Necromancer Build - PC

[Blacklamb]

Heya all i have seen a few necro builds you have suggested, and they were great, so i am here seeking more advise!

I am creating a Necro for a game that ill be playing in(so no BBEG suggestions!)

Heres the gist of the relative info.

Ill be a human.
Lvl 13-14(not decided yet)
I am going the True necro path, and i would like to know how to get there.
So ideas for Feats(this is where i am having the most difficulty, there at so many that are useful!), Cleric/Wiz lvls, Items will all be very welcome.

WoTC books are all ok. Nerull is the god i would like to aim for, but i am flexible.
I would like to focus on having a horde of undead to command specifically, and to make sure they are as strong as possible.

Also a related question, How long does Rebuke undead last?
And if its short time, how do you deal with created undead?
I can't seem to find it, tho i must admit i am notorious for over looking things right in front of me so i am assuming thats the case here.


So yeah, i think thats it.
Thanks a ton in advance!

Blacklamb

 

[Furry]

If you successfully rebuke undead of less than half your class level you command it until it dies (again, haha) or you relinquish that control (pg 159, PHB). You stack your True Necro and Cleric levels for determining the number of HD you can control. Read more of the True Necro in Libris Mortis for those goodies.

For going into it I'd suggest doing Wiz 3/Clr 3, obviously specializing in Necromancy.

As for feats you have to take Spell Focus Necromancy to become the True Necro, as for the other ones, I'd go with Corpse Crafter, Tomb-Tainted Soul, Destructive Retribution, and then two others to fit the character.

Fun abuse of Destructive Retribution is to create undead out of 1/8 or so HD creatures, make a bunch of them (like say fish). Toss them in a barrel in such a manner that they can't get out but aren't dying. Toss them at someone and fireball the place. Anyone within 10' has to make the fireball reflex save and then 1 for each of the fish you crammed in that barrel because each of them is doing negative energy damage.

 

[Blacklamb]

I had read before that specializing was pointless as the benefits do not outway the lose of a an entire school.

Does this still stand, or has something changed?


Blacklamb

 

[green slime]

What you really need to remember, is that this character is not a super-efficient killing machine. Just make him something that is fun to play!

3rd Clr/3rd Wiz/7th TN

Feats:
1st Spell Focus (Necromancy)
3rd Corpsecrafter (LM) (+4 Str, +2 hp/HD)
4th (free) Scribe Scroll
6th Necromantic Presence (LM) (+4 TR)
9th Bolster Resistance (LM) (+4 TR)
12th Destructive Retribution (LM)
15th Fell Animate (LM)

I'd try and convince the DM to replace the Scribe Scroll feat with either Corpsecrafter or Necromantic Presence. And then grab Necromantic Might (+2 to hit and saves) in place of the feat that was made "freebie". Deadly Chill is also nice.

You may want to look into Arcane Disciple (to gain access to further Domain spells), Black Lore of Moil (CA), Spell Penetration (+ Greater), Practiced Spellcaster (x2), Undead Leadership (LM)...

Personally, I like Wee Jas for this kind of thing, but that is just me

Good Luck!

 

[Corlon]

I guess you're in luck, I just made a bad guy one of these.

Priertrack (Human Cleric 3/Necromancer 3 /True Necromancer 4)
Hit Dice: 8+2d8+3d4+4d6 (38.5)
Initiative: +1 (dex)
Speed: 30ft.
Armor Class: 13 (+1 dex, +1 gloves, +1 ring)
Attack: light crossbow +6
Damage: light crossbow 1d8
Face/Reach: 5ft.x5ft./5ft.
SA: Zone of desecration, create undead 1/day, necromatic prowess +1
SQ: Rebuke Undead, Domains: Death (death touch 1/day), Undeath (extra turning feat)
Saves: Fort +5 Ref +4 Will +13
Abilities: Str 8, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 20, Wis 18, Cha 14
Skills: Concentration 13, Knowledge (religion) 13, Spellcraft 13, Knowledge (arcana) 13, Diplomacy 6, Heal 13, Decipher Script 6, Search 6
Feats: Extra Rebuking (10 times/day), Necromatic Presence, Necromatic Might, Spell Focus (Necromancy), Familiar, Corpsecrafter, Deadly Chill, Practiced Spellcaster (Wizard)
Spells:
Cleric: (5)1st: Cause Fear, II Protection from Good, I Sanctuary, I Obscuring Mist (5) 2nd: Desecrate (4)3rd:I Animate Dead, I Clutch of Orcus, I deeper darkness, I dispel magic
Wizard: 1st (4): III Ray of Enfeeblement, II Magic Missle, Mage Armor 2nd (4):I Command Undead, II Blindness/Deafness, I Fox’s Cunning, Mirror Image 3rd(3): III Ice Blast, Summon Undead III

The light crossbow is because in the way of fighting, this character pretty much sucks, relying on spells and the undead army for defence.

The feats aren't really in order, and the spells may be messed up...the skills also are in ranks only, and they worship a custom god...

But generally the corpsecrafter and presence feats are good to have. Practiced spellcaster is a must I'd say. If you only want to spend one feat, I'd say go for giving it to the wizard, as the lower level spells (1-4) can be fairly powerful if only the caster level is increased (ray of enfeeblement, magic missle, fireball)

The army of the undead is...:

3 Eleven Headed Hydra Skeletons
Hit Dice: 11d12 (71.5)
Initiative: +6 (+2 dex, +4 improved initiative)
Speed: 20ft., swim 20ft.
Armor Class: 14 (-2 size, +2 Dex, +4 natural)
Attack: 11 bites +11 melee
Damage: Bite 1d10+6
Face/Reach: 15ft. By 15ft./10ft.
SA: --
SQ: DR 5/bludgeoning, Undead
Saves: Fort –, Ref +5, Will +7
Abilities: Str 23, Dex 14, Con –, Int –, Wis 10, Cha 9
Skills: --
Feats: Improved Initiative

4 Girallon Skeletons
Hit Dice: 7d12 (45.5)
Initiative: +8 (+4 dex, +4 improved initiative)
Speed: 40ft., 40 climb
Armor Class: 16 (-1 size, +4 dex, +3 natural)
Attack: 4 claws +11, bite +7
Damage: claw 1d6+8, bite 1d8+4
Face/Reach: 5ft. By 5ft/10ft.
SA: --
SQ: DR 5/bludgeoning, Undead
Saves: Fort –, Ref +6, Will +5
Abilities: str 26, dex 19, con –, int –, wis 10, cha 1
Skills:--
Feats: Improved Initiative


Remember, animate dead says caster level, not character level, so if you have 2 caster levels, you get twice as much

although I could be wrong about that...don't take my word for it.

 

[Blacklamb]

Corlon, Green Slime, Furry, Thanks a Bunch for the advice. I'm pretty sure i have a good base to start from!


Best of luck to you all in your gaming Endevours!


Blacklamb