I think Scribe will be the new default or "simple" Wizard. As part of the base class, you get to pick two school specialties at level 2, and then another one at level 9. (Want a War Mage? Pick EV and AB. Beguiler? IL and EN? Etc.) The other 3 subclasses would be Dread Necromancer (per Crawford interview), Bladesinger, and the last a toss up, probably Runecraft, but also perhaps Summoner, Oracle, Mystic, or Theurge.
The more I think about it, the more I realize I have no idea which way they are going to go. Based on what was claimed so far, there will only be 4 subclasses for the Wizard in the 2024 PH.
Every other playtest class has showcased the SRD subclass. Clerics got Life, Druids got Moon, Bards got Lore, etc. The SRD subclass for Wizard is the Evoker. If they stick to the Evoker in the next playtest packet, that means they are likely going to select 4 "School Specializations" to base the 2024 Wizard subclasses on.
Which 4? I think it would be the ones that have the strongest identity
and selection of spells from the Core PH. The schools with few spells per level, like the Diviner, are not going to make the cut. There isn't enough to build out for them. The core game has to stand on its own using only the SRD. Below is a breakout of the Arcane playtest spells based on school, and my guesses.
Evoker - 28 spells (4 cantrips, spells at most levels, but no 8th level spells) -
Yes. It has to. Iconic Boommage that does not hurt allies.
Conjurer - 28 spells (two cantrips, two 3rd, two 5th, two 6th) -
Yes. An iconic them that plays differently with pets and has spell options
Illusion - 28 spells (2 cantrips, spells at most levels, but no 8th level spells) -
Yes. Iconic for old editions, and has spells, even if unpopular.
Transmutation - 26 spells (1 cantrip (prestidigitation), spells at most levels, but no 8th level spells) -
Yes. It has the variety and support.
Enchantment - 26 spells (two cantrips, no 3rd, no 7th level spells) -
Doubtful. But it is 5th place in my mind, beat by transmutation.
Abjurer - 21 spells (one cantrip (blade ward), one 2nd, one 4th, one 5th level) -
Doubtful. It's my favorite concept that I want enhanced.
Divination - 14 spells (one cantrip (true strike), so few spells overall, no 6th or 7th level spells) -
Nope.
Necromancy - 15 spells (1 cantrip (chill touch, so few spells overall, no 5th level spells) -
Nope. Iconic theme but absolutely no spell support.
I doubt they will add lots of arcane spells of the appropriate schools to make all of them valid. Now if they plan to update and rerelease the other 4 core schools in a future product, they can add more spells in that product to fluff out the spell options to support them.
And as for a single "School Specialist" subclass that has 8 school options at each of the 4 subclass feature levels, I used to think that would work. But looking in depth, the abilities that a school specialist would need to do the subclass justice just wouldn't fit. It's too much content for a single subclass.
Someone else mentioned merging schools into 4 subclasses, but that erases the traditional "Necromancer", "Illusionist", etc. But here are some interesting, but flawed ideas:
- They could merge Evoker and Diviner into a new Mage Hunter/Spellslinger/Duelist type that seeks and destroys
- They could merge Necromancer and Enchanter into a Soulrender/Shadow Beguiler type of wizard that messes with your autonomy
- They could merge Abjurer and Conjurer into a Planeswalker/Summoner type that travels, summons, and abjures creatures
- They could merge Transmuter and Illusionist into a Reality/Perception Warper type that challenges the status quo
Finally, I also doubt that they will take subclasses from earlier sourcebooks, despite how interesting they are. They don't want to invalidate those sourcebooks.
