I reciently started playing D&D again. Currently doing 5e with friends and usinf Death Domain Cleric dual class Wizard for a Necromancer build. I also got the new dmg and looked at the ne phb and accane subclass for Necomancer for 5.5. In both cases it seems like there is a major spell gap for this subclass more prevalent 5e than 5.5 to summon undead. What have you all done when playing this subclass? I have looked a few places but there didnt seem to be a well balanced and thematic spell like animate dead for level 1 spell. I sudue created my own spell for this that I would like some peer review on.
I would not play necromancer as it's presently written, and honestly, I'd tell a player to play one at their own risk were I DMing. There would be consequences for playing it and trying the undead army schtick.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Firstly, I wouldn’t multiclass cleric/wizard, as it will really set back your spell progression. As they are both full casters, you’ll have the slots, but no spells of the appropriate level. For example a wizard 2/cler 3 would have 3rd level spell slots, but no 3rd level spells. You could use the slots for upcasting, but what you really want are the higher level spells. Especially since animate dead is a 3rd level spell, so you need to be level 5 in one class or the other.
As far as a horde of zombie minions that a necromancies wants, this edition doesn’t really do that. It’s largely a balance mechanic. Other classes which get pets, like say a ranger, only get one, and it’s not crazy powerful, and they don’t get it until level 3. Nobody gets something at level 1 except maybe find familiar. (maybe flavor your familiar as a zombie cat or skeleton owl?)
But in general, they don’t want to unbalance things by giving a necromancer lots of them, at least not until you have higher level spell slots to spend. Even then, they’re pretty weak, so by the time you could have, say 5 or 6 of them, they’ll barely be a speed bump for enemies. Also, more pets means more rolls and really slows down combats. So keep in mind that the other players might get annoyed at how long your turns take.
FYI, there was a playtest of a new necromancer wizard subclass a few months ago, but there’s been no announcement about if or when it might be published.
Thanks this is helpful information and appreciate your insight to the game mechanics and balancing of combat.
I already knew going in I was goint to be lacking in spell casting ability but I really am enjoying my dual class and it fit my characters overall narative (though i did miss tha i could upcast till last sesaion 😅). As the dmg says i am having fun with it so its fine. I am also ok playing a lowe level as it gives the other players more oppertunities to shine in combat.
I underatand the balance and how it could be a pain in the combat if its not balanced. I know in the unerthed arcana they allow a skeleton or zombie as a familiar in 5.5, but we are playing 5e. I did considered this when making my own spell but it didnt quite make snese and I am essentially downcasting "Animate Dead" spell I named "Call of the Dead" (level 1 necomancy), summon 1 skeleton (without a weapon) within 5ft, recast every 24 hours, range of control 30ft, and can only summon one addtional skeleton per level above 2nd. So the most I get would be 2 skeletons. Then it converst to "Ainimate Dead" once you reach level 5.
Thankfully the dm is allowing it, as long as everyone else agrees with it and is still having fun, but I am ok with not using it if it does become an issue. I am also the one in our game who is the quickest in conbat as I have expericne from playing 3rd and pathfinder. Just not as much on 5e or 5.5.
I am very interested in how the play test goes with that subclaas of wizard if you couldn't guess 😆.
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I reciently started playing D&D again. Currently doing 5e with friends and usinf Death Domain Cleric dual class Wizard for a Necromancer build. I also got the new dmg and looked at the ne phb and accane subclass for Necomancer for 5.5. In both cases it seems like there is a major spell gap for this subclass more prevalent 5e than 5.5 to summon undead. What have you all done when playing this subclass? I have looked a few places but there didnt seem to be a well balanced and thematic spell like animate dead for level 1 spell. I sudue created my own spell for this that I would like some peer review on.
I would not play necromancer as it's presently written, and honestly, I'd tell a player to play one at their own risk were I DMing. There would be consequences for playing it and trying the undead army schtick.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
While I apprecite your reaponse and respect your dming oppinion, that didn't really answer the question I had. I am looking for answers/support.
Firstly, I wouldn’t multiclass cleric/wizard, as it will really set back your spell progression. As they are both full casters, you’ll have the slots, but no spells of the appropriate level. For example a wizard 2/cler 3 would have 3rd level spell slots, but no 3rd level spells. You could use the slots for upcasting, but what you really want are the higher level spells. Especially since animate dead is a 3rd level spell, so you need to be level 5 in one class or the other.
As far as a horde of zombie minions that a necromancies wants, this edition doesn’t really do that. It’s largely a balance mechanic. Other classes which get pets, like say a ranger, only get one, and it’s not crazy powerful, and they don’t get it until level 3. Nobody gets something at level 1 except maybe find familiar. (maybe flavor your familiar as a zombie cat or skeleton owl?)
But in general, they don’t want to unbalance things by giving a necromancer lots of them, at least not until you have higher level spell slots to spend. Even then, they’re pretty weak, so by the time you could have, say 5 or 6 of them, they’ll barely be a speed bump for enemies. Also, more pets means more rolls and really slows down combats. So keep in mind that the other players might get annoyed at how long your turns take.
FYI, there was a playtest of a new necromancer wizard subclass a few months ago, but there’s been no announcement about if or when it might be published.
Thanks this is helpful information and appreciate your insight to the game mechanics and balancing of combat.
I already knew going in I was goint to be lacking in spell casting ability but I really am enjoying my dual class and it fit my characters overall narative (though i did miss tha i could upcast till last sesaion 😅). As the dmg says i am having fun with it so its fine. I am also ok playing a lowe level as it gives the other players more oppertunities to shine in combat.
I underatand the balance and how it could be a pain in the combat if its not balanced. I know in the unerthed arcana they allow a skeleton or zombie as a familiar in 5.5, but we are playing 5e. I did considered this when making my own spell but it didnt quite make snese and I am essentially downcasting "Animate Dead" spell I named "Call of the Dead" (level 1 necomancy), summon 1 skeleton (without a weapon) within 5ft, recast every 24 hours, range of control 30ft, and can only summon one addtional skeleton per level above 2nd. So the most I get would be 2 skeletons. Then it converst to "Ainimate Dead" once you reach level 5.
Thankfully the dm is allowing it, as long as everyone else agrees with it and is still having fun, but I am ok with not using it if it does become an issue. I am also the one in our game who is the quickest in conbat as I have expericne from playing 3rd and pathfinder. Just not as much on 5e or 5.5.
I am very interested in how the play test goes with that subclaas of wizard if you couldn't guess 😆.