Necromancer variant

[yennico]

Hello all,
I have heard the sentance: The best necromancer is a cleric.

I knew the PrC Pale Master and True Necromancer, but I like the Core Classes.

My Variant:
To give the Necromancer (Wizard Specialist) more power over undead, he can choose at first level only to give up an additional school (So he must give up two schools to become a necromancer with more power over undeads) to gain a special ability. This ability is only available at first level Necromancer.
This special ability is to command undead like an evil cleric. The ability is treated exactly in the same way as the rebuke ability of an evil cleric (advancement, diffculties, etc.)

With this variant the necromancer needs or it would be advisable a higher Charisma than before because of his "commanding" checks. He has only six schools from which he can cast spells.

If you want to combine this necromancer variant with the PrC Red Wizard (FRCS) treat this necromancer if he has only given up one school (because IMHO it is too heavy to give up another two schools)

What do you think about it

yennico

 

[Moe Ronalds]

Cleric still wins in the arena of undead-creating spells though.

 

[Mordane76]

While Moe is right, I think you're variant is okay.

I feel more that giving up a more than a school might be necessary, though. I'd offer up three options --


1) Give up three schools to specialize as Necromancy with "rebuke/command" undead as a cleric as an ability.

2) Give up your familiar and one school to specialize in Necromancy with "rebuke/command" undead as a cleric as an ability.

3) Give up your first two bonus feats and one school to specialize in Necromancy with "rebuke/command" undead as a cleric as an abillity.

 

[yennico]

While Moe is right, I think you're variant is okay.

I feel more that giving up a more than a school might be necessary, though. I'd offer up three options --


1) Give up three schools to specialize as Necromancy with "rebuke/command" undead as a cleric as an ability.

I think this is too hard. In that case a necromancer has only five schools left. If the party does not encounter any undeads, this necromancer is too weak.

2) Give up your familiar and one school to specialize in Necromancy with "rebuke/command" undead as a cleric as an ability.

This choice sounded good to me but it can either be negated by choice of the feat Improved familiar or a permanent Undead creation which accompany the necromancer and obeys his commands. Is this then a really a loss ?

3) Give up your first two bonus feats and one school to specialize in Necromancy with "rebuke/command" undead as a cleric as an abillity.

Youn mean to give up your first and third level bonus feat ? A really nasty choice A Wizard or Necromancer without his bonus feats would die sooner than other wizards.

If I want to play a necromancer and I had the choices above, then I would play a cleric necromancer

Just my 2 cents
yennico

 

[darkbard]

This choice sounded good to me but it can either be negated by choice of the feat Improved familiar or a permanent Undead creation which accompany the necromancer and obeys his commands. Is this then a really a loss ?

well, it would require burning a feat or xp/gps for the creation, so i would say it's pretty balanced.

 

[Derrick Reeves]

Better may be to add a feat that increases the Necromancer's ability to command undead. I'd suggest using "Animate Dead" as a prerequisite, so that the feat is relevant when it's taken.

Also, don't overlook the ability of a Necro. for things other than shambling minions. Chill Touch is a very good touch attack, if for no other reason than cost-effectiveness.