Dragonlance What spell school would Raistlin be in 5E?

[Zardnaar]

Raistlin predates that sourcebook, and many of his signature spells don't fit into any of those schemes. (It's one of the many reasons I dislike how they ended up handling magic in Krynn).

What are Raistlin's signature spells? Fireball, Featherfall (through his staff), Web, Charm Person.

He's a generalist wizard, interested in all parts of magic.

(The correct answer: "He's an AD&D magic-user"! )

Cheers,
Merric

This.

 

[jgsugden]

Given his title, I might argue Chronurgy from the Critical Role books. There is nothing that points to it in the spells he casts, but he does have the title of Master of Past and Present ...

 

[Stormonu]

Given his title, I might argue Chronurgy from the Critical Role books. There is nothing that points to it in the spells he casts, but he does have the title of Master of Past and Present ...

His time traveling was through a magic item, not anything of his own doing.

I very strongly remember him using Charm Person on Bupu, as well as a Sleep spell on some goblins. Overall 5E's wizard's subclasses don't fit but if I had to choose one (and I wish the PHB ones would just be crushed into one "Specialist" so we could get some real wizard subclasses), I think I'd go with Enchanter.

 

[jgsugden]

His time traveling was through a magic item, not anything of his own doing.

I very strongly remember him using Charm Person on Bupu, as well as a Sleep spell on some goblins. Overall 5E's wizard's subclasses don't fit but if I had to choose one (and I wish the PHB ones would just be crushed into one "Specialist" so we could get some real wizard subclasses), I think I'd go with Enchanter.

There is not a darn tooting thing he does in the books that shows a specializtion in any school of magic. Lacking that, why not go with what he is known for, even if we see nothing to support it? I mean, he would not be the first specialist wizard that fails to utilize their specialization at all ... it almost seems like the norm.

I had an enchantment wizard in a campaign I DMed that didn't take enchantments spells when he leveled (because it was cheaper to scribe them and he was sure he'd find them because they're so common), didn't use Hypnotic Gaze (too risky to be in melee range!), didn't use hypnotic charm (shield was more likely to protect him), and finally - at level 11 - used Split Enchantment to Hold Monster 2 creatures at once. A year of D&D without using any subclass benefits. This, however, was more the player's doing than anything else ... I ran an enchanter and used Hypnotic Gaze in almost every combat and set up Instinctive Charm. That PC was designed to make good use of all their slots out of combat and use these two abilities often in combat, especially to close things down.

 

[Stormonu]

There is not a darn tooting thing he does in the books that shows a specializtion in any school of magic. Lacking that, why not go with what he is known for, even if we see nothing to support it? I mean, he would not be the first specialist wizard that fails to utilize their specialization at all ... it almost seems like the norm.

I had an enchantment wizard in a campaign I DMed that didn't take enchantments spells when he leveled (because it was cheaper to scribe them and he was sure he'd find them because they're so common), didn't use Hypnotic Gaze (too risky to be in melee range!), didn't use hypnotic charm (shield was more likely to protect him), and finally - at level 11 - used Split Enchantment to Hold Monster 2 creatures at once. A year of D&D without using any subclass benefits. This, however, was more the player's doing than anything else ... I ran an enchanter and used Hypnotic Gaze in almost every combat and set up Instinctive Charm. That PC was designed to make good use of all their slots out of combat and use these two abilities often in combat, especially to close things down.

Heh heh. My 2E Necromancer was running around throwing Magic Missiles and Fireballs, so I'm with you there.

Am I remembering correctly that the "last straw" that turned Raistin into a black mage was that he got frustrated he couldn't learn the Fireball spell, went black by claiming devotion to Takahisis so he could get access and then torched the library with that spell? It's been like, 30 years since I read/listened to Dragons of Winter Night/Spring Dawning.

 

[Micah Sweet]

His time traveling was through a magic item, not anything of his own doing.

I very strongly remember him using Charm Person on Bupu, as well as a Sleep spell on some goblins. Overall 5E's wizard's subclasses don't fit but if I had to choose one (and I wish the PHB ones would just be crushed into one "Specialist" so we could get some real wizard subclasses), I think I'd go with Enchanter.

He actually cast Timereaver, a 9th level spell in DLA. Twice, at least.

 

[MerricB]

Heh heh. My 2E Necromancer was running around throwing Magic Missiles and Fireballs, so I'm with you there.

Am I remembering correctly that the "last straw" that turned Raistin into a black mage was that he got frustrated he couldn't learn the Fireball spell, went black by claiming devotion to Takahisis so he could get access and then torched the library with that spell? It's been like, 30 years since I read/listened to Dragons of Winter Night/Spring Dawning.

Strangely enough, no.

Fireball is one of the spells that Raistlin casts that we actually know who taught it to him: Fizban!

Cheers,
Merric

 

[ECMO3]

There is not a darn tooting thing he does in the books that shows a specializtion in any school of magic. Lacking that, why not go with what he is known for, even if we see nothing to support it? I mean, he would not be the first specialist wizard that fails to utilize their specialization at all ... it almost seems like the norm.

Not all of the Wizard schools are spell schools. Bladesinger, Scribes, Chronogy, War Magic and Graviturgy are all "generalist" Wizards.

Back in my original post I put what I think is a pretty convincing argument for War Magic. Raistlin is factually known as a Wizard who has fought in many wars and battles, fought with and even led armies and even was a Mercenary for a time.

The more I read her the more I really think this fits pretty perfectly, both mechanically and thematically.

I had an enchantment wizard in a campaign I DMed that didn't take enchantments spells when he leveled (because it was cheaper to scribe them and he was sure he'd find them because they're so common), didn't use Hypnotic Gaze (too risky to be in melee range!), didn't use hypnotic charm (shield was more likely to protect him), and finally - at level 11 - used Split Enchantment to Hold Monster 2 creatures at once. A year of D&D without using any subclass benefits. This, however, was more the player's doing than anything else ... I ran an enchanter and used Hypnotic Gaze in almost every combat and set up Instinctive Charm. That PC was designed to make good use of all their slots out of combat and use these two abilities often in combat, especially to close things down.

Enchantment is probably my second favorite subclass after Bladesong. I use Hyp Gaze all the time though. It is so powerful. Walk up there do it and if you are successful just back away from the melee churn. If you are unsuccessful misty step out of there. In terms of power HG is more powerful than most 2nd level spells (or any non-concentration combat 2nd level spells), so risking a potential 2nd level slot on misty step to attempt to land HG is worth it generally.

Instinctive Charm can be hit or miss, especially since a lot of times it is an ally that is going to take it on the chin. Shield doesn't always work either though and uses a spell slot for the try. Which is more reliable depends heavily on AC. If you are a Plate Mail kind of Wizard; Shield is generally going to be more reliable but if you are using the base 10 plus dex, IC is going to work far more often than Shield. If you are a mage armor guy it is 50-50 and depends on what and how many are attacking you.

 

[ECMO3]

Heh heh. My 2E Necromancer was running around throwing Magic Missiles and Fireballs, so I'm with you there.

Am I remembering correctly that the "last straw" that turned Raistin into a black mage was that he got frustrated he couldn't learn the Fireball spell, went black by claiming devotion to Takahisis so he could get access and then torched the library with that spell? It's been like, 30 years since I read/listened to Dragons of Winter Night/Spring Dawning.

My 30 year old memory seems to be that he did it to escape from a sinking ship in the middle of the maelstrom.

 

[Stormonu]

My 30 year old memory seems to be that he did it to escape from a sinking ship in the middle of the maelstrom.

I need to go back and reread the books, but my memory was he left the ship (with his brother on board) with the book of Fistandantilus and teleported back to the library of Palanthas where he went to access other books of the black robes (or Fistandantilus, can't quite remember). But because he was a red robes, not a black robe, he couldn't read them. So he switched to black robes, learned the spells and then burned the section of the library down in his glee and to prevent others from gaining access to the books/secrets. And put him on Astinus's naughty list.

I imagine I've got it totally, laughably wrong. Gives me an incentive to go back and reread those books.