"Hedge mage" originated as a derogatory term leveled by wizards at these scholarly minor practitioners, but they have come to wear it with pride. These are scholars that seek to plumb the depths of magical knowledge, and learn all there is to know about magic even if they themselves cannot perform its greatest feats. Indeed, one reason they are often looked down upon by wizards and other arcane practitioners is because while they lack the same direct arcane might, they often possess a much deeper understanding and wellspring of knowledge about what magic actually is and how it works.
When you select this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with Arcana if you do not have it already already. If you are already proficient with Arcana, you gain proficiency in another skill from the scholar list. You also gain an expertise die on Arcana checks. At level 7, this die increases to d6. At 10, it increases to d8 and your maximum size of an expertise die on Arcana checks increases to d10. At level 14, this die increases to a d10 and your maximum size of expertise die on Arcana checks is d12. You may always choose to use Intelligence on Arcana checks.
In addition, you add Rite Master to your list of available bonus feats.
Also at 3rd level, unlike other scholars, you interweave a study of the arcane directly into your greater search for knowledge. You have the ability to cast spells, following the normal rules for spellcasting.
| Level | Cantrips Known |
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
| 4th | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 5th | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 6th | 2 | 3 | — | — | — |
| 7th | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 8th | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 9th | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| 10th | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 11th | 2 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 12th | 3 | 4 | 3 | — | — |
| 13th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 14th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 15th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 16th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 17th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 18th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — |
| 19th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 20th | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
At 3rd level, you know two cantrips of your choice from the wizard spell list. These spells count as scholar spells for you. You learn an additional cantrip at 10th level.
The Hedge Mage Spellcasting table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st-level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
You know three 1st-level spells of your choice from the wizard spell list. The Spells Known column of the Hedge Mage Spellcasting table shows when you learn more spells of your choice from this feature. Each of these spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
Additionally, when you gain a level in this class, you can choose one of the spells you know from this feature and replace it with another wizard spell of a level for which you have spell slots.
Intelligence is your spellcasting ability for your spells. You use your Intelligence whenever a spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Intelligence modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.
At 6th level, your knowledge of magic is such that you are particularly adept at recognizing its presence. You know detect magic and can cast it at level 1 without expending a spell slot.
At 7th level you choose one elective study from the Wizard list. You select another one at level 14.
At 10th level you may draw upon your innate will and knowledge of creation to fuel your magics, blending the two together. You may regain a spell slot of any level you can cast by expending a number of hit dice equal to the level of the spell slot.
At 14th level your deep study of magic has allowed you to shield yourself against its effects. You have advantage on saving throws against spells.
At 18th level you may concentrate on two spells at once. If you fail a concentration saving throw you lose concentration on both, and the DC of any concentration saving throw while concentrating on two spells is half the damage taken or 15, whichever is higher.