Playing a Necromancer

[Wind Chime]

I want to at some point build and un-dead mastering necromancer but don't won't deal with dozens of weak zombies and skeletons (animate dead) so I was wondering how does one build a necromancer who has control of 1 or 2 powerful un-dead (a juju ex-pc for example) and what would the minimum level for such a character to work.

[Mark A. Nattress]

Command Undead wrote:

Command Undead

Using foul powers of necromancy, you can command undead creatures, making them into your servants.
Prerequisites: Channel negative energy class feature.
Benefit: As a standard action, you can use one of your uses of channel negative energy to enslave undead within 30 feet. Undead receive a Will save to negate the effect. The DC for this Will save is equal to 10 + 1/2 your cleric level + your Charisma modifier. Undead that fail their saves fall under your control, obeying your commands to the best of their ability, as if under the effects of control undead. Intelligent undead receive a new saving throw each day to resist your command. You can control any number of undead, so long as their total Hit Dice do not exceed your cleric level. If you use channel energy in this way, it has no other effect (it does not heal or harm nearby creatures). If an undead creature is under the control of another creature, you must make an opposed Charisma check whenever your orders conflict.

Juju

One option is via the feat Command Undead. You'd need to be 2nd level to have the listed Juju Zombie, assuming you ran into one and it fails the save.

[SoulGambit]

You're looking at being a Summoner (Undead-flavored Eidolon), Clerit, or Juju Oracle. I'd recommend Summoner or Juju Oracle, because maximum HP on d12's are nifty. Use Animate Dead to animate the big fish, not the small fry, and use varients as much as possible. Use Create Undead once you get it. Also, Desecrate is your friend.

[Wind Chime]

So a Asamir Juju Oracle using the favored class bonus to raise the effective level of command un-dead (un-dead servitude) by .5 a level would be pretty effective.

[Mystically Inclined]

I guess you'd be one of those Asamir that hate their angelic heritage and do their best to be as evil as they can?

[Saganen Hellheart]

The stongest part of the necromancy spell school is their debuffing.

Get a familiar, raven ex - it can talk which is awesome for a necromancer, so pick a rare and evil language. Later go for improved familiar.

Cast invisibility on your familiar and let it deal with the touch debuff spells, which you cast.

This is very very strong. Alot of people prefer to buff their teammates so they are stronger and beats the enemy easier.

In my opinion and I have played for 16 years. Debuffing > buffing.

Which combat is coolest and easiest for you?

Giving your teammate + to hit and damage so he can beat up the enemey.
Or .. make your enemy blind, drain his stats, make your raven peek out his blind eyes.

Debuffing debuffing debuffing.

... And of course - train your evil laugh

[Marc Radle]

You also might want to check out the White Necromancer from Kobold Quarterly! :)

Kobold Quarterly 19 Link

[asthyril]

debuffing gives enemies saving throws to resist, buffing happens automatically. that is why debuffing is stronger, because there is a chance to resist.

[SoulGambit]

@Mystically Inclined: Juju Oracles can create / animate undead without it being an evil act.

[Kairos Dawnfury]

I like the Mystic Theurge Necromancers a la Order of the Stick. or if you're reaching back to 3.5, I believe the Book or Tome of Vile Deeds has the True Necromancer our old munchkin wouldn't shut up about after we switched to Pathfinder. I believe it's basically a Mystic Theurge but Eviller. Practiced Spellcaster x 2 is pretty important.