You could do barbarian, subclass wizard and use some necromancy spells, and have them control dead in 2 ways. That would be cool.
Not sure if I would want to combine Barbarian with Wizard though, at least if you plan on using the rage feature often. Since you'd lose the ability to concentrate on spells while raging, you wouldn't get the full benefit of spells such as Danse Macabre, Spirit Shroud, and Summon Undead.
I've been messing around with some "off tank" necromancer builds, for fun. Not exactly aiming for a tank, since your HP will still be low but the idea is to have a high AC at low levels wearing heavy armor. Which, by the time you have undead minions that shouldn't matter as they are your body guards. If you notice, my build leans towards cold damaging evocation and necromancy spells for a sort of "lich king" inspired theme.
For my builds I went with Levistus Tiefling, for the spells Ray of Frost and Armor of Agathys. And I've messed around with a few of the class combinations for multiclassing, the Wizard class typically being the one I dip most of my levels in. For my examples I have them as a 4th level character so they have the ability score increase / feat option as a 3rd level Wizard. And each of the builds I chose the feat for Heavily Armored, or Tough / ABI if they were already proficient with heavy armor.
Artificer 1 / Wizard 3
Cleric 1 / Wizard 3
Paladin 3 (Oathbreaker) / Warlock 1
Warlock 1 (Hexblade) / Wizard 3
Fighter 1 / Wizard 3
The ones I found to be enjoyable the most were Wizard combinations with Warlock, Cleric, and Artificer. The Artificer build is nice because the Artificer uses the Wizards spell list for it's spell casting, and gives you second level spell slots a little earlier than the other multi-class classes. The Cleric build has the most cantrips, and some other neat abilities for necromancing if you go the Death / Grave Domains. The Warlock I think was my favorite combination since you don't need to go Levistus, you can go the normal Tiefling or any other race as the Warlock tree will have Armor of Agathy's available as a Warlock spell. That, and the Warlock class has some pretty amazing necromancer themed spells such as Danse Macabre and the new Tasha's spell Summon Undead.
I didn't find the build for a Warden (Warlock / Paladin) very practical, but it does seem interesting. (You'd be putting your levels into Paladin). But each time that I look at Paladin, it seems like it's less troublesome to just go straight Oathbreaker as the class does a very good job of being exactly what it is, a "dread lord". The only downside is that the class is a half-caster and doesn't gain access to Animate Dead until 9th level. But if you're okay with that then the Oathbreaker is a solid choice.
Overall if your goal is to amass an army of the undead, then stick to the best necromancer class there is; Wizard School of Necromancy. If you want to have a smaller horde and take a different approach, then there are various options that can be fun as well.
Edit: Links and spelling.
Do keep in mind that you don't get an ASI/feat at character level 4, but at class level 4. Therefore, each of your builds with Wizard would require an X1/Wizard4 before getting its ASI. The Paladin3/Warlock1 would require getting to Paladin4/Warlock1. In other words, each would be a fifth level character.
It should also be said that Racial spellcasting doesn't typically allow you to cast spells using spell slots. See the first entry in the Sage Advice Conpendium for spell level, particularly the last paragraph talking about innate spellcasters of monster and player character variants being forced to cast those spells at their lowest level. As such, you can only cast those spells the number of times that the feature allows you to do it, unless you have the spell from another source as well.
I've been messing around with some "off tank" necromancer builds, for fun. Not exactly aiming for a tank, since your HP will still be low but the idea is to have a high AC at low levels wearing heavy armor. Which, by the time you have undead minions that shouldn't matter as they are your body guards. If you notice, my build leans towards cold damaging evocation and necromancy spells for a sort of "lich king" inspired theme.
For my builds I went with Levistus Tiefling, for the spells Ray of Frost and Armor of Agathys. And I've messed around with a few of the class combinations for multiclassing, the Wizard class typically being the one I dip most of my levels in. For my examples I have them as a 4th level character so they have the ability score increase / feat option as a 3rd level Wizard. And each of the builds I chose the feat for Heavily Armored, or Tough / ABI if they were already proficient with heavy armor.
Artificer 1 / Wizard 3
Cleric 1 / Wizard 3
Paladin 3 (Oathbreaker) / Warlock 1
Warlock 1 (Hexblade) / Wizard 3
Fighter 1 / Wizard 3
The ones I found to be enjoyable the most were Wizard combinations with Warlock, Cleric, and Artificer. The Artificer build is nice because the Artificer uses the Wizards spell list for it's spell casting, and gives you second level spell slots a little earlier than the other multi-class classes. The Cleric build has the most cantrips, and some other neat abilities for necromancing if you go the Death / Grave Domains. The Warlock I think was my favorite combination since you don't need to go Levistus, you can go the normal Tiefling or any other race as the Warlock tree will have Armor of Agathy's available as a Warlock spell. That, and the Warlock class has some pretty amazing necromancer themed spells such as Danse Macabre and the new Tasha's spell Summon Undead.
I didn't find the build for a Warden (Warlock / Paladin) very practical, but it does seem interesting. (You'd be putting your levels into Paladin). But each time that I look at Paladin, it seems like it's less troublesome to just go straight Oathbreaker as the class does a very good job of being exactly what it is, a "dread lord". The only downside is that the class is a half-caster and doesn't gain access to Animate Dead until 9th level. But if you're okay with that then the Oathbreaker is a solid choice.
Overall if your goal is to amass an army of the undead, then stick to the best necromancer class there is; Wizard School of Necromancy. If you want to have a smaller horde and take a different approach, then there are various options that can be fun as well.
Edit: Links and spelling.
Do keep in mind that you don't get an ASI/feat at character level 4, but at class level 4. Therefore, each of your builds with Wizard would require an X1/Wizard4 before getting its ASI. The Paladin3/Warlock1 would require getting to Paladin4/Warlock1. In other words, each would be a fifth level character.
It should also be said that Racial spellcasting doesn't typically allow you to cast spells using spell slots. See the first entry in the Sage Advice Conpendium for spell level, particularly the last paragraph talking about innate spellcasters of monster and player character variants being forced to cast those spells at their lowest level. As such, you can only cast those spells the number of times that the feature allows you to do it, unless you have the spell from another source as well.
I'll edit my post to say 4th level vice 3rd level, a mistake on my part lol. But I'm aware of the racial spells, they are only there for flavor. Ray of Frost wouldn't be the primary focus of damage since it would have to be Charisma based, and Armor of Agathy's would eventually fall off but the extra 10 temp health is always welcomed as a racial spell.
Create undead + boon of high magic = 6 wights with 12 zombies under the control of each (72 zombies)
Add on the necromancers 14th level ability and you can have ALL THE UNDEAD (so long as you don't mind never seeing those 9th level spell slots again(or else...))
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
[roll]7d6[/roll]
Every post these dice roll increasing my chances of winning the yahtzee thread (I wish (wait not the twist the wish threa-!))
Don't forget that a lore bard is another amazing option for a necromancer! I plan on trying one myself.
6th lvl Additional Magical Secrets: core is Animate Dead. Next spell is up to you. Perhaps Vampiric Touch or Life Transference.
10th lvl Magical Secrets: core is Danse Macabre. Next spell is up to you. Maybe Negative Energy Flood or Enervation.
14th lvl Magical Secrets: core is Finger of Death. You can take any other spell after that.
I got the initial concept from "Drow Bard" on YouTube. The video talks about a "Dirge Singer" from earlier editions. I am tweaking the idea from the video into something more me, but it's a great base!
That's the link to the original video. I highly suggest checking out his other "unconventional builds." They have given me a lot of inspiration
The good ol Necro Dancer. Summon Undead is another great alternative to animate dead, without all the baggage of carrying around corpses and maintaining control of your pets. You get something that can fly and cause fear, something that can snipe, and something that can poison/paralyze. Overall a pretty loaded with goodies spell. Pair those abilities with unsettling words + mind sliver (or Silvery Barbs if it's allowed), and you can confirm some awful debuffs pretty regularly.
Don't underestimate Finger of Death. Every victim fallen to this spell comes back as a no hassel, permanent zombie. Find yourself a slums or bandit hideout and just pick some people off day after day to build up an army. Portable Hole is a hilarious tool to escort your zombies around, as they won't need to breathe
Bear in mind finger of death can only make zombies. Zombies don't need sleep but they aren't immune to exhaustion, which means they do need to long rest or they'll rot away. Not the biggest deal in the world if you're not trying to use them as sentries; a portable hole can certainly hold 2-4 zombies no problem.
Not sure if I would want to combine Barbarian with Wizard though, at least if you plan on using the rage feature often. Since you'd lose the ability to concentrate on spells while raging, you wouldn't get the full benefit of spells such as Danse Macabre, Spirit Shroud, and Summon Undead.
Do keep in mind that you don't get an ASI/feat at character level 4, but at class level 4. Therefore, each of your builds with Wizard would require an X1/Wizard4 before getting its ASI. The Paladin3/Warlock1 would require getting to Paladin4/Warlock1. In other words, each would be a fifth level character.
It should also be said that Racial spellcasting doesn't typically allow you to cast spells using spell slots. See the first entry in the Sage Advice Conpendium for spell level, particularly the last paragraph talking about innate spellcasters of monster and player character variants being forced to cast those spells at their lowest level. As such, you can only cast those spells the number of times that the feature allows you to do it, unless you have the spell from another source as well.
I'll edit my post to say 4th level vice 3rd level, a mistake on my part lol.
But I'm aware of the racial spells, they are only there for flavor. Ray of Frost wouldn't be the primary focus of damage since it would have to be Charisma based, and Armor of Agathy's would eventually fall off but the extra 10 temp health is always welcomed as a racial spell.
am confused is this a offer to play the game?
Create undead + boon of high magic = 6 wights with 12 zombies under the control of each (72 zombies)
Add on the necromancers 14th level ability and you can have ALL THE UNDEAD (so long as you don't mind never seeing those 9th level spell slots again(or else...))
[roll]7d6[/roll]
Every post these dice roll increasing my chances of winning the yahtzee thread (I wish (wait not the twist the wish threa-!))
Drummer Generated Title
After having been invited to include both here, I now combine the "PM me CHEESE 🧀 and tomato into PM me "PIZZA🍕"
Thanks
The good ol Necro Dancer. Summon Undead is another great alternative to animate dead, without all the baggage of carrying around corpses and maintaining control of your pets. You get something that can fly and cause fear, something that can snipe, and something that can poison/paralyze. Overall a pretty loaded with goodies spell. Pair those abilities with unsettling words + mind sliver (or Silvery Barbs if it's allowed), and you can confirm some awful debuffs pretty regularly.
Bear in mind finger of death can only make zombies. Zombies don't need sleep but they aren't immune to exhaustion, which means they do need to long rest or they'll rot away. Not the biggest deal in the world if you're not trying to use them as sentries; a portable hole can certainly hold 2-4 zombies no problem.
thank you so much. i just yesterday made a thread with the same question and was referred to this thread. this is just what i needed