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View Full Version : D&D 3.x Class Priest of the White Hand (good necromancer) WIP



lytokk
2015-01-19, 09:30 AM
So, I'm working on a class for good aligned necromancers and could use a little feedback on what I've put down so far. Its in a google doc for now (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oB4neeQHcfqOIR3jgdLQcAQ0xvfOS1-5jULJsCgjVSI/edit?usp=sharing).

Looking at a charisma based spellcaster. I haven't decided if spells should be selected like a sorceror, prepared like a wizard, or just spontaneously cast from the spell list like a warmage, though with the small list I'm leaning more towards warmage casting.

Spell selection is mainly leaning towards necromancy, as well as some cold and acid based blasting. While the class will be capable of creating undead, there will be a code of conduct that undead should only ever be created from willing humanoids or animals. Also, no self replicating undead, like wights or vampires. Also the class is only open to non-evil characters.

The undead minion I'm leaning toward the Necromancer wizard variant progression (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm#necromancerVariants) and more than likely having the ability to create enhanced undead. Once destroyed, the minion can be resummoned in 24 hours, being the same skeleton every time. I may put in some of the standard familiar progression perks as wel.

I've never completely designed a class from the ground up before and would love some feedback. Aiming for T3-4 territory, which shouldn't be hard. Also the name really isn't set in stone. Not sure if I even want a priesthood in this organization.

Deepbluediver
2015-01-22, 12:59 PM
Checking his stats, it seems sort of like you're aiming for a cross between the Wizard and the Cleric, but I don't see any mention of armor or weapon proficiency. Also, how many skill-points does he get?

Usually full-casting puts a class higher than tier 3, but with a significantly limited spell-list you'd probably avoid that. It might come down to how well an individual players uses his summoned minions, since blasting is usually one of the weaker choices in spell-selection.

Depending on which spell-list you're picking from, you might want to consider including the ability to bring people back from the dead, which would give him some added out-of-combat utility. And gives a definite feel of life/death balance to someone who is supposedly not your typical horrific necromancer.

You should really nail down what kind of spellcasting you want though, because that helps determine how much variety you can have in your spell list. My preference is to have more options and make players pick either by learning certain ones (sorcerer) or preparing them (wizard), because I think it helps differentiate one players' PotWH from another. But that's just me.

Finally, the first thing I always think of first when I hear about "good aligned necromancy" is the Deathless, which where basically positive-energy undead. There where only ever 2 published monsters though: http://monsterfinder.dndrunde.de/results.php?id=647697103&skip=0
Kind of like WotC came up with this idea, and as soon as someone asked them for more information, they pretended to forget all about it. It might be worthwhile trying to incorporate some aspect of that into your class.

lytokk
2015-01-22, 01:19 PM
Thanks for the reply.

I hadn't quite figured out skill points yet, but I was thinking 4 +int per level, as its a CHA based spellcaster and I think that 4 should be the minimum for a non-int based character.

Light armor, simple weapons +scythe (iconic for any class dealing with death), no shield. I really don't know if I should drop armor proficiency and the armored mage or not. I also don't know if I should drop the BAB down or not.

Actually resurecting someone is something I had considered, but these necromancers were still going to be using negative energy to control their undead. So while they might be able to bring someone back, that person is going to be animated by negative energy.

Deepbluediver
2015-01-22, 01:33 PM
I hadn't quite figured out skill points yet, but I was thinking 4 +int per level, as its a CHA based spellcaster and I think that 4 should be the minimum for a non-int based character.
That's probably fine- any higher and most people start looking at the class like a skill-monkey.


Light armor, simple weapons +scythe (iconic for any class dealing with death), no shield. I really don't know if I should drop armor proficiency and the armored mage or not. I also don't know if I should drop the BAB down or not.
Medium BAB can be helpful with ranged touch-attacks if you have any of those spells on your spell-list, but other than that he doesn't really feel very melee-ish. I'd keep the BAB and drop armor entirely.


Actually resurrecting someone is something I had considered, but these necromancers were still going to be using negative energy to control their undead. So while they might be able to bring someone back, that person is going to be animated by negative energy.
Ok, but then let me ask you this- what does the class offer me that I can't get with an existing class? What benefit does this class offer above just taking the standard Wizard or Sorcerer and picking the same spells? And if he's still heavily using negative energy, then what about the class makes him good or requires him to be good?

lytokk
2015-01-22, 01:46 PM
Ok, but then let me ask you this- what does the class offer me that I can't get with an existing class? What benefit does this class offer above just taking the standard Wizard or Sorcerer and picking the same spells? And if he's still heavily using negative energy, then what about the class makes him good or requires him to be good?

You're asking all the right questions to get me thinking. Part of what you get over a wiz/sorc is a more powerful familiar. Instead of a snake, you get a skeleton who grows up in power faster than a druid's animal companion, at least thats the plan in my mind, but growth may become slowed just to even out.. Capstone is becoming a lich. I'm still figuring out a lot of the class features and working towards spelling out the abilities.

But, putting in a mixture of positive and negative energy use could differentiate this class enough.

edit Again, I appreciate any and all feedback. I've never homebrewed a class before and I have no clue what the thought process entails. The inspiration for this class was that clash of the clans TV commercial with Larry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGJeiO3grQA). My wife really wanted to be that necromancer.

Deepbluediver
2015-01-22, 02:05 PM
Most Wizards aren't worried about something like a Druid's animal companion because they can spam Summon Monster spells, and worry less if their disposable minions get splattered because they can just make more. Something to keep in mind.

Also, there is already a class that specializes in the undead and has abilities that slowly turn him into a pseudo-undead, the Dread Necromancer. It's not core, but it's something you could look up for inspiration.

lytokk
2015-01-22, 02:12 PM
I had been looking at dread necromancer, which is where I'm getting a lot of inspiration from. Just certain things about it didn't seem right for the concept. Lack of blasting spells, the fear aura and a few other things. I had a thread for this in the 3.5 subforum, and was told that giving up the fear aura would make it a no go, so I thought I should maybe brew up the class from scratch.

Deepbluediver
2015-01-22, 02:44 PM
I had been looking at dread necromancer, which is where I'm getting a lot of inspiration from. Just certain things about it didn't seem right for the concept. Lack of blasting spells, the fear aura and a few other things. I had a thread for this in the 3.5 subforum, and was told that giving up the fear aura would make it a no go, so I thought I should maybe brew up the class from scratch.
A no-go for whom? The great thing about tabletop games is that you can tweak things until they work exactly right for your group, even if other people aren't enticed by it.

If you think the Dread Necromancer would work as a base, maybe just having some Alternate Class Features would do the trick. For example, replacing the fear-aura with a better spell selection. Again, just an option to consider.

lytokk
2015-01-22, 03:23 PM
That does seem like the better option at this point, as it did have a lot of what I was going for. Maybe adding in a zero spell level, which I think its lacking for some reason.

JaminDM
2015-01-22, 05:19 PM
"Orcs roam freely across our lands, killing at will. Orcs bearing the White Hand of Saruman."

lytokk
2015-01-22, 07:51 PM
Was thinking more of a skeletal hand traditionally being white. Not really married to the name.

RedMage125
2015-01-25, 03:33 PM
I had a similar concept. Shared it some time ago.

http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?335215-Character-Concepts-Non-Evil-Necromancer

Here you go. By all means, poach whatever you like.