Introduction
In many ways, Strixhaven Initiate feels like an updated version of Magic Initiate. The cantrip options are iconic options from several classes which were published in the Player’s Handbook alongside Magic Initiate, so limiting characters to those options prevents players from taking potentially problematic cantrips like Booming Blade which are added in other supplements. In exchange for that loss of flexibility, we gain the ability to pick our spellcasting ability score, somewhat more flexibility in your choice of class for the granted 1st-level spell, and the ability to re-cast the leveled spell using spell slots regardless of your class (Magic Initiate only allows you to re-cast the spell if you have levels in the class you picked for the feat).
Rather than picking a single class, Strixhaven Initiate instead allows you to pick from one of the 5 Strixhaven colleges. Your choice of college determines your spell options, so choosing your college is just as important as choosing a class for Magic Initiate.
Due to the ability to re-cast the leveled spell you select, the biggest beneficiaries of Strixhaven Initiate are full spellcasters. Partial casters like artificers or eldritch knight fighters can also benefit, but their reduced number of spell slots reduces the usefulness of the feat.
For more information about spellcasting feats, including ratings of the various feats, see our Spellcasting Feats Guide.
Table of Contents
Disclaimer
RPGBOT uses the color coding scheme which has become common among Pathfinder build handbooks, which is simple to understand and easy to read at a glance.
- : Bad, useless options, or options which are extremely situational. Nearly never useful.
- : OK options, or useful options that only apply in rare circumstances. Useful sometimes.
- : Good options. Useful often.
- : Fantastic options, often essential to the function of your character. Useful very frequently.
We will not include 3rd-party content, including content from DMs Guild, in handbooks for official content because we can’t assume that your game will allow 3rd-party content or homebrew. We also won’t cover Unearthed Arcana content because it’s not finalized, and we can’t guarantee that it will be available to you in your games.
The advice offered below is based on the current State of the Character Optimization Meta as of when the article was last updated. Keep in mind that the state of the meta periodically changes as new source materials are released, and the article will be updated accordingly as time allows.
Strixhaven Initiate College Options
Lorehold
Nothing amazing here. If you want cleric spells, Silverquill is a better choice. If you’re going Lorehold, you want Sacred Flame and a leveled wizard spell. Good options include Bless, Heroism, and Shield of Faith from the Cleric and Absorb Elements, Mage Armor, Shield, and Silvery Barbs from the Wizard. This could be a good option for bards or druids.
Lorehold Cantrip Options
- PHB: A staple utility, but available to most full spellcasters.
- PHB: Simple and effective ranged damage.
- PHB: Too situational and too limited. See our Practical Guide to Prestidigitation for more advice.
Prismari
Nothing amazing here. The cantrips are staple wizard options, and access to either bard or sorcerer spells is tempting. Bard offers options like Healing Word and Faerie Fire, while Sorcerer offers options like Absorb Elements, Chromatic Orb, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Shield, and Silvery Barbs. This is an effective choice for clerics and druids.
Prismary Cantrip Options
- PHB: Simple, reliable damage at range. The only problem is that fire resistance is common. But since the Bard is the only one who might reasonably take this and Eldritch Blast is an option, this appeals to literally no one.
- PHB: Really cool, but not impactful enough to your build that it’s worth a feat on its own. See our Practical Guide to Prestidigitation for more advice.
- PHB: Decent single-target ranged damage, but if all you want is damage you should grab a bow. The speed penalty is nice, but it won’t win you any fights on its own.
Quandrix
All three cantrip options are utility options. Guidance is a staple and everyone who can get it should, but that’s not enough to make Quandrix a great option. Good leveled spell options include Goodberry and Healing Word from the Druid and Absorb Elements, Mage Armor, and Shield from the Wizard. This is a good option for clerics who want wizard spells and for sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards who want Guidance and Healing Word.
Quandrix Cantrip Options
-
our Practical Guide to Prestidigitation
for more advice.
- PHB: Fantastic and versatile. You should probably cast this at every opportunity outside of combat.
- PHB: A good utility options.
Silverquill
Two good offensive cantrips from different classes. Good leveled spell options include Faerie Fire from the Bard, Bless and Heroism from the Cleric, and Healing Word from either. This is a great option for many spellcasters, including druids, sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards, but bards and clerics may both still find Silverquill appealing.
Silverquill Cantrip Options
- PHB: Simple and effective ranged damage.
- PHB: Too situational and too limited. See our Practical Guide to Prestidigitation for more advice.
- PHB: Easily the most iconic bard spell, Vicious Mockery is unique, flavorful, and mechanically fantastic. The damage is relatively small, but the debuff is absolutely worth the poor damage.
Witherbloom
Just go for Quandrix. You get the same leveled spell options with better cantrips.
Witherbloom Cantrip Options
- PHB: Decent damage, but not as good as Fire Bolt or something.
- PHB: Too situational and too limited. See our Practical Guide to Prestidigitation for more advice.
- PHB: Buy a Healer’s Kit.
