Unlike their more Fireball-happy friends, the DnD Abjuration Wizard sees themselves as a protector of the party. They’re adept at blocking enemy spells, banishing monsters, and beefing up their own hit points. But they might want to throw the occasional Fireball, too – the build possibilities for Wizards are endless. If you need help navigating the Abjuration Wizard 5e subclass, we’ve got a guide that can help.
Before we begin, let’s make sure all your DnD classes ducks are in a row. Do you definitely want to play a DnD Wizard, and one of this particular DnD subclass? Are you familiar with the DnD Wizard spells list? If the answer to both questions is ‘yes’, then read on for a breakdown of the different 5e spells, DnD races, and 5e feats we’d recommend.
Here’s everything you need to know about the DnD Abjuration Wizard:
DnD Abjuration Wizard class features
Here are the subclass features your Abjuration Wizard gets with their DnD level ups:
Abjuration Savant
Level: Two
As soon as you choose this subclass, your ability to cast Abjuration spells improves. Mechanically, this means copying an Abjuration spell into your spellbook costs half the time and gold it usually would.
Arcane Ward
Level: Two
When you cast Abjuration spells that are first-level or higher, you can also create a magical Ward that surrounds you. It has hit points equal to twice your Wizard level, plus your Intelligence modifier.
Any time you take damage, the Ward absorbs the hits instead. If it reaches zero hit points, you take any remaining damage, but the ward is still active. That’s because you can restore the Ward’s hit points by casting another Abjuration spell. The number of hit points regained equals twice the level of the spell you cast.
The Ward lasts until you finish a DnD long rest. You can also only create the Ward once per long rest.
Projected Ward
Level: Six
If you see a creature within 30 feet take damage, you can spend a reaction, and your Arcane Ward will take the damage on that creature’s behalf. As usual, if the damage would reduce your Ward to zero, the creature you were protecting takes any remaining hits.
Improved Abjuration
Level: Ten
If you cast an Abjuration spell that requires you to make an ability check, you get to add your proficiency bonus to the roll.
Spell Resistance
Level: Fourteen
You gain advantage on all saving throws against spells. You’re also now resistant to damage caused by spells.
Best spells for a DnD Abjuration Wizard
Given that Abjuration spells fuel your Arcane Ward, you’ll want to know plenty to keep your magical shield topped up. That being said, an Abjuration Wizard doesn’t only get to cast Abjuration spells. It’s important to dip into other schools of magic to access the best spells possible, even if they don’t grant any Arcane Ward HP.
With this advice in mind, here are some of the spells we’d recommend picking up at each level:
Cantrips
- Minor Illusion
- Shocking Grasp
The only Abjuration cantrip your Wizard can cast is Blade Ward. It’s not the most powerful DnD cantrip out there, and since you need first-level spells or above to trigger your Arcane Ward, it’s not worth taking.
Instead, focus your other cantrip choices on general utility. You’d be surprised how often Minor Illusion can help you out in non-combat scenarios, for example. And Shocking Grasp deals a few licks of damage while helping you avoid DnD opportunity attacks.
Level one spells
- Absorb Elements
- Alarm
- Magic Missile
- Shield
- Mage Armor
- Fog Cloud
Level one is arguably where you’ll take your most important Abjuration spells. Absorb Elements and Shield are the most useful, protecting you from damage while also triggering your Arcane Ward ability. Mage Armor also serves a similar purpose, and you can cast Alarm as a ritual any time – another free way to add HP to your Ward.
Apart from that, focus on the standard strong spells for this level. Every Wizard should know Magic Missile so they can guarantee at least some damage output, and Fog Cloud is a handy bit of area control.
Level two spells
- Invisibility
- Web
- Shatter
- Misty Step
There aren’t many great Abjuration options for your Wizard at level two, but your level one spells will keep you well-defended anyway. So here are our favorite general spells for level two: Invisibility for utility, Web for area control, Shatter for area-of-effect damage, and Misty Step to get you out of danger at the last minute.
Level three spells
- Counterspell
- Dispel Magic
- Fireball
Counterspell and Dispel Magic are some of the best Abjuration spells, period. Once you’ve got your level three spells, the DnD character build starts working at its best, allowing you to better manipulate battle with your spells. And, of course, you should always take Fireball 5e. It’s a no-brainer.
Level four spells
- Banishment
- Wall of Fire
- Greater Invisibility
Banishment is the best choice of Abjuration spell at level four, allowing you to temporarily teleport an enemy out of the scene. We’d also recommend picking up some more all-rounder spells here. Wall of Fire handles damage and area control, and more Invisibility options are never a bad thing.
Level five spells
- Hold Monster
- Wall of Force
Keep up the theme of manipulating battle rather than dealing all-out damage. Hold Monster and Wall of Force makes it even harder for foes to hit your party, for example.
Level six spells
- Globe of Invulnerability
An Abjuration spell that protects you from damn-near any spell for ten rounds? Yes please.
Best races for a DnD Abjuration Wizard
DnD Gnomes are our top choice of race for an Abjuration Wizard. You get that crucial ability score increase for your Intelligence early on, and you have advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws against magic. That’ll help you stay well-defended.
Failing that, a Variant DnD Human is an excellent option for most classes. This is for one reason alone: access to a free feat. Let’s talk about your possible options in that department.
Best feats for a DnD Abjuration Wizard
Here are our favorite feats for an Abjuration Wizard:
- Eldritch Adept – Learn a DnD Eldritch Invocation that lets you cast Mage Armor for free, giving you another cheap Arcane Ward outlet.
- Metamagic Adept – Take a few of the DnD Sorcerer’s abilities, improving your spellcasting powers.
- Tough – Your maximum HP increases a little more each level, helping to keep you alive.
- War Caster – A generally helpful feat that makes you better at maintaining concentration.
For more character creation options, here are our favorite 5e backgrounds. We can also recommend the right DnD books to pick up for your next 5e campaign.