I have notice a fair few issues with Wizards and specifically abjuration specialists so far:
(1) I think we do need ritual casting, One of the bonuses of being a wizard in 5e is they can cast ritual tagged spells straight from their spell book. They dont need to mermorise them.
(2) I think find familair is poorly implemented. In 5e its a permanent spell, You cast the familair its yours forever or until killed when you need to resummon. In BG 3 it vanishes when you rest. Meaning to have a familair always costs you a spell slot and 1 of you spell memorisation slots. Hardly worth it for 1 hp raven or similiar.
(3) The Abjuration specialism ability is arcane ward, In 5e rules : The ward has hit points equal to twice your wizard level + your Intelligence modifier. so with 16 int that would be 7hp at level 2, In BG 3 is has a flat 3hp at lvl 2. Nearly worthless.
(4) The arcane ward is recharged by casting abjuration spells, It recharges 2hp x the level of abjuration spell cast. In 5e the wizard can recharge it by ritually casting alarm without expending spell slots or use the sheild spell in combat to recharge it. BG doesnt have ritual casting, the alarm spell or the shield spell (the best lvl 1 abjuration spell). The only lvl 1 abjuration spell implemented is mage armour so the only way to recharge the Arcane Ward is to waste a spell slot to recast mage armour (which you probably already have up) again for a net gain of 2hp.
Wizards sacrifice alot for their abilties (no armour proficiencies, poor weapon proficiencies, no healing and lowest HP totals) and its really sticks out that they dont have them. I started a game with a cleric for comparison. They fair much better are closer to the 5e rules and much much stronger.
Lastly the game itself looks beautiful and so far it has been really exciting. Good Work Larian!
Minor correction: Wizards at level 1 also have Protection from Evil and Good, which is the single strongest abjuration spell of that level. Aside from that, full agree.
