Is Lich Worth It?

[Lela]

I'm considering taking Lich for my Wizard (Necro specialty). After looking through it I'm hesitant. The +4 level adjustment is harsh, though I have trouble saying it's not worth it. Still, it doesn't exactly feel like Half Celestial or even Half Dragon.

Yes, there are a lot of immunities and the hp would probably go up, even without the Con, but some of the stuff is next to useless (the touch attack for example) for your average spellcaster. And you'd be giving up 4 levels of spellcasting, effectively nixing your chance at 9th level spells.

Further complicating it is the 120,000 cost for the phylactery. I mean, dang. Poof with the magic items.

So, my question is "Am I missing something here? Who takes this? If it needs fixing, what can be done?"

 

[Alzrius]

You already pointed out the slew of immunities, plus the hit point increase, which are big bonuses for a straight arcane spellcaster. The cost of a phylactery is high, but bear in mind that unless something happens to it, you won't need to roll up another character again, since dying becomes an inconvenience. Also, the touch attack is much more powerful than you give it credit for, since you can paralyze a creature, which effectively kills them, since they just lie there until you or someone else in your party can coup de grace them.

As for the spellcasting issue, that is a painful one. Taking the Practiced Spellcaster feat (Complete Arcane) might help some, if your DM decides to let it work for a level adjustment and not just multiclass levels, but there's no getting around the fact that you'll almost always be two levels' worth of spells down (e.g. casting 4th-level spells when a mage of the same level without the lich template would be casting 6th-level spells). That's a high price to pay, true, but for all the advantages you're getting (I didn't even mention the ability bonuses) it seems fair.

EDIT: Don't forget that you can also elect to use WotC's own lich template class if the sudden application of the template is unbalancing for your game.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Lich paralysis is crazy good. And I imagine that a spell to give a range to a touch attack would be one of the first any smart lich would come up with ...

 

[Alzrius]

Lich paralysis is crazy good. And I imagine that a spell to give a range to a touch attack would be one of the first any smart lich would come up with ...

As a note, I've found that replacing the paralyzing touch with "grasp of enfeeblement," which causes Strength damage (from Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerun) to be much more balanced in regards to a lich PC (and some NPCs as well).

 

[frankthedm]

So, my question is "Am I missing something here?

Yes!

Who takes this?

NPC villains who do not wish to die of old age.. The LA is intentionally set high to discourage it's use on PCs because of the abilities that can be problematic in a normal party.

If it needs fixing, what can be done?"

Play a rules system that encourage PCs to be undead monsters. White Wolf has several.

 

[bestone]

I hate liches in this edition, hate hate hate hate hate......

I prefer the idea that you have to become a mage of rather high power BEFORE becomming a lich, not just adding a template.....

but thats just my opinion

 

[airwalkrr]

Yes! NPC villains who do not wish to die of old age.. The LA is intentionally set high to discourage it's use on PCs because of the abilities that can be problematic in a normal party. Play a rules system that encourage PCs to be undead monsters. White Wolf has several.

QFT

 

[Sammael]

11th level is not "rather high power?" You get to disintegrate people at 11th level, for crying out loud.

 

[hong]

Well, you know, everyone and their tauren is 60th level these days.

 

[bestone]

Well, you know, everyone and their tauren is 60th level these days.

That is neither funny, nor relevant

11th level is not "rather high power?" You get to disintegrate people at 11th level, for crying out loud.

Thats your opinion
with the quickness and easy of levelling in 3rd (and no i am not saying this is a bad thing, WHY for the life of me people take everything as a bash to third i dont know) it doesnt take too long to get to level 11, i think from what i've seen on the wizad forums the most common levels for players is from the 7-15 range

I just think i should be a magical process requiring high level spells, what i consider high level is 8th and 9th level spells, the top tier

It seeems to me everyone wants everything, and they want it now, and this is one of the reasons its so dumbed down

I personally see liches as an epic thing, and thats just my opinion, you dont have to agree or like it, and i'll play them how i want too