Summoner/Dread Necro questions: Viability

[Zergrusheddie]

I like the Summoner type builds that focus on creating/summoning minions to do the dirty work while you collect all the funds. However, it seems like most of these builds don't seem to work effectively as they generally are weaker than what the class can pull off. For example, a Druid can summon stuff but why focus on Summoning alone when you can summon, turn into a bear, and cast other power spells as you eat your opponents? For the Wizard, it just means waiting 1 extra round until he casts his IWIN spell.

The Dread Necromancer is a class I always wanted to try out. However, the fact that you have to burn so much cash to make your friends makes it almost infeasible. Also, how exactly does creating Undead work? Can I turn a Human skeleton into an 11 HD skeleton or do I need to find a creature who has 11 HD?

Any advice on this type of character would be fantastic.

Best of luck y'all.
-Eddie

[Tyndmyr]

Summoner == malconvoker.

You need to find appropriate hd things to raise. This may be annoying, but worse is the slow combat rounds for whoever runs team undead.