Effective Necromancer Build? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Effective Necromancer Build? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
rozlek
12-06-06, 07:16 PM I bring this here because I'm not in fact looking for the most powerful character, but simply an effective class combination. I've been considering playing a necromancer lately, as it is vastly different than my customary playing style. It would appear that we are playing an evil campaign this time around, and there is already a damage dealing sorceror, so I need not focus solely on that. I would prefer there power over undead be optimal, rather than their spellcasting or melee damage.

I've considered specializing as a necromancer wizard, but I've found that I'm still rather favorable to the use of many spells, as by the sorceror. From Dragon Compendium, I've considered the use of the death master. This class has numerous perks, among them a spell list which grants access to integral necromancy spells earlier. The flaw of both these character types is the lack of ability to rebuke undead, which I would like of the cleric.

Looking into prestige classes, only one stood out. In Libris Mortis, there is the Master of Shrouds. I really like this classes added summoning, but 2 (I believe) caster levels lost could hurt at the level we are playing. I've not yet decided if its worth the loss, as I'll most likely be playing a summoner/commander anyway, and I would like increased caster level for the use of animate dead.

What would you recommend, based on race/class/prestige class?

Thank you either way.
IdleAltruism
12-06-06, 07:25 PM Base race any, class dread necromancer, no prestige class. The dread necromancer is like a sorcerer(or the war mage equivilant) necromancer with a bigger spellist(which only consist of necromancy) they can summon and control undead(a very large ammount of undead). Combined with the feats from the libris mortis you could have a rather nasty army. The Dread necromancer can be found in the Heros of Horror.
Votan
12-06-06, 08:32 PM It is pretty hard to go wrong with a Cleric if the Dread Necromancer isn't available. I usually recommend human or dwarf clerics but, if you want to rebuke, I'd suggest against the dwarf.

Human is good -- there is a good skill list for the Cleric and a solid bonus feat can be an excellent investment if carefully planned.
Thomas_Covenant
12-07-06, 01:40 AM K's Guide is a must-read for you....

K's Necromancer Handbook

Master of Shrouds is tricky, but once you're summoning shadows you can crush nearly every fight for several levels.
For power, that is decent, but I don't see that as being fun.

Clerics make excellent Necromancers, Dread Necromancer would be the only other one I'd look at, based on your post.
Elemental_Elf
12-07-06, 01:51 AM Yup, Dread necromancer is amazing if you want a pure necromancer.

If you can't use that, go for a Cleric, though I'd play a Wild Elf.

If Cleric isn't your style than your best bet would be to go for a Wizard Necromancer Specialist.

Also a Sorcerer could work, as long as you take Wand Creation feats and really think about your spells known and swap useless ones out as you progress in levels.
Adam Smite
12-07-06, 02:33 AM I'm not sure why, but for some reason I've always liked the True Necromancer from Libris Mortis whenever I'm thinking about Necromancers... but besides that, Dread Necromancer is probably your best bet.
rozlek
12-07-06, 08:22 AM Thanks guys, all your replies are appreciated, as I have little to no experience playing evil-oriented spellcasters.

I'm currently reading K's handbook.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rozlek 12-06-06, 07:16 PM	I bring this here because I'm not in fact looking for the most powerful character, but simply an effective class combination. I've been considering playing a necromancer lately, as it is vastly different than my customary playing style. It would appear that we are playing an evil campaign this time around, and there is already a damage dealing sorceror, so I need not focus solely on that. I would prefer there power over undead be optimal, rather than their spellcasting or melee damage. I've considered specializing as a necromancer wizard, but I've found that I'm still rather favorable to the use of many spells, as by the sorceror. From Dragon Compendium, I've considered the use of the death master. This class has numerous perks, among them a spell list which grants access to integral necromancy spells earlier. The flaw of both these character types is the lack of ability to rebuke undead, which I would like of the cleric. Looking into prestige classes, only one stood out. In Libris Mortis, there is the Master of Shrouds. I really like this classes added summoning, but 2 (I believe) caster levels lost could hurt at the level we are playing. I've not yet decided if its worth the loss, as I'll most likely be playing a summoner/commander anyway, and I would like increased caster level for the use of animate dead. What would you recommend, based on race/class/prestige class? Thank you either way.
IdleAltruism 12-06-06, 07:25 PM	Base race any, class dread necromancer, no prestige class. The dread necromancer is like a sorcerer(or the war mage equivilant) necromancer with a bigger spellist(which only consist of necromancy) they can summon and control undead(a very large ammount of undead). Combined with the feats from the libris mortis you could have a rather nasty army. The Dread necromancer can be found in the Heros of Horror.
Votan 12-06-06, 08:32 PM	It is pretty hard to go wrong with a Cleric if the Dread Necromancer isn't available. I usually recommend human or dwarf clerics but, if you want to rebuke, I'd suggest against the dwarf. Human is good -- there is a good skill list for the Cleric and a solid bonus feat can be an excellent investment if carefully planned.
Thomas_Covenant 12-07-06, 01:40 AM	K's Guide is a must-read for you.... K's Necromancer Handbook Master of Shrouds is tricky, but once you're summoning shadows you can crush nearly every fight for several levels. For power, that is decent, but I don't see that as being fun. Clerics make excellent Necromancers, Dread Necromancer would be the only other one I'd look at, based on your post.
Elemental_Elf 12-07-06, 01:51 AM	Yup, Dread necromancer is amazing if you want a pure necromancer. If you can't use that, go for a Cleric, though I'd play a Wild Elf. If Cleric isn't your style than your best bet would be to go for a Wizard Necromancer Specialist. Also a Sorcerer could work, as long as you take Wand Creation feats and really think about your spells known and swap useless ones out as you progress in levels.
Adam Smite 12-07-06, 02:33 AM	I'm not sure why, but for some reason I've always liked the True Necromancer from Libris Mortis whenever I'm thinking about Necromancers... but besides that, Dread Necromancer is probably your best bet.
rozlek 12-07-06, 08:22 AM	Thanks guys, all your replies are appreciated, as I have little to no experience playing evil-oriented spellcasters. I'm currently reading K's handbook.