Kogak
2011-08-06, 04:21 AM
I was reading through the various wizard specialist variants and I had a question specifically about the skeletal minion that a necromancer can choose.
Unearthed Arcana states:
"Skeletal Minion: A 1st-level necromancer using this variant can begin play with an undead minion (a human warrior skeleton, as described on page 226 of the Monster Manual). Obtaining this minion takes 24 hours and uses up magical materials that cost 100 gp. This creature is a loyal servant that follows the necromancer’s commands and accompanies her on adventures if desired. If the skeletal minion is destroyed, the necromancer suffers no ill effects and may replace it by performing a ceremony identical to the one that allowed her to obtain her first servant.
At 1st level, the skeleton is completely typical, but it gains power as the necromancer gains levels. The skeleton has a number of Hit Dice equal to the necromancer’s class level. Add one-half the necromancer’s class level to the skeleton’s natural armor bonus. Add one-third of the necromancer’s class level to the skeleton’s Strength and Dexterity scores. A necromancer using this variant permanently gives up the ability to obtain a familiar."
So if I am a lowly level 3 necromancer with the Corpse Crafter feat, my 100g skeleton is a 3 HD fellow with some nice boosts. If I am in an evil party and my clerical friend forgets the ins-and-outs of turning and tries to turn the zombies bearing down on us with his Talisman of Undead Mastery to boost his effective level and gains control over my skeleton... does it keep the boosts granted by being my minion previously? The text clearly states that losing the skeleton does not do anything to my necromancer except put him out another 100g. Big deal. But, does the skeleton stay slightly more powerful than a normal skeleton?
With the Talisman of Undead Mastery and a Scepter of the Netherworld (both in Magic Item Compendium), once a day a level 7 cleric could feasibly rebuke a level 7 minion with little out-of-pocket expenses. Since 7 HD skeletons require 175g in onyx vs. 100g for the minion this seems like an easy way for somewhat better than normal bodyguards early on. Perhaps not the best skeletons around but you aren't scrounging for onyx (which might be good if you are in a region paranoid about necromancers) and you can get them prior to getting animate dead rather easily if the cleric is willing to pay for his own skeleton.
Unearthed Arcana states:
"Skeletal Minion: A 1st-level necromancer using this variant can begin play with an undead minion (a human warrior skeleton, as described on page 226 of the Monster Manual). Obtaining this minion takes 24 hours and uses up magical materials that cost 100 gp. This creature is a loyal servant that follows the necromancer’s commands and accompanies her on adventures if desired. If the skeletal minion is destroyed, the necromancer suffers no ill effects and may replace it by performing a ceremony identical to the one that allowed her to obtain her first servant.
At 1st level, the skeleton is completely typical, but it gains power as the necromancer gains levels. The skeleton has a number of Hit Dice equal to the necromancer’s class level. Add one-half the necromancer’s class level to the skeleton’s natural armor bonus. Add one-third of the necromancer’s class level to the skeleton’s Strength and Dexterity scores. A necromancer using this variant permanently gives up the ability to obtain a familiar."
So if I am a lowly level 3 necromancer with the Corpse Crafter feat, my 100g skeleton is a 3 HD fellow with some nice boosts. If I am in an evil party and my clerical friend forgets the ins-and-outs of turning and tries to turn the zombies bearing down on us with his Talisman of Undead Mastery to boost his effective level and gains control over my skeleton... does it keep the boosts granted by being my minion previously? The text clearly states that losing the skeleton does not do anything to my necromancer except put him out another 100g. Big deal. But, does the skeleton stay slightly more powerful than a normal skeleton?
With the Talisman of Undead Mastery and a Scepter of the Netherworld (both in Magic Item Compendium), once a day a level 7 cleric could feasibly rebuke a level 7 minion with little out-of-pocket expenses. Since 7 HD skeletons require 175g in onyx vs. 100g for the minion this seems like an easy way for somewhat better than normal bodyguards early on. Perhaps not the best skeletons around but you aren't scrounging for onyx (which might be good if you are in a region paranoid about necromancers) and you can get them prior to getting animate dead rather easily if the cleric is willing to pay for his own skeleton.