Philosophical Mages turn rigorous thought into practical magic. They identify the assumptions holding a foe, spell, or situation together, then challenge those assumptions with precise arcane arguments. Their magic excels at control, defense, and changing the terms of a confrontation rather than simply dealing overwhelming damage.
Make the world defend its assumptions.
Full caster; tactical controller, defensive support, and expert in manipulating pivotal d20 rolls.
At a glance
Hit die d6
Intelligence
ConstitutionYou have learned to turn inquiry into magic. You can cast Philosophical Mage spells using Intelligence; your spell save DC and spell attack modifier use the standard formula. You prepare spells from the Philosophical Mage spell list and use the full-caster spell-slot progression. You know three cantrips and prepare a number of leveled spells equal to your Intelligence modifier plus your Philosophical Mage level, minimum one; you can change prepared spells after a Long Rest. Your class spells are original to this class.
You gain a pool of Thesis Points equal to your Proficiency Bonus, regaining all expended points when you finish a Short or Long Rest. When a creature you can see within 60 feet makes an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, you can take a Reaction and spend 1 point to impose a 1d4 penalty on the roll after seeing the d20 but before knowing the result.
Choose a subclass, which grants features at levels 3, 6, 10, and 14. You also gain a subclass feature at this level.
Ability Score Improvement
You learn one additional Philosophical Mage cantrip. When you cast a cantrip that deals damage, you can change its damage type to psychic or force.
You gain a subclass feature. In addition, when you use Challenge an Assumption, you can spend 2 Thesis Points to increase its penalty to 1d8.
When you fail an Intelligence check, you can spend 1 Thesis Point to add 1d6 to the check, potentially turning it into a success. You can do so after rolling the d20 but before the DM announces the result.
Ability Score Improvement
Once per turn when a creature fails a saving throw against one of your Philosophical Mage spells, you can move it up to 10 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. This movement does not provoke Opportunity Attacks.
You gain a subclass feature. You also regain 1 expended Thesis Point whenever you roll Initiative and have none remaining.
Your Thesis Point maximum increases by 1. When you spend a Thesis Point, you can choose to gain Temporary Hit Points equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum 1).
Ability Score Improvement
When you cast a Philosophical Mage spell that has a casting time of an action and targets only one creature, you can spend 1 Thesis Point to impose Disadvantage on the first saving throw it makes against that spell.
You gain a subclass feature. In addition, when you use Challenge an Assumption, you can choose a second creature within 30 feet of the first; the same roll is affected by your penalty for both creatures.
When you roll Initiative and have fewer than 2 Thesis Points remaining, you regain Thesis Points until you have 2. You can also replace one prepared Philosophical Mage spell with another from your list when you finish a Short Rest.
Ability Score Improvement
When a creature succeeds on a saving throw against one of your Philosophical Mage spells, you can use your Reaction and spend 2 Thesis Points to force it to reroll the save. It must use the new roll. Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a Long Rest.
You learn one additional Philosophical Mage cantrip. Whenever you roll Initiative, you can replace one prepared Philosophical Mage spell with another from your list.
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat for which you qualify. You also gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat for which you qualify.
Your Thesis Point maximum increases by 2. Once per Long Rest, when you fail a saving throw, you can choose to succeed instead.
IntelligenceConstitutionIntelligence
WisdomHit pointsHit Point Die: per Philosophical Mage level. Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier. Hit Points at Higher Levels: (or 4) + your Constitution modifier per Philosophical Mage level after 1st.
ArmorLight armor.
WeaponsSimple weapons.
ToolsNone.
SkillsChoose two from Arcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Persuasion, and Religion.
Skill choicesArcana, History, Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Persuasion, Religion
ResourceThesis Points: a short-rest pool used to challenge d20 rolls and enhance class features. Maximum equals your Proficiency Bonus, with specified increases at levels 11 and 20.
MulticlassingPrerequisite: Intelligence 13. When you multiclass into Philosophical Mage, you gain Light armor proficiency and proficiency in one skill from the class skill list. Follow the multiclass spell-slot rules; Philosophical Mage levels count as full caster levels. You prepare and cast only Philosophical Mage spells using this class's Spellcasting feature.
Full Spellcasting, using Intelligence and the 2024 full-caster spell-slot progression.
At 1st level you know three Philosophical Mage cantrips and prepare leveled spells as described in Spellcasting. The spellList entries are original class-exclusive spells; their names and notes establish themes, not full spell rules. Each original spell requires a complete spell description from the DM before play. Use the class spell list only; the class does not automatically learn spells from other classes.
Prove that harm need not have the final word.
One contradiction can undo an entire strategy.
The future is a conclusion that has not yet been proved.
Philosophical Mages turn rigorous thought into practical magic.
They identify the assumptions holding a foe, spell, or situation together, then challenge those assumptions with precise arcane arguments. Their magic excels at control, defense, and changing the terms of a confrontation rather than simply dealing overwhelming damage.
You play as a prepared full caster who shapes the battlefield and protects allies by interfering with crucial rolls.
Save Thesis Points for pivotal attacks, checks, or saves, but spend them when a small penalty could change the outcome. Your strongest turns often combine a control spell with careful positioning and timely reactions.
Most Philosophical Mages begin as students of rhetoric, natural philosophy, or practical spellcraft.
Initiation combines spell practice with adversarial debate: the student must defend a claim, challenge it honestly, and still cast under pressure. Some learn through formal colleges; others acquire the discipline from a mentor, a traveling seminar, or years of independent inquiry.
People often admire Philosophical Mages as teachers, judges, or mediators, but can find their habit of questioning assumptions unsettling.
Communities that rely on tradition may distrust them; communities facing crises often welcome their clear thinking.
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