opposition schools

[messy]

1. why did prohibited schools change to opposition schools? making spells from two schools take two spell slots seems to make school specialization a no-brainer, whereas having two schools completely off-limits makes it a much tougher decision.

2. is there any restriction on using magic items from one's opposition schools?

[Chess Pwn]

Cause they wanted it to be less punishing.

no.

[GM 1990]

1. Yes, its pretty much a no-brainer, since the special abilities for Universalist are not that good; and you technically don't give up any spells-per-day even if you take an opposition spell.

2. Not on devices, scrolls, etc; but you can't use your bonded item "one per day" cast on an opposition school.

[David knott 242]

You do still get one extra spell slot per spell level per day as a specialist, though.

[Melkiador]

I do wonder why the generalist wasn't given an extra spell slot option too. That's the main reason why almost no one chooses it.