[base class] Skeleton Master [Archive] - Wizards Community

[base class] Skeleton Master [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kinem
02-27-05, 11:22 PM I made it several months ago, pulled out the file recently, but still am not sure on balance. In fact it probably needs changes. It may be more useful when the war book comes out. Thanks.

I call it a base class because a core class should be in the PHB.

Skeleton Master (base class)

A skeleton master animates skeletons and at higher levels commands vast numbers of them. Unlike a necromancer, he focuses exclusively on this, not learning any other magic, as well as honing his own fighting skills. Usually a skeleton master either intends to raise an undead army to conquer or defend a land, to put his legions to work as cheap labor so as to gain wealth, or simply to gain an impressive reputation as a master of the undead.

Alignment: Any non-good
Hit die: d8
BAB: Medium (3/4 level, as cleric)
Good saves: Fort, Reflex, Will (as monk)
Skill points: 2+ Int mod per level
Weapon and armor proficiency: The skeleton master gains proficiency with light armor and with all simple weapons.

The skeleton master’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), and Spellcraft (Int).

Class features:
Animate skeleton (sp): 1/day/SM level, the SM can animate a skeleton within 30’ which can have up to 2 HD per caster level as a standard action. Animate dead’s maximum of 20 HD does not apply. If he has levels of a spellcasting class through which he can cast animate dead, they stack with SM levels to determine the caster level. This is otherwise as per animate dead. He controls the new skeleton, but may lose control of existing ones. He can choose which ones to release from his control, if need be. Uncontrolled skeletons follow their last orders.
If the SM is undead, he gains +2 to his caster level.

Skeleton control (ex): The SM can control a total HD of skeletons that he has animated using the above class feature equal to his caster level x 4. This increases to caster level x 5 at 7th SM level, x 6 at 13th SM level, x 7 at 17th SM level, and x 8 at 20th SM level. This is in addition to any other skeletons he might control by other means.

Usurp skeleton (sp): The SM can attempt to take control of a mindless animated skeleton within 60’ as a standard action. If the skeleton has HD less than or equal to the SM’s level, and it fails a Will save (DC 10 + ½ SM level + Charisma modifier) than he takes control of it as if he had animated it. This has no effect on other types of undead, such as zombies or bone creatures.

Upgrade minions (su): When the SM acquires a feat that makes undead he animates more powerful, all skeletons already under his control receive the same benefits. Any skeleton he usurps control of receives the benefits as well. This is an instantaneous effect.

Army of the dead (ex): At 11th level, skeletons of 1 HD or less count against the total HD that the SM can control at the rate of 1 HD per 100 skeletons (round up).

Skele-telepathy (su): The SM can mentally give orders to any skeletons he controls as a move equivalent action. This has a range of 20’ per SM level. He can still give spoken commands as a free action, but the telepathy is silent and may be longer range depending on how sound carries.

Zombie master variant: As SM, but exchange “zombie” with “skeleton”. The army of the dead ability allows 50 zombies of 2 HD or less to count against his total as 1 HD.
kinem
02-28-05, 07:51 PM b...
Paladin2004
03-17-05, 06:50 AM very nice, might use this
PonTelon
03-17-05, 04:37 PM wow. That is a lot of skeletons. At level 20 you could have 16 thousand 1 HD skeletons. I wonder though. You say that he neglects himself but he has high saves, medium BAB, and d8 HD? Also, does this raise caster level? How can you have a caster level if they don't cast any spells? I think this class would be better for a Prestige Class. Perhaps 10 levels and have caster level only raise by 6? something like that.

Good idea! Keep up the good work. :dancin:
kinem
03-23-05, 12:32 AM Paladin 2004, thanks :)

I hope people try it, as the idea of armies of (often mindless) undead in D&D always comes up and there is, amazingly, still no official way to make them (outside of epic levels).

BTW, there's another thread on this class, 16000 skeletons:

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=387490

wow. That is a lot of skeletons. At level 20 you could have 16 thousand 1 HD skeletons. I wonder though. You say that he neglects himself but he has high saves, medium BAB, and d8 HD? Also, does this raise caster level? How can you have a caster level if they don't cast any spells? I think this class would be better for a Prestige Class. Perhaps 10 levels and have caster level only raise by 6? something like that.

Good idea! Keep up the good work. :dancin:

Thanks PonTelen.

Where did I say he neglects himself? I did consider saying that but thought it was too stereotypical - suitable for a sample character, but too restrictive to describe all who take the class. I don't see it above. Could I have edited it out? Anyway, there'd be no contradiction - he could dig up a lot of graves, building muscle but never bathing, for example.

The SM, by advancing in this class, does NOT gain equivalent spellcaster levels in a class he might also have, unlike a loremaster for example.

The caster level of the SM refers to his spell-like abilities. This affects how many HD of undead he can control and how many HD they can have, as well as things like the caster level check to use his Usurp Skeleton power on a skeleton that is wearing a cloak of spell resistance.

It certainly would be possible to make it a PrC, but I went with a base class because:

- Well, you know everyone expects a PrC that grants armies of undead. WotC just hasn't delivered. Surprise! - the concept also works as a base class.

- If you want your necromancer to have the army, take leadership and get a SM as your cohort. Give him a dumb nickname like General Grevious. You would want a general anyway, no?

- From first level, players can now animate undead minions in a (hopefully balanced) way. Just as the undead-army-raising archetype has been conspicuously lacking in WoTC products, so have the first level skeleton animator player option and the weak yet undead animating NPC enemy been horribly lacking.

- If it were a PrC for a necromancer, it would be hard to balance it because losing spellcasting levels would mean you lose raw power. As a base class, my SM is more like a fighter than like a wizard. That means, yes, a 20th level wizard could probably beat a 20th level SM since the SM's army won't be much of a factor. But that's OK because the SM is like a fighter so no one cares how weak he is compared to a pure wizard; they are not direct competitors. Plus, it makes a lot more sense for a fighter-type to raise an army. Fighting, war, armies - kind of go together, no?

One problem that the class might have for a PC is that you could only raise a number of undead per day equal to your level. So it would take at least a full year to raise 7,000 or so. A PC will often not have that kind of time. An NPC might build his army in secret, then unleash it, knowing that it would take him a long time to replenish it if it suffers heavy losses. Do you think I should change this? I do think it really helps balance the class, though.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kinem 02-27-05, 11:22 PM	I made it several months ago, pulled out the file recently, but still am not sure on balance. In fact it probably needs changes. It may be more useful when the war book comes out. Thanks. I call it a base class because a core class should be in the PHB. Skeleton Master (base class) A skeleton master animates skeletons and at higher levels commands vast numbers of them. Unlike a necromancer, he focuses exclusively on this, not learning any other magic, as well as honing his own fighting skills. Usually a skeleton master either intends to raise an undead army to conquer or defend a land, to put his legions to work as cheap labor so as to gain wealth, or simply to gain an impressive reputation as a master of the undead. Alignment: Any non-good Hit die: d8 BAB: Medium (3/4 level, as cleric) Good saves: Fort, Reflex, Will (as monk) Skill points: 2+ Int mod per level Weapon and armor proficiency: The skeleton master gains proficiency with light armor and with all simple weapons. The skeleton master’s class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Heal (Wis), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), and Spellcraft (Int). Class features: Animate skeleton (sp): 1/day/SM level, the SM can animate a skeleton within 30’ which can have up to 2 HD per caster level as a standard action. Animate dead’s maximum of 20 HD does not apply. If he has levels of a spellcasting class through which he can cast animate dead, they stack with SM levels to determine the caster level. This is otherwise as per animate dead. He controls the new skeleton, but may lose control of existing ones. He can choose which ones to release from his control, if need be. Uncontrolled skeletons follow their last orders. If the SM is undead, he gains +2 to his caster level. Skeleton control (ex): The SM can control a total HD of skeletons that he has animated using the above class feature equal to his caster level x 4. This increases to caster level x 5 at 7th SM level, x 6 at 13th SM level, x 7 at 17th SM level, and x 8 at 20th SM level. This is in addition to any other skeletons he might control by other means. Usurp skeleton (sp): The SM can attempt to take control of a mindless animated skeleton within 60’ as a standard action. If the skeleton has HD less than or equal to the SM’s level, and it fails a Will save (DC 10 + ½ SM level + Charisma modifier) than he takes control of it as if he had animated it. This has no effect on other types of undead, such as zombies or bone creatures. Upgrade minions (su): When the SM acquires a feat that makes undead he animates more powerful, all skeletons already under his control receive the same benefits. Any skeleton he usurps control of receives the benefits as well. This is an instantaneous effect. Army of the dead (ex): At 11th level, skeletons of 1 HD or less count against the total HD that the SM can control at the rate of 1 HD per 100 skeletons (round up). Skele-telepathy (su): The SM can mentally give orders to any skeletons he controls as a move equivalent action. This has a range of 20’ per SM level. He can still give spoken commands as a free action, but the telepathy is silent and may be longer range depending on how sound carries. Zombie master variant: As SM, but exchange “zombie” with “skeleton”. The army of the dead ability allows 50 zombies of 2 HD or less to count against his total as 1 HD.
kinem 02-28-05, 07:51 PM	b...
Paladin2004 03-17-05, 06:50 AM	very nice, might use this
PonTelon 03-17-05, 04:37 PM	wow. That is a lot of skeletons. At level 20 you could have 16 thousand 1 HD skeletons. I wonder though. You say that he neglects himself but he has high saves, medium BAB, and d8 HD? Also, does this raise caster level? How can you have a caster level if they don't cast any spells? I think this class would be better for a Prestige Class. Perhaps 10 levels and have caster level only raise by 6? something like that. Good idea! Keep up the good work. :dancin:
kinem 03-23-05, 12:32 AM	Paladin 2004, thanks :) I hope people try it, as the idea of armies of (often mindless) undead in D&D always comes up and there is, amazingly, still no official way to make them (outside of epic levels). BTW, there's another thread on this class, 16000 skeletons: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=387490 wow. That is a lot of skeletons. At level 20 you could have 16 thousand 1 HD skeletons. I wonder though. You say that he neglects himself but he has high saves, medium BAB, and d8 HD? Also, does this raise caster level? How can you have a caster level if they don't cast any spells? I think this class would be better for a Prestige Class. Perhaps 10 levels and have caster level only raise by 6? something like that. Good idea! Keep up the good work. :dancin: Thanks PonTelen. Where did I say he neglects himself? I did consider saying that but thought it was too stereotypical - suitable for a sample character, but too restrictive to describe all who take the class. I don't see it above. Could I have edited it out? Anyway, there'd be no contradiction - he could dig up a lot of graves, building muscle but never bathing, for example. The SM, by advancing in this class, does NOT gain equivalent spellcaster levels in a class he might also have, unlike a loremaster for example. The caster level of the SM refers to his spell-like abilities. This affects how many HD of undead he can control and how many HD they can have, as well as things like the caster level check to use his Usurp Skeleton power on a skeleton that is wearing a cloak of spell resistance. It certainly would be possible to make it a PrC, but I went with a base class because: - Well, you know everyone expects a PrC that grants armies of undead. WotC just hasn't delivered. Surprise! - the concept also works as a base class. - If you want your necromancer to have the army, take leadership and get a SM as your cohort. Give him a dumb nickname like General Grevious. You would want a general anyway, no? - From first level, players can now animate undead minions in a (hopefully balanced) way. Just as the undead-army-raising archetype has been conspicuously lacking in WoTC products, so have the first level skeleton animator player option and the weak yet undead animating NPC enemy been horribly lacking. - If it were a PrC for a necromancer, it would be hard to balance it because losing spellcasting levels would mean you lose raw power. As a base class, my SM is more like a fighter than like a wizard. That means, yes, a 20th level wizard could probably beat a 20th level SM since the SM's army won't be much of a factor. But that's OK because the SM is like a fighter so no one cares how weak he is compared to a pure wizard; they are not direct competitors. Plus, it makes a lot more sense for a fighter-type to raise an army. Fighting, war, armies - kind of go together, no? One problem that the class might have for a PC is that you could only raise a number of undead per day equal to your level. So it would take at least a full year to raise 7,000 or so. A PC will often not have that kind of time. An NPC might build his army in secret, then unleash it, knowing that it would take him a long time to replenish it if it suffers heavy losses. Do you think I should change this? I do think it really helps balance the class, though.