Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 ElfenLied Apr 11, 2008 5:34:42	Hello all, I've decided to build a Necromancer, just in case my current character should die (which is more than likely). I've read K's Tome of Necromancy as well as the Necromancer Handbooks. So, without further ado, here's the build: Aasimar Dread Necromancer8 (either Lesser Aasimar or LA buyoff at 3rd level) Stats: Str11, Dex15, Con13, Int14, Wis17, Cha20 (+2 from levels included) Feats: Tomb-tainted Soul, Iron Will, Split Ray (will be retrained to Twin Spell later) Familiar: Ghostly Visage The character will be starting around 8-9th level, and I'll be aiming for the Incantatrix PrC, hence Iron Will. We'll have standard wealth, as well as most books and feats allowed (notable exceptions are ToB and Leadership). I'll probably take Arcane Thesis(Enervation), as it will be my main combat spell. I like a minion-oriented fighting style, so maybe Corpsecrafter won't hurt either. As for Arcane Disciple, anyone got a good suggestion? I was thinking about "Travel", but since I'll have "Outsider Wings" available, it may not be necessary after all. Divine Metamagic might be another option to consider, but AFAIK it has been errata-d, so it won't work with arcane spells anymore (though I ain't sure about that). Any ideas on the build? I don't wish to start as a Lesser Aasimar Necropolitan (which may offend the other players as being to cheesy), but the Template will be available to me through roleplay.
#2 ElfenLied Apr 11, 2008 12:57:36	Some additional information: Allowed Books: All except ToB Setting: Forgotten Realms Party Setup: Halfdragon Barbarian, Human Rogue, Human Diviner, Human Warmage, Dwarf Cleric + Me Wealth: Standard Hope you guys can point out how I can optimize my character. The campaign will probably run to at least 18th level.
#3 paper_weasel Apr 11, 2008 14:06:08	You're off to a good start. Remember that all Corpsecrafter gets you is +2 HP/HD for your undead, as well as access to feats later in the tree. A decent deal; however, as an Incantatrix you might get more mileage putting those 2 or more feat slots towards improving your metamagic. As for Arcane Disciple: IMHO, Trickery is *by far* the best domain for spells. It gets polymorph any object and time stop, along with a variety of spells that can shield you and your minions from the attentions of pesky paladins. In the standard pantheon, Nerull so happens to grant the Trickery domain, as does Boccob if you don't feel like worshipping an evil god.
#4 operation_shoestring Apr 11, 2008 14:12:48	An Assimar Necromancer? Hey look, I'm a half angel... undead animator. I'd love to see the background you came up with for that. What's your Alignment, just out of curiosity? Why are you taking arcane disciple, exactly? If you are taking arcane thesis: Eneveration, you need to take metamagic feats to make that worthwhile. split-ray, maximize, etc. A dip in sacred Exorcist for turning/rebuking might be useful. Even without DMM, there are plenty of things you can use rebuking for.
#5 nunkuruji Apr 11, 2008 14:24:33	I understand Aasimar from a +cha optimization standpoint... but yeah... that backstory will be interesting :P Consider a Falazure worshipping Spellscale at all?
#6 snizor Apr 11, 2008 14:28:12	A dip in sacred Exorcist for turning/rebuking might be useful. Even without DMM, there are plenty of things you can use rebuking for. Dread Necromancer already has rebuke.
#7 operation_shoestring Apr 11, 2008 14:32:24	Dread Necromancer already has rebuke. Shoestring's memory check = critical fail. My bad.
#8 jameswilliamogle Apr 11, 2008 14:50:49	Dread Necro Handbook in my sig has a build for you. DN 8 / Shadow Adept 2 / Incanatrix 10, more in epic. Most of the feats are negotiable, but look like: Tomb-Tainted Soul, Corpsecrafter, Fell Drain, SPen, GSPen, Shadow Weave Magic, SFocus, GSFocus, Metamagic School Focus Bonus: Arcane Thesis (Enervation), Empower Spell, Maximize Spell, Twin Spell Get maximum bang for your buck from each Enervation casting, +4 to all your spell DCs, +8 spell penetration, lots of HP per undead. For Incanatrix ban Transmutation, as you only have 1 trannie spell on the list.
#9 jaronk Apr 11, 2008 16:00:30	Imperious Command! And the skill trick Never Outnumbered! Accept no substitutes. JaronK
#10 phaedrusxy Apr 11, 2008 16:02:16	How about an Illumian instead? With the right sigils, you can add metamagic feats for free twice per day by burning through Rebuke attempts. It's like Divine Metamagic... but better. It can be applied to any Metamagic feat you know, and can be used on arcane spells. The only drawback is that it's only twice per day. Take Fell Animate, and you can make free zombies like this, starting at first level.
#11 ElfenLied Apr 12, 2008 3:59:09	@Paper_Weasel: Hmm, Trickery sounds good, I'll give it a try. @Shoestring&Nunkuruji: Arcane Disciple is in order to get more spells that synergize well with the rather limited spell list of the Dread Necro. As for choosing Aasimar, I kind of like the idea of having a slight twist of evil within Mr Fair-haired Golden Boy. Aasimar may have a natural tendency towards good due to their celestial heritage, but nothing actually prevents them fluffwise form being non-good. Oh, and he'll probably be true neutral or chaotic neutral. As for Spellscales, I'm going to take a look at them, thanks! @Jameswilliamogle: Thanks, I'll take a look at that handbook. As for the banning schools, shouldn't banning Evocation work equally well, or am I overlooking some critical spells? I'm somewhat reluctant to ban transmutation, since "Polymorph any object" from the Trickery Domain probably isn't going to work anymore. @JaronK: Never outnumbered looks pretty good, I think I'm going to take that. Where's "Imperious Command" from? Drow of the Underdark? @PhaedrusXY: Unfortunately, our DM has banned Illumians due to some "Naenhoon" stuff another player has tried to pull off. As for Fell Animate, what good spells are there that I can apply it to? Horrid Wilting sounds like a no-brainer, but I won't get that one until very late into the game.
#12 phaedrusxy Apr 12, 2008 11:45:32	@PhaedrusXY: Unfortunately, our DM has banned Illumians due to some "Naenhoon" stuff another player has tried to pull off. As for Fell Animate, what good spells are there that I can apply it to? Horrid Wilting sounds like a no-brainer, but I won't get that one until very late into the game. No, you apply it to the lowest level damage spell you can cast, and use it to Coup De Grace enemies that are at or below 0.
#13 x-codes Apr 12, 2008 20:09:43	No, you apply it to the lowest level damage spell you can cast, and use it to Coup De Grace enemies that are at or below 0. Not the lowest-level damage spells castable, just ones that are close. The Lesser Orbs and Parching Touch are the prime candidates. Acid Splash is just too weak to be useful even in this situation.
#14 jaronk Apr 12, 2008 20:54:09	@JaronK: Never outnumbered looks pretty good, I think I'm going to take that. Where's "Imperious Command" from? Drow of the Underdark? Yup. Remember that the duration of fear effects when stacking is the duration of the longest running fear effect, so if you use Fear Aura and follow it with Imperious Command, everyone hit by that (which could be everyone adjacent with Never Outnumbered) is panicked for a long time. How long is unclear, because Fear Aura has no listed duration. JaronK
#15 banor Apr 12, 2008 22:17:57	Holy Potency (Complete Champion) and Quicken Turning can make your DCs truly disgusting if you couple it with Snowcasting/Uttercold or with Black Lore of Moil You might wanna check this out
#16 x-codes Apr 13, 2008 2:23:58	Yup. Remember that the duration of fear effects when stacking is the duration of the longest running fear effect, so if you use Fear Aura and follow it with Imperious Command, everyone hit by that (which could be everyone adjacent with Never Outnumbered) is panicked for a long time. How long is unclear, because Fear Aura has no listed duration. JaronK If it's "as the fear spell" like I think it is then it's rounds/level.