Schools of Magic
Here is a cheat sheet for when a PC uses an identify spell on a magical item in your dungeon. You know what it does, but when they ask what school of magic it is, do you know? Remember that some magic, such as some potions, aren’t associated with any school.
Abjuration “Protectin’ stuff” (Abjure: to renounce)
They create magical barriers, negate harmful effects, harm trespassers, or banish creatures to other planes.
Examples: Alarm, Protection from Evil and Good, Arcane Lock, Glyph of Warding
Conjuration “Makin’ stuff” (Conjure: to create)
Spells involve the transportation of objects and creatures from one location to another. Some spells summon creatures or objects to the caster’s side, whereas others allow the caster to teleport to another location. Some conjurations create objects or effects out of nothing.
Examples: Entangle, Fog Cloud, Dimension Door, Cloudkill, Teleport, Wish
Divination “Knowin’ stuff” (Divine: discover or learn)
Spells reveal information.
Examples: Identify, Speak with Animals, Detect Thoughts, See Invisibility, Scrying
Enchantment “Convincin’ stuff” (Enchant: to cause someone to act in a way it usually wouldn’t)
Spells affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior.
Examples: Charm Person, Sleep, Hold Person, Zone of Truth, Power Word Kill
Evocation “Makin’ energy stuff” (Evoke: cause an effect)
Spells manipulate magical energy to produce a desired effect. Some call up blasts of fire or lightning. Others channel positive energy to heal wounds.
Examples: Fire Bolt, Light, Cure Wounds, Heal, Magic Missile, Spiritual Weapon, Earthquake, Telepathy
Illusion “Trickin’ stuff” (Illusion: a deception)
Spells deceive the senses or minds of others.
Examples: Invisibility, Magic Mouth, Simulacrum
Necromancy “Dead stuff” (Necro: death)
Spells manipulate the energies of life and death. Such spells can grant an extra reserve of life force, drain the life energy from another creature, create the undead, or even bring the dead back to life.
Examples: Chill Touch, Spare the Dying, False Life, Blindness/Deafness, Gentle Repose, Resurrection
Transmutation “Changin’ stuff” (Transmute: to change)
Spells change the properties of a creature, object, or environment. They might turn an enemy into a harmless creature, bolster the strength of an ally, make an object move at the caster’s command, or enhance a creature’s innate healing abilities to rapidly recover from injury.
Example: Mending, Prestidigitation, Darkvision, Knock, Polymorph, Time Stop
Dungeon Master Assistance 
this is invaluable. i shall use this with gratitude.
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Thanks. I had to make this for my own use,. I thought others might be able to use it as well.
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Very handy indeed. I love the info-graphic and am curious if there was a specific logic in the placement of the letters and what they lead to. I have a vague recollection of related schools in a previous edition. For example, conjuration an evocation both have lines leading to enchantment. Divination in the center.
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I didn’t draw that. I found it on line. I don’t know who the artist is. I just thought it looked good and the relations between the different schools that it illustrates look reasonable to me. I haven not really given a lot of thought to the logic of the relationship of one school to another.
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Reblogged this on DDOCentral.
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Hi I wanted to know about telepath communication on being telepathically harassed and I wanted to see if I can get some help
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It’s not clear from your comment exactly what you need help with.
If you feel that you are being telepathically harassed you need to get professional psychiatric help. That is not what I do here.
If you are referring to the D&D game, what specifically do you need help with? Are you asking what spells could be used to telepathically harass someone? Are you wanting to understand better how telepathic spells might work?
If you could give an example of a situation in a game where it is confusing or unclear, perhaps I could help.
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I would be entertained by either answer from this person! 😀
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super helpful, thank you
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I’m curious about examples for spells where they could fall into more than one school. A player brought an idea for a 9th-level spell that would meld evocation and necromancy schools. It would be a small localized blizzard, causing massive cold damage, and any creature that dies in the blizzard will rise as a skeleton under the control of the caster. Do you think this spell would be considered an evocation spell or necromancy?
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Thank you for your question.
My rule of thumb is to go with the most dramatic effect. In this case that would be ” rise as a skeleton under the control of the caster”, so I would put this spell into the necromancy school.
I think this would be a great spell by the way.
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That makes a lot of sense for me. My player will love this. Thank you!
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You are welcome.
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