Specialist wizards, which two schools do you give up?

[Vymair]

Generally, Enchantment and Necromancy are near the top of my list to consider. I usually consider the character and make my decisions based on that. For example, my current abjurer is a mystic theurge who is part of a secret society that abhors outsiders and undead. So for him, I gave up Conjuration (and yes, it's painful) and Necromancy.

About 2 years ago, I played a transmuter who thought gave up Necromancy and Illusion. That sure made for some interesting defensive choices.

The only one I'll never give up is Abjuration.

 

[Mistwell]

WHY does everyone like abjuration so much?

 

[Aus_Snow]

If that's a serious question.. probably to help deal with many of the problems that tend to come up in campaigns.


I'd kick out Evocation and 1 other (depends), but I prefer generalists.

 

[Old Gumphrey]

WHY does everyone like abjuration so much?

For starters, Dispel Magic and Greater Dispel. Debuff an entire enemy group in one action? Yes, please. Then there's the level 1 Protection From Evil which prevents you from ongoing mind control (read: all enchantment [charm] and [compulsion] effects) in addition to its already great effects. Globe spells are crazy good...at level 15 you become completely immune to the entire school of Enchantment and nearly completely immune to the schools of Illusion and Divination for 24 hours at a go with Mind Blank. While not necessary to play D&D, it is arguably the best school of magic in the game simply because of how well it keeps you alive.

 

[Rauol_Duke]

Evocation and Enchantment.

Same here...

 

[Whimsical]

WHY does everyone like abjuration so much?

It's more about "need" than "like". High level combats against NPCs tend to be dispel magic wars. You need to crack the bad guys' shells so that the fighter's sword can reach the creamy nougat center of the bad guy. And if you know the bad guys are going to toss Modenkainen's funkiller on you all, then you want to be sure that you can counterspell it with your own disjunctions. And of course mind blank is crazy good if your DM loves using NPC spellcasters against you.

I suppose in a pure monsterbash, its less necessary. But even at 1st level I cast mage armor when "entering the dungeon", then shield on the first round of combat, then attack with weapons.

 

[Vymair]

While I agree about necessity for defenses at all level, curiously enough, Mage Armor is a conjuration.

 

[EvilGM]

I give up Enchantment and Illusion. It is way to easy to be immune to those entire schools.
Evocation would be another easy one to give up.

I would never give up Abjuration or Necromancy. nevah!

 

[Nifft]

Bye, Enchantment!

For the other, I chose Evocation, but I'd be happier playing a Diviner who only ditched Enchantment.

-- N

 

[Liquidsabre]

Enchantment & Illusion here. I never touch generalist wizards. Virtually doubling my highest level spell access can't be passed up. Besides, due to costs, you really gotta pick and choose what spells you put into your spellbook anyhow. I've never found not being able to access spells from the schools of enchantment, illusion, or necromancy to be debilitating in the slightest.