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Creating a Good Necromancer for Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons

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We decided to take a stab at creating a good necromancer for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons. Nerdarchy has had a cantankerous relationship with our fans when it comes the wizard tradition of necromancy. We are of the philosophy of if you animate dead you are creating evil creatures, which is an evil act.

good necromancer for fifth edition Dungeons & Dragons

Every undead monster in the fifth edition D&D Monster Manual has an evil alignment. So our idea is coming up with a compromise for the fans and our own sensibilities — a new wizard tradition. In the video below we go over what it takes to be good and practice necromancy.

It’s more than just NOT animating the dead. There is what their role in the world would be and how they might serve society. We see them being concerned with one particular community, those who are recently deceased. Also they would seek out creatures of undeath and destroy them with extreme prejudice.

Below we threw together some thoughts and ideas of what abilities a good necromancer might get.

 

Good necromancy wizard tradition

  • 2nd level. Spare the dying and chill touch cantrips. Channel Spirit. As an action, choose one skill. You gain expertise in that skill until you complete a long rest.
  • 6th level. Spirit Guide. Speak with dead is added to your spellbook. You may cast speak with dead as a ritual.
  • 10th level. Inured to Undeath. Beginning at 10th level, you have resistance to necrotic damage, and your hit point maximum can’t be reduced. You have spent so much time dealing with undead and the forces that animate them that you have become inured to some of their worst effects.
  • 14th level. Rebuke Undead. Starting at 14th level, you can use magic to frighten undead. As an action, you can choose undead that you can see within 60 feet of you. That creature must succeed on a Charisma saving throw against your wizard spell save DC or become frightened of you for 1 minute. If it succeeds, you can’t use this feature on it again. Or Enemy of Undeath. You ignore immunity and resistance to necrotic damage on creatures with the undead type. We haven’t settled on this one yet. Thoughts?

Good Necromancer Wizard Tradition in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition

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david friant

My name is Dave Friant I've been gaming off and on for over 27 years. But here is the thing it's always been a part of my life I've kept secret and hidden away. I've always been ashamed of the stigma that gaming and my other nerdy and geeky pursuits summon forth. Recently I decided screw it! This is who I am the world be damned. From now on I'm gonna be a geek, nerd, or however folks want to judge me and just enjoy life. Currently one of my greatest joys is introducing my 13 yr old son to table top RPG's.

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