Master Arcanist (D&D Wizard variant)

Unofficial rules compendium

The master arcanist is a variant of sorcerer or specialist wizard who masters one arcane field, while still practicing the magic of other fields.

In all ways except as noted below, the master arcanists performs as a normal sorceror or wizard (not a specialist wizard); having a familiar, earning bonus feats as a wizard, and so on. The only exception is that a sorcerer master arcanist gains Eschew Materials as a bonus feat at first level, and a metamagical feat as a bonus feat every five levels, in addition to the normal features of the sorceror class. A master arcanists that adopts a prestige class that improves arcane spellcaster levels continues to use the special rules given here.

A master arcanist has one favored field. Spells in this field are considered one spell level lower. Some master arcanists consider certain spells neutral, and these are considered to be of their normal level. Finally, most spells are considered to be in opposition, and are considered one spell level higher than normal. This applies to all aspects of affected spells; how difficult they are to learn, prepare, and use, how difficult they are to save against and concentrate upon, and so on. Spells of level zero cannot be lowered further. Spells of level nine that are raised one level are not considered to be on the master arcanist's spell list at all. Spells that have different types in different cases, such as summon monster spells, can be learned several times at different levels, but this is rarely worthwhile; it is better to focus only on the favored aspect of such spells.

There are many kinds of master arcanists, with different favored, neutral, and opposed fields. Most center around schools, subschools, and types of spells.

All master arcanists consider universal school spells to be neutral fields.

Master Arcanist Variant	Favored Fields	Neutral Fields	Opposed Fields
Master Abjurer	Abjuration	Divination	All other
Master Summoner	Calling, Summoning, and Teleportation subschool of Conjuration	All other Conjuration	All other
Master Creator	Creation subschool of Conjuration	All other Conjuration	All other
Master Diviner	Divination	Enchantment, Illusion	All other
Master Enchanter	Enchantment	Divination, Illusion except Shadow subschool	All other
Master Evoker	Evocation	-	All other
Master Illusionist	Illusion	Polymorph subschool of Transmutation	All other
Master Necromancer	Necromancy	Abjuration	All other
Master Transformer	Polymorph subschool of Transmutation	All other Transmutation	All other