For starters, move away from the concepts that revolve around you being evil... that doesn't fly in PFS.
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Greetings, AllSeeingWraith, and welcome to PFS ^_^
First off, PFS welcomes creative players and creative characters. Although you'll certainly encounter a handful of players more opposed to the ideas of Necromancy than others, the same can be said of "big dumb Barbarians", "unscrupulous thieves", and "holier than thou Paladins". As long as you play what you want to play, and adhere to the tenets and rules of the Organized Play Campaign, we welcome anything you bring to the table.
I have a 6th level Necromancer in Society (this profile), and he's rather social. I went straight Wizard, Necromancer, and put both Intelligence and Charisma as my focused stats. Intelligence, for obvious reasons, but also Charisma for controlling undead. I then picked up Traits that opened up social skills as class skills. With an Eastern European accent, he's a blast to play.
Although you may find that some archetypes or rules elements may be off the table, don't let that prevent you from creating and playing a concept. Necromancy is perfectly viable in Pathfinder Society.
Happy gaming!
Really you can play any of that as a straight Wizard or Witch, just worship one of the darker gods and only take Necromancy spells.
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looking at the feats necromancy arcane school, undead master, and improved channel.
That's exactly what I chose as well.
There are also two Traits that both increase the DC of your Channeled Energy. I needed Additional Traits to make Diplomacy a class skill.
My character is only 6th level, so at this point I still only have the basic Wizard items. Headband of Intelligence, Cloak of Resistance. I haven't peered too far into his future, but I'll probably grab a Circlet of Persuasion to up his Charisma-based checks (controlling undead, which has already come up twice for him, as well as social skills). I've also purchased plenty of onyx, and if you own the Alchemy Manual there are a couple very useful Alchemical Power Components for Necromancy (mainly salt).
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Hi hi!
Don't forget to talk with the party's paladins and Pharasmites first. I used to raise the dead. Then I done got spooked! Uh, anyway, they'll appreciate it and some common guidelines, like no raising sentients, no death spells unless outta options, no nagging about dark powers, so and also forth will make it easier.
Good day and happy necromancy times!
PS. Urgathoa's a proper b#!~~. Pick from Fumeiyoshi, Kabiri, Orcus, or Zura at least! Not Zyphus though. Those guys just hate us.
I would look at a bones oracle and flavor it as such. You can raise a undead minion with your powers that does not cost onyx. You can channel to command undead.
I think you might like that class. I would look at it.
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And should you encounter a Pharasman, be sure that those conversations go both ways. You have just as much right to raise the dead as the Paladin does to smite demons ^_^. Imagine how ineffective the party Fighter would be if the pacifist in the group asked that no weapons be brought on the mission. Everyone should be allowed to use their class features. One of the 3 tenets is "cooperate", after all.
That being said, you may encounter a stick in the mud every now and then. It may be a fellow player, or even your GM. Have a backup plan just in case. You're still a Wizard, and everyone loves Haste.
To alleviate that uncomfortable discussion in the first place I've found it useful to add humor or creativity to my Necromancer to distract players. I prepare Arcane Mark, and describe it as a round seal with the letters "USDA". When I animate or control undead, I stamp it on their foreheads. When ppl ponder why I'm stamping them with an Agricultural seal, I correct them: "Under Service of the Dark Archive".
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I'm actually going to recommend a shaman. You get Animate Dead at 5 like a cleric which feels great having your main theme sooner. If you are a race such as human you can also add cleric spells, such as Desecrate, to your spell list.
There are many different archetypes and spirits which will help you find the exact type of character you want to play.
Hexes give you plenty to do when not casting spells and animating the dead. You'll never want for something to do on this character which is often a problem which creeps up on wizards.
I think Shaman is probably an underrated class especially for necromancers.
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Hey there everyone,
I'm pretty new to roleplay games and have usually run necromancer type characters in the past while serving as party face. My biggest problem is that looking over the boards i see that 3 options i looked at were banned.
1) Undead lord archtype
2) grave walker witch (love the doll)
3) wizard using blood money for onyx.I'm at a loss on how to proceed because i'm not sure if there are any other classes i would even like to try. I've always liked the social butterfly with bodyguard path. Would really appreciate some help.
The Necroccultist (an Occultist archetype) is a necromancy-focused class that is PFS legal. The Occultist is an amazingly flexible class, and is a lot of fun to play.
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I feel the need to weigh in here, as a Necromancer myself. I too began my career a graduate cum laude of the Undead School, educated at the finest Universities of Ustalav. I chose my major because I believed that no being capable of being made undead should remain so; all intelligences deserve a funeral. Even if I had to take control of their remains and drag them out of whatever unkempt hole they had found themselves in. And if they could make themselves useful before being buried, so much the better.
I recommend what you've already hit upon (Spell Focus:Necromancy, Undead Master). However, Improved Initiative is practically necessary to get the jump on any undead you might happen upon.
On top of THAT, I was tragically fatal for my dear mother when I was born. It was fortunate for me that a Pharasmite was close at hand, or I wouldn't have made it either. Before I was fully born, I was infused with divine magic, making me what is called a Sacred Conduit. Which has made me particularly capable at gaining control over those who are not yet buried.
I also heartily recommend dedicating time to improving your Channel ability. Improved Channel on top of the tragedy of my birth makes most Undead helpless to my will.
With all of that in mind, I would be remiss not to mention that I myself have since i]converted[/i] to Pharasma's philosophy. Not her Faith, exactly, but when word had spread of my skill with the Undead, both commanding them and creating them, Pharasma (or more likely one of her functionaries) took a proactive interest in my career. I was sent Paracletus, my conscience, my counselor, and the inheritor of my Arcane Bond. A Nosoi Psychopomp, he has made VERY clear the arguments AGAINST the creation of the undead (though we remain locked in fierce debate over their temporary control, destruction and internment.) I have greatly enjoyed the debates with my new companion, but I recognize that being put through the fierce skepticism of one of Pharasma's attendants is not for everyone.
One more piece of advice. When you DO take command of the undead, I cannot recommend highly enough giving them all a command to dance. I was particularly fond of the head bob, but you are encouraged to put your own spin on it. The reason for this is to give those who might be accompanying you some indicator as to which of their enemies, if any, managed to resist your control.
I built a voodoo necromancer using the occultist class. (Homegame, but except for alignment it was PFS legal). I also had a level of witch for the curse aspect, but just getting to wear a crown of finger bones & brandishing the skull of my predecessor's familiar made the character fun. :)
EDIT: ninja'd