Dungeons & Dragons: How To Build An Origami Mage Wizard

Obojima: Tales From The Tall Grass is a unique campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons that's full of unique backgrounds, species, and subclasses for veteran players to choose from. One of the most interesting subclasses on offer in this supplement is the origami mage wizard, which allows players to weave magic into origami art pieces.

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If you've never played in this supplement before, or are looking to bring an interesting, unique subclass into your normal table, this guide has you covered. Here's absolutely everything you need to know to build the most optimized origami mage wizard in Dungeons & Dragons.

Origami Mage Subclass Overview

The origami mage subclass lets players combine their arcane prowess with origami paper sculptures, which can be used for various purposes, both in combat and roleplay.

Subclass Feature

Character Level

Details

An Arcane Art

2

As a bonus action, you can create origami and imbue it with life, creating a construct that can serve various purposes.

Constructs take on the shapes of different animals and can allow you to impart additional damage against enemies, empower your AC, and more.

Origami Familiar

2

You learn the Find Familiar spell, and always have it prepared.

Your familiar looks like a piece of origami that takes on a form you choose, and has the ability to camouflage itself, blind other creatures, or spy.

Binding Release

6

You can use a bonus action to move one of your origami constructs to another creature that you can see within 30 feet of it.

Paper Path

6

When you cast a touch spell, your origami construct can deliver the spell from its being rather than yours as long as it is within 100 feet of you.

Origami Servant

10

You learn the Unseen Servant spell and always have it prepared, and you can cast it without expending a spell slot.

Unlike normal Unseen Servants, you can have multiple origami servants, which are immune to poison and psychic damage, can fold in on themselves and squeeze through tight spaces, and can see invisible creatures, in addition to other abilities.

Arcane Refresh

14

Your origami constructs return magic given to them when they are destroyed, granting you ten hit points or the ability to regain a spell slot of second level or lower.

You can also use your reaction to negate damage against a construct once per long rest.

Unlike wizards in the 2024 Player's Handbook, the origami mage subclass is taken at level two, so make sure you talk to your DM about balancing this aspect should you play this subclass outside Obojima.

Best Ability Scores For An Origami Mage

For any wizard, you're going to want to put your highest stat in Intelligence, as this is your spellcasting ability. Beyond Intelligence, you'll want to find ways to beef up your wizard physically where possible.

Ability Score

Details

Intelligence

As Intelligence determines your spellcasting modifier and spell save DC, make sure you put your highest stat into Intelligence.

Constitution

You're going to want to make sure you get as many Hit Points as possible, so put your second-highest stat into Constitution.

Wisdom

Wisdom saving throws are often important for overcoming spell saves, so put your next highest stat into Wisdom.

Dexterity

Dexterity determines Armor Class and allows wizards to use some finesse weapons where necessary, so place a relatively high stat here.

Charisma

Charisma can prove important for roleplay, but ultimately is better served for other spellcasters like bards or sorcerers, so place a low stat into Charisma.

Strength

Strength is not a concern for wizards, and should be left for using your lowest stat.

Best Species For An Origami Mage

When it comes to selecting a species for your origami mage, there are three good options for players, one of which is from the Obojima supplement, and two of which can be found in the 2024 Player's Handbook.

1. Blue Dara - Blue Dara can increase Intelligence by two, and another trait by one. They also gain access to Knowledge Talismans, which can allow you to add a d6 to given ability checks. This is helpful for making Arcana checks, and for rounding out weaker checks.
2. Dragonborn - Dragonborn have resistance to certain damage types, which can help bolster your wizard and prevent them from being too squishy in combat.
3. Tiefling - Tieflings gain additional spellcasting, which can help make your already magically powerful wizard more varied in terms of spells they can cast.

Dragonbornes and Tieflings are rare in the Obojima campaign setting. Talk to your DM about how best to incorporate these species into a campaign in this setting.

Best Backgrounds For An Origami Mage

For origami mages, there are three great background options at your disposal, two of which are from the Obojima campaign setting, and one of which is from the 2024 PHB.

1. Apprentice Witch - This background provides great roleplay opportunities for wizards in the world of Obojima, and grants proficiency in the Arcana and Survival skills; Arcana being highly valuable.
2. Apprentice Of AHA - This background once again offers great roleplay in the Obojima campaign setting, and grants proficiency in two Intelligence-based stats, History and Investigation.
3. Merchant - This background grants Ability Score improvements to Constitution, Intelligence, and Charisma, which can prove immensely helpful to round out weak spots and improve your strengths.

If you want to bring the Obojima backgrounds into a normal campaign setting, talk to your DM to make sure this is allowed, as these backgrounds work differently than backgrounds in other 5e modules.

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