Wizards are one of the more famous classes in D & D, and they can also be one of the most powerful. Having a Wizard in any party is a great addition and creating one can be a lot of fun. Students of the art of magic, Wizards have to learn their abilities and choose a School to focus their magic in.
There are different options for schools and abilities that add to the depth of the character and what they can do. But creating a character and choosing that school can be a challenge to even the most seasoned of D & D players. So if players are trying to pick a school, create or solidify a character, here are a few characters that may help.
10 Storm (X-Men/Marvel)
The School of Evocation is great for beginner players, as it allows for versatile elemental magic. And for player's needing a character to base their own on, Storm is a great example of a Wizard of this school. Her powerful abilities allow her to control and create weather events, including lightning, something that players would enjoy conjuring in any battle.
With great leadership abilities, and an understanding of the consequences of her powers when disrupting the balance of nature, Storm's background, including her time with the X-men can all lend to an interesting and developed character and give plenty of inspiration for players looking to level up to a powerful Wizard.
9 Tony Stark/Iron Man (Marvel)
A Wizard is defined by their school and their desire to both learn and develop their skills. Tony Stark is an example of a more Neutral balanced Wizard of the school of War Magic. In this school, Wizards can use Arcane Deflection and gain an advantage in a fight, especially after being hit.
Creating a wealthy wizard, or a wizard with a noble background, could be a little weird, but Tony Stark's desire to save the world can lend to a funny and endearing wizard character who is also a little self-centered.
8 Bruce Wayne/Batman (DC)
An example of a multi-class fighter/wizard. Creating a character based on Batman would require a little allowance on the part of the DM, and a major focus in both stealth and intelligence. Batman could be an example of a Wizard of the School of Divination or the School of Illusion depending on how players want to best adapt him.
But if players want to focus on his fighting skill set, and beef up their wizard, there's the option for the Bladesinger subclass which would require an Elf version of Batman, something that could be interesting especially if player's want to use the famous 'Bale' voice of the films.
7 Doctor Strange (Marvel)
The Sorcerer Supreme and the Master of the Mystic Arts, Dr. Stephen Strange is a more classical approach to a Wizard and with many mystical artifacts at his disposal there's a few schools players can choose from. A doctor who lost the use of his hands and then became adrift looking for healing, Strange learned from the Ancient One how to heal and gained his abilities.
There's room for a Cleric and Wizard here, and depending on how player's want to go a number of schools can be chosen to reflect Dr. Strange, including Conjuration and Evocation, but for more advanced players there's also the use of Chronurgy Magic which controls time itself.
6 Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (X-Men/Marvel)
One of the most powerful mutants in the X-Men and the daughter of Magneto, Scarlet Witch has a backstory for a complex wizard either trying to atone for her own darkness or her family's sins, or trying to prove her power. She's an immensely powerful mutant who at one point wiped out nearly half of them. There are choices to either play as a good character or a darker version if using an evil campaign.
Using the school of Enchantment could best adapt the MCU version, especially considering her actions in Age of Ultron, but the school of Conjuration could allow players to be a little more creative and versatile in their approach to Wanda's powers.
5 Dr. Manhattan (Watchmen)
With Manhattan basically being an overpowered being, any school could potentially work for a character inspired by him. But to truly create an overpowered character, Evocation is the tried and true way to go. There's also the potential for making an Illusionist that makes other believe they are a God to achieve the awe and fear that Manhattan inspires in Watchmen.
Depending on the character's race, the lifespan can be extended to account for a being who has been around for a long time and grown tired of all that they've seen in the world, humanity especially. The Hermit background would even adapt Manhattan's exile to Mars and his further detachment from the world around him.
4 Sabrina Spellman (Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina)
Sabrina of the Chilling Adventures variety can fall into either a Wizard or Warlock class depending on choice and play style. By selling her soul to the Devil, this would best adapt a Warlock, but considering her opposition to said soul selling and her own studies to best save her town, family, and friends, there's room for a very interesting character in D & D.
The possibilities of a Wizard leaving a darker home to pursue the path of good is compelling and fighting a destiny gives DM's so much room to get creative in their campaigns. Considering she raised the dead in Afterlife With Archie, the School of Necromancy would be the best fit, especially for a darker and scarier character.
3 The Ice Cream Man (Ice Cream Man)
From Image Comics, Ice Cream Man, the demonic being at the center of each self-contained story essentially grants wishes or hidden desires. However, each character the Ice Cream Man interacts with usually is sent on a path that doesn't end how they wanted it to and can delve into a new horrifying reality.
Given the opportunity for a character based on giving an ice cream and performing a darker magic, this character could be a fun opportunity for a horror campaign and a Wizard of Illusion or Enchantment.
2 T'Challa/Black Panther (Marvel)
A Wizard of legacy and history, T'Challa also known as the Black Panther, would be a solid opportunity for a King turned Wizard defending his home. There's also the possibility for a multi-class as a Druid if wanting to use Wild Shape to truly transform into a Panther, or even a Fighter to gain the combat skills.
Wakanda can exist in D & D and having a character from there, on his own journey, whether it be to restore his throne, or finding his place in the world, there's plenty of room to bring a Wizard based on T'Challa into any party.
1 Professor Xavier (X-Men/Marvel)
A Wizard of the School of Divinity has the ability to see the future, including future moves by enemies. Professor X can read minds, and control them, so the School of Divinity would best adapt his abilities. There's also a case to be made for the School of Illusion depending on how players best want to go about creating Professor X.
While his philosophical debates with Magneto are great to read, and could also be done with a great villain, there's a lot of room to delve into Xavier's school. Wizards are students of magic and having one who is a teacher would be a fun addition to the party.