Learn about the Wizard class in Pillars of Eternity, including roles, primary attributes, spellcasting, and spell highlights like Chill Fog and Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff.
Wizards have the roles of Crowd Control and Striker. Their primary attributes are Might, Dexterity, and Intellect. They have medium Endurance (36 + 12 per level) and low Health (4 x Endurance). Their Accuracy is medium (20 + 3 per level), and their Deflection is the lowest (10 + 3 per level). They have Fortitude, Reflex, and Will defenses of 20 + 3 per level. Skill bonuses include +2 Lore and +1 Mechanics.
Wizard Spellcasting
Wizards unlock new spell levels at each odd-numbered class level. Starting at 9th level, they unlock Spell Mastery, allowing lower-level spells to be cast per encounter rather than per rest. At 9th level, they can choose one 1st-level spell to master, and an additional spell at each subsequent odd-numbered level. At 1st level, a Wizard learns 4 1st-level spells in addition to Arcane Assault. At each even-numbered level, they learn one additional spell. When a new spell level is unlocked, two new spells can be learned.
Wizards are limited in the number of spells they can cast per day based on their level and spell level. Spells are stored in grimoires, with each grimoire holding no more than four spells of any given level. Grimoires can be switched, but this prevents spellcasting for 10s. A learned spell can be inscribed in any number of grimoires. If a Wizard finds a grimoire, they can learn spells from it by paying a research cost between 100cp and 800cp, depending on spell level. Some spells are only found in grimoires and cannot be selected on level up. The spells Pull of Eora and Form of the Helpless Beast can only be learned by selecting them on level-up and are not found in any grimoire.
- A high Intellect score is crucial for a Wizard as it governs spell range and duration, while Might governs spell damage. Wizards focusing on debuffs may have lower Might.
- Wood Elf is a good racial choice for Wizards who maintain distance, as it increases spell Accuracy.
- To manage the grimoire system, select core spells for each level and create different grimoires for various enemy types (e.g., Burn damage, Shock damage). Scout enemies and switch to the most appropriate grimoire before combat.
- Consider taking class talents like elemental boosting talents (Scion of Flame, etc.) and the Quick Switch talent if using multiple grimoires.
- Moon Godlike is a good racial choice for a more hands-on playstyle, allowing for summoned weapons and increased Deflection from level 1.
Spell highlights:
- Level 1: Chill Fog (brutally overpowered but not party friendly), Concelhaut's Parasitic Staff (powerful early-game weapon), Eldritch Aim (good lethality boost, mastery candidate), Slicken (good throughout the game, mastery candidate), Wizard's Double (highest Deflection bonus among similar spells, lasts until hit, mastery candidate).
- Level 2: Combusting Wounds (good damage multiplier with multiple DoTs), Curse of Blackened Sight (party-friendly Blinded status, great for Sneak Attacks, mastery candidate), Fetid Caress (can neutralize a single powerful enemy), Merciless Gaze (another good lethality boost, mastery candidate).
- Level 3: Deleterious Alacrity of Motion (massive lethality boost, mastery candidate), Expose Vulnerabilities (boosts party effectiveness by weakening defenses), Kalakoth's Minor Blights (decent elemental damage, combos with Blast talent, mastery candidate).
- Level 4: Confusion (party-friendly, crippling debuff with good radius).
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