Customer Reviews

College of Wizardry (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons/AD&D Accessory)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love the Ars Magica RPG, but I was always irritated that the wizards generally were or ended up disfigured psychopaths. TSR has finally jumped into the breach and shows us just how interesting the Good Guys can be. This is by far the most interesting Wizard supplement ever produced by TSR, and in many ways surpasses Ars Magica on its own turf. Compare College of Wizardry to Ars Magica's Covenants or Order of Hermes supplements; College holds its own on most points. Interesting characters, setting, and background, and it's a "generic" supplement to boot! In fact, this is one of the few TSR supplements that I feel could have benefited from greater length. This is truly one of the best AD&D supplements ever, and I've played AD&D 20 years.

Basically gives the structure of a noraml magical college's staff, from apprentices to masters. Also includes several interesting spells and magic items and a few brief adventures. The biggest point is the new proficiencies introduced. They are also the biggest drawback as it will increase a wizard's powers again unless some descretion is applied.

This supplement restores wonder to the wizards in a campaign. Remember, spells aren't just inventory, they're a way of life for these folks: A way of life detailed in College of Wizardry. With subtle tie-in to a few other products, and enough autonomy to stand alone, this thin booklet is a perfect balance of important features, and a paragon of what TSR should strive to provide more of.

Just what we needed: More spells and powers for wizards, who've had to struggle by with what they got in the Player's Handbook, Complete Wizard's Handbook, Tome of Magic and PO: Spells & Magic rules, the poor things. Here, in addition to a strangely lightly detailed College of Wizardry -- which makes an awful lot of changes to the game world for a "generic" supplement -- are too-powerful spells and proficiencies as powerful as low-level spells. This was a great idea, but DM's are better off finding a copy of either the Glantri boxed set or old D&D Gazetteer and lifting the ideas there. Some day, some one will create a great school of magic supplement. This isn't it. (Of course, since Wizards of the Coast will be doing a Harry Potter roleplaying game soon, maybe the wait won't be too terribly long at that ...)

The Perfect way to get good spells and ideas! If you've got a mage, or maybe Dm for chars with Mages, you shjould get this

I like the detailed oriented material, so this was right up my alley. This is great for anyone wanting to set-up a Wizards College or Mages Guild. Good ideas and useful material.