RaggedAngel
2012-03-28, 11:24 PM
The Epic Dread Necromancer
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZsWqQYEd9I/TqOA7WqfDjI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/fR8F03rbM0g/s1600/Lich.JPG
In light of the fact that the Wizards of the Coast never bothered to give an Epic progression for one of my favorite Tier 3 classes, I took the liberty of making a progression all my own, below. The Dread Necromancer's class features take an interesting turn with the application of the Lich template at level 20, so I did my best to improvise. (And yes, they get the Lich template at 20. Don't give me that CustServ crap; they've never slogged through 20 levels as a flavorful-but-mediocre caster.)
Hit Die: d12
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier. Add Listen, Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot to their skill list.
{table=head]Dread Necromancer Level|Special
21st|Charnel Touch, Scabrous Touch 4/day
22nd|-
23rd|Negative Energy Burst 5/day
24th|Advanced Learning
25th|Bonus Feat
26th|Scabrous Touch 5/day
27th|Negative Energy Burst 6/day
28th|Advanced Learning
29th|-
30th|Demilich Transformation[/table]
Spells: The Dread Necromancer’s caster level is equal to his or her class level. The Dread Necromancer’s number of spells per day does not increase after 20th level. The Dread Necromancer does not learn additional spells unless he or she selects the Spell Knowledge feat, or by their Advanced Learning Class feature.
Familiar: The Dread Necromancer’s familiar continues to increase in power. Every two levels beyond 20th the familiar’s natural armor and Intelligence each increase by +1. The familiar’s spell resistance is equal to the master’s class level + 5. At 21st level and again every ten levels higher than 21st, the familiar gains the benefit of the Familiar Spell epic feat for a spell of its master’s choice.
Class Features: All the Dread Necromancer's level-dependent class features (Charnel Touch, Scabrous Touch, Negative Energy Burst, Advanced Learning) continue to advance, and their increased uses per day are shown on the class feature chart, as applicable.
Demilich Transformation: When a Dread Necromancer attains 30th level, she undergoes a further transformation, becoming a demilich (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/demilich.htm). A Dread Necromancer need not pay experience points or gold to create her eight soul gems.
A dread necromancer who is not a lich (possibly due to a True Resurrection spell) does not gain this class feature.
Bonus Feat: The Epic Dread Necromancer can select a bonus feat (selected from the list of Epic Dread Necromancer bonus feats) every five levels after 20th, excluding level 30.
Epic Dread Necromancer Bonus Feat List: Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Silent Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Energy Resistance, Enhance Spell, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Spellcasting, Familiar Spell, Ignore Material Components, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Heighten Spell, Improved Metamagic, Improved Spell Capacity, Intensify Spell, Master Staff, Master Wand, Multispell, Permanent Emanation, Spell Knowledge, Spell Stowaway, Spell Opportunity, Undead Mastery, Zone of Animation
And that's it. Any advice on additional feat options or things to include in the table? Note that I intentionally did not advance any class features that are subsumed by the Lich template, like the DR or the bonus to mental saves.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZsWqQYEd9I/TqOA7WqfDjI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/fR8F03rbM0g/s1600/Lich.JPG
In light of the fact that the Wizards of the Coast never bothered to give an Epic progression for one of my favorite Tier 3 classes, I took the liberty of making a progression all my own, below. The Dread Necromancer's class features take an interesting turn with the application of the Lich template at level 20, so I did my best to improvise. (And yes, they get the Lich template at 20. Don't give me that CustServ crap; they've never slogged through 20 levels as a flavorful-but-mediocre caster.)
Hit Die: d12
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier. Add Listen, Move Silently, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot to their skill list.
{table=head]Dread Necromancer Level|Special
21st|Charnel Touch, Scabrous Touch 4/day
22nd|-
23rd|Negative Energy Burst 5/day
24th|Advanced Learning
25th|Bonus Feat
26th|Scabrous Touch 5/day
27th|Negative Energy Burst 6/day
28th|Advanced Learning
29th|-
30th|Demilich Transformation[/table]
Spells: The Dread Necromancer’s caster level is equal to his or her class level. The Dread Necromancer’s number of spells per day does not increase after 20th level. The Dread Necromancer does not learn additional spells unless he or she selects the Spell Knowledge feat, or by their Advanced Learning Class feature.
Familiar: The Dread Necromancer’s familiar continues to increase in power. Every two levels beyond 20th the familiar’s natural armor and Intelligence each increase by +1. The familiar’s spell resistance is equal to the master’s class level + 5. At 21st level and again every ten levels higher than 21st, the familiar gains the benefit of the Familiar Spell epic feat for a spell of its master’s choice.
Class Features: All the Dread Necromancer's level-dependent class features (Charnel Touch, Scabrous Touch, Negative Energy Burst, Advanced Learning) continue to advance, and their increased uses per day are shown on the class feature chart, as applicable.
Demilich Transformation: When a Dread Necromancer attains 30th level, she undergoes a further transformation, becoming a demilich (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/epic/monsters/demilich.htm). A Dread Necromancer need not pay experience points or gold to create her eight soul gems.
A dread necromancer who is not a lich (possibly due to a True Resurrection spell) does not gain this class feature.
Bonus Feat: The Epic Dread Necromancer can select a bonus feat (selected from the list of Epic Dread Necromancer bonus feats) every five levels after 20th, excluding level 30.
Epic Dread Necromancer Bonus Feat List: Automatic Quicken Spell, Automatic Silent Spell, Automatic Still Spell, Energy Resistance, Enhance Spell, Epic Spell Focus, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Spellcasting, Familiar Spell, Ignore Material Components, Improved Combat Casting, Improved Heighten Spell, Improved Metamagic, Improved Spell Capacity, Intensify Spell, Master Staff, Master Wand, Multispell, Permanent Emanation, Spell Knowledge, Spell Stowaway, Spell Opportunity, Undead Mastery, Zone of Animation
And that's it. Any advice on additional feat options or things to include in the table? Note that I intentionally did not advance any class features that are subsumed by the Lich template, like the DR or the bonus to mental saves.