The main reason why the School of Divination is the best
As the barbarian stands struggling to read a road sign, the druid chats amicably with the local flora and fauna for directions and the bard seduces a passing wanderer, you pull out the map from your pocket and wonder how you ended up in a party of idiots.
Wizards, the only class whose primary stat is Intelligence, are often the brains of an adventuring party. For me, this is what makes them super fun to play.
I’ve only ever played one type of wizard, so I want to explain what I love about School of Divination wizards.
For those that don’t know, in D&D, all magic is split into one of nine schools: abjuration, conjuration, divination, enchantment, evocation, illusion, necromancy, and transmutation. Each school focuses on a different way in which magic can be used. For example, abjuration focuses on protection magics, whereas transmutation changes the properties of things, and necromancy deals with death magic.
It’s natural then, that wizards should separate themselves into the same schools based on their primary focus. My favourite of which is the School of Divination. Here’s why: their Portent ability.
Starting at second level, a divination wizard gets to roll two portent d20s every morning when they pick their spells and keep the rolls for later. At any point during that day, the wizard may expend a portent die to force their pre-determined roll onto an ally, an enemy or themselves in place of a usual d20 roll.
In my experience, if you roll either really high or really low, these portent dice are the most fun thing to play around with.
Nothing my wizard could do felt more satisfying than granting a party member a natural 20 on the hit that finishes the big boss, or forcing said boss to fail an all important saving throw that completely changes the tide of battle.
Think about it! It's so much power in a squishy wizard’s hands!
Let me know what you think in the comments! What are your favourite experiences with portent dice? Is a different school more fun? Or do you not like wizards at all?