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Classes in Dungeons & Dragons are there to define a large part of the character. Primarily, they define what resources a character has in combat and suggests the best style to use them efficiently. There’s still a lot to put together, like race, background, and subclass. It can all be a little overwhelming for new players. So, we’re here to help in one of the grandest Dungeons & Dragons traditions of them all—taking inspiration from other media and bringing those characters to your table!
Whether you’re a player looking for inspiration or a Dungeon Master looking for a quick NPC, the characters we discuss here (and the ones suggested in the comments) will offer a variety of sources for your next great character. Our only rule is that we won’t be using any obvious fantasy inspirations since those are usually covered in the D&D books already. This week, we’re taking a look at everyone’s favorite magic masters: the wizards!
Magneto
Ian McKellan’s other dignified franchise character is one of the main inspirations for the wizard class, but Magneto is also a great choice for his background. He’s the master of magnetism in the Marvel Universe but this character would study a mix of Transmutation and Evocation spells to match the powerhouse X-Men character. For those fans that have Xanathar’s Guide handy, think of Magneto as an example of a War Mage. A character that shares his beliefs about the superiority of magic-users to everyone else will also generate some interesting drama.
Ahsoka Tano
Ahsoka is a wonderful example of watching a character grow in power. She started off in The Clone Wars as a mere padawan and came into her own during the course of the series. By the time she arrives in Star Wars Rebels, she’s a formidable fighter on her own. A good mix of Jedi-like spells from the Transmutation and Enchantment schools can cover some mind tricks and Force-pulls, while a dip into a rogue level or two (or the right suite of magic items and a high Strength) will highlight some melee skills. Ahsoka’s background also can be an element to incorporate; imagine a wizard character who becomes disillusioned with their school and tries to change it.
Hardison
Hackers in modern-day shows are often portrayed as wizards even if they don’t crack jokes about their D&D characters. They provide lateral solutions to big problems with little more than the somatic wiggle of fingers on a keyboard and the material component of a caffeinated drink or two. Alec Hardison from the show Leverage would make the basis for an excellent illusionist based on how often his wizardry involves getting marks to believe the team’s tall tale. His charm is also an important element; Hardison may speak geek but he’s well-dressed and charismatic enough that he can take the lead of a con if need be. Be sure to get a Charisma bonus with this character.
Tell us in the comments: who would you choose to model a wizard after? And if you’re looking for roleplaying tips, do check out Starter Kit on Alpha – you can get a free trial for 60 days at projectalpha.com with code “Numenera”!
Want more RPG goodness?
- Follow-up with our beginner’s guide to creating a wizard!
- Check out our thoughts on Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, and why new players will love it.
- Not sure about a class? Here’s our guide to which classes are the easiest to play.
Images Credits: Lucasfilm, Marvel, TNT
Rob Wieland is an author, game designer and professional nerd. He’s worked on dozens of different tabletop games ranging from Star Wars and Firefly to his own creations like CAMELOT Trigger. He can be hired as a professional Dungeon Master for in-person or remote games. His Twitter is here. His meat body can be found in scenic Milwaukee, WI.