Famed for their arcane prowess and squishy early-game hit points, the 2024 Wizard can be a tough class for a Dungeons and Dragons newbie – but incredibly rewarding if you put the work in. This guide will walk you through all the classes’ main features, and show you how Wizards progress in DnD.
If you want to build a Wizard from scratch, STOP reading here. Our Wizard 5e guide has all the information you need – this is simply a changelog of changes between the two versions of fifth edition. Plus, head to our DnD classes guide for an overview of your alternate character options.
Level one
- Core Wizard traits – Wizards are now proficient in simple weapons, and they can choose to be proficient in the Nature skill.
- Ritual Adept – An entirely new feature.
- Spellcasting – Wizards can now replace one of their known cantrips on a long rest.
- Spellcasting – The number of prepared spells is now fixed rather than tied to a Wizard’s level and Intelligence modifier.
- Spellcasting – The following spells have been added to the Wizard spell list: Elementalism; Thunderclap; Toll The Dead; Ice Knife; Arcane Vigor; Dragon’s Breath; Mind Spike; Charm Monster; Vitriolic Sphere; Circle of Power; Jallarzi’s Storm of Radiance; Steel Wind Strike; Summon Dragon; Synaptic Static; Yolande’s Regal Presence; Summon Fiend; Tasha’s Bubbling Cauldron.
Level two
- Scholar – An entirely new feature.
Level three
- Wizard Subclass – Now chosen at level three rather than level two.
- Wizard Subclass (Abjurer) – Abjuration Savant is now at level three rather than level two, and it’s been re-designed so it’s essentially a brand-new feature.
- Wizard Subclass (Abjurer) – Arcane Ward is now a level-three feature rather than level-two, and it now applies your resistances or vulnerabilities before reducing the Ward’s hit points.
- Wizard Subclass (Diviner) – Divination Savant is now at level three rather than level two, and it’s been re-designed so it’s an entirely new feature.
- Wizard Subclass (Evoker) – Evocation Savant is now at level three rather than level two, and it’s been re-designed so it’s a completely new feature.
- Wizard Subclass (Evoker) – Potent Cantrip has been moved from level six to level three.
- Wizard Subclass (Illusionist) – Illusion Savant is now at level three rather than level two, and it’s been re-designed so it’s an entirely new feature.
- Wizard Subclass (Illusionist) – Improved Illusions has a new name and has been moved from level two to level three. It now also lets you cast Minor Illusion as a bonus action. You can now also cast Illusion spells without a verbal component and with an increased range.
Level five
- Memorize Spell – An entirely new feature.
Level six
- Wizard Subclass (Abjurer) – Projected Ward now accounts for the target’s resistances or vulnerabilities before reducing your Ward’s hit points.
- Wizard Subclass (Evoker) – Sculpt Spells has been moved from level two to level six.
- Wizard Subclass (Illusionist) – A brand-new feature, Phantasmal Creatures, replaces Malleable Illusions.
Level 10
- Wizard Subclass (Abjurer) – New Spell Breaker feature replaces Improved Abjuration.
- Wizard Subclass (Diviner) – Third Eye grants 120 feet of Darkvision rather than 60, and it specifically lets you cast See Invisibility without a spell slot rather than giving you a general ability to see invisible creatures and objects within 10 feet. The ability to see into the ethereal plane has been removed.
- Wizard Subclass (Illusionist) – Illusory Self uses can be restored by spending spell slots.
Level 18
- Spell Mastery – Swapping spells now requires a long rest rather than specifically eight hours of study to complete.
Level 19
- Epic Boon – An entirely new feature that replaces the level-19 ability score improvement.
For more advice on character building, here’s all you need to know about DnD races and DnD 2024 backgrounds. We can also explain the rules for DnD languages and DnD sizes.