Wizard

Image used by permission of Yama Orce.

Beyond the veil of the mundane hide the secrets of absolute power. The works of beings beyond mortals, the legends of realms where gods and spirits tread, the lore of creations both wondrous and terrible—such mysteries call to those with the ambition and the intellect to rise above the common folk to grasp true might. Such is the path of the wizard. These shrewd magic-users seek, collect, and covet esoteric knowledge, drawing on cultic arts to work wonders beyond the abilities of mere mortals. While some might choose a particular field of magical study and become masters of such powers, others embrace versatility, reveling in the unbounded wonders of all magic. In either case, wizards prove a cunning and potent lot, capable of smiting their foes, empowering their allies, and shaping the world to their every desire.

Role: While universalist wizards might study to prepare themselves for any manner of danger, specialist wizards research schools of magic that make them exceptionally skilled within a specific focus. Yet no matter their specialty, all wizards are masters of the impossible and can aid their allies in overcoming any danger.

Alignment: Any

Hit Die: d6

Starting Wealth: 2d6 × 10 gp (average 70 gp.) In addition, each character begins play with an outfit worth 10 gp or less.

Class Skills

The wizard’s class skills are Appraise (Int), Craft (Int), Fly (Dex), Knowledge (all) (Int), Linguistics (Int), Profession (Wis), and Spellcraft (Int).

Skill Ranks per Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: Wizard
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special Spells per Day
0th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th
1st +0 +0 +0 +2 Arcane bond, arcane school, cantrips, Scribe Scroll 3 1
2nd +1 +0 +0 +3 4 2
3rd +1 +1 +1 +3 4 2 1
4th +2 +1 +1 +4 4 3 2
5th +2 +1 +1 +4 Bonus feat 4 3 2 1
6th +3 +2 +2 +5 4 3 3 2
7th +3 +2 +2 +5 4 4 3 2 1
8th +4 +2 +2 +6 4 4 3 3 2
9th +4 +3 +3 +6 4 4 4 3 2 1
10th +5 +3 +3 +7 Bonus feat 4 4 4 3 3 2
11th +5 +3 +3 +7 4 4 4 4 3 2 1
12th +6/+1 +4 +4 +8 4 4 4 4 3 3 2
13th +6/+1 +4 +4 +8 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 1
14th +7/+2 +4 +4 +9 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2
15th +7/+2 +5 +5 +9 Bonus feat 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 1
16th +8/+3 +5 +5 +10 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2
17th +8/+3 +5 +5 +10 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 2 1
18th +9/+4 +6 +6 +11 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 2
19th +9/+4 +6 +6 +11 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3
20th +10/+5 +6 +6 +12 Bonus feat 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

Class Features

The following are the class features of the wizard.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Wizards are proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield. Armor interferes with a wizard’s movements, which can cause his spells with somatic components to fail.

Spells

A wizard casts arcane spells drawn from the sorcerer/wizard spell list. A wizard must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time.

To learn, prepare, or cast a spell, the wizard must have an Intelligence score equal to at least 10 + the spell level. The Difficulty Class for a saving throw against a wizard’s spell is 10 + the spell level + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier.

A wizard can cast only a certain number of spells of each spell level per day. His base daily spell allotment is given on Table: Wizard. In addition, he receives bonus spells per day if he has a high Intelligence score (see Table: Ability Modifiers and Bonus Spells).

A wizard may know any number of spells. He must choose and prepare his spells ahead of time by getting 8 hours of sleep and spending 1 hour studying his spellbook. While studying, the wizard decides which spells to prepare.

Starting Spells (See Spellbooks below): A wizard begins play with a spellbook containing all 0-level wizard spells (except those from his opposed schools, if any; see Arcane Schools) plus three 1st-level spells of his choice. The wizard also selects a number of additional 1st-level spells equal to his Intelligence modifier to add to the spellbook. At each new wizard level, he gains two new spells of any spell level or levels that he can cast (based on his new wizard level) for his spellbook. At any time, a wizard can also add spells found in other wizards’ spellbooks to his own (see Magic).

Spells Gained at a New Level: Wizards perform a certain amount of spell research between adventures. Each time a character attains a new wizard level, he gains two spells of his choice to add to his spellbook. The two free spells must be of spell levels he can cast.

Bonus Languages

A wizard may substitute Draconic for one of the bonus languages available to the character because of his race.

Arcane Bond (Ex or Sp)

FAQ

Can you identify an item that is the subject of an arcane bond from a wizard with detect magic or a similar affect, even if the item contains no other enchantments?

Since the arcane bond class feature, when tied to an item, grants a wizard the ability to cast any one spell, it is safe to assume that it does radiate magic when it is the subject of detect magic. The aura power would be directly related to the highest level spell it could be used to cast, but there would be no school associated with the item unless it was further enchanted.

[Source]

Can I dismiss my familiar so I may select a new familiar?

This isn’t addressed in the rules anywhere, but yes, you should be able to dismiss a familiar if you want to select a new one. However, you must still wait 1 week and pay 200 gp for the 8-hour ritual. Dismissing a familiar is ending a link between your soul and it, so it should probably take about an hour. The exception to the above is if you take the Improved Familiar feat, which allows you to immediately replace your familiar with the new familiar, at no cost or time required (it is assumed this occurs during whatever preparations you make while leveling up). Once dismissed, an animal familiar is just a normal animal of its type (a special familiar from the Improved Familiar feat reverts to a normal creature of its type). Whether or not it wants to remain with you is up to your GM and probably based on how you treated the creature while it was your familiar.

[Source]

At 1st level, wizards form a powerful bond with an object or a creature. This bond can take one of two forms: a familiar or a bonded object. A familiar is a magical pet that enhances the wizard’s skills and senses and can aid him in magic, while a bonded object is an item a wizard can use to cast additional spells or to serve as a magical item. Once a wizard makes this choice, it is permanent and cannot be changed.

Rules for bonded items are given below, while rules for familiars are located here: Familiars.

Wizards who select a bonded object begin play with one at no cost. Objects that are the subject of an arcane bond must fall into one of the following categories: amulet, ring, staff, wand, or weapon. These objects are always masterwork quality. Weapons acquired at 1st level are not made of any special material. If the object is an amulet or ring, it must be worn to have effect, while staves, wands, and weapons must be held in one hand. If a wizard attempts to cast a spell without his bonded object worn or in hand, he must make a concentration check or lose the spell. The DC for this check is equal to 20 + the spell’s level. If the object is a ring or amulet, it occupies the ring or neck slot accordingly.

A bonded object can be used once per day to cast any one spell that the wizard has in his spellbook and is capable of casting, even if the spell is not prepared. This spell is treated like any other spell cast by the wizard, including casting time, duration, and other effects dependent on the wizard’s level. This spell cannot be modified by metamagic feats or other abilities. The bonded object cannot be used to cast spells from the wizard’s opposition schools (see arcane school below).

A wizard can add additional magic abilities to his bonded object as if he has the required Item Creation Feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat. For example, a wizard with a bonded dagger must be at least 5th level to add magic abilities to the dagger (see Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat). If the bonded object is a wand, it loses its wand abilities when its last charge is consumed, but it is not destroyed and it retains all of its bonded object properties and can be used to craft a new wand. The magic properties of a bonded object, including any magic abilities added to the object, only function for the wizard who owns it. If a bonded object’s owner dies, or the item is replaced, the object reverts to being an ordinary masterwork item of the appropriate type.

If a bonded object is damaged, it is restored to full hit points the next time the wizard prepares his spells. If the object of an arcane bond is lost or destroyed, it can be replaced after 1 week in a special ritual that costs 200 gp per wizard level plus the cost of the masterwork item. This ritual takes 8 hours to complete. Items replaced in this way do not possess any of the additional enchantments of the previous bonded item. A wizard can designate an existing magic item as his bonded item. This functions in the same way as replacing a lost or destroyed item except that the new magic item retains its abilities while gaining the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a bonded item.

Arcane School

A wizard can choose to specialize in one school of magic, gaining additional spells and powers based on that school. This choice must be made at 1st level, and once made, it cannot be changed. A wizard that does not select a school receives the universalist school instead.

A wizard that chooses to specialize in one school of magic must select two other schools as his opposition schools, representing knowledge sacrificed in one area of arcane lore to gain mastery in another. A wizard who prepares spells from his opposition schools must use two spell slots of that level to prepare the spell. For example, a wizard with evocation as an opposition school must expend two of his available 3rd-level spell slots to prepare a fireball. In addition, a specialist takes a –4 penalty on any skill checks made when crafting a magic item that has a spell from one of his opposition schools as a prerequisite. A universalist wizard can prepare spells from any school without restriction.

Each arcane school gives the wizard a number of school powers. In addition, specialist wizards receive an additional spell slot of each spell level he can cast, from 1st on up. Each day, a wizard can prepare a spell from his specialty school in that slot. This spell must be in the wizard’s spellbook. A wizard can select a spell modified by a metamagic feat to prepare in his school slot, but it uses up a higher-level spell slot. Wizards with the universalist school do not receive a school slot.

Elemental Arcane Schools

Instead of specializing in a focused arcane school of magic, a wizard can choose to specialize in one of the elemental schools of magic. Like a normal arcane school, an elemental school grants a number of school powers and one bonus spell slot of each level the wizard can cast, from 1st on up. This bonus spell slot must be used to prepare a spell from the elemental school’s spell list. Unlike a normal arcane school, each elemental school requires the wizard to select his opposed element as his opposition school (air opposes earth, fire opposes water). He does not need to select a second opposition school. He must expend two spell slots to prepare a spell from his opposed elemental school as normal.

Cantrips

Wizards can prepare a number of cantrips, or 0-level spells, each day, as noted on Table: Wizard under “Spells per Day.” These spells are cast like any other spell, but they are not expended when cast and may be used again. A wizard can prepare a cantrip from an opposition school, but it uses up two of his available slots (see below).

Scribe Scroll

At 1st level, a wizard gains Scribe Scroll as a bonus feat.

Bonus Feats

At 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th level, a wizard gains a bonus feat. At each such opportunity, he can choose a metamagic feat, an item creation, or Spell Mastery. The wizard must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including caster level minimums. These bonus feats are in addition to the feats that a character of any class gets from advancing levels. The wizard is not limited to the categories of Item Creation Feats, Metamagic Feats, or Spell Mastery when choosing those feats.

A wizard may also choose an Arcane Discovery that he qualifies for in place of a bonus feat at these levels.

Alternative Capstone Ability

Source PPC:CoL

When a character reaches the 20th level of a class, she gains a powerful class feature or ability, sometimes referred to as a capstone. When a character reaches 20th level in this class, the following new ability can be selected instead of the standard 20th level class ability which would normally be gained. In some cases, a capstone specifies what ability it replaces. A character can’t select an alternative capstone if she has previously traded away her class capstone via an archetype. Clerics and wizards can receive a capstone at 20th level, despite not having one to begin with.

Well-Prepared (Su)

At 20th level, the wizard has a spell for every occasion he can imagine—and a few he can’t. The wizard gains two additional cantrips per day, six additional 1st- and 2nd-level spell slots, four additional 3rd- and 4th-level spell slots, two additional 5th-level spell slots, and one additional 6th-level spell slot.

Spellbooks

A wizard must study his spellbook each day to prepare his spells. He cannot prepare any spell not recorded in his spellbook, except for read magic, which all wizards can prepare from memory.

A wizard begins play with a spellbook containing all 0-level wizard spells (except those from his opposed schools, if any; see Arcane Schools) plus three 1st-level spells of his choice. The wizard also selects a number of additional 1st-level spells equal to his Intelligence modifier to add to the spellbook.

Adding Spells to a Wizard’s Spellbook

Wizards can add new spells to their spellbooks through several methods. A wizard can only learn new spells that belong to the wizard spell lists (see Magic).

Spells Gained at a New Level: Wizards perform a certain amount of spell research between adventures. Each time a character attains a new wizard level, he gains two spells of his choice to add to his spellbook. The two free spells must be of spell levels he can cast.

Spells Copied from Another Spellbook or Scroll: A wizard can also add a spell to his book whenever he encounters one on a magic scroll or in another wizard’s spellbook. No matter what the spell’s source, the wizard must first decipher the magical writing (see Arcane Magical Writings). Next, he must spend 1 hour studying the spell. At the end of the hour, he must make a Spellcraft check (DC 15 + spell’s level). A wizard who has specialized in a school of spells gains a +2 bonus on the Spellcraft check if the new spell is from his specialty. See Writing a New Spell into a Spellbook for associated costs.

Arcane Spells and Armor

Armor restricts the complicated gestures required while casting any spell that has a somatic component. The armor and shield descriptions list the arcane spell failure chance for different armors and shields.

If a spell doesn’t have a somatic component, an arcane spellcaster can cast it with no arcane spell failure chance while wearing armor. Such spells can also be cast even if the caster’s hands are bound or he is grappling (although concentration checks still apply normally). The metamagic feat Still Spell allows a spellcaster to prepare or cast a spell without the somatic component at one spell level higher than normal. This also provides a way to cast a spell while wearing armor without risking arcane spell failure.

Table: Alternate Favored Class Bonuses
Race Bonus Source
Paizo
Dwarf Select one item creation feat known by the wizard. Whenever crafting an item using that feat, the amount of progress made in an 8-hour period increases by 200 gp (50 gp if crafting while adventuring). This does not reduce the cost of the item; it just increases the rate at which the item is crafted. PZO1121
Elf Select one arcane school power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. The wizard adds +½ to the number of uses per day of that arcane school power. PZO1115
Gnome Add +½ to the number of uses per day of arcane school powers. This increase only applies to arcane school powers available at 1st level and normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. PZO1115
Half-elf When casting wizard enchantment spells, add +1/3 to the effective caster level of the spell, but only to determine the spell’s duration. PZO1121
Half-orc Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks made due to taking damage while casting wizard spells. PZO1121
Halfling Add +½ to the wizard’s effective class level for the purposes of determining the familiar’s natural armor adjustment, Intelligence, and special abilities. PZO1121
Human Add one spell from the wizard spell list to the wizard’s spellbook. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level he can cast. PZO1115
Other Races
Dhampir Add +¼ to the wizard’s caster level when casting spells of the necromancy school. PZO1121
Drow Select one arcane school power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. The wizard adds +½ to the number of uses per day of that arcane school power. PZO1121
Fetchling Add one spell from the wizard spell list to wizard’s spellbook. The spell must be at or below the highest level the wizard can cast and be of the illusion (shadow) subschool or have the darkness descriptor. PZO1121
Gillman Add one spell from the wizard spell list to the wizard’s spellbook. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level he can cast. PZO1121
Kobold Add ½ to your familiar’s Will saves against enchantment effects, or increase the hit points of your bonded item by 1. KoG
Samsaran Add one spell from the wizard spell list to the wizard’s spellbook. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the wizard can cast. PZO1121
Sylph Select one arcane school power from the air or wood elemental schools that the wizard can currently use. The wizard class level is treated as though it were +½ higher (to a maximum of +4) when determining the effects of that power. PZO1121
Tiefling Select one arcane school power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. The wizard adds +½ to the number of uses per day of that arcane school power. PZO1121
Undine Add one spell from the cleric, druid, or wizard spell list with the water descriptor to the wizard’s spellbook. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the wizard can cast. This spell is treated as one level higher unless it also appears on the wizard spell list. PZO1121
3rd Party Publishers
Jon Brazer Enterprises
Android Add one spell from the wizard spell list to the wizard’s spellbook. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the wizard can cast. JBE:BoHR:AFCO
Catfolk Add +1/4 round to the duration of the wizard’s dazing touch (enchantment school only). JBE:BoHR:AFCO
Changeling When casting wizard polymorph spells that target only the wizard, add +1/2 to the caster level. JBE:BoHR:AFCO
Duergar Add a +½ bonus on checks made to craft magic items. JBE:BoHRC
Hobgoblin When casting wizard spells with the fear descriptor, add +? to the effective caster level of the spell, but only to determine the spell’s duration. JBE:BoHRC
Orc Add a +1 bonus on concentration checks made due to taking damage while casting wizard spells. JBE:BoHRC
Ratfolk When casting wizard spells with the disease descriptor, add +? to the effective caster level of the spell, but only to determine the spell’s duration. JBE:BoHRC
Tiefling Select one arcane school power at 1st level that is normally usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + the wizard’s Intelligence modifier. The wizard adds +½ to the number of uses per day of that arcane school power. JBE:BoHRC
Wayang When casting wizard spells with the shadow descriptor, add +? to the effective caster level of the spell. JBE:BoHRC
Rogue Genius Games
Piper Add +½ to your effective caster level for any enchantment (charm) spell you cast. (+1 effective level for every two times you select this option.) RGG:HHO

Archetypes & Alternate Class Features

When a character selects a class, he must choose to use the standard class features found or those listed in one of the archetypes presented here. Each alternate class feature replaces a specific class feature from its parent class. For example, the elemental fist class feature of the monk of the four winds replaces the stunning fist class feature of the monk. When an archetype includes multiple class features, a character must take all of them—often blocking the character from ever gaining certain familiar class features, but replacing them with equally powerful options. All of the other class features found in the core class and not mentioned among the alternate class features remain unchanged and are acquired normally when the character reaches the appropriate level (unless noted otherwise). A character who takes an alternate class feature does not count as having the class feature that was replaced when meeting any requirements or prerequisites.

A character can take more than one archetype and garner additional alternate class features, but none of the alternate class features can replace or alter the same class feature from the core class as another alternate class feature. For example, a paladin could not be both a hospitaler and an undead scourge since they both modify the smite evil class feature and both replace the aura of justice class feature. A paladin could, however, be both an undead scourge and a warrior of the holy light, since none of their new class features replace the same core class feature.

Archetypes are a quick and easy way to specialize characters of a given class, adding fun and flavorful new abilities to already established adventurers. Characters may take more than one archetype if they meet the requirements.

Table: Archetypes / Alternate Class Features
Archetype /
Alternate
Class Feature
Class Features Changed or Replaced
Class Skills Skill Ranks per Level Weapon & Armor Spells Cantrips Spellbooks Bonus Languages Arcane Bond Arcane School Scribe Scroll Bonus Feat
5 10 15 20
Paizo
Arcane Bomber         X     X X          
Arcane Physician                 X X        
Bonded Wizard               C   X X X X  
Chronomancer               X       X X X
Clocksmith               C   X X X X X
Elder Mythos Scholar           C   C C X X   X  
Exploiter Wizard               X X          
Familiar Adept           C   C C X X X    
Fey Caller               C X X        
Hallowed Necromancer       C       C C X X X X  
Instructor               X     C C C C
Pact Wizard (FF)               C C          
Pact Wizard (HH)       C           X X X X X
Poleiheira Adherent               X X          
Primalist               X     X X    
Runesage               C X          
Scrollmaster               X       X    
Scroll Scholar       C         C   X      
Shadowcaster               X     X X    
Siege Mage         X     X X X        
Spellslinger         X     X X X        
Spell Sage               X X          
Spirit Binder               C C X X X X X
Spirit Whisperer           X   C X   C C C X
Sword Binder               C X     X    
Undead Master               C C X X X X X
Arcane Discoveries*
Alchemical Affinity                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Arcane Builder                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Balanced Summoning                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Beyond Morality                       (X) (X) (X)
Creative Destruction                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Defensive Feedback                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Fast Study                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Feral Speech                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Forest’s Blessing                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Golem Constructor                       (X) (X) (X)
Idealize                       (X) (X) (X)
Immortality                           (X)
Infectious Charms                         (X) (X)
Ioun Bond                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Knowledge is Power                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Multimorph                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Opposition Research                       (X) (X) (X)
Resilient Illusions                       (X) (X) (X)
Split Slot                     (X) (X) (X) (X)
Staff-Like Wand                         (X) (X)
Steward of the
Great Beyond
                      (X) (X) (X)
Time Stutter                       (X) (X) (X)
True Name                         (X) (X)
Werewolf Shape                         (X) (X)
Cruoromancer (Dhampir)               X     X X X X
Spellbinder (Elf)               X            
Wind Listener (Sylph) C             X C   X X X  
3rd Party Publishers
4 Winds Fantasy Gaming
Intuitive Wizardry                 X          
Flaming Crab Games
Gold-Robed Wizard               X X   X X    
Necromancers of the Northwest
Sutramancer                            
Radiance House
Soul Weaver       C       X X   X X X X
Rite Publishing
Dweomerden Wizard                            
Force Commander                            
Glamerforge Wizard                            
Horimyo     X C C     X   X X X X X
Nethervault Wizard                            
Onmyoji       C       X   X        
Arcane Discoveries
Energy Discharge                            
Quicken Protective Ward                            
Rogue Genius Games
Blacksnake               X X          
Cloakfighter               X X          
Harrier               X X          
Physical Exemplar               X X          
Spellhammer               X X          
Weapon Champion               X X          
Youxia               X X          
X=replaced, (X)=optional replacement, C=changed, 1=archetype package 1, 2=archetype package 2
* Arcane discoveries may be selected with a wizard’s normal feats gained from leveling, if they meet the prerequisites

Subpages

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook. © 2009, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Author: Jason Bulmahn, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.

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