Forum:Arcane Schools of Magic - Opposing Schools

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 * Greetings! What an interesting question.

I think you're taking the name a little too literally. What makes you think that "opposing schools of magic" are supposed to be opposed to each other in terms of pure metaphysics? They are opposing because they are opposite on the arbitrary schools diagram. I'm assuming you're taking about 2nd edition, so I'll try and explain why in those terms.

We can get an idea as to why certain schools of magic oppose each other in the The Complete Wizard's Handbook, and it is more to do with balance and ability overlap than metaphysics. "The choice of ... oppositional schools is somewhat arbitrary, but remember that we not only strive for balance, but also for schools with unique advantages and restrictions. The DM always has the option to invent a rationale for the existence of specific oppositional schools. For instance, the energies employed by conjuration/summoning and abjuration magic might induce agonizing headaches in a transfigurist, making it impossible for him to learn spells from those schools."

A lot of this changed in 3rd edition, and some source material even provides explanations as to why some schools were generally opposed to others.


 * "Illusion vs Necromancy seems to have no real practical basis either"

From Tome of Magic in regards to prohibited schools: "As an illusionist... necromancy is perhaps the next logical choice, since the schools have some overlap with spells that frighten their subject."

TL;DR: It's more about maintaining balance, avoiding overlapping abilities and how they are learned and used, rather than opposition on a "practical", natural, or metaphysical basis. This is explained a bit further in Dragon magazine 163.