What is the drawback for the UA domain wizard?

[Liquidsabre]

I always considered the domain wizard a useful variant for low-magic settings where the access to spells and scrolls would be relatively scarce. The domain providing a few extra spells for the wizard to automatically scribe into their spellbook at each spell level. For settings particularly devoid of spells and scrolls I'd even recommend a domain wizard variant with two arcane domains.

For standard settings however the domain wizard seems only appropriate for those DMs who hate spell-grabby wizards and loves to torute hapless wizards with little to no access to spells to add to their spellbook as the wizard class requires to be useful.

 

[Prism]

Actually there is one slight drawback. The standard specialist can use any spell from that school in the extra slot whereas the domain wizard has to prepare a spell specifically from their domain like a cleric, which in certain circumstances will be less useful. For example, the antimagic specialist (just to pick the 1st in the list) has to prepare protection from good/evil/chaos/law in their slot, whereas an abjuration specialist has a choice of up to 5 PHB spells (if known) or any others they learn

If the DM allows spells from mutiple sources or encourages development of unique spells, the ability to pick your extra spell becomes more useful than the fixed one that the domain slot gives you.

I'm not saying that the domain wizard isn't a good option, but its not always the option I would choose

 

[Li Shenron]

Actually there is one slight drawback.

We meant compared to a non-specialised wizard... no drawback at all.

 

[Knightfall]

Since the concept first appeared as a couple of Feats in the Forgotten Realms, I have chosen that route for my campaign world. The "Tradition Trained" feat, available only at 1st level, allows a non-Specialist Wizard to gain the benefits of an Arcane Domain. Which Domains are available varies with the home region of the character.

Sorry to dredge up this thread again, but I'm curious to find out which sourcebook contained the feats mentioned by [MENTION=6271]Silveras[/MENTION]. I have a player who wants to play a domain wizard and also take the elf substitution levels from Races of the Wild.

I'm thinking the character will be more balanced with the feats than the UA variant.