Every witch and wizard purchases a wand before their first year at Hogwarts, and spends their entire life using that wand, unless they break it or win another wand in combat. The conduit through which their magic flows, a wand is a deeply personal and valuable possession to wizards. Those knowledgeable in wandlore will often describe a wand as if it can think and feel. Every single wand is unique and its character will depend on the particular tree and magical creature from which it derives its materials. Moreover, each wand, from the moment it finds its ideal owner, will begin to learn from and teach its human partner.
Wand Components
Wood
Only a minority of trees produce wand quality wood (just as a minority of humans can produce magic), so it takes years of experience to tell which trees have the gift. A wand’s wood determines the core personality of the wand. As Garrick Ollivander said, the wand chooses the wizard, and so the wood of a wand tells you about the wizard who wields it.
Cores
Unicorn Hair
Unicorn hair generally produces the most consistent magic, and is least subject to fluctuations and blockages. Wands with unicorn cores are generally the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts.
They are the most faithful of all wands, and usually remain strongly attached to their first owner, irrespective of whether he or she was an accomplished witch or wizard. Minor disadvantages of unicorn hair are that they do not make the most powerful wands (although the wand wood may compensate) and that they are prone to melancholy if seriously mishandled, meaning that the hair may ‘die’ and need replacing.
Dragon Heartstring
As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental.
Phoenix Feather
Phoenix feather is the rarest core type. Phoenix feathers are capable of the greatest range of magic, though they may take longer than either unicorn or dragon cores to reveal this. They show the most initiative, sometimes acting of their own accord, a quality that many witches and wizards dislike.
Phoenix feather wands are always the pickiest when it comes to potential owners, for the creature from which they are taken is one of the most independent and detached in the world. These wands are the hardest to tame and to personalize, and their allegiance is usually hard won.
Uncommon Wand Cores
Those three wand cores are the only kinds of wands crafted by Garrick Ollivander, but many other wand cores exist. Around the world and in the shops of other wand makers, you might find wands with cores of Kelpie hair, Dittany stalk, Kneazle whisker, Veela hair, coral, or even troll whisker. These unusual cores have a reputation for being less reliable, but sometimes an uncommon core produces a wand that’s the perfect match for a one-of-a-kind wizard.
Length
Many wandmakers simply match the wand length to the size of the witch or wizard who will use it, but this is a crude measure, and fails to take into account many other, important considerations. Longer wands might suit taller wizards, but they tend to be drawn to bigger personalities, and those of a more spacious and dramatic style of magic. Neater wands favour more elegant and refined spell-casting.
Most wands will be in the range of nine and fourteen inches. Extremely short wands (eight inches and under) and very long wands (over fifteen inches) are exceptionally rare.
Flexibility
Wand flexibility or rigidity denotes the degree of adaptability and willingness to change possessed by the wand-and-owner pair. This factor ought not to be considered separately from the wand wood, core and length, nor of the owner’s life experience and style of magic, all of which will combine to make the wand in question unique.
Backgrounds
Wand woods are grouped into backgrounds based on their general traits, which help define your character and determine your background skill proficiencies and background feature. Once you’ve selected your background, choose a wood. Then select your remaining wand components: core, length, and flexibility. You are free to create any combination of Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws to match the personality of your witch or wizard.
Mix-and-Match Wandmaking: Like 5e, character backgrounds are entirely customizable. Even wand woods are mere suggestions, and any wood can be paired with any background. Feel free to work with your HM to modify an existing background or create a brand new one to bring your character concept to life.
Wand Wood Rolling Table
If you want the experience of the wand choosing the wizard, all wand attributes have rolling tables for random selection.
| d100 | Wand Wood |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Acacia |
| 3-6 | Alder |
| 7-9 | Ash |
| 10-11 | Apple |
| 12-13 | Aspen |
| 14-16 | Beech |
| 17 | Blackthorn |
| 18-19 | Black Walnut |
| 20-22 | Cedar |
| 23 | Cherry |
| 24-25 | Chestnut |
| 26-28 | Cypress |
| 29-32 | Dogwood |
| 33-34 | Ebony |
| 35 | Elder |
| 36-37 | Elm |
| 38-40 | English Oak |
| 41-44 | Fir |
| 45-47 | Hawthorn |
| 48-50 | Hazel |
| 51 | Holly |
| 52-54 | Hornbeam |
| 55-57 | Larch |
| 58-60 | Laurel |
| 61-63 | Mahogany |
| 64-66 | Maple |
| 67-69 | Pear |
| 70-72 | Pine |
| 73-75 | Poplar |
| 76-77 | Red Oak |
| 78-79 | Redwood |
| 80-83 | Rowan |
| 84-85 | Silver Lime |
| 86-88 | Spruce |
| 89-91 | Sycamore |
| 92-93 | Vine |
| 94-97 | Walnut |
| 98-99 | Willow |
| 00 | Yew |
Artist
You see yourself as an observer of the world around you, capturing little glimpses of that world. You express yourself through those glimpses, satisfying your need to create and communicating your own unique perspective.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Performance
Equipment: The tools of the art medium of your choice, and a sketch pad with charcoal sticks
Background Feature: Apprentice - Although you’re not yet able to create original works, you have enough knowledge and rudimentary skills to begin an apprenticeship under a mentor. Additionally, you’ve become practiced in hand-eye coordination and precise work.
Suggested Woods: Pine, Red Oak, Sycamore
Variant: Performer - You’re compelled to express yourself through the performing arts: singing, dancing, playing an instrument or magical theater. Variant Feature: Dramatic Entrance - Your flair for the dramatic means you can always do things in the most attention-grabbing way possible.
Bookworm
You’ve always been known to have your nose in a book, whether obsessing over homework or escaping reality into a world of fiction. You often solve your problems through research and study.
Skill Proficiencies: Magical Theory, Investigation
Equipment: Your favorite book, a book you’re currently reading, and a small back-up quill
Background Feature: Teacher’s Pet - Because you are a bright individual, teachers and those in positions of authority are more likely to interpret your actions and intentions favorably.
Suggested Woods: Beech, Hornbeam, Vine, Walnut
Variant: Prodigy - You’ve always exhibited unusual control over your magical abilities. Where others struggle, things come naturally to you.
Dreamer
Your dreams fill your thoughts, distracted by all of life’s possibilities. Introspection comes easily to you and you don’t understand how a person can live without looking for meaning.
Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Perception
Tool Proficiencies: Astronomer’s tools
Equipment: Astronomer’s tools, and a mystical trinket you believe gives you protection
Background Feature: Stargazer - You’re a natural at Astronomy and share the Centaurs’ views on the importance of the heavens. Ghosts are more trusting of you and more forthcoming with information.
Suggested Woods: Black Walnut, Cedar, Hazel, Redwood, Silver Lime
Groundskeeper
Your childhood has always been spent outdoors, climbing trees or capturing insects. You’ve always felt an intense connection to all forms of life around you.
Skill Proficiencies: Survival, Magical Creatures
Tool Proficiencies: Herbologist’s tools
Equipment: Herbologist’s tools, and a compass
Background Feature: Value All Life - Magical beings and intelligent beasts are more likely to treat you favorably or grant you an audience.
Suggested Woods: Chestnut, English Oak, Maple, Poplar
Hearthkeeper
You find comfort in the familiar and the domestic. Family, home, and hearth are what matter most to you. You take pride in creating a warm, welcoming space for those you care about.
Skill Proficiencies: Medicine, Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: Cook’s utensils
Equipment: Cook’s utensils, and a family heirloom
Background Feature: Hospitality - Your warm demeanor puts people at ease. Strangers are more likely to trust you and offer you shelter or assistance.
Suggested Woods: Apple, Pear, Willow
Investigator
You’re driven by curiosity and the need to uncover the truth. Whether you’re interested in solving crimes, uncovering conspiracies, or just satisfying your own curiosity, you have a knack for finding hidden information.
Skill Proficiencies: Investigation, Insight
Equipment: A magnifying glass, a notebook, and a set of lock picks
Background Feature: Eye for Detail - You notice things others miss. You can often spot hidden compartments, notice when someone is lying, or find clues that others overlook.
Suggested Woods: Ash, Cypress, Fir
Leader
You’ve always found yourself in positions of authority, whether by choice or circumstance. People look to you for guidance and direction.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Intimidation
Equipment: Fine clothes, a signet ring or badge of office
Background Feature: Command Presence - Your confident bearing and natural authority cause others to defer to you. You can often gain an audience with people in power or command respect from strangers.
Suggested Woods: Elder, Holly, Rowan, Yew
Outsider
You’ve always felt different from those around you. Whether because of your blood status, your beliefs, or simply your personality, you’ve never quite fit in with the mainstream wizarding world.
Skill Proficiencies: Stealth, Deception
Equipment: A hooded cloak, a hidden compartment bag
Background Feature: Blend In - You’ve learned to avoid notice when you need to. You can easily adopt the mannerisms and speech patterns of different groups to fit in temporarily.
Suggested Woods: Acacia, Blackthorn, Dogwood, Ebony
Quidditch Player
You live for the thrill of flight and competition. Whether you’re a Seeker, Chaser, Beater, or Keeper, Quidditch is your passion.
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Acrobatics
Equipment: A broom (school-approved), Quidditch robes, and a well-worn Quaffle
Background Feature: Team Player - You work well with others and understand the importance of coordination. You have advantage on checks to coordinate group actions.
Suggested Woods: Alder, Aspen, Larch, Spruce
Rebel
Authority exists to be questioned, and rules exist to be broken - or so you believe. You’ve never been one to follow the crowd or do what you’re told without good reason.
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Sleight of Hand
Equipment: A set of common clothes with hidden pockets, a small knife
Background Feature: Underground Connections - You know how to find the less reputable elements of wizarding society. You can locate black markets, smugglers, or others who operate outside the law.
Suggested Woods: Cherry, Elm, Hawthorn, Mahogany
Socialite
You thrive in social situations and know how to navigate the complex web of wizarding high society. Parties, galas, and formal events are where you shine.
Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Performance
Equipment: Fine dress robes, invitations to several upcoming social events
Background Feature: Social Butterfly - You know everyone who’s anyone in wizarding society. You can often get introductions to influential people or learn useful gossip.
Suggested Woods: Laurel, Mahogany, Silver Lime
Wand Wood Descriptions
For a complete list of all wand wood descriptions and their characteristics, consult your HM or refer to the detailed wand wood entries in the Backgrounds compendium section.
Each wand wood has unique properties that reflect in the personality traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws associated with different backgrounds. The wand truly does choose the wizard.