[3.5, Core] Best way to make a knight-lich?

[Stormlock]

I've always liked the idea of an undead fighter, and I'm curious what would be the best way to pull this off before level 20. A level 1 Paladin / 10 Blackguard / 1 Cleric gives you the best BAB at level 12, but Blackguard spells are just flat out inferior to Clerics, and Divine Power seems like the great overpowered equalizer between clerics and fighters in this regard.

On the Arcane route a Bard can get there at level 11, but his BAB is no better than a cleric's, and his spell selection is much weaker and can't be used in proper doom knight armor. The bardic lore thing is cool and I love the image of an undead knight sitting at some massive pipe organ inspiring his minions, but it sure gives up a lot.

Any good methods I'm overlooking? What should I progress it as after it becomes a lich? the d12 hit dice makes something like a rogue or monk a lot more attractive, especially if I've got access to Divine Power anyways. On the other hand, just simple fighter levels will give the bonus feats and BAB needed to be less magic reliant in combat.

Suggestions? Comments?

[Mando Knight]

Lich? I'd recommend Sorcerer/Paladin of Tyranny/Eldritch Knight/(Abjurant Champion or Blackguard). At first glance, you're losing out on HP due to having horrible HD for a frontliner, but then remember: you're a lich. Free d12s all around. Paladin of Tyranny gives you the Evil alignment and Martial proficiency needed for EK, Sorcerer gives you the Caster prereqs for both EK and Lich. BAB drops a couple points thanks to Sorcerer levels, but EK and Paladin bring that back up a bit. Practiced Spellcaster recovers some of your lost Caster levels from doing something like Sorcerer 6/Paladin 2/Eldritch Knight 10.

[ZeroNumerous]

Cleric 12 works just fine as a Lich Knight. Alternatively: Be a necropolitan Knight. That way you're a knight and undead.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Necropolitan Cleric. God of Fighting. Duskblade works pretty well, too, with the d12s making his HD(his one inferiority to most melee) awesome.

[Mando Knight]

Cleric 12 works just fine as a Lich Knight. Alternatively: Be a necropolitan Knight. That way you're a knight and undead.

That's true. And if you're getting d12s anyway, take Cloistered Cleric instead of standard Cleric and use the exact same DMM Persist cheese to recover your BAB.

[Inhuman Bot]

Would just making a Death Knight work?

I've never used them, but I've heard of them a few times.

[SurlySeraph]

Not quite core, but a Swordwraith is a great way to do it.

[AslanCross]

Would just making a Death Knight work?

I've never used them, but I've heard of them a few times.

He said core only, but indeed I think the Death Knight is the best a cool idea. I've always wanted to use one.

Death Knight is unfortunately MM2, which is not core. Or Dragonlance, though that version seems specifically aimed at making a Lord Soth clone, not a generic undead martial character.

[Pluto]

I'd second Cleric.

It casts, it wears armor, it has decent HP and base attack (and has Divine Power to compensate), it has excellent spellcasting. And it doesn't have to wait for the most conveniently metagamey opportunity to fall.

[Mongoose87]

Cleric => Walker in the Wastes will turn you into a Dry Lich.