Frostmage - possible? If not, can we craft/design spells to achieve this archtype?

[xXxBaDgAyMeRxXx]

Is this possible in this game? Looking at the spells list, doesn't seem possible. :(

Edit [9/28/20]: What about spell crafting? Is this something that has been discussed anywhere else? There are guidelines in the books on how to do this, but will it be too cumbersome or even lack interest?

[Darhaksterion]

Trying and focusing a mage on a single mage is generally not a good idea in DnD, since you're bound to face monsters that resist your chose type of energy, sooner or later (fire resistance being VERY common). Besides, enemy casters could cripple your entire spell repertoire by casting protection from energy.

[Hobocop]

Messaggio originale di xXxBaDgAyMeRxXx:

I think the spell school wouldn't matter too much. Last I saw the list, I don't think I saw Ice Knife on it. Crafting spells would go a long way towards making something like this viable, not just for Frostmages, but also things like Thunder or Lightning centric casters. Pyromancer seems like the only thing that can be done from the get-go.

Ice Knife was originally in the Elemental Evil Player's Companion, and was reprinted in Xanathar's Guide. So not a PHB spell.

No telling on whether or not it'll make it into BG3.

[Soft Lockpick]

I'd be very surprised if there's spell crafting at launch let alone the EA. Frankly the only games that have historically done that kind of thing have pulled away from it rather than diving into it. And D&D 5e simplified prior editions rather than expanding on them. The trend isn't in that direction.

You just have to accept this system is not the aRPG you grew to like that kind of theme on. Resistances and immunities are built into the D&D rules and monsters you'd face. An elementalist, sure. A single element, the rules just don't play well with it.

[Sogreth]

Messaggio originale di Dragon Master:

If you’re set on this, you’ll likely go with being an evocation or conjuration wizard, since evocation wizards focus on burn or shock or freeze your friends, but some spells like ice knife are conjuration spells.

The school of spell doesn't really matter TOO much anymore, like it used to.

Messaggio originale di xXxBaDgAyMeRxXx:

Obviously, if you are fighting something resistant/immune to cold, you would use other spells at your disposal

This is why I mentioned the Elemental Adept feat. It allows you to bypass resistances.

Immunities? I'm not sure there are many (if any) enemies that are immune to elements.

[rock]

An ice mage is totally valid in the pen and paper game, but it's more a battlefield controller than someone doing a lot of damage. I think a sorcerer actually works better for that achetype based on sub-class instead of a wizard/warlock, but you do miss out on a few spell choices if I'm not mistaken. Probably not going to work so well in BG3 due to a smaller spell list.

That said, the main reason for playing a wizard/spellcaster in 5e is to have utility options and counters for situations. Sticking to a theme will limit you in terms of what you can cast. If you're a wizard, you pretty much always want to take wall of force because it's damn incredible, but if you're an ice wizard, you may take something else instead. Flavorful but not as practical.

[Dragon Master]

Messaggio originale di Sogreth:

Messaggio originale di Dragon Master:

If you’re set on this, you’ll likely go with being an evocation or conjuration wizard, since evocation wizards focus on burn or shock or freeze your friends, but some spells like ice knife are conjuration spells.

The school of spell doesn't really matter TOO much anymore, like it used to.

Messaggio originale di xXxBaDgAyMeRxXx:

Obviously, if you are fighting something resistant/immune to cold, you would use other spells at your disposal

This is why I mentioned the Elemental Adept feat. It allows you to bypass resistances.

Immunities? I'm not sure there are many (if any) enemies that are immune to elements.

But the abilities of an arcane tradition are very useful.

Divination wizards rolling 2 d20’s after a long rest and replacing any roll in the game, friend or foe, is huge. Being able to affect undead and cut through their resistances like butter can be huge for a Necromancer (vampires, anyone?). Conjuring any item? Avoiding hitting allies with AoE spells? Transmutation stones increasing speed, applying dark vision, giving oneself resistances, all useful.

[Sogreth]

Messaggio originale di Dragon Master:

Messaggio originale di Sogreth:

The school of spell doesn't really matter TOO much anymore, like it used to.


This is why I mentioned the Elemental Adept feat. It allows you to bypass resistances.

Immunities? I'm not sure there are many (if any) enemies that are immune to elements.

But the abilities of an arcane tradition are very useful.

Divination wizards rolling 2 d20’s after a long rest and replacing any roll in the game, friend or foe, is huge. Being able to affect undead and cut through their resistances like butter can be huge for a Necromancer (vampires, anyone?). Conjuring any item? Avoiding hitting allies with AoE spells? Transmutation stones increasing speed, applying dark vision, giving oneself resistances, all useful.

Tradition, yes. I'm saying the actual spell schools.

Traditions are a subclass. Just like an Assassin or an Arcane Tricker are sublclasses of a Rogue.

[Dragon Master]

Messaggio originale di Sogreth:

Messaggio originale di Dragon Master:

But the abilities of an arcane tradition are very useful.

Divination wizards rolling 2 d20’s after a long rest and replacing any roll in the game, friend or foe, is huge. Being able to affect undead and cut through their resistances like butter can be huge for a Necromancer (vampires, anyone?). Conjuring any item? Avoiding hitting allies with AoE spells? Transmutation stones increasing speed, applying dark vision, giving oneself resistances, all useful.

Tradition, yes. I'm saying the actual spell schools.

Traditions are a subclass. Just like an Assassin or an Arcane Tricker are sublclasses of a Rogue.

I’m aware.

[Sogreth]

Messaggio originale di Dragon Master:

Messaggio originale di Sogreth:

Tradition, yes. I'm saying the actual spell schools.

Traditions are a subclass. Just like an Assassin or an Arcane Tricker are sublclasses of a Rogue.

I’m aware.

Clearly.

[Rhawkas]

Messaggio originale di Sogreth:

Immunities? I'm not sure there are many (if any) enemies that are immune to elements.

Just browsed through the Monster Manual and there are actually quite a few enemies that are immune to at least one element. Demons, devils, dragons, elementals, golems, greater undead have quite a few monsters that have an elemental immunity or two. Though it's not nearly as common as immunity to poison.