Theoretically, maybe. With the right race, feats, and spells you can make a wizard that's fairly durable, but it's really not an optimal use of their abilities and isn't something that can easily be sustained- you're going to be burning through spell slots and item charges at a fast rate every battle.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Sure, it’s possible. But frankly it’s not a very optimal build, even by the standards of a non-optimizer like myself. Technically it’s possible to survive a fall of over 30,000 ft.,* but that doesn’t make it a practical idea.
A Wizard probably wouldn't make the best tank but if they max out CON to get a +5 to hp per level and take the Tough feat for another +2 then they would be adding a total of +7 to their average of 4 per level.
Also, they could always upcast False Life to get a ton of temp hp.
And if they went with Shadar-Kai for the race they could use Blessing of the Raven Queen after 3rd level to get resistance to all damage.
You guys are right of course, it isn't the most optimal choice for tank but it could be done.
School of Abjuration and Bladesinger are very good choices. I wonder if any other Wizards might have some kind of feature that would annoy or disrupt the enemy?
One example I thought of was a school of Enchantment Wizard. Their 6th level feature Instinctive Charm could make them attack the creature closest to them. Depending on positioning it could be another enemy, one of their own allies.
School of Abjuration and Bladesinger are still better but was just wondering what other ideas anyone might have for other subclasses?
Literally better than any other class. You just need to be high level and have the right spells. Invulnerability, Foresight, Tasha's Otherworldly Guise (against fire/poison/radiant/necrotic enemies), Investiture of Ice (against cold), Mind Blank (against psychic).
I am unruly in the stands (I am a rock on top of the sand) I am a fist amidst the hands And I make a wreck out of my hand (I make a fist and not a plan) And I break it just because I can
Yeah, my apologies to all as the title was a little misleading and invited conflict.
What I should of asked is 'How would you build a Wizard if you wanted to be a tank?'
As others have pointed out it all comes down to what race, class, feat, background etc. you choose. There are so many options and combinations. Some are better at reducing or preventing damage, others at making saves. Even the different spell selections that each person chooses can help.
I think it depend on how you define 'tank'. 'functional in melee combat' and 'meat shield' are two entirely different things.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
No multiclassing. Just a straight Wizard. Feats, magical items, and other things allowed etc. but no other classes, just Wizard.
Can a Wizard tank in 5e?
Theoretically, maybe. With the right race, feats, and spells you can make a wizard that's fairly durable, but it's really not an optimal use of their abilities and isn't something that can easily be sustained- you're going to be burning through spell slots and item charges at a fast rate every battle.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
Sure, it’s possible. But frankly it’s not a very optimal build, even by the standards of a non-optimizer like myself. Technically it’s possible to survive a fall of over 30,000 ft.,* but that doesn’t make it a practical idea.
*👉https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vesna_Vulović#:~:text=Vesna Vulović
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
What do you think, Sposta? Mountain Dwarf Abjurer with Heavy Armor Proficiency and Resilient Con as the best theoretical build?
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I recommended this in your other forum, but bladesinger or abjuration might be your best option.
I have decided to make a bad signature
I worship JUSTIN BUCKNER
Thanks for reading!
Me and about 4 friends started Dnd at our school and apparently it's really popular now so yay!
Im gonna make a cult of Buckner thread soon.
AGAIN, Thanks for reading!
Pro’ly, and add on the Eldritch Adept feat to spam mage armor. Either that or a Bladesinger.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
But why would you try to tank with a wizard? That's not really what wizard are best at...
I have decided to make a bad signature
I worship JUSTIN BUCKNER
Thanks for reading!
Me and about 4 friends started Dnd at our school and apparently it's really popular now so yay!
Im gonna make a cult of Buckner thread soon.
AGAIN, Thanks for reading!
I wouldn’t.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
Exactly
I have decided to make a bad signature
I worship JUSTIN BUCKNER
Thanks for reading!
Me and about 4 friends started Dnd at our school and apparently it's really popular now so yay!
Im gonna make a cult of Buckner thread soon.
AGAIN, Thanks for reading!
Why? Because some one always wants to test the limits and try to do “forbidden” things.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
A Wizard probably wouldn't make the best tank but if they max out CON to get a +5 to hp per level and take the Tough feat for another +2 then they would be adding a total of +7 to their average of 4 per level.
Also, they could always upcast False Life to get a ton of temp hp.
And if they went with Shadar-Kai for the race they could use Blessing of the Raven Queen after 3rd level to get resistance to all damage.
You guys are right of course, it isn't the most optimal choice for tank but it could be done.
School of Abjuration and Bladesinger are very good choices. I wonder if any other Wizards might have some kind of feature that would annoy or disrupt the enemy?
One example I thought of was a school of Enchantment Wizard. Their 6th level feature Instinctive Charm could make them attack the creature closest to them. Depending on positioning it could be another enemy, one of their own allies.
School of Abjuration and Bladesinger are still better but was just wondering what other ideas anyone might have for other subclasses?
Fun fact: a wizard with the Tough feat has the same average HP as an equal-level fighter with the same constitution.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
I actually did this in a one shot. Mountain dwarf for medium armor. 16 con. I might have taken tough. Abjuration wizard. Worked really well!
Mountain Dwarf Abjurer with Heavy Armor Proficiency and Resilient Con and Vampiric Touch.
Literally better than any other class. You just need to be high level and have the right spells. Invulnerability, Foresight, Tasha's Otherworldly Guise (against fire/poison/radiant/necrotic enemies), Investiture of Ice (against cold), Mind Blank (against psychic).
LVL 10 War wizard shadar kai with dex and int maxed out
Blessing of raven queen for half damage
+2 ac and saving throws while concentrating
Mage armor at 18 + 2 from concentrating
so 20 the arcane deflection and shield and mirror image
I am unruly in the stands
(I am a rock on top of the sand)
I am a fist amidst the hands
And I make a wreck out of my hand
(I make a fist and not a plan)
And I break it just because I can
Yeah, my apologies to all as the title was a little misleading and invited conflict.
What I should of asked is 'How would you build a Wizard if you wanted to be a tank?'
As others have pointed out it all comes down to what race, class, feat, background etc. you choose. There are so many options and combinations. Some are better at reducing or preventing damage, others at making saves. Even the different spell selections that each person chooses can help.
I think it depend on how you define 'tank'. 'functional in melee combat' and 'meat shield' are two entirely different things.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Technically all characters of any class can tank - the only difference is "for how long".
My Homebrew: Races | Subclasses | Backgrounds | Spells | Magic Items | Feats
Need help with Homebrew? Check out this FAQ/Guide thread by IamSposta
See My Youtube Videos for Tips & Tricks using D&D Beyond