Death knight from WoW built in 3.5/PF

[Warrnan]

Hey there playgrounders! I'm playing in a 3.5 game with a flexible dm. We are playing in a custom version of the World of warcraft setting, "Azeroth". We use 3.5 and some PF. (No incarnium or psionics but most other things allowed.)

So we are trying to create some Death Knights that faithfully model the Lich King's flavor. Undead, Cold damage, melee brutality, disease.

There are three kinds: blood, frost and unholy. All are primary melee combatants. Blood dk focus on vampiric self heals and soaking damage. Two handed fighting style. Frost dk are fast dual wielders that slow their opponent and deal mostly cold damage and have one aoe tossable nuke. Unholy dk are the masters of pestilence dealing damage over time with 2 diseases and debuffing their targets. They have one undead pet and the ability to temporarily raise a small troupe of undead for burst damage a few times a day. Melee style is completely irrelevant but his weapon is still used to apply the diseases. Damage comes from undead and disease damage over time effects. I could see acid used as a stand in for this as 3.5 diseases are totally wrong for this.

All three could even be different d&d classes if they fit the flavor but I could see cleric being used to make all three but other class suggestions are very welcome.

I will be using an uttercold dread necromancer as their direct superior. Dk are plate wearers FYI. Thanks for the help. Happy adventuring everyone!

[Xerinous]

I'd say go with the Antipaladin archetype Knight of the Sepulcher (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/alternate-classes/antipaladin/archetypes/paizo---antipaladin-archetypes/knight-of-the-sepulcher). It's the best fit I've found for a Death Knight as far as classes go. Graveknight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/graveknight-cr-2) is good too, if you're fine with a +2 template.

[DocWoollybear]

I think Ebon Initiate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163297&highlight=Ebon+Initiate) works well for this sort of thing if you're not opposed to homebrew.

[Warrnan]

Thanks you two. I like the PF sepulcher knight, only problem, I guess I should have stated, death knights in this campaign setting are already undead. Former champions of the horde and alliance killed and raised by he Lich kings unholy powers. Very cool paladin archetype though. 2 LA is a tad steep.

I need a 0LA undead race as playable because the scourge (Lich king's creations) and the forsaken (undead who've left the Lich king and gained free will and sentience) are both central parts of the WoW lore. Any ideas aside from tomb tainted soul?

Thanks for Ebon initiate idea. It was a good read. We typically don't do 3rd party but I love the warlock esque mechanics. Perhaps we'd have to play test that. We stick with official content and add house rules some. Themeatically it's pretty much perfect. Shadow damage in a melee weapon? Exact fit.

[toapat]

isnt Necropolitain LA 0? (you loose a lvl when you get it)

also, Technically only Forsaken have the Undead Soul feat in Warcraft.

[Novawurmson]

For an undead race, have you seen the PF Dhampir (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-dhampir)?

[Silva Stormrage]

I think Ebon Initiate (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163297&highlight=Ebon+Initiate) works well for this sort of thing if you're not opposed to homebrew.

If homebrew works I think this might be better: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186986 :smalltongue:


Otherwise the easiest way of becoming undead isn't necropolitian, the best I can think of is corpse creature from Book Of Vile Darkness. While it doesn't have a LA you can become one by having a level 6 cleric cast create undead on you. The end result is +4 strength -2 dex natural armor and some dr.

Cleric will probably be the best option for you to make a melee juggernaut. If you can somehow get creeping cold (Spell compendium) on your spell list and extend it you can have that work for most of the cold damage. Contagion works for disease but diseases tend to not be that good in D&D. Burning Blood (Spell Compendium) might work better.

For life stealing you want the wrathful healing enchantment on your weapon (From Enemies and Allies). If thats too expensive right now get a Bloodstone Weapon (Magic Item Compendium) and get Vampiric touch on your spell list. Bloodstone works like spell storing except it only works for vampiric touch but it automatically empowers vampiric touch when used through the weapon.

[Warrnan]

isnt Necropolitain LA 0? (you loose a lvl when you get it)

also, Technically only Forsaken have the Undead Soul feat in Warcraft.

That's a good point I'm going to look at necropolitan. Thanks.


For an undead race, have you seen the PF Dhampir (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/races/other-races/featured-races/arg-dhampir)?

Never seen these. Another cool undeadish race. Thanks!


If homebrew works I think this might be better: http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186986 :smalltongue:


Otherwise the easiest way of becoming undead isn't necropolitian, the best I can think of is corpse creature from Book Of Vile Darkness. While it doesn't have a LA you can become one by having a level 6 cleric cast create undead on you. The end result is +4 strength -2 dex natural armor and some dr.

Cleric will probably be the best option for you to make a melee juggernaut. If you can somehow get creeping cold (Spell compendium) on your spell list and extend it you can have that work for most of the cold damage. Contagion works for disease but diseases tend to not be that good in D&D. Burning Blood (Spell Compendium) might work better.

For life stealing you want the wrathful healing enchantment on your weapon (From Enemies and Allies). If thats too expensive right now get a Bloodstone Weapon (Magic Item Compendium) and get Vampiric touch on your spell list. Bloodstone works like spell storing except it only works for vampiric touch but it automatically empowers vampiric touch when used through the weapon.

Very cool Death Knight mindflayer avatar!!! Also. Your non-homebrew suggestions have been added to my Death Knights. Missing puzzle pieces found! I really love using create undead on sentient living beings to force a "dark rebirth". Epic roleplay value!!! Creeping cold and burning blood are perfect 3.5 analogs for "blood plague" and "frost fever" from WoW. The self heal enhancements are great as the dk draws power from his rune blade so I can see some dk abilities being completely dependent on that. Thanks for the insight!!

[Amnestic]

I see Jarian's DK homebrew has already been posted. I tried it out and found it both flavourful and effective. Highly recommended.