Beefing up Necromancy?

[DWARF]

Since search is down, I can't tell if this has been done before.

I was thinking, as a way of beefing up the necromancer, that we could change the whole "Animate Dead", to a chain of spells similar to the "Summon Monster" or "Summon Nature's Ally" spells. Where you could create different levels of undead based on the level of the spell. has this been done before somewhere, and if not, is it a good idea?

 

[Cloudgatherer]

There is an entire line of spells in Magic of Faerun for summoning undead. Summon Undead I-IX. Can't recall if wizards can cast them, but it sounds exactly like what you want to do.

 

[Nightfall]

Yes wizards AND sorcerers can cast these spells.

 

[Victim]

It only goes up to level 5. However, I think a necro's negative level type spells are very scary. A Hasted necro chain casting enervation can truly hose a group of spellcasters in short order.

 

[DWARF]

Alright, if there is a precedence for it, then I'll make some of my own!

 

[Al]

Necromancers seem perfectly powerful to me. We have a necromancer in the group, and he is pretty potent.

Spiritwall (T&B) is powerful for its level.
Enervation is EVIL: just add Empower Spell and Chain Spell (T&B) and you can seriously hurt an entire enemy party or medium-sized group.
Energy Drain is very nasty.
Horrid Wilting is one of the best direct-assault spells in the game (perhaps better than Meteor Storm- damage is higher at top-level, Fort save means no pesky evasion, unspecified damage type means no elemental resistances/immunities)
Finger of Death is not pleasant (though weaker than Destruction)

And what's the natural opposite school for specialists? Divination.
I dont' think Necromancy needs beefing up at all.