They say the pen is mightier than the sword, and the order of scribes wizards in Dungeons & Dragons takes that as gospel. This subclass is focused around using their spellbook to the greatest possible effectiveness, to the point where they can bring it to life.
Like most wizards, those in the order of scribes are spellcasters first and foremost, and have very few other options for combat. However, they have access to a plethora of powerful spells, ways to use them more flexibly, and can cover for spell slot usage, making them useful even when you go awhile without a long rest.
Order Of Scribes Wizard Class Features
The order of scribes class features are naturally built around their tome and copying spells easily, starting with the abilities they get for taking the class at second level.
Wizardly Quill And Awakened Spellbook
At second level you can summon a magic quill that allows you to copy down spells in a few minutes depending on spell level, in contrast to regular wizards who need hours to do the same thing.
The next second-level feature is your awakened spellbook, which acts as your arcane focus for casting spells, and while you have you can ignore the extra time requirements on spells cast as a ritual once per long rest.
Most impressively, when you cast a wizard spell of with a first-level spell slot or higher, you can change the type of damage it deals to one that matches another spell of the same spell slot in your spellbook.
If you cast a sixth-level spell with a seventh-level spell slot, you’d need the spell of the damage type you want to change to be seventh level.
Manifest Mind
At sixth-level, you can bring your spellbook to life as a spectral mind and have it fly around and act. The spectral mind can telepathically tell you what it sees and hears, and you can opt to cast wizard spells as if you were in the same space as the spectral mind.
The spectral mind disappears if it’s further than 300ft from you.
Master Scrivener
Upon hitting the tenth level you can create a magic scroll when you finish a long rest, allowing you to copy one spell from your spellbook onto a piece of paper and use it to cast a spell without a spell slot later.
Only you can use these scrolls, but you are efficient at making spell scrolls allies can use, provided you have the time and resources. If you use your quill, halve the time and gold needed in the Dungeon Master’s Guide.
You have to be able to cast wizard spells to use one from a spell scroll.
One With The Word
Your capstone ability at the 14th level allows you to use your reaction to dismiss your spectral mind in exchange for losing the ability to cast certain spells from your spellbook.
You determine which spells to give up by rolling 3d6 and choosing spells whose combined level is equal to whatever you rolled.
You then cannot use these spells until you complete 1d6 long rests. If you do not have enough spells to cover the cost of using this ability, you instantly drop to zero hp regardless of how much damage the original attack would have done.
Why You Should Play An Order Of Scribes Wizard
An order of scribes wizard’s strongest suit is the ability to modify your spells and save on spell slots. Being able to cast a ritual spell without adding ten minutes and getting a free magic scroll every long rest leaves you with more spell slots for other things.
Meanwhile, with your spectral mind, you can increase the range and angle from which you can cast spells, letting you target more enemies.
The most appealing feature of this class is being able to modify the type of damage of certain spells, because that means you have more options to work around enemy resistances.
Given most of the immediately useful features come from the first six levels, it’s not a bad option to multi class into if you want to take a wizard but are worried about not getting access to the best features. Classes like Arcane Trickster or Eldritch Knight would make good options since those also use intelligence and wizard spells.
Not that the higher-level abilities are bad, they’re just more situational, and wizards are such potent spellcasters they don’t need flashy class feats to be useful anyway. Order of scribes wizards are boring but very practical.
If you’re a Dungeon Master and one of your players is an order of scribes wizard, go out of your way to reward them with spells they can copy down.
What Are The Best Spells For An Order Of Scribes Wizard?
When looking through the wizard class’s impressive spell list, prioritize getting multiple spells of different damage types at each spell level, so you can make the most use of your awakened spellbook.
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Cantrips |
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First Level |
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Second Level |
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Third Level |
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Fourth Level |
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Fifth Level |
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Sixth Level |
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Seventh Level |
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Eight Level |
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Ninth Level |
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What Are The Best Stats For An Order Of Scribes Wizard?
Wizards live or die by their Intelligence stat. Whatever else you want to focus on, keep your Intelligence topped up.
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Stat |
Benefits |
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Intelligence |
Keep high so your spell casting can be effective, it also determines several fo your class abilities. |
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Constitution |
Important as you use it to maintain concentration spells, and determines your maximum hit points. |
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Dexterity |
Wizards tend to die easily, so invest to improve your AC and be harder to hit |
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Charisma |
It won’t have direct use for your abilities, but if you take spells from the sorcerer, bard, or the warlock lists you’ll want it to be decent. |
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Wisdom |
It won’t have direct use for your abilities, but if you take spells from the cleric or druid lists you’ll want it to be decent. |
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Strength |
Safest option to make a dump stat unless you want to multi class. Otherwise you will almost never use it for class abilities. |
Best Species For An Order Of Scribes Wizard
If you don’t have a character reason for choosing a species and instead just want to maximize your effectiveness, it’s good to pick species who boost the stats you use the most.
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Species |
Benefits |
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Elves |
High Elf comes with an intelligence boost, and it’s always helpful for spellcasters to be able to cast extra spells. If you choose this, make sure you pick a cantrip you don’t already have and don’t take darkvision when you’re choosing spells. |
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Half Elves |
Half Elves can choose which ability score they’d like to improve, as well as gaining extra proficiencies to improve ability checks. |
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Tieflings |
Tieflings get a boost to their intelligence, and can gain extra spells not on the wizard list. |
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Dwarves |
Dwarves get a boost to their Constitution and resistance to poison, making them harder to kill. |
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Gnomes |
You get a boost to Constitution and Intelligence or Dexterity based on your subspecies. Both are helpful in this case. |
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Humans |
Humans get to choose which abilities they want to improve, so you can boost any stats that are lacking. Alternatively you can get a free feat if you use a Variant Human. |
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Halflings |
Stout Halflings get improvements to Dexterity and Constitution, making them tougher to kill. You also get the Lucky feat for free, letting you reroll when you get a one on the die. |
Best Feats For An Order Of Scribes Wizard
Feats are ways to further customize your character, and some help spellcasters.
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Feat |
Benefit |
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Mage Initiate |
You get access to one cantrip and first level spell from any spell list to always have on you, just make sure whichever stat you use for casting the spell (Wisdom for cleric and druid spells, Charisma for bard, warlock, and sorcerer) is improved. |
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Eldritch Adept |
Grants you an Eldritch Invocation from the Warlock class. Several let you cast specific spells without a spell slot, or if you took Eldritch Blast from Mage Initiate, you can make that cantrip stronger. |
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War Caster |
This gives you advantage on Constitution checks to keep your concentration, and allows you to cast a spell instead of make a melee opportunity attack, which is better since your Strength is probably bad. |
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Metamagic Adept |
This gives you Sorcery Points and the ability to use a metamagic option from the Sorcerer’s list. Quickened Spell is always nice for allowing you to cast multiple spells per turn. |