Wizard: Research Scholar (v0.3)
How does magic work at its most fundamental level? This is a question that is constantly on the minds of Research Scholars. Dedicated to their experiments and their pursuit for knowledge, they often end up as academic professors in Wizard schools.
In order to test new and novel hypothesis of the arcane, a number of Research Scholars have chosen to go on adventures. Some have a thesis they wish to prove, while others are on a quest to decide on their research topic. Either way, they are always learning something new.
Master Scholar
Starting at 2nd level, you become a compendium of knowledge on a vast array of topics. You are proficient in two additional skills from the Wizard skill list. If you are not yet proficient in Arcana, it must be one of your choices.
In addition, you have a number of Scholar Points equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1). You can spend 1 Scholar Point to re-roll an Intelligence check that you fail. If you do so, you must use the new roll.
When you finish a long rest, you regain your spent Scholar Points.
Rigorous Study
Starting at 2nd level, your arcane studies are starting to bear fruit. You learn one Wizard cantrip of your choice. This cantrip does not count against your number of known cantrips.
You may also add one Wizard spell of your choice to your spell book. This bonus spell must be a level for which you have spell slots, as shown on the Wizard table. Each time you gain a level in the Wizard class thereafter you may add another bonus spell to your spell book, following the same restrictions.
Intellectual Savant
At 6th level, you are able to recognize the subtlest of patterns and use it to your advantage. Add your proficiency bonus to the number of spells you can prepare.
In addition, when rolling for a saving throw, as a reaction you can spend 1 Scholar Point to add your Intelligence modifier to the result. You may decide whether or not to do so after seeing the result, but before knowing if it succeeds.
Arcane Formula
At 10th level, as a result of your experiments, you master the formula which forms the spells you know. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for Intelligence (Arcana) checks. If this skill is already benefiting from a similar feature, such as Expertise, you do not receive this bonus.
In addition, when casting a spell you prepared from your spell book, you can make one of the following changes to it:
- If the spell effect has a shape of a sphere, cube, or cone, you can spend 1 Scholar Point to substitute the shape with another in that list. While you must retain the length or diameter of the spell effect, you may move the starting point from the center to the edge, or vice versa.
- If the spell deals acid, cold, fire, lightning, poison, or thunder damage, you can spend 2 Scholar Points to substitute one damage type to another in that list.
- If the spell requires a saving throw, you can spend 3 Scholar Points to substitute the saving throw to another of your choice.
Prodigious Memory
At 14th level, your ability to recall spells is unparalleled. As a bonus action, you can replace one spell you prepared with another spell from your spell book. You can't use this feature again until you finish a short or long rest.
In addition, if you casted a Wizard spell in the last 24 hours that is not in your spell book (e.g. from a scroll or magic item), you may attempt to scribe it into your spell book using the usual “Adding New Spell” rules. You may also attempt to add spells that were modified by the Arcane Formula feature, such that it costs 1 less Scholar Point to cast when prepared.
Preparing Arcane Formula Spells
You can't gain the "1 less Scholar Point" benefit from a base spell more than once. For example, if you scribed Acidball (Fireball base) into your spell book on the first night, and then scribed a Constitution saving throw Acidball on the second night, it will still cost 3 Scholar Points (and a spell slot) to cast when prepared. Additionally, you won't be able to cast Fireball if you only have Acidball prepared, as they count as separate spells.
Credits
- Design by Sagittaeri
- Thanks Draz and YandereYasuo
- Art by woong seok Kim
- Inspired by various homebrew Lore Wizards
Changelog
- 0.3: Swapped shape and damage type Scholar Point cost in Arcane Formula. Also removed "Arcane Recovery restores Scholar Points" but added Expertise in Arcana.
- 0.2: Use INT modifier for Scholar Points instead of arbitrary table, as it's more. thematic and it's affected by INT curses etc. Also, swapped out INT skill expertise for saving throw bonus in Intellectual Savant to prevent 100% lore recall success scenario, and also to give subclass one much needed combat boost.
- 0.1: Initial design.