That' because Gnolls and Minotaurs are > kobolds, goblins and Gith... combined. :D
oh now it is on...
Gnolls can't compeat eith kobld droppings for coolness...and the side of stake needs to keep on MOOOOving
I'm hoping that they remember that necromancy is a lot more than just creating an unholy army of shambling corpses.
But that's the best part. :P
But that's the best part. :P
I acknowledge your :P, but I would be remiss if I didn't say 'I disagree'.
Why? Not because that's all that necromancy is, but because 4e is pretty much focused on combat, and anything that's weird or funky or unusual has been tossed out the window. So I don't expect to see Magic Jar, Trap the Soul, Clone or any of the fun spells for a necromancer who realizes that taking over the world doesn't have to be a matter of martial might, just a matter of taking one or two select pawns.
So apart from licorice substitution on the regular Boom Boom & The Strangler spells, all I expect is some variety of Animate Dead and not much more.
Umm... You do realize these are Necromancer Rituals, they basically aren't combat spells, that isn't their purpose. Their purpose is for just what you describe; the odder, weirder stuff.
I expect it's going to be Animate Dead as a ritual, which is still combat oriented in its end effect.
I expect it's going to be Animate Dead as a ritual, which is still combat oriented in its end effect.
Way to see the bright, err dark side. And given the rituals in 4th edition thus far, I would say chances are you will be having a side dish of wrong with that pessimism.
Also, they have an animate dead-type ritual already, called "undead servitor." No combat usefulness there at all, either.
Way to see the bright, err dark side. And given the rituals in 4th edition thus far, I would say chances are you will be having a side dish of wrong with that pessimism.
Also, they have an animate dead-type ritual already, called "undead servitor." No combat usefulness there at all, either.
What book? Certainly not the PHB.
What book? Certainly not the PHB.
Open Grave
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4ex/20081225
While I do admit I approve of licorice-flavored Unseen Servant, as anyone who's used an Unseen Servant knows, just because something is listed as a non-combatant does not mean it cannot to many many useful things on the battlefield.
Necromancer: "Jeeves, please take this candle over to those gentleman over there. I believe they're in need of some illumination."
(HANDS UNDEAD SERVITOR LIT GRENADE)
Then there's the fun of using a disguise kit to tart up your low level skeleton or zombie (or now undead servitor) to look like some variety of more powerful undead.
Necromancer: "Now, whenever I say 'Yes, My Lord Vecna,' you cackle and fondle this old wand."
Admittedly, some possibilities there.
As an aside, I don't get this licorice flavored thing.This makes sense in, say, a video game where they remap a red fireball into a purple one to denote necromancy, but in a game based on imagination and description with no underlying facts other than mechanics to rely on, it doesn't make sense. That's like saying a dagger attack is only a steel-flavored magic missile.
You are aware that this game is only -flavored dice rolling, right? :D
Necromancers should be stealing people's souls, putting them in jars and trading them with their friends, not throwing gothily retinted energy blasts.
I'm rather fond of githzerai, but minotaurs, githyanki, gnolls, kobold, and goblins can all suck it and die, for all I care. The best monsters are, always have been, and always will be, humans.
Oh heck no! I hope you did not just say about Gnolls what I think you said. /Jerry Springer-esque brawl
Necromancers should be stealing people's souls, putting them in jars and trading them with their friends, not throwing gothily retinted energy blasts.
Look on the bright side though: if they go this route, that means they'll all be emo. So when you have to fight the big bad boss Necromancer, you just have to make a diplomacy check or intimidate check and they'll scream "You just don't understand me!!!!" then they'll run off and slit their wrists. You get the xp. :D
Look on the bright side though: if they go this route, that means they'll all be emo. So when you have to fight the big bad boss Necromancer, you just have to make a diplomacy check or intimidate check and they'll scream "You just don't understand me!!!!" then they'll run off and slit their wrists. You get the xp. :D
Yes, but if you make them kill themselves, it will make them more emo than you could ever imagine. And then you'll have to fight an emolich.
And you can't destroy an emolich's phylactery because it's already sad and broken. Like their heart, their soul, their mind, and every other sad broken thing they'll want to tell you about.
I would imagine that if they did get summons, they would be in the vein of the many summons that Clerics already get. Conjuring a handful of ghosts or ghouls who have a base speed of X and a basic attack, and maybe a useful trait for allies or hindering trait for enemies. I doubt we're going to see the ability to consistently summon a dozen or so Undead and have them follow you everywhere though.
Also, regarding combat oriented undead, the singular Undead creating ritual we have already seen specifically states that it cannot make attacks. Rituals that make undead, like most all rituals, won't be combat oriented. Combat oriented undead are going to be created using attack powers.
I would imagine that if they did get summons, they would be in the vein of the many summons that Clerics already get. Conjuring a handful of ghosts or ghouls who have a base speed of X and a basic attack, and maybe a useful trait for allies or hindering trait for enemies. I doubt we're going to see the ability to consistently summon a dozen or so Undead and have them follow you everywhere though.
The possibly also exists for following the route of the beastmaster ranger to have at least one constant necromantic companion.
I'm hoping that they remember that necromancy is a lot more than just creating an unholy army of shambling corpses.
I'd prefer that that sort of thing be reserved for the Necromancer class, myself. A class which, incidentally, I'm dying to get my hands on!
I'd prefer that that sort of thing be reserved for the Necromancer class, myself. A class which, incidentally, I'm dying to get my hands on!
Aye.
I do hope when designing powers for the class, they keep in mind that many, if not most, undead are resistant to Necrotic damage. A necromancer should have effective means to put down undead, as well as raise them up.
Well, despite the fact that the Editorial Calendar for February wasn't slated to be released until Monday, I checked today looking for the January one only to find the link had been screwed up and Feb is up. And what do I see listed but the entry "Necromancy Rituals". Here's hoping it's something good--while Animate Dead would be fun, I'm also looking for more utilitarian things for all parties. Oh, and more on Shadar-kai--should be fun, but I'm still waiting for kobolds and goblinoids to get this treatment (can't believe we've gotten minotaurs and shadar-kai, but no kobolds, goblinoids, githzeri/yanki, etc).
I would really love to see an Animate Dead ritual. PC wizards need to be filling their manors with shambling undead, or re-animating entire lost kingdoms in order to rule over them as grim potentates.
I don't care if they affect combat. There's too dang much combat stuff already anyhow.