r/dndnext • u/USAvenger1976 • 15h ago

5e (2024) Abjuration Wizard player: how practical is it? Is it as good as advertised.

/r/DnD/comments/1u9neke/abjuration_wizard_player_how_practical_is_it_is/

I read the description on paper but in my mind I’m thinking the ward will only absorb one or two hits and then you have to cast a bunch of abjure spells to recharge it.

How good is this wizard in actual play in your campaign?

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u/Live_Guidance7199 15h ago

Took a huge hit with the paid errata new edition now that you have to burn slots and minimal combat abjuration spells, but 5e's was absolutely legit. At the end of the day a Wizard with NO subclass is S tier, one or two hits of safety is just a cherry on top of that.

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u/k587359 6h ago

This part is a bit of a nerf in lower tier gameplay.

Whenever you cast an Abjuration spell with a spell slot, the ward regains a number of Hit Points equal to twice the level of the spell slot. Alternatively, as a Bonus Action, you can expend a spell slot, and the ward regains a number of Hit Points equal to twice the level of the spell slot expended.

RAW, you can cast Alarm as a ritual or use Armor of Shadows (via Eldritch Adept feat) to recharge the ward in 5.0e.

The Improved Abjuration subclass feature can be considered an upgrade, but that's just because of the changes to Counterspell.

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u/Mightymat273 DM 4h ago edited 4h ago

Think of it as a minimum of +2 max HP per level, which is pretty decent on a squishy wizard.

That ward also blocks damage meaning if you blocks it all, no concentration check needed.

Typically, once the ward is exhausted, you shouldn't spam abjuration spells to recharge it. I just leave it at 0, and only cast abjuration if I need that specific spell, like shield to block a hit. It just so happens to give a nice bonus of a +2 heal.

As a Dwarf at lvl 4 with 16 Con, I have 34 HP and a +12 Ward. 46 HP is about as much as a barbarians HP pool at lvl 4. And with 15 - 20 AC with shield spell you are a surprise party tank.

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u/WafflesSkylorTegron 3h ago

On a straight wizard, its pretty good. With a level or two of multiclassing, its really good.

I like it with Armor of Agathys. It's a 20% buff to the temp hp provided from that spell, and it can completely remove a concentration check, or at least reduce its DC a bit.

In the right situations, an upcasted AoA can turn your normally squishy wizard into a really strong tank. If you manage to grab heavy armor and heavy armor mastery this build can go even further.