Wizards ofDungeons & Dragonsuse their intellect and scholarly studies to tap into the arcane in the safest, most efficient way possible. Compared to the raw powers of Sorcerers,D&D’s Wizards rely on their technical know-how to ensure their Spells work exactly the way they should. Moreover, Wizards thank their Schools for helping them gain mastery over their favored forms of magic.
RELATED:Ways The Elder Scrolls Could Be A Dungeons & Dragons 5e Campaign Setting
Players might want to pay attention as to just which Wizard School they put their characters into. If they play their cards right, their Wizard might be on the way to become a powerhouse. However, some players might also want to steer clear of certain Schools if they want to maximize their Wizard’s talents.
Updated on 23 June 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam:The Wizard persists as the most iconic spellcaster in the Dungeons & Dragons franchise. Even in D&D 5e, the Wizard continues to tout their signature Spellcasting prowess and array of magical abilities that can eliminate an army of foes when used correctly. However, thanks to Wizard Schools, not all of these characters are exactly alike. Depending on the School, a Wizard can specialize in defensive Abjuration, combative Evocation, or deceptive Illusion, to name a few. However, for players creating a Wizard, justwhich are the best Wizard Schools and Subclassesfor their characters?
10Transmutation
Under the School of Transmutation,Wizards use creation itself to bend both the mental and the physical. For instance:
Despite the limitations of Transmutation on a practical level, it does have its fair share of unique Spells. When utilized properly, these early-level Spells can maximize roleplaying opportunities despite their lack of combat potential. For instance,Shape Water(Cantrip) is easily one of the most creative Spells possible, capable of transforming water into various objects or even terrains. Other potent beginner Spells includeMessage(Cantrip),Prestidigitation(Cantrip), andFeather Fall(1st-Level).
Unfortunately, the Transmutation School’s perks already exist in the form of other Spells and magical effects. Furthermore, Wizards might find a better use of their Spells and training under otheruseful Subclassessuch as Abjuration.
9Enchantment
Some of the most powerful Wizards can use their magical talents to beguile or entrance other creatures and people to their side, and the School of Enchantment further amplifies the Wizard’s means of doing these things.
Due to its nature as asupport-oriented Wizard School, Enchantment grants the Enchanter some of the best buffs or debuffs in the game. For starters,Bless(1st-Level) andHeroism(1st-Level) are some of the best early-level buffs in the game. Meanwhile, Spells such asMind Sliver(Cantrip),Vicious Mockery(Cantrip),Dissonant Whispers(1st-Level), andCrown of Madness(2nd-Level) boast some of the nastiest effects against monsters. Unlike the protective Abjurers, Enchanters certainly make great faces in both roleplay and combat.
Unfortunately, Enchantment isn’t exactly as exciting as a School. For one, 14th-Level’s Alter Memories requires Charisma – possibly a Wizard’s dump stat aside from Strength. Moreover, Hypnotic Gaze only works on one target at a time, making it useless in encounters where enemies outnumber the Wizard’s allies. Additionally, Instinctive Charm may force enemies to redirect attacks to the Wizard’s allies as well, which might not be a great idea for character development.
8Conjuration
Wizards with a penchant for summoning familiars findthe versatile Ranger– especially Beast Masters – as kindred spirits.The School of Conjuration emphasizes the Wizard’s ability to produce creatures and objects out of thin air.
RELATED:Pro Tips To Create A Cyberpunk D&D Campaign
Conjuration emphasizes creating the right objects to aid the party in any situation. Surprisingly, Conjurers can tap on Spells such asSword Burst(Cantrip),Arms of Hadar(1st-Level),Entangle(1st-Level),Fog Cloud(1st-Level), and evenHail of Thorns(1st-Level) as early-level deterrents in combat. Likewise,Misty Step(2nd-Level),Thunder Step(3rd-Level), andFar Step(5th-Level) remain some of the best movement Spells in the game.
Unfortunately, Conjuration doesn’t add many improvements to a Wizard’s summoning capabilities. Remember, summoned creatures require Concentration to keep them in the material plane. Since anyone can only Concentrate on one kind of Spell, a Wizard can only summon one creature at a time.
7Illusion
Wizards can use their talents to amaze the mind and senses with Spells that generate illusions limited by the Spellcaster’s imagination. As it so happens, the School of Illusion further develops a Wizard’s talent for creating illusions.
Despite the rather small Spell List,Illusion has some of the most potent Spells in the game. Granted, not a lot of these Spells deal damage. However, in the right hands, Spells such asBlur Mirror Image(2nd-Level),Major Image(3rd-Image), andHallucinatory Terrain(4th-Level) can spell trouble for foes. Likewise,Invisibility(2nd-level),Silence(2nd-Level), andGreater Invisibility(4th-Level) remain some must-have Spells for any party when fighting against stronger foes.
At first glance, Illusion sounds like an awesome School for Wizards. In most cases, it is. However, Illusion demands heavily on the player’s imagination to maximize its perks. Unfortunately, players who want to focus on dealing damage might not find as much use in this regard.
6Necromancy
Instead of relying onpotent healing Spellsof their Cleric brethren,Necromancers simply let their minions do it for them.
Some of the most frightening Spells in the game lie in Necromancy, and this isn’t just because of the theme. Early-game Spells such asSpare the Dying(Cantrip),Toll the Dead(Cantrip),Cause Fear(1st-Level),Inflict Wounds(1st-Level), andRay of Sickness(1st-Level) can devastate enemy groups at the hands of the right player. Likewise, stronger Spells such asAnimate Dead(3rd-Level),Summon Undead(3rd-Level), andRaise Dead(5th-Level) can transform a Necromancer into a lord over a collection of undead minions.
As much as Necromancy has awesome perks, it does hold the potential of damaging the party dynamic. Firstly, this School prompts the Wizard to have multiple pets. In turn, they might easily outnumber the party. Secondly, the prospect of “using the dead” might not sit well with tables dominated by good-aligned characters.
5Divination
Unfortunately,useful Spellssuch as those from Divination demand a lot of power (and Spell Slots) from Wizards. The School of Divination gives Wizards a handy means of casting Divination Spells much easily.
Albeit requiring heavy roleplay, aDiviner can tap into Divination to provide a lot of benefits to the party. Early-level Spells such asGuidance(Cantrip),True Strike(Cantrip), andHunter’s Mark(1st-Level) can provide much-needed damage boosts to allies. Likewise, detection magic such asDetect Evil and Good(1st-Level),Detect Magic(1st-Level), andDetect Thoughts(2nd-Level) can turn the tide of roleplaying for players looking for outlets for their creative juices.
RELATED:D&D Adventures To Play If You Loved Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divination becomes a powerful School due to its ability to aid the party inside and outside of combat. A Wizard that can arm the party with their foresight can greatly reduce the chances of unnecessary deaths. In turn, this School maximizes the Wizard’s host of utility Spells.
4Abjuration
The School of Abjuration focuses on negating and denying negative effects – all of which can help parties against the harshest of foes and thedeadliest of boss NPCs.
As a result, the Abjuration is a greatSchool of Wizardswho want a defensive role in combat. After all, Abjuration Spells already add defenses to parties. However, Abjuration further enhances their potency and potential for protection.
Perhaps the hallmark of defense, Abjuration is the go-to Wizard School for everything about protecting and healing one’s allies. Outside must-have restoration Spells, early-level Abjuration Spells worth the Spell Slots includeMage Armor(1st-Level),Shield(1st-Level),Aid(2nd-Level), and evenPass Without Trace(2nd-Level). Meanwhile, more devastating Spells from the Wizard School includeCounterspell(3rd-Level),Dispel Magic(3rd-Level), and evenProtection From Energy(3rd-Level).
3Order Of The Scribes
Some Wizards might want to focus less on training their Spells and more on collecting them. In that case, the Order of the Scribes will be the right fit for them. Scribes obtain a Wizardly Quill and Awakened Spellbook that makes copying and learning Spells much easier.
The Order is a Subclass that can be treatedas a unique Classon its own. Being a Scribe celebrates the best aspects of Wizards, most of which involve collecting Spells. This Subclass works for Wizards who want to tout themselves more as scholars instead of being “that one Fireballing guy.”
Courtesy of theirAwakened Spellbook, a Scribe can easily compensate for any combat situation by simply changing damage types. In a type-heavy campaign such as those against colored dragons, a Scribe with this ability can become an invaluable asset. Likewise,Manifest Mindgives Scribes access to a Spellcasting outlet, greatly increasing their range of efficiency. In large-scale combat, a Scribe can deal devastating damage without risking exposing their position.
2War Magic
Wizards training under War Magic can perfectly blend the offensive capabilities of Evocation and the defensive traits of Abjuration. As a result, War Magicians have better defensive capabilities that make them akin toClerics wielding powerful weapons.
With War Magic and its expanded Spellcasting options, a Wizard can comfortably cast their preferred Spells without worrying about usual mechanics.Durable Magicallows them to bypass Concentration penalties through a handy bonus, letting them cast powerful Spells that would ordinarily tax a Wizard. Likewise,Tactical WitandArcane Deflectionexpand the Wizard’s combat potential with an Initiative buff and a defensive buff. With the right combat strategy, a War Wizard can get quite aggressive despite their inherently weak bodies.
Despite War Magic’s similarities with the School of Abjuration, War Magic seeks to become purely defensive. While Abjuration tries to mitigate damage taken from attacks, War Magic tries to prevent attacks from hitting the Wizard entirely, making this an ideal defensive School or subclass.
1Bladesinger
If the Fighter has the Eldritch Knight and the Warlock has the Hexblade, the Wizard has the Bladesinger. These Wizards train in using the potency of their Spells with the talents of fighting. In turn, their skills amplify their potential in melee combat.
Wizards who want to have a more proactive role on the battlefield can enjoy playing theBladesinger. Furthermore, their melee capabilities – especially with anancient artifactweapon – can grant them a lot of opportunities to take on the role of an offensive DPS without being the archetypal glass cannon Wizard.
Thanks to the wonders of Bladesinging, this Subclass easily transforms the Wizard into a melee combatant. Its Extra Attack alone gives Wizards the opportunity to cast a Cantrip or another weapon attack, depending on their preference. Likewise, switching betweenSongs of Defense or Victorycan help Wizards access more powerful defensive or damaging numbers at the cost of their Spell Slots. When built properly, a Bladesinger can be as potent as a Rogue when it comes to damage numbers.
