Hi all, I'm new here but since the release of 4th edition, I've been visiting the wizards of the coast boards less and less.
That said I was hoping to get some advice on building a dread necromancer. Now, I should say that it should be assumed that I don't have to make the most optimized character to hold my own in the party. Still, since the Dread Necromancer is already (slightly) weaker than other classes, I don't want to loose too much.
I should also say that this is a character oriented build. (Though, obviously I'm trying to represent the character with the most powerful build I can, but I'm still not going to compromise the idea for something unrelated but more powerful).
Ok then, now to business. This character, now going by the name of Drakus, was once a farmer in a little hamlet in the middle of nowhere. For various reasons (and it varies depending on what setting he's in and who the DM is) an inquisition came to his hamlet. His wife and three daughters (ages 16, 12, and 2) were burned at the stake before his very eyes. Deciding that the gods were fundamentally evil, he decides to take up the path of necromancy.
I'm considering a number of possible builds for him. The first involves a work-around to get Lord of the Uttercold, but as you'll see has some decided disadvantages. It would require
Arcane Disciple (Fire Domain)
Energy Substitution (Cold)
Lord of the Uttercold.
I'm justifying the Arcane Disciple feat by saying that there are other "divine" beings out there who hate the gods (such as demons and devils). This would let me use a small number of uttercold spells to great advantage but not particularly often.
I've also considered that since the group I'm making this for doesn't have a healer I might want to take:
Arcane Disciple (Healing)
Spontaneous Healer
which (I believe) would let me use all my slots of healing if I chose. It's not particularly in keeping with my character concept, but it's not too far from it either. Actually he would enjoy being able to duplicate one of the most important function of divine magic.
As for prestige classes, if I can't get the DM to sign off on the Dread Necromancers 8th level ability to control more undead to be based of caster level, then I may not bother with one. One the other hand if I can I have a few possibilities in mind.
1) Dread Necromancer/Warlock/Eldritch Theurge
2) Dread Necromancer/Ur-Priest/Mystic Theurge (not likely, I know)
3) Dread Necromancer/Wizard/Ultimate Magus
4) Dread Necromancer/Warmage/Ultimate Magus
5) Dread Necromancer/Fighter/Eldritch Knight
number 2 is likely to be ruled against (wasn't there errata to that effect?) but it's included to give a better idea of the character. number 5 needn't have a level of fighter and should probably have something more interesting. Number 1 is what I'm currently leaning towards, but since I'll never get Dark invocations (and utterdark blast is only negative energy/undead healing the warlock gets) I may go another direction.
I'm also considering going (Evolved?) Necropolitan, especially if the above house rule is used to make getting out at level 8 as painless as possible.
Alright then, that's it. I appreciate any and all input and hope to become a useful member of this forum. Thanks in advance for any and all ideas, tip, and constructive criticism.
Erenthia
That said I was hoping to get some advice on building a dread necromancer. Now, I should say that it should be assumed that I don't have to make the most optimized character to hold my own in the party. Still, since the Dread Necromancer is already (slightly) weaker than other classes, I don't want to loose too much.
I should also say that this is a character oriented build. (Though, obviously I'm trying to represent the character with the most powerful build I can, but I'm still not going to compromise the idea for something unrelated but more powerful).
Ok then, now to business. This character, now going by the name of Drakus, was once a farmer in a little hamlet in the middle of nowhere. For various reasons (and it varies depending on what setting he's in and who the DM is) an inquisition came to his hamlet. His wife and three daughters (ages 16, 12, and 2) were burned at the stake before his very eyes. Deciding that the gods were fundamentally evil, he decides to take up the path of necromancy.
I'm considering a number of possible builds for him. The first involves a work-around to get Lord of the Uttercold, but as you'll see has some decided disadvantages. It would require
Arcane Disciple (Fire Domain)
Energy Substitution (Cold)
Lord of the Uttercold.
I'm justifying the Arcane Disciple feat by saying that there are other "divine" beings out there who hate the gods (such as demons and devils). This would let me use a small number of uttercold spells to great advantage but not particularly often.
I've also considered that since the group I'm making this for doesn't have a healer I might want to take:
Arcane Disciple (Healing)
Spontaneous Healer
which (I believe) would let me use all my slots of healing if I chose. It's not particularly in keeping with my character concept, but it's not too far from it either. Actually he would enjoy being able to duplicate one of the most important function of divine magic.
As for prestige classes, if I can't get the DM to sign off on the Dread Necromancers 8th level ability to control more undead to be based of caster level, then I may not bother with one. One the other hand if I can I have a few possibilities in mind.
1) Dread Necromancer/Warlock/Eldritch Theurge
2) Dread Necromancer/Ur-Priest/Mystic Theurge (not likely, I know)
3) Dread Necromancer/Wizard/Ultimate Magus
4) Dread Necromancer/Warmage/Ultimate Magus
5) Dread Necromancer/Fighter/Eldritch Knight
number 2 is likely to be ruled against (wasn't there errata to that effect?) but it's included to give a better idea of the character. number 5 needn't have a level of fighter and should probably have something more interesting. Number 1 is what I'm currently leaning towards, but since I'll never get Dark invocations (and utterdark blast is only negative energy/undead healing the warlock gets) I may go another direction.
I'm also considering going (Evolved?) Necropolitan, especially if the above house rule is used to make getting out at level 8 as painless as possible.
Alright then, that's it. I appreciate any and all input and hope to become a useful member of this forum. Thanks in advance for any and all ideas, tip, and constructive criticism.
Erenthia