfect for my Minotaur Muscle Wizard.

[@paolomorresi3183]

Does the Xanathar's guide contain anything about the Beastmaster ranger revised?

[@SynodicScribe]

I'm currently playing an Abjuration Wizard because he was taught magic by a Bronze Dragon. Being dragons of war and honorable combat I figured having an abjurer would ensure I had a caster who would survive the front lines, like a battle mage. But after hearing this I might have to ask my DM if I can switch over to it. haha

[@carnivalasylum6504]

I made a war mage that’s a mountain dwarf so he can use light and medium armor

[@cameronpearce5943]

I’m working on an Orc War Wizard atm. Any suggestions on how to make one?

[@profitmargins9335]

So it sounds like you made and slightly squishier EK, with slightly better spells?

[@cyrusserapheth9555]

Nope, War Wizards don't get melee weapon proficiencies or armor proficiencies as part of the subclass. They're more accurately Wizards that are a bit better at surviving via Poor Man's Shield and Durable Magic (AC and Save Bonus while concentrating on spells), and can boost the damage of AoE spells once per rest (which is apparently now recharged early via Counterspell and/or Dispel Magic). So like, Anti-Spellcaster Wizards that focus more on practical magic than theoretical. They might've changed it some for the official print, but what they said was basically matching the UA version of it.

[@quintinsteevessenior5568]

How about Druid Circle of Twighlight. Any chance?

[@ryanstoyan8980]

This is the perfect class for a hobgoblin devastator! As an adventures league player I'm sad I won't be able to make one :(

[@MalcIgg]

Does anyone know whats happening with the Ranger in Xanathar's - The class and its subclasses have been UA'd a lot...

[@drowjack]

Another Great idea for wizard would be a Mad Scientist kind of theme

[@DragonKnightJin]

While I might not make a full on Wizard.. This subclass still intrigues me. If I ever DO make a full on Wizard.. War Wizard is the way I'm gonna go.

[@SimonCarl93]

From a lore and game play perspective how does the war wizard differ from the bladesinger?

[@huntermcintosh8173]

Well Lore wise i'm assuming no elven restriction and also they sound like more the soldier type than the straight warrior type.

[@cyrusserapheth9555]

Bladesingers are supposed to be Elves-Only (some DMs can and will ignore that), and are basically Wizards with a bit of melee proficiency that can wade into melee combat every now and again. War Wizards strike me as more the Tactical Wizard whose focus is on surviving the enemy's assault and occasionally boosting the potency of his/her spells. Lore-wise, War Wizards are the more practical, war-oriented take on the classic wizard - they don't hole up in their mage towers, studying and experimenting. War Wizards don't chill out in the back rows at the battlefield, occasionally tossing spells like an Evoker would - they charge headlong into battle like the rest of them. Except, instead of taking time to focus on the melee aspect of battle, they double down on the magical aspect with Durable Magic (AC and Save Bonus while concentrating on spells), Arcane Deflection (poor man's shield/emergency boost to Con saves), and Power Surge (once per rest, add two dice of damage to an AoE spell like fireball... apparently now recharged via Counterspelling/Dispelling Magic). tl;dr: War Wizards are "Tactical Wizards" that decided to rely even further on practical magic to survive and do battle, rather than charge into melee with fancy techniques like a Bladesinger would.

[@hellentomazin6488]

Would the War Mage of this edition be like the War Wizard of Cormyr from earlier editions??

[@Suchega_Uber]

Opposite of glass cannon? Can take hits, but hit like a marshmallow?

[@Lumpyrox1412]

At the end of the video they say earn preorder bonuses? What are they!?

[@dthedudek]

Lumpyrox I believe if you preorder the digital copy on D&D Beyond you get some extra feats. I haven't personally seen anything for physical preorders though.

[@Lumpyrox1412]

It's a bit concerning if they are going down the preorder bonus route. I buy all the books in paper and i don't want to miss out on anything.

[@huntermcintosh8173]

it'll be on the dnd wiki within the week anyway, the feats at least, I wouldn't worry too much

[@SZRLM]

See the war mage came across less as an alternative to evokers and more to having some of the features I thought the abjurers should have. And we already have the war caster feat from the php. But fine, fine. But if you're looking to combine schools for new archetypes, I'd like my nethermancy school back. There's hints of it in the illusion school, but as someone that liked the blend of necromancy and illusion to create shadow magic and specialize in fear was neat. Unfortunately all fear spells are weak. While I get that some things are "fearless" like lunches or paladins, everything has something it fears. Maybe not a object or person, but a scenario even. The immunity to fear the so many monsters have makes it pointless not to mention the the frightened effects is pretty weak in and of itself. Unfortunately making a school/archetype like that work would need some large overhaul and will probably not ever come in 5e. After all, still waiting on runepriests, earth clerics, psions, and Dark Sun rules.

[@jesseward4115]

I wish they made a Wizard healer. One thing my group has noticed is D&D lack diverse healers so i'm glad we are getting a Warlock and Sorcerers healer but there should be a Wizard with a focus on healing.

[@lazyscholar7932]

Sounds like a mode of abjuration. Healing through damage mitigation/prevention is cool here. I would include also magic spells casted by the caster or shielded ally add points to the shield. Basically disc priest from WoW.

[@cfdj43]

So this is like a more magical eldritch knight? (Same schools)

[@cowdogg3085]

I can't wait to get my hands on this book!!

[@Lukos0036]

This might be good for someone looking to make a John Constantine, or Harry Dresden type of mage.

[@nickbrowne3286]

I have a Dresden type build as the war mage however for my Constantine build I went warlock pact of the tome (book of ancient secrets) build, a lot of ritual spells along with utility heavy spells though some combat prowess of course

[@Skyscraper125]

Eldritch knight weapon bond then the rest in war wizard anyone? Go dex based with +5 dex & +5 int asap with a shortsword(AKA Arming sword) and staff and name ur character Gandorf.

[@DanteShadowfall]

So stands on the battlefield deflecting damage and countering spells. Taking hits and rolling with them? A martial wizard that gains no martial proficiency. You know I feel like there might have been something like this.... Oh right! Abjuration school. That gets an hp pool every time it uses abjuration spells....And gets a bonus to counter spells/dispelling and can deflect damage for allies.

[@huntermcintosh8173]

Yeah but this one is a bit more focused on dishing out the damage as well as blocking it, though probably not as effectively as the abjuration wiz

[@DanteShadowfall]

Probably not heh. Im interested in seeing what was done im just not holding up my hopes to high for this one.

[@charlieturk8141]

I have a sudden urge to play a Dwarf Wizard.

[@Grimbanks]

Sounds pretty neat.

[@kylelikeskjvbible]

what class in 5e would be a warden from 4e?

[@Trenell83]

Oath of Ancient Paladin I believe is the spiritual successor of the Warden. Or they could make it a Ranger subclass in the future

[@ix.of.swords4360]

filling the hole that I've been using homebrews for for a while... I'll give it a try, but I've become very tied to my Battlemage class :/

[@kenansinav1]

I love the idea of the warmage, but to be honest Arcane Deflection is too low for me, I don't know why I wouldn't choose abjuration over war mage

[@kurtoogle4576]

Sounds cool! I want to try it ASAP!

[@ArtyFartyBart]

The opposite of a glass cannon? So... a crystalline target?

[@LemanRussVanquisher]

(Smiles in Barbarian/fighter main) Imma get to cast spells.

[@modge2468]

So like a bladesinger for non elves?

[@MatthiasCorvinu]

Eh, doesn't sound remotely like a bladesinger.

[@Chunkosaurus]

Think more wizard soldier than elf wizard warrior. Not martial focused, but combat focused in general. It's what would happen if you drafted a wizard into an army.

[@modge2468]

Tyler Daughtry that makes sense! :)