Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Yranuis 10-07-03, 03:57 AM	I'm about to make 5th level as a necromancer and am wondering what's the most useful 3rd-level necromancer spell? THANKS!
CaoSlayer 10-07-03, 05:13 AM	vampiric touch. touch spell without save, heals yourself.
Seeker95 10-07-03, 08:22 AM	Ray of Exhaustion Exhaustion makes the target move at half speed, suffer -6 to both Strength and Dexterity -- effectively reducing to hit, damage and AC by 3 each! By 5th level, this lasts 5 minutes. Yes, they get a save. But you do not have to get in melee to use it. Vampiric Touch requires that you get close enough to touch your target. This is not a smart move for a 5th level wizard. It may be fine later, when being in the thick of things for a round or two is not lethal! (Yes, you could use your familiar to deliver it, but... 1. Do you want to put your familiar that close to the combat? 2. Wouldn't the familiar then gain the hit points instead of you?!
sacremon 10-07-03, 10:15 AM	Familiar? Nah, use Spectral Hand, which most necromancers should have as one of their 2nd level spells. Makes any touch spell medium range with a +2 to hit to boot.
edsonaoki 10-07-03, 12:41 PM	At 5th-level I wouldn't afford to spend 2 combat rounds and 2 spells just to cast vampire touch... The best 3rd-level necromancy spell is called "Empowered Ray of Enfeeblement" heh
bitnine 10-07-03, 12:50 PM	Originally posted by Seeker95 Vampiric Touch requires that you get close enough to touch your target. This is not a smart move for a 5th level wizard. It may be fine later, when being in the thick of things for a round or two is not lethal! (Yes, you could use your familiar to deliver it, but... Consider an alternative use for it: those HP last for an hour and are temporary HP, making it one of the better buff spells in the game. In cases where we were worried about the necromancer in our party being killed because of an upcoming fight, we'd have him VT the tank and heal him back up.
Luminous Crayon 10-07-03, 01:13 PM	Major Image. Don't forget that even as a specialist wizard, you're not limited to only one school of magic. I personally consider Major Image to be the best 3rd-level wizard spell on the market, although I know it doesn't fit everyone else's playing styles. I guess my point is this: don't forget to look outside of your school of specialization to find useful spells.
bitnine 10-07-03, 02:22 PM	Originally posted by Luminous Crayon I guess my point is this: don't forget to look outside of your school of specialization to find useful spells. I think he might be asking for his specialty slot. ;)
Sahansral 10-08-03, 02:36 AM	Hi, my necromancer is 4th level (3.0 mind you). And I have the same problem with choosing my next 3th level specialization slot. Vampiric Touch is not a very good choice, I think. Why? Only temporary hitpoints, which can be get with other spells of lower level (eg. false life, endure) and it requires a touch attack and lasts only one hour. How about Halt Undead if you fight undead regularly and don't want to use Command Undead from T&B? I'm planning to take Spider Poison from Magic of Faerun. Touch attack, too, but it forces two saves against a scaling DC and complements good with ray of enfeeblement.
Talchar 10-08-03, 03:51 AM	get the 2nd level spell spectral Hand. I'm planning to take Spider Poison from Magic of Faerun. Touch attack, too, but it forces two saves against a scaling DC and complements good with ray of enfeeblement. Ok ok:heehee How about Dodo's Fantastic Dissertation
Sahansral 10-08-03, 06:27 AM	Originally posted by Talchar get the 2nd level spell spectral Hand. Ok ok:heehee How about Dodo's Fantastic Dissertation Sorry, but this post just makes no sense... 1) The thread starter needs advice for a third level slot. 2) Commenting an advince with a mere "lol" without further argumentation isn't appropriate at all, imo.
Thelon Fairblade 10-08-03, 10:30 AM	I too would suggest Vampiric Touch. As mentioned, it does go with Spectral Hand quite nicely. Also as mentioned, there is the questionable tactic of leaching off your friends for quick healing. The best part is the "no save" aspect; sure it's a touch attack, but there's nothing wrong with a little leeching on helpless targets before killing them (Held, Unconscious, Sleeping, etc...)
bitnine 10-08-03, 10:47 AM	Originally posted by Thelon Fairblade The best part is the "no save" aspect; sure it's a touch attack, but there's nothing wrong with a little leeching on helpless targets before killing them (Held, Unconscious, Sleeping, etc...) Sweet delicious coup de grace with Vampiric Touch. Mmmm...
Yranuis 11-09-03, 09:31 PM	Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I think I'm settling on Ray of Exhaustion and then probably Vampiric Touch or Negative Energy Burst (I know it doesn't even come close to comparing with fireball, but I can't learn fireball for one of my Nec slots).
Faenlan 11-10-03, 04:56 AM	Originally posted by Sahansral my necromancer is 4th level (3.0 mind you). Ray of Exhaustion is a 3.5 spell, in 3.0 I'll go for Vampiric Touch as you don't have that much choice.
Yranuis 11-11-03, 12:45 PM	Sahansral, my guy is a 3.0 nec as well but I'm pretty sure my DM will accept Ray of Exhaustion anyway. Does your DM allow any unofficial spells into the game? If so, I'd imagine he'd accept a spell from the next official spell list. Yranuis