D&D 5E How should a Tanky Necromancer fight?

[LegionError121]

I would like to make my Necromancer Effective. My Idea is to have a small squad of Undead support my Necromancer (because while I could theoretically summon 168 skeletons, that would take way too long to roll and the other peeps I would be playing would get bored), I'll keep Counter Spell on my person both to act as an effective troop and as a means of protecting my party against AOE spamming Wizards . . .

But what if I lose my Undead? what if an enemy such as a Rogue gets in my face? What spells could I use to effectivly combat at close ranges that won't kill me/don't take too long to cast? what spell could I use to quickly poke down or attack from a distance and how could I sustain myself in order to continue tanking?

Please consider that I'm still quite a noob and don't always understand what would be "common knowledge" to you Thanks

 

[KahlessNestor]

Shocking Grasp is great when someone gets in your face. A cantrip that, if it hits, they can't take reactions and you can just run away

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[Gardens & Goblins]

I'd let the party save you. Pop Mirror Image, spam shield, shout out for help and remind the meat why they need you.

If push comes to shove, Misty Step and Expeditious Retreat. Let the enemy rogue chase you through the party and through the remains of your undead minions. If they're that close, you're already on the back foot so look for an opportunity to regain the advantage of positioning. Standing and fighting is work best for minions and companions.

Failing all that - Vampiric Touch works well.

Just be wary - depending on how lenient your DM is, a Necromancer's minions are either an interesting novelty providing utility as trap-springers, bag carries and bullet sponges or they're spot light hogging, table time stealing engines of tedious destruction. If you find things slowling down to a crawl, cut back on the minions and don't be afraid to have weaknesses - even if they're fiendishly feigned in order to garner the trust of your companions...

 

[WarpedAcorn]

When I think of "Tanky Necromancer" I immediately think of Diablo 2. So with that in mind, I would say have your Necromancer start off with 1 level in Cleric as a Life, Death (if DM allows), or War domain (Life could work well thematically) so you can get Heavy Armor. Then go Wizard the rest of the career. Now you are a plate-wearing (reskin it as Bone-Plate for some visual flare) Necromancer. Grab a polearm as a stand-in for a staff (if proficient) and now you can waltz around surrounded by Undead as their tanky master, slashing or casting as you see fit.