What Classes Can Become Necromancers?
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The allure of commanding the dead, wielding the power of life and death, is a strong draw for many players in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). While the image of the cloaked necromancer is often associated with a specific type, the reality is that several classes can delve into the dark arts of necromancy, each with its unique approach and strengths. Let’s explore which classes can become necromancers and what makes them suited for this macabre path.
Core Necromancer Classes
Wizard (School of Necromancy)
The School of Necromancy wizard is often considered the quintessential necromancer class, and for good reason. Wizards in this school gain several powerful benefits that enhance their ability to control and create undead. These advantages include:
- Potent Undead: Necromancy wizards can raise an additional undead creature beyond their usual limit from a single casting of spells like Animate Dead. Furthermore, their undead minions gain bonus hit points and damage modifiers, making them more formidable in combat.
- Reduced Spell Costs: School of Necromancy wizards reduce the gold cost of spells, effectively making necromantic magic more affordable and accessible.
- Versatile Spellcasting: Wizards have a wide range of spells to choose from, allowing them to adapt to different situations. They can support their undead armies with control spells, defensive wards, or powerful offensive magic.
For those seeking a dedicated, powerful necromancer, the School of Necromancy wizard is the premier choice. This subclass is designed around bolstering undead legions and effectively controlling them.
Cleric (Death Domain)
Clerics, particularly those who choose the Death Domain, can also make effective necromancers. While they don’t possess all the same benefits as a Necromancy wizard, they bring unique strengths:
- Divine Spellcasting: Clerics get their power from their deity, often leading to a different take on necromancy than that of a wizard. They might view it as a tool of balance, punishment, or a necessary part of the cycle of life and death.
- Channel Divinity: Death Domain clerics gain Channel Divinity abilities that can enhance their necromantic spells and abilities. This can include boosting damage against undead or creating a fearsome aura.
- Proficiencies: They have access to armor and shields unlike wizards, making them more durable in combat. Clerics are also competent healers, which can make them versatile additions to a party.
Death Domain clerics lean more towards inflicting damage through necromantic spells and dealing with undead threats, making them a powerful choice for those who want a different twist on necromancy.
Other Classes with Necromantic Potential
While wizards and clerics are the main classes that can fully embrace necromancy, other classes can dabble in these dark arts through multiclassing, specific subclasses or spells.
- Warlocks: Certain Warlock pacts and patrons can have necromantic leanings. While they may not have the same level of minion control, they can use dark magic for dealing damage and debuffs. This tends to be a flavor of necromancy rather than a core mechanic and often leans more into the darker magic side of the spellcasting spectrum.
- Paladins (Oathbreaker): Fallen paladins who have broken their oaths may take the Oathbreaker subclass, which opens up a degree of necromantic power to them. These paladins embrace the darker side of magic and use their power to raise undead.
- Druids: While not typically associated with raising the dead, some druids may explore necromancy, particularly those with a focus on the natural cycle of life and death. They might reanimate plant life or even use certain necromantic spells in a creative way.
- Multiclassing: Characters can also multiclass to gain the benefits of more than one class. For instance, taking one level in cleric can grant additional proficiencies and basic healing spells to a necromancy wizard, whereas multiple levels in another class can lead to more powerful abilities.
How to Become a Necromancer
While class choice is essential, becoming a true necromancer can also involve character development, personal experiences and a dedication to the practice. This typically involves three steps:
- A Near-Death Experience: Coming face to face with mortality is a common thread in the origin stories of many necromancers. This experience provides unique insights and is a common starting point.
- Mentor’s Approval: The art of necromancy is complex and often requires guidance. A mentor who has mastered the craft can teach the nuances and subtleties of the practice.
- Embracing Death: True necromancy involves more than just animating the dead. It includes an in-depth understanding of the cycle of life and death. Some teachings involve the five levels of Necromancy: learning to see, hear, smell, taste and finally touch death.
FAQs About Necromancers
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about necromancers to further illuminate this fascinating archetype:
1. What is the strongest type of necromancer build?
The School of Necromancy wizard is often considered the most powerful, due to their ability to control larger numbers of undead creatures that are more potent in combat. However, a well-built Death Domain cleric can also be a formidable force.
2. Can a necromancer be a hero?
Yes, a necromancer can be a hero. It is the intent behind the magic that matters, not the magic itself. A necromancer could raise undead to defend the innocent or fight against greater evils.
3. Are necromancers always evil?
No, they are not always evil. While necromancy is often associated with dark practices, a necromancer’s alignment depends on their motivations and actions, not just their use of magic.
4. Can a necromancer be a healer?
Yes, some necromancers, particularly those who follow the Death Domain as a cleric, can have access to healing magic. They can use their understanding of life and death to both harm and heal. Also, Necromancers can become amazing support characters by bringing crowd control, debuffs, and party synergy.
5. Who is the god of necromancers in D&D?
In the Forgotten Realms setting, Velsharoon is the demigod of necromancy and patron of liches. However, different gods of death may be revered, depending on the setting.
6. What is the basic principle of necromancy?
Necromancy involves manipulating life forces, communing with the dead, and animating once-living material. It is a magic that deals with the boundary between life and death.
7. Can a warlock be a necromancer?
Yes, warlocks can dabble in necromancy, particularly those with patrons who have a dark or undead influence. However, they may not be as focused on raising and controlling undead as a wizard or cleric.
8. What are the key skills for a necromancer?
Key skills include spellcasting (particularly in necromancy), knowledge of history or religion, and understanding of the nature of undeath.
9. How can a necromancer make friends?
Just because a character is a necromancer, does not mean they are evil or unable to make friends. A good player can role-play a necromancer with a personality that allows them to form relationships, especially if they are using their powers for the greater good.
10. Is necromancy an elite skill in all systems?
No, necromancy is not an elite skill in all systems. Its classification depends on the particular ruleset and setting.
11. How does necromancy function in combat?
Necromancers typically rely on their undead minions to engage enemies, while they provide ranged support with offensive and control spells.
12. Can a necromancer control vampires?
The ability of a necromancer to control vampires is not universal and can depend on specific settings or rules. Sometimes, they may only be able to control vampire corpses or the minds of the recently turned.
13. What are some common necromancy spells?
Common necromancy spells include Animate Dead, Raise Dead, Chill Touch, Vampiric Touch, and Enervation.
14. What are the weaknesses of a necromancer?
Necromancers are usually vulnerable in melee combat and can be easily overrun if their undead are taken out. They also tend to rely heavily on their spell slots.
15. Can a necromancer be killed easily?
Not necessarily. A skilled necromancer, supported by an army of undead, can be difficult to take down. However, they can be susceptible to focused attacks if their minions fall or are easily overcome.
Conclusion
Necromancy is a compelling area of magic within role-playing games that can be explored in various ways through different classes. Whether you choose the potent legions of a School of Necromancy wizard, the divine power of a Death Domain cleric, or the darker approach of a warlock, the path of the necromancer offers unique opportunities for storytelling, roleplaying, and tactical gameplay. By carefully considering your class, building your character, and embracing the macabre, you can bring a truly memorable necromancer to life in your games.