Necromancer PrC

[Storminator]

So I've made a PrC class for necromancers. I dislike how few undead a standard guy can control, so I created this thing. Tell me what you think, particularly in terms of power.

I haven't included all the appropriate gaming legalese, just the basics. Obviously a more final version would have more complete wording...

Lord of the Dead

Requirements:
Animate Dead spell
Rebuke Undead or Necromancy specialty
Knowledge Undead: 5 ranks
Skill Focus: Knowledge Undead

BAB: Bad
HD: d6
Saves: As Cleric
Skills: 2+INT/level
Class Skills: Knowledge Arcana, Knowledge Religion, Knowledge Undead, Spellcraft, Concentration, Heal, others?

Class abilities
1 Rebuke/Extra Rebuke, +1 Spellcaster Level (spells only)
2 Trade spell slots
3 +1 Spellcaster Level (spells only)
4 Double HD
5 +1 Spellcaster Level (spells only)
6 Trade BAB/Saves, Permanent Bolster
7 +1 Spellcaster Level (spells only)
8 Trade hp
9 +1 Spellcaster Level (spells only)
10 Redouble HD

Rebuke/Extra rebuke: If PC can't rebuke undead before, they can now. If they already could, they gain the Extra Turning feat for free.

Trade Spell Slots: The character may permanently swap spell per day slots for increased undead control. Each level of spell slot sacrificed increases the number of HD of undead controllable by one. Zero levels spells are treated as spell level ½ for this purpose. Domain slots may not be traded.

Double HD: The number of HD of undead controllable is doubled. This includes any spell slots sacrificed before or since.

Trade BAB/Saves: The character may swap BAB or Base Save points for HD of undead controllable on a one for one basis (then doubled for Double HD ability).

Permanent Bolster: All undead controlled (but not undead released from control) are Bolstered at the character level.

Trade hp: The character may trade hit points for HD of undead controllable on a one for one basis (then doubled for Double HD ability).

Redouble HD: The number of HD controllable by the character is doubled again.

 

[Lela]

Okay, double HD should actually be OK. Looking at the Trade HP thing though. At 10th level, he trades 5 HP and gets an additional 20 HD of undead. I don't have my book with me but that is huge!
I would make it 2 or 3 HP for every 1 HD of undead.

I have reservations about the X4 HD at 10th. Especally with how many extra bonuses they already have. You will certinally wind up with over 100 HD of undead under your control. If you use the bonuses right, you could have anywhere from 200 to 400 HD.

Now, just to make it stronger, what about feats?

 

[Storminator]

I did a little spread sheet to see just what you could get. If we assume average hp, and 8th level cleric before switching to the PrC, you could get over 900 HD of undead under your control.

Of course, you'd have +0 BAB, +0 saves, no spells and 1 hp!

I was thinking of have the undead you get from hp tracked separately, and have them be a one time use. If those undead die, you can't replace them.

I also thought of making the redouble a triple that replaces double.

I didn't give them anything else, because I pretty much wanted a one trick pony, so no bonus feats, and only extra spells every other level.

Thanks for looking tho!

PS

 

[Lela]

I did a little spread sheet to see just what you could get. If we assume average hp, and 8th level cleric before switching to the PrC, you could get over 900 HD of undead under your control.

PS

That would scare the heck out of a PC. 900 HD of undead walking around, trying to kill them, all under the control of one guy. Of course, get a group of them together and you'll have thousands HD. And that's just with average HP. Don't forget the toughness feat and a Con over 10. What happens when they get a Manual of whatever the Con one is?

The spell limit can be overcome with Wands and Scrolls, which can help with BAB (True Strike anyone?).

Though I think that it could be balanced out by only having 1 hp when you face an adventuring group. One hit and you're down. Of course, good stratagy could easily overcome this.

 

[Storminator]

bump

 

[Limper]

Storminator: I also noticed the low number of controlable undead.... rather than a PresClass might I suggest a Feat akin to Leadership but for undead. Rather than a single cohort allow the levels to be split up into Lt undeads and the Followers can stay the same but they are undead. As with Leadership it can be taken multipule times.

 

[Storminator]

That's OK in its own right LImper, but I was hoping people would comment on the PrC as posted.

Anyone care about the progression of powers?

PS

 

[Limper]

Look good to me.....

I'm not sure I'd give up spell slots for more undead though.... unless the abilities allowed you to control a Lich or something. If this is to have a horde of skeletons and zombies then I think temperary loss of the slots would be better... if you get all the nasty undead then perm would work fine.

 

[Storminator]

You should be able to control any undead you can rebuke, subject to the rule that if an individual beastie has a higher HD than you it requires continuous concentration.

And all those trades are options for the player/DM. You don't HAVE to trade in all (or even any) spell slots. I actually think the permanent bolster is the best power... very tough to turn those 300 HD of undead...

PS