Domain Wizards in UA

[Saracor]

I'm starting up a campaign and reading through this I find that there is no real downside to chosing a domain. Specialist wizards give up a list of spells to gain an extra spell slot and +1 caster level. Domain wizards just basically get a free spell at each level and a +1 caster level to cast it. It's not too overpowering, but am I missing some downside somewhere? True, it's not as powerful as a specialist, but compared to a base wizard, it's all good.

 

[Cheiromancer]

I was puzzled about that myself. The variant does not have any downside compared to an unspecialized wizard.


Being in UA it is already close to House rules, so let me say what I would do: If I were to use a domain wizard, I know I'd give them some sort of penalty. Maybe get rid of the five bonus feats.

 

[weiknarf]

I thought that the domain wizard was a replacement for the core wizard.

 

[Liquidsabre]

No, it's a variant of a specialized wizard.

 

[Saracor]

It's not too overpowering (one extra spell per spell level of a set list) but if you use it then all standard wizards will become domain wizards. No sense in not being one so it becomes the default for all non-specialist wizards.

 

[Silveras]

No, it's a variant of a specialized wizard.

Well, it is an alternative form of specializing is a clearer way to say that. It is important not to mix the terms too much, as there *are* variants for Specialist Wizards in a separate section.

As to their replacing non-Domain wizards ...

Depending on the campaign world, variant classes may exist side by side with standard classes, or they may replace standard classes entirely. For instance, the DM may decide that all Monks must choose a fighting style that reflects their original training, or that all Barbarians must choose a totem.

The key, I think, is in how the DM implements the option.

If you make all of the Domains available to any character, of course there is no reason not to take one.

If, on the other hand, only some domains are available based on the character's homeland/background, the option may not always fit as well. In the Forgotten Realms, the same effects are available as Regional Feats (1 for Calimshan and 1 for Tethyr, IIRC, each of which gives the effects of having 1 Arcane Domain). That is also a perfectly viable way of introducing them, and is the model I have followed in my world (with a slight modification: I have a single Feat, "Tradition Trained", that allows you access to the 1 Domain defined for your race/region background). The current Wizard in my game opted not to take it, as it did not fit with his character concept.

 

[Olive]

I'm starting up a campaign and reading through this I find that there is no real downside to chosing a domain. Specialist wizards give up a list of spells to gain an extra spell slot and +1 caster level.

This isn't really a part of the matter to hand, but this isn't true. Specialists get +1 spell per day, and a +2 to spellcraft rolls that deal with their specialist school. Lots of people make this mistake, and I think it's because it was this way in 2e.

I thought that the domain wizard was a replacement for the core wizard.

You're right, it was reported here somewhere that one of the designers had intecnded it as such.

 

[Li Shenron]

I'm starting up a campaign and reading through this I find that there is no real downside to chosing a domain. Specialist wizards give up a list of spells to gain an extra spell slot and +1 caster level. Domain wizards just basically get a free spell at each level and a +1 caster level to cast it. It's not too overpowering, but am I missing some downside somewhere? True, it's not as powerful as a specialist, but compared to a base wizard, it's all good.

I posted a thread about the same question a couple of weeks ago

If Domain Wizards are allowed in a campaign, the DM has to either find some HR advantage for normal non-specialized wizards or you simply won't see any of them anymore.

There are still reasons to be a core specialized wizard (more versatility), but not core non-specialized wizards.

 

[Beholder Bob]

The diff between the 2 options:

Domain wizard has no choice in what his bonus spell is.

A spec wiz can choose any spell of the given level from the correct school (say, 3rd lv slot for an evo spec - a decent range of choices).

The domain wiz has ability to learn any school.

I'd call it a wash - the lack of choice for 1 slot/lv vs the ability to learn any spell. Both a gain and loss of flexibility.

BB

 

[Beholder Bob]

Specialist vs Domain

The difference between the 2 options:

Domain wizard has no choice in what his bonus spell is.

A specialist wizard can choose any spell of the given level from the correct school (say, 3rd lv slot for an evocation specialist - a decent range of choices).

The domain wizard has ability to learn any school.

I'd call it a wash - the lack of choice for 1 slot/lv vs the ability to learn any spell. Both a gain and loss of flexibility.

BB