A generalist Wizard

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=1465]Li Shenron[/MENTION] Yeah, I think for what you're aiming for it will work well as a low-complexity generalist wizard.

Honestly, I'm still getting acquainted with the lower levels of 5th edition, so any advice I could offer about the higher level features of the sub-class are just theorycraft

You should consider adding it to the 5e database here!

 

[Sadrik]

I think adapting the sorcerer's meta-magic options for the wizard makes a lot of sense to me as a generalist. Have them expend extra slots to activate meta-magic. The arch-mage in 3e had meta-magic (essentially) and I think of a wizard as being the master of magic - studied and precise. I think it is weird that meta-magic got shoe-horned into the sorcerer (as they had problems with it in 3e). In my mind, it should be with the wizard.

Perhaps give them 2 choices at level 2 and then 2 more at each subclass feature choice. And like I said have them expend a certain level slot while casting a spell. You could give them bonus meta-magic spell slots (level 1 spell slots that can be used for meta-magic). Perhaps 1 at level 2 and 5 to 10 by level 20. Nothing else would be needed.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think adapting the sorcerer's meta-magic options for the wizard makes a lot of sense to me as a generalist. Have them expend extra slots to activate meta-magic. The arch-mage in 3e had meta-magic (essentially) and I think of a wizard as being the master of magic - studied and precise. I think it is weird that meta-magic got shoe-horned into the sorcerer (as they had problems with it in 3e). In my mind, it should be with the wizard.

Perhaps give them 2 choices at level 2 and then 2 more at each subclass feature choice. And like I said have them expend a certain level slot while casting a spell. You could give them bonus meta-magic spell slots (level 1 spell slots that can be used for meta-magic). Perhaps 1 at level 2 and 5 to 10 by level 20. Nothing else would be needed.

It's a nice idea but I also wanted the generalist's subclass to be as simple as possible, simpler than other subclasses in terms of not adding more mechanics to keep in mind compared to the Wizard base class abilities.

 

[erwtenpeller]

The flavor of it is just a bit bland. It seems to have been designed with a tunneling focus on play and practicality, without trying to capture what it means for the character to be a scholarly wizard.

Perhaps, instead of the additional free cantrips, allow this Wizard to copy spells onto one-use scrolls they can use to expand their spell slots-- Just once, until they create a new (bunch of) scroll(s).
Perhaps make it easier for the scholarly wizard to copy spells from found tomes on the fly, allowing them to scribe them within a short rest.
Perhaps let them study magic in action, granting them some way of replicating spells encountered on enemy creatures.

Really think about what it means to be a generalist, what this character would be like, how they'd work, and start creating from there.

 

[Li Shenron]

The flavor of it is just a bit bland.

...

Really think about what it means to be a generalist, what this character would be like, how they'd work, and start creating from there.

It is by design. Low-flavor and low-complexity, at least compared to the other subclasses, similarly to what the Champion is for a Fighter: low-flavor as an empty canvas for the player to paint on, and low-complexity to provide the lowest entry barrier for beginners.

BTW, I have removed the bonus cantrips already to tone it down.

 

[Sadrik]

So what you have would work. I make a few tweaks below.

2nd Spell savant: reduce costs to copy spells into your spellbook by 50%
6th Improved spell repertoire: prepare 3 additional spells per day
10th Scholarly expertise: add proficiency in a skill or double the proficiency bonus of a skill you already have
14th Improved arcane recovery: you can now use arcane recovery each time you complete a short rest.

For the other wizard option...

Arch-Mage
2nd Meta-magic: select two meta-magic from page 102 of PHB. Gain 2 more at levels 6, 10, and 14. You can activate meta-magic by expending an additional spell slot when casting your spell. Halve the sorcery point cost to determine the spell levels needed (minimum 1). You can spend multiple lower level slots to account for a higher level meta-magic. You gain a bonus level 1 spell slot for every two wizard levels you have. These bonus slots can only be used to activate meta-magic.