VenerableBede
Adventurer
This is why I should always consult the book first.
Yeah that sounds like it solves the problem neatly.Sometimes an exciting, unique archetype is worth the risk.
“Minions that you create cannot create or summon other creatures” could be added to help prevent abuse.
This makes me want to start a completely tangential conversation about the risks versus rewards of unexplored territory/pushing the boundaries in game design, as well as the responsibilities of the designer in making the game verses the responsibilities of the player in playing the game. For example, yes, the designer should try to think through an ability thoroughly and, if something problematic is discovered, try to iron it out. But not every ability needs to have lots of extra text trying to beat out how it works with every single other mechanic in the game, and not every problem can be thought of in advance (or even reasonably should be—really interesting abilities can be made cumbersome, bland, or completely lose focus by trying to prepare them for every eventuality). On the other hand, a player discovering an unintentionally broken mechanic (or intentionally left-in but very obscure fine detail) has the responsibility to not abuse that knowledge at tables where doing so would decrease the fun for everyone. This, of course, leaves in the potential for such things to still be used at tables where abusing powerful mechanics and finding loopholes is a major part of the fun. I've played at both tables and both only work when all players are "playing the game right" for that specific table.I’ll be honest, as much as I love this model of create minion in principle, this kind of thing makes me nervous. Even if we find every weird interaction with undead abilities and close all the loopholes, there’s no guarantee the archetype will be future-proofed.
IMO, no to elites, yes to templates, provided CR conditions are met.Btw, as long as we’re closing loopholes, you need to note that you can’t use elite monsters.
Also, can you use the zombie/skeleton template to create undead? What about the draco-lich template? And I assume squads are out?
I'm looking forward to seeing the context under which this is released!Yeah, it says non-elites, but there's no issue with templates.
I think this is pretty much massaged into shape now! I'm quite pleased with how it's turned out.
It's scheduled to appear on the Level Up website (for free, as an article) at 2pm GMT tomorrow.I'm looking forward to seeing the context under which this is released!
It's a wizard archetype, not a class. A "white necromancer" would be a different archetype.In the fwiw category, I do like this. The only change from the base is that, after saying the necromancer uses their ability for good, the process of creating a minion is an unholy ritual?
To expand it, I agree that two paths are needed for this class. One that works with undead, and one that can heal. It seems like those two are exclusive. Then two spell lists for that as well. Or there needs to be a White Necromancer class and this one needs to firmly be on the unholy side of things. Just my two coppers.
It was intended to be wizard level just like Army of Darkness.Also: the CR of the undead created by Create Minion scales with total character level instead of class level. Given that this class is quite front loaded in terms of abilities, this would make a 2 level dip extremely enticing (maybe too much). Shouldn't we restrict the Create Minion scaling to class level instead?
Hordes are already in the MoMe. There’s nothing in the archetype stopping you from using them.Might become rather time-consuming to have one character controlling both themselves and multiple minions in combat. Perhaps one could simulate it by creating a "horde" representing multiple creatures, like a group of skeletons, but acts as a single creature. Depending on its HP, it does less damage per attack. For example, 4d8 damage at full HP and 2d8 at half HP.
I comment on 5E things at my own peril as I only own the PHBHordes are already in the MoMe. There’s nothing in the archetype stopping you from using them.![]()
Wrong game!I comment on 5E things at my own peril as I only own the PHB![]()