6/30/08 update: Necromancer class (work in progress)

[Cringer_luvr]

the playtest went well, all the stuff that I got to use meshed well, I look forward to more updates thanks again.

[pyrogod]

Originally Posted by Cringer_luvr

the playtest went well, all the stuff that I got to use meshed well, I look forward to more updates thanks again.

Sounds good. Mind giving some more details? I'd love to hear a bit more about how your playtest went.

- What abilities did you take?

- Anything especially cool happen?

- Did you get a chance to use Death to Life? How was it?

- Anything else worth mentioning?

[winterwolf]

I should mention some of my play test notes as well... aside from the minions having more health (ended up calling them servants, to distinguish from regular minions), I didn't change those much. Major changes I did do: Minion Leap Attack (forget what it is, was the level 1 daily I think) became an encounter ability (nobody thought that was overpowered), instant minion became a utility power, and enrage minions became a daily power. I ended up deciding on going with vile hex as my daily ability, but we had it do 5 points of damage when it hit, then ongoing damage as normal.
We used death to life as a minor action (like the cleric's ability) so I don't know how it would work as a standard action. All I know is, I'd be willing to give up a minor action to help a comrade, not so sure about using most of my turn just to get them back up...
Also, we made one of the at-wills deal psychic damage (weaken legs) and shadow bolt dealt necrotic damage, although as I mentioned in a previous post, it turns out that wasn't necessary as you already have them as untyped. I thought they were both necrotic, which was just a reading issue on my part.
I mentioned a good deal of that earlier, but I wanted it known that it was through playtesting, not just idle speculation ^.^ and I think there's a bit original thought in this one (I'd have to reread my past posts).
I hope you don't mind, but I have a copy of your necromancer guide and I'm tweaking it for the game I'm in as we go along, just notes and stuff... switching powers around like I mentioned, adding damage types (psychic, necrotic, and I think 1 or 2 poison), stuff like that. Aside from you using minions and me using servants, there's not much about your class that I want to change :3 it's realllllly well done! As I mentioned, my players loved it... one went back to California recently, and wants me to send a copy of my stuff to him and his DM (along with the bard someone else posted in this forum, which is another amazingly well done class imo).

[Cringer_luvr]

Any plans to add anymore updates to this class? or is it a done deal?

[pyrogod]

Originally Posted by Cringer_luvr

Any plans to add anymore updates to this class? or is it a done deal?

My update plans are as follows:
- Add rituals (high priority)
- Finish 1-30 minions (high priority)
- Add setting and campaign tips (low priority)
- Add additional misc. content (low priority)
- Incorporate playtest results as they come in (will try to incorporate reasonably quickly as they come in).


I plan to finish the first two within about a week or so, and then setting and campaign tips will probably get incorporated in the larger "From the Shadowfell" release, of which the Necromancer class will be a significant part.

I'll try to work at a reasonably quick pace, but this is secondary to my job and social obligations, both of which have been particularly demanding as of recently. I do make a point to at least check this thread close to daily, so any feedback or suggestions will be read in a timely manner, if anyone wants to present any input.

[Cringer_luvr]

Not seen anything on this since 7-17 we got any more info/updates Pyro?

[jorgeo]

Indeed, it would be nice to see the aforementioned updates if possible

[Kitsune180]

I love it!!!! now I dont have to wait for PHB2!

[Derulbaskul]

This is great work. Well done!

[Samael76]

Originally Posted by Kitsune180

I love it!!!! now I dont have to wait for PHB2!

Is Necro gonna be in PHB2? I thought it wouldn't be out for a while. Which makes this even more awesome.

[Andrew D. Gable]

Skulls (Implements)
This is a very cool idea, I'm getting lots of visions of Celtic-flavored necromancers (for my homebrew) based on that culture's prediliction for severed heads. Ideas for further ones I had: how about something based on English screaming skull legends, or on the story of the Hexham Heads, or on things like the Head of Bran which protected England (maybe something similar to a Ring of Protection), or maybe the wisdom-spouting Head of Mimir. Also maybe something based on the skull-holding statue known as the Tarasque of Noves.

Destiny
The only question I have is whether the Lich is mean to replace the monster, or whether this is a "proto-lich".