So I’ve got this idea for a “ghostly” wizard…essentially, a Wizard who utilizes spells that replicate some of the abilities of incorporeal, undead creatures (shadows, ghosts, specters, poltergeists, etc.).
Poltergeist abilities will involve spells that hurl objects…”Catapult”, “Animate Objects”, and “Telekinesis”.
Ghostly abilities will include spells like “Blink”, “Misty Step”, “Invisibility”, “Gaseous Form” and “Etherealness”, to encompass the “intangibility” of incorporeal undead.
Then a dose of “Cause Fear”, “Bestow Curse”, and “Enervation” for the terror. ; )
The character is actually going to be rather cheerful…sort of an ironic contrast to the ghoulish-ness.
Where I’m stuck is on which subclass to pick.
(this is a typical problem I have with Wizards in general)
The scribes wizard can manifest a ghostly sage or tome for their awakened mind feature which is incorporeal and you can see from its space and cast spells from there.
Also recommend illusion spells to make stuff appear on walls, manifest fears (phantasmal force / killer), and such "haunting" things. Perhaps pick up thaumaturgy from race or a feat. Etherealness would be a must get.
Prestidigitation is a good cantrip as you can make blood writing, soil clothes with blood and make the odour of rot and decay.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond. Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ thisFAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Have you thought about Disguise Self to give yourself that 'ghostly' look?, its pushing the spell a little to appear ghostly but as it is just a cosmetic effect it might be ok. Don't forget if you have access to Tasha's you also have the Summon Shadow Spirit and Summon Undead Spirit spells for ghostly critters at your beck and call.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
Have you thought about Disguise Self to give yourself that 'ghostly' look?, its pushing the spell a little to appear ghostly but as it is just a cosmetic effect it might be ok. Don't forget if you have access to Tasha's you also have the Summon Shadow Spirit and Summon Undead Spirit spells for ghostly critters at your beck and call.
“Summon Undead Spirit” is a strong nomination for a Necromancy Wizard…almost enough to make up for the subclasses bias towards zombies & skeletons.
”Summon Shadow Spirit”, on the other hand, makes me think of a Conjuration Wizard…though that subclass has little to offer this concept.
The scribes wizard can manifest a ghostly sage or tome for their awakened mind feature which is incorporeal and you can see from its space and cast spells from there.
Also recommend illusion spells to make stuff appear on walls, manifest fears (phantasmal force / killer), and such "haunting" things. Perhaps pick up thaumaturgy from race or a feat. Etherealness would be a must get.
Prestidigitation is a good cantrip as you can make blood writing, soil clothes with blood and make the odour of rot and decay.
I was considering Scribe Wizard!
It’s a divergent concept from the “bookish” theme they’re going for…but it isn’t a bad choice.
School of necromancy would probably fit with the undead theme you're going with, though I'm not sure if it has the specific abilities you're looking for.
School of necromancy would probably fit with the undead theme you're going with, though I'm not sure if it has the specific abilities you're looking for.
Aye, that’s sort of my feeling, as well.
The ability to siphon health from enemies you kill…albeit only a small amount of healing…is pretty interesting.
But the emphasis of later features is really focused around only animating “corporeal” undead…not ghosts or such.
I’m probably going to home brew something in the mean time, but right now, Enchantment or Illusion is looking closer to the concept.
If you want the non coporeal undead vibe why not see if your DM would allow you to use animate dead to replicate either the Hexblade Warlock Accursed Spectre or Shadow Sorcerer Hound of ill Omen features instead? You could then use whatever wizard subclass floats your boat, Enchament wizard means your dominating the spirit of the dead, illusion wizard are just using a specialised version of the phantasmal force/killer spells etc.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
* Need a character idea? Search for "Rob76's Unused" in the Story and Lore section.
If you want the non coporeal undead vibe why not see if your DM would allow you to use animate dead to replicate either the Hexblade Warlock Accursed Spectre or Shadow Sorcerer Hound of ill Omen features instead? You could then use whatever wizard subclass floats your boat, Enchament wizard means your dominating the spirit of the dead, illusion wizard are just using a specialised version of the phantasmal force/killer spells etc.
That’s a good solution.
It’s funny how both the Hexblade Warlock & the Shadow Sorcerer, at one point, had those features switched around during the Unearthed Arcana.
So I’m pouring through the old Unearthed Arcana; and I take a closer look at the “Psionic” Wizard…
There was a very good framework for a “ghostly” wizard in this subclass…sure, it made for a confusing psionic subclass…
…but it had features that seemed ghostly in nature.
“Thought Form” could be the-flavored as a ghostly form, granting the physical resistance & appearing as transparent.
The “psionic focus” could be replaced by “Gothic Trinkets”, indicating their research into the paranormal.
I’d give their options for cantrip access to “Thaumaturgy” without need for verbal or somatic components, since that cantrip has a very “haunted” feel to it.
The emphasis on psychic & force damage really “works” for a ghostly subclass.
I dunno…this subclass has elements I might tweak into a home brew.
Maybe give it some re-works that lets them push creatures of a smaller size around as a bonus action like a poltergeist…or the ability to blink into the Ethereal Plane a fixed number of times per Long Rest.
Shame this subclass never got revisited.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
So I’ve got this idea for a “ghostly” wizard…essentially, a Wizard who utilizes spells that replicate some of the abilities of incorporeal, undead creatures (shadows, ghosts, specters, poltergeists, etc.).
Poltergeist abilities will involve spells that hurl objects…”Catapult”, “Animate Objects”, and “Telekinesis”.
Ghostly abilities will include spells like “Blink”, “Misty Step”, “Invisibility”, “Gaseous Form” and “Etherealness”, to encompass the “intangibility” of incorporeal undead.
Then a dose of “Cause Fear”, “Bestow Curse”, and “Enervation” for the terror. ; )
The character is actually going to be rather cheerful…sort of an ironic contrast to the ghoulish-ness.
Where I’m stuck is on which subclass to pick.
(this is a typical problem I have with Wizards in general)
At any rate, I’d be welcome to suggestions!
The scribes wizard can manifest a ghostly sage or tome for their awakened mind feature which is incorporeal and you can see from its space and cast spells from there.
Also recommend illusion spells to make stuff appear on walls, manifest fears (phantasmal force / killer), and such "haunting" things. Perhaps pick up thaumaturgy from race or a feat. Etherealness would be a must get.
Prestidigitation is a good cantrip as you can make blood writing, soil clothes with blood and make the odour of rot and decay.
Click ✨ HERE ✨ For My Youtube Videos featuring Guides, Tips & Tricks for using D&D Beyond.
Need help with Homebrew? Check out ✨ this FAQ/Guide thread ✨ by IamSposta.
Have you thought about Disguise Self to give yourself that 'ghostly' look?, its pushing the spell a little to appear ghostly but as it is just a cosmetic effect it might be ok. Don't forget if you have access to Tasha's you also have the Summon Shadow Spirit and Summon Undead Spirit spells for ghostly critters at your beck and call.
“Summon Undead Spirit” is a strong nomination for a Necromancy Wizard…almost enough to make up for the subclasses bias towards zombies & skeletons.
”Summon Shadow Spirit”, on the other hand, makes me think of a Conjuration Wizard…though that subclass has little to offer this concept.
I was considering Scribe Wizard!
It’s a divergent concept from the “bookish” theme they’re going for…but it isn’t a bad choice.
Gandalf? Yes... that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Gray. That was my name.
School of necromancy would probably fit with the undead theme you're going with, though I'm not sure if it has the specific abilities you're looking for.
Aye, that’s sort of my feeling, as well.
The ability to siphon health from enemies you kill…albeit only a small amount of healing…is pretty interesting.
But the emphasis of later features is really focused around only animating “corporeal” undead…not ghosts or such.
I’m probably going to home brew something in the mean time, but right now, Enchantment or Illusion is looking closer to the concept.
If you want the non coporeal undead vibe why not see if your DM would allow you to use animate dead to replicate either the Hexblade Warlock Accursed Spectre or Shadow Sorcerer Hound of ill Omen features instead? You could then use whatever wizard subclass floats your boat, Enchament wizard means your dominating the spirit of the dead, illusion wizard are just using a specialised version of the phantasmal force/killer spells etc.
That’s a good solution.
It’s funny how both the Hexblade Warlock & the Shadow Sorcerer, at one point, had those features switched around during the Unearthed Arcana.
So I’m pouring through the old Unearthed Arcana; and I take a closer look at the “Psionic” Wizard…
There was a very good framework for a “ghostly” wizard in this subclass…sure, it made for a confusing psionic subclass…
…but it had features that seemed ghostly in nature.
“Thought Form” could be the-flavored as a ghostly form, granting the physical resistance & appearing as transparent.
The “psionic focus” could be replaced by “Gothic Trinkets”, indicating their research into the paranormal.
I’d give their options for cantrip access to “Thaumaturgy” without need for verbal or somatic components, since that cantrip has a very “haunted” feel to it.
The emphasis on psychic & force damage really “works” for a ghostly subclass.
I dunno…this subclass has elements I might tweak into a home brew.
Maybe give it some re-works that lets them push creatures of a smaller size around as a bonus action like a poltergeist…or the ability to blink into the Ethereal Plane a fixed number of times per Long Rest.
Shame this subclass never got revisited.