Arcanist

Scholars of the Arcane

Wild and enigmatic, varied in form and function, the power of magic draws students who seek to master its mysteries. Some aspire to become like the gods, shaping reality itself. Though the casting of a typical spell requires merely the utterance of a few strange words, fleeting gestures, and sometimes a pinch or clump of exotic materials, these surface components barely hint at the expertise attained after years of apprenticeship and countless hours of study.

Arcanists live and die by their spells. Everything else is secondary. They learn new spells as they experiment and grow in experience. They can also learn them from other arcanists, from ancient tomes or inscriptions, and from ancient creatures (such as the fey) that are steeped in magic.

The Lure of Knowledge

Arcanists’ lives are seldom mundane. The closest an arcanist is likely to come to an ordinary life is working as a sage or lecturer in a library or university, teaching others the secrets of the multiverse. Other arcanists sell their services as diviners, serve in military forces, or pursue lives of crime or domination.

But the lure of knowledge and power calls even the most unadventurous arcanists out of the safety of their libraries and laboratories and into crumbling ruins and lost cities. Most arcanists believe that their counterparts in ancient civilizations knew secrets of magic that have been lost to the ages, and discovering those secrets could unlock the path to a power greater than any magic available in the present age.

Arcanist Fields

• Alteration focuses on reshaping the nature of creatures and objects by channeling magic into them.
• Mentalism focuses on strengthening one's mind with knowledge and twisting the perceptions of others for righteousness or ill intents.
• Fabrication focuses on magic involving creation, whether for protection or to harm those that oppose them.

Creating an Arcanist

Creating an arcanist character demands a backstory dominated by at least one extraordinary event. How did your character first come into contact with magic? How did you discover you had an aptitude for it? Do you have a natural talent, or did you simply study hard and practice incessantly? Did you encounter a magical creature or an ancient tome that taught you the basics of magic?

What drew you forth from your life of study? Did your first taste of magical knowledge leave you hungry for more? Have you received word of a secret repository of knowledge not yet plundered by any other arcanist? Perhaps you’re simply eager to put your newfound magical skills to the test in the face of danger.

Hit Points

• Hit Dice: 1d6 per arcanist level
• Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your Constitution modifier per arcanist level after 1st

Proficiencies

• Armor: None
• Weapons: Daggers, darts, slings, quarterstaffs, light crossbows
• Tools: None

• Saving Throws: Intelligence, Wisdom
• Skills: Choose two from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, and Religion

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) a quarterstaff or (b) a dagger
• (a) a component pouch or (b) an arcane focus
• (a) a scholar's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
• A spellbook

Spellcasting

As a practitioner of arcane magic, you have a spellbook containing spells that record your connection to the weave. See chapter 10 (PHB) for the general rules of spell casting and chapter 11 (PHB) for the wizard spell list that arcanist’s share.

Arc Cost Table

Mythallar Maker

In the bygone era of the empire of magic, arcanists developed gigantic spheres of energy to keep their flying cities aloft. Mythallar’s of old have since disappeared or been destroyed, yet the secrets to their creation remain partially intact. Mythallar maker’s honor history’s talent by producing their own globes of raw magic on a smaller scale, due to the restrictions of the weave. Members of this profession are keen to develop and improve their creation to act as a tool to assist them in dungeon delving, enchanting magic items, and exploring the planes.

Pseudo-magic Items (6th-level Arcanist)

Pseudo-magic Items (10th-level Arcanist)

Pseudo-magic Items (14th-level Arcanist)

Dangerous Spell

When you cast an arcanist spell that deals damage, you increase the harm it does. Before you roll damage for the spell, you can expend one mayhem die to maximize the result of each damage dice equal to the roll.

Efficient Spell

When you cast an arcanist spell of 1st level or higher, you produce it with ease. You can expend one mayhem die to reduce the number of arcs you spend to cast the spell equal to half the roll (rounded down).

Mutated Spell

When you cast an arcanist spell that does damage, you twist its form. Roll a d10 to determine the damage type and expend one mayhem dice to add to the spells damage. 1 = acid, 2 = cold, 3 = fire, 4 = force, 5 = lightning, 6 = necrotic, 7 = poison, 8 = psychic, 9 = radiant, 10 = thunder.

Stretched Spell

When you cast an arcanist spell with a duration of 1 hour or longer, you can expend one mayhem die to increase the duration by a number of hours equal to the result.

Trained Spell

When you cast an arcanist spell of 4th level or lower, you strengthen its effect. You treat the spell as if it were cast one level higher. Once you use this propensity, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Warped Spell

When you cast an arcanist spell that requires a saving throw, you corrupt its nature. You can expend one mayhem die to change the saving throw from one ability score to another, based on the roll. 1 = Strength, 2 = Dexterity, 3 = Constitution, 4 = Intelligence, 5 = Wisdom, 6 = Charisma. You can choose to use the original ability score of the spell after seeing the mayhem die result.

Fleeting Epiphany

Starting at 6th level, you can swiftly learn spells around you. When you see a creature cast a spell of 5th level or lower within 60 feet, that is contained within your field’s major or minor spell list, you can use a reaction to temporarily learn it. Make a spell learning save, on a success it magically appears in your spellbook. On a failure, there is no effect.

Once you cast a spell using this feature, it vanishes from your spellbook.

Shared Strife

Starting at 10th level, you expand your territory over the weave and can inflict wild magic on others. Whenever you roll on the Pandemonium table, you can target one creature you can see within 60 feet to make a Charisma saving throw equal to your Spell Save DC. On a failure, they suffer the same effect on the table as you. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Discipline Over Discord

Starting at 14th level, you gain insight into the essence of chaos to manipulate it. Whenever you roll on the Pandemonium table, you can roll twice and use either number.

Additionally, you have three mayhem dice instead of two, and cannot have more than three die at any given time.

Academy of Lost Arts

The dedication to inquire into history’s forgotten libraries is at the heart of this academy. Not all of Netheril’s talent were lost from its disastrous fall, some is buried deep in underground caverns or traded as precious merchandise over centuries past. The Academy of Lost Arts strives to recover ancient information for a wide array of reasons. Many of these arcanist’s seek to safeguard those they care for, find vulnerabilities in enemies, and study the world(s) at large.

Hidden Savant

Starting at 2nd level, you gain proficiency in the Stealth skill. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses the Stealth skill. In addition, you can use your Intelligence modifier in place of Dexterity for Stealth checks. If you already have proficiency in Stealth, you gain proficiency with one other skill of your choice.

Shadow Form

Starting at 2nd level, you can briefly link yourself to the Shadowfell and phase into darkness. As a bonus action, you gain the following benefits, which last for one minute.

• Once on each of your turns, when you cast an arcanist spell with a casting time of 1 action, you can take the hide action as part of your movement.
• any creature that makes an opportunity attack against you has disadvantage on the attack roll.
• You have advantage on Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) checks.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Mark for Death

Starting at 6th level, while cloaked out of sight, your magic spawns deadly shadows to strike at your foes. Once per turn, when you cast an arcanist spell while you are hiding, you can deal 1d6 psychic damage to one creature you target with your spell.

This feature’s damage increases by 1d6 when you reach 10th level (2d6), and 14th level (3d6).

Elusive Shade

Starting at 10th level, you gain the ability to step from one shadow into another. When you are in dim light or darkness, as a bonus action, you can magically teleport up to 90 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is also in dim light or darkness.

Empire's Night

Starting at 14th level, you summon the umbral spirits of the fallen Netherese Empire to assist you. As part of the bonus action to activate Shadow form, you can transform into a ghastly state for the duration. In this state,

• You emit a 15-foot radius of magical darkness.
• You can see normally in darkness, both magical and nonmagical, to a distance of 120 feet.
• You gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
• You regain hit points equal to half the amount of psychic damage dealt by Mark for Death.

Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Bonus Proficiencies

Starting at 2nd level, you gain proficiency with light armor, and you gain proficiency with one type of one-handed melee weapon of your choice.

Mythical Tactics

Starting at 2nd level, you learn mythical tactics that are fuelled by special dice called ingenuity dice.

Mythical Tactics. You learn three mythical tactics of your choice, which are detailed below. Many tactics enhance an attack in some way. You can use only one tactic per attack. You learn two additional mythical tactics of your choice at 6th, 10th, and 14th level. Each time you learn new mythical tactics, you can also replace one tactic you know with a different one.

Ingenuity Dice. You have three ingenuity dice, which are d8s. An ingenuity die is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended ingenuity dice when you finish a long rest. In addition, as a bonus action, you can regain one expended ingenuity die by expending a number of arcs equal to twice your proficiency bonus. You gain another ingenuity die at 6th level and one more at 14th level.

Saving Throws. Some of your mythical tactics require your target to make a saving throw to resist the tactic’s effects. The saving throw DC is equal to your Arcanist spell save DC.

Extra Attack

Starting at 6th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. Moreover, you can cast one of your cantrips in place of one of those attacks.

Designated Defense

Starting at 10th level, you embolden your guard with particular spells. You can choose one spell of 1st through 4th level when you finish a long rest. When you cast the chosen spell at 4th level or below, you gain a bonus equal to the spell’s level to your AC and saving throws until the start of your next turn. You can replace the chosen spell when you finish a long rest.

In addition, You are immune to magical aging effects.

Spell Reflection

Starting at 14th level, If you succeed on a saving throw against a 5th level or lower spell that targets only you, you can use a reaction to reflect it. The spell has no effect on you and instead targets the caster, using the slot level, spell save DC, attack bonus, and spellcasting ability of the caster. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Arc Smite

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one ingenuity die to injure the target with your magical energy. you can expend up to 10 arcs to deal force damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage. The extra damage is 1d8 for every 2 arcs expended, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target has the spellcasting feature, to a maximum of 6d8.

Delaying Spell Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one ingenuity die to attempt to slow the target’s spellcasting. The target must make a wisdom saving throw.

On a failed save, If the creature attempts to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action on its turn, the spell doesn't take effect until the creature's next turn, and the creature must use its action on that turn to complete the spell. If it can't, the spell is wasted.

Destructive Burst

Your body surges with magical energy to unleash upon nearby foes. As a bonus action, you can expend three ingenuity die to erupt. Each creature you choose within 15 feet must make a Strength saving throw.

On a failed save, a creature takes 3d8 force damage and is knocked prone. On a successful save, a creature takes half as much damage and isn’t knocked prone.

Fatiguing Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one ingenuity die to attempt to siphon the target’s maneuverability. The target must make a wisdom saving throw.

On a failed save, the creature’s speed is reduced by 10 feet and your movement speed increases by 10 feet until the start of your next turn. In addition, teleportation and planar travel fail for 1 minute for the target.

Incorporeal Step

You can expend an ingenuity die to gain ethereal motion. You gain the following benefits that last until the start of your next turn. You take 1d10 force damage if you end your turn inside a creature or object and are shunted to the nearest unoccupied space.

• You can move through other creatures and objects as if they are difficult terrain.
• You gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed.
• Any creature that makes an opportunity attack against you has disadvantage on the attack roll.
• The first time you move within 5 feet of a creature, it takes 1d8 necrotic damage.

Keen Tracker

When you make an Intelligence (Investigation) or Wisdom (Survival) check, you can expend an ingenuity die and add the die to the roll.

Spell Attraction

As a reaction, when you see a spell target a creature within 15 feet of you, you can become the target instead by expending an ingenuity die. Roll the ingenuity die, and adding the number rolled to your AC against the spell's attack(s) or saving throw.

Spell Drain

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one ingenuity die to attempt to drain the target’s magic to harm them. The target must make a constitution saving throw.

On a failed save, roll a d4, the creature loses a spell slot of which equals the roll or lower (your choice), and you deal force damage equal to the roll.

Thunderous Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one ingenuity die to attempt to blast the target back. You add the ingenuity die to the attack’s damage roll, and if the target is Medium or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you push the target up to 20 feet away from you.

Unstable Teleportation

As a bonus action, you can expend two ingenuity die to teleport. You can teleport yourself up to a number of feet equal to 5 x the roll of your ingenuity dice to an unoccupied space you can see within range. You can bring along objects as long as their weight doesn't exceed what you can carry. You can also bring one willing creature of your size or smaller who is carrying gear up to its carrying capacity. The creature must be within 5 feet of you when you use this arcane tactic.

Unyielding Confidence

As an action, you can expend two ingenuity die to bolster your resolve. You gain temporary hit points equal to the roll of your ingenuity dice and have advantage on saving throws you make to avoid or end the charmed and frightened condition for the next hour.

Academic Expertise

Your experiences and studies have helped you develop a keen ingenuity. Choose one of your skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses the chosen proficiency. The skill you choose must be one that isn’t already benefiting from a feature, such as Expertise, that doubles your proficiency bonus.

Adept Insight

Prerequisite: Divination Major

Your magical intuition blesses your talent. When you cast a Divination spell of 1st level or higher and expend a spell slot, you gain advantage on the first skill check you make in the next 10 minutes.

Cruel Incantations

Prerequisite: Necromancy Major

When you damage a creature using a Necromancy spell, you can inflict hesitation into your foes. For each creature damaged by the spell, it has disadvantage on the next attack roll they make until the end of your next turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounded up), and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Distance Seeker

Prerequisite: Conjuration Major

When you cast a spell that lets you teleport with a range of self, you can choose to increase the distance you teleport by 5 feet. Additionally, when you cast a spell that lets you teleport a creature with a range greater than 10 feet, you can choose to increase the range of that spell by 10 feet.

Empowered Destruction

Prerequisite: Evocation Major

You strengthen the harm you inflict on your foes. When you cast an Evocation spell, you can choose to expend 1 to 3 arcs. For each arc you expend, you gain a +1 bonus to the spell’s attack rolls and damage.

Enthusiastic Student

You’re eager to expand your library of knowledge. You gain advantage on spell learning saving throws.

Favoured Ally

Prerequisite: Conjuration Major

You strengthen the defences upon the creatures and monsters you bring forth. When you cast a conjuration spell that summons or creates a creature, you can choose to expend 1 to 2 arcs. For each arc you expend, each creature gains a +1 bonus to AC.

Hastened Ritual

Prerequisite: Divination Major

When you cast a Divination spell as a ritual, you can use the spell’s normal casting time, rather than adding 10 minutes to it. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Hunting Savant

Prerequisite: Evocation Major

When you see a creature fail a saving throw against an Evocation spell you cast, you can choose to gain advantage on the next attack roll you make against them. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Magnified Trickery

Prerequisite: Illusion Major

When you cast an Illusion spell that has a duration of 1 minute or longer with a range of self or touch, you can choose to double its duration, to a maximum of 24 hours. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Metamorphic Protection

Prerequisite: Transmutation Major

When you are under the effects of two or more Transmutation spells you cast, you can choose to gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus at the start of each of your turns for the next minute. You lose any remaining temporary hit points when you are no longer under the effects of more than one Transmutation spell you cast. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Mindful Manipulation

Prerequisite: Enchantment Major

When you cast one of the following Enchantment spells, you can choose to hamper one creature before they make a saving throw: Charm Monster, Charm Person, Confusion, Crown of Madness, Dominate Monster, Dominate Person, Geas, Mass Suggestion, Modify Memory, Otto’s Irresistible Dance, and Suggestion.

The target must roll a d6 and subtract the number from the saving throw against your spell. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Recharging Completion

Prerequisite: Enchantment Major

You draw energy from the success of your magic. When you cast an Enchantment spell and maintain concentration for the full duration of the spell, you regain a number of arcs equal to the spell’s level.

Restorative Magic

Prerequisite: Abjuration Major

You remedy your wounds with the defensive spells you cast. When you cast an Abjuration spell with a casting time of 1 action, you can regain a number of hit points equal to the arcs expended to cast the spell. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.

Shielded Mage

Prerequisite: Abjuration Major

You can temporarily increase your defenses. When you cast an Abjuration spell, you can choose to gain a +1 bonus to AC until the end of your next turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to half your proficiency bonus (rounded up), and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

Arcanist’s Power Pearl

Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement by an Arcanist)

While this pearl is on your person, you can use an action to speak its command word and regain arcs. You regain up to 5 expended arcs. Once you use the pearl, it can't be used again until the next dawn.

Mystical Compendium

Wondrous Item, uncommon (+1), rare (+2), very rare (+3) (requires attunement by an Arcanist)

While you are holding this leather-bound book, you can use it as a spellcasting focus for your arcanist spells, and you gain a bonus to spell attack rolls and to the saving throw DCs of your arcanist spells. The bonus is determined by the book’s rarity. You can use this book as a spellbook.

In addition, you can use an action to regain expended arcs equal to a roll of a d6. You can’t use this action again until the next dawn.