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So, I have a rather basic concept in mind, that I wish to have the put together. It involves the following:
1) Elf, or Half-Elf race(Elf preferred).
2) Must have a major focus on Necromancy, or Necromancy-like magic. Creating Undead not required, but okay with it.
3) Must wield, and/or carry a Scythe.
4) Must be PFS legal.
5) Must not have a Charisma less than 10.
That's it.
Rather open, but it fits the concept in mind.
Any ideas on what builds would fit?
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So, I have a rather basic concept in mind, that I wish to have the put together. It involves the following:
1) Elf, or Half-Elf race(Elf preferred).
2) Must have a major focus on Necromancy, or Necromancy-like magic. Creating Undead not required, but okay with it.
3) Must wield, and/or carry a Scythe.
4) Must be PFS legal.
5) Must not have a Charisma less than 10.
That's it.
Rather open, but it fits the concept in mind.
Any ideas on what builds would fit?
Elf Necromancer Wizard fits all those criteria (you need a non-dumped Cha for Command Undead) - take the Scythe as your Arcane Bond, maybe?
Half-Elf (with Ancestral Arms for proficiency with Scythes) Cleric channeling negative energy also fits all the criteria, and probably makes better use of the Scythe.
Are you starting a new PFS character?
I am a fan of the Blood-Arcanist (Undead Bloodline) followed by taking the School Understanding (Necromancy) exploit. Having a moderate Charisma (14 or so) and then enjoy the perks of having both the most flavorful undead-related class feature (the bloodline) and an effective specialization without the penalty of prohibited schools.
If you really want some channeling in there too, you could dip Cleric enough to get to Mystic Theurge, but that would be pretty messy and weak mechanically. Unfortunately PF lacks an arcane channeler (like the Dread Necromancer of 3.5).
Have fun!
. Unfortunately PF lacks an arcane channeler (like the Dread Necromancer of 3.5).
Have fun!
Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but both the Necromancy Specialist Wizard and Witch (Hex Channeler archetype) can channel.
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Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but both the Necromancer and Witch (Hex Channeler archetype) can channel.. Unfortunately PF lacks an arcane channeler (like the Dread Necromancer of 3.5).
Have fun!
Hex Channeler isn't PFS legal though.
Necromancer Wizard and Cleric of Urgathoa both work. The cleric is likely a better choice for the OP as they will be better able to use the scythe.
If you wanted to be more martially inclined, Inquisitor or Warpriest are both alternatives to cleric.
How is Urgathoa going to work in PFS? I thought there was a no-evil mandate in place. Wouldn't Pharasma be a better bet?
Full metal jacket necromancy, with undead creation and all it entails, doesn't fly well in heroic-oriented campaigns, and AFAIK PFS is pretty much locked into heroic mode. Plus, the limitation on one "pet" would be frustrating for the would-be PFS necromancer. Unless what you are really after is the necromancy spell list - sans undead creation.
A necromancer whose goal in life is to fight undead is a thing.
I thought you were blocked from undead via the NO EVIL-PERIOD approach in PFS?
I haven't played in any PFS games, but my understanding is that the biggest limitation inflicted on minion-mancy is that your stuff won't stay with you from session to session. This is why the Undead bloodline is so great - you just cast Charm Person (and get them to fail their save) and you have a free minion (unlike spending money on Animate Dead and then forcibly losing the minion at the end of the day regardless of how well you care for it).
Regarding channeling, the Specialist Wizard's channeling is ONLY for controlling/turning undead, not healing them. The hex channeler can only be positive energy (as I read it) and as mentioned before is illegal in PFS.
So I stick with my suggestion. The decision to be an Elf already works well as a caster, and investing in Improved Eldritch Heritage (Arcane) can net a higher DC on Necromancy spells (that stacks with Spell Focus and Greater) to keep your charms working longer. The Arcanist gets more spells per day than straight wizard while retaining the flexibility of "prepared" casting, all with the excellent Arcana of the Undead Bloodline.
If the OP doesn't like options like I described, Cleric is effective (if bland) and a Bones Oracle can be fun (and much more flavorful).
I will repeat that I think it sad no Dread Necromancer ports have been accepted by the community. There are a couple (including one I wrote up), but they just haven't received the approval of most. If one had, I feel confident that would fit the OP's desires exceptionally well.
You could make a cleric, oracle or wizard as suggested upthread.
I think there is another way of getting there. It can be changed up quite a bit, but at first thought this is how I would do it.
Race: Elf (Fleet)
Traits: Warrior of Old, Magical Knack (Wizard)
Cavalier (Gendarme) 1/ Wizard (Necromancy) 5/ Eldritch Knight 5
Str 14 (5 points)
Dex 15 (3 points, +2 race)
Con 12 (5 points, -2 race)
Int 16 (5 points, +2 race)
Wis 10 (0 points)
Cha 12 (2 points)
1 Weapon Focus (scythe), Power Attack, Run
2 Spell Focus (necromancy), Command Undead
3 Improved Initiative
4
5 Quick Channel
6 Heighten Spell
7 Furious Focus, Improved Sunder
8
9 Greater Sunder
10
11 Weapon Specialization (scythe), Improved Critical (scythe)
The problem with EK is that it will not increase your channeling, so the DC on your command undead is going to be quite low.
The focus shifts from I have a horse and Power Attack to give me your minions to I'm gonna break your stuff to I make my own minions to I'm actually kind scary with this scythe.
When I put it like that it seems all over the place.
The build could use more work and even then a cleric of Urgathoa with the Death and Magic domains is still gonna be stronger.
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The Cavalier seems cool, but I am really digging the Cleric of Urgathoa right now.
Mostly, the Scythe is really more for looks, rather than a focus.
Urgathoa is PFS legal.
If going Cleric, is there a particular archetype that suites the concept?
Also, I saw Oracle mentioned. I have no idea how that would be built into the concept.
Mendevian Priest and Hidden Priest could both work for a Cleric of Urgathoa depending on whether you want to be open about it or not. I would either go with the Undead subdomain, Spell Penetration, and Greater Spell Penetration or lose the first level power from the Death domain and the eighth level power from the Magic domain.
A Bones Oracle can be made into a viable necromancer and it is PFS legal, and you can get a scythe from ancestral arms.
Either of these is going to work much better as a half-elf than as an elf mechanically.
I not fond of the Hidden Priest.
Would Theologian be a good choice?
About average in my opinion. Certainly would work and be viable. The metamagic could be cool if you pick the right domain.
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They are legal if you have a legal source for them, but daemon harbingers and demon lords are not legal from Inner Sea Gods. I don't think they are legal anywhere else, but there may be some that slipped in somewhere.
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Gods
Gods: all of the gods listed in the appendix are legal choices except daemon harbingers, great old ones, infernal dukes, malebranche, nascent demon lords, orc deities, outer gods, qlippoth lords, and whore queens.
one thing to consider, BBT, at least for limiting potential PFS drama over evil/playing alongside paladins/morality/etc
is to take control over existing undead
rather than creating your own
I play alongside a "White" Necromancer in PFS who pulls this off quite well, both from a roleplay perspective and a mechanical build
there are scenarios/mods where his character has been a bit less effective due to a lack of available targets but there have been others where hilarity and general awesomeness has ensued
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one thing to consider, BBT, at least for limiting potential PFS drama over evil/playing alongside paladins/morality/etc
is to take control over existing undead
rather than creating your ownI play alongside a "White" Necromancer in PFS who pulls this off quite well, both from a roleplay perspective and a mechanical build
there are scenarios/mods where his character has been a bit less effective due to a lack of available targets but there have been others where hilarity and general awesomeness has ensued
I would ask if anyone was playing a Paladin, and if so, play another PC.
I would rather not create my own undead. They don't carry over from scenario, to scenario.
I have had no major problems with roleplaying any PC before.
okay your answer made no sense based on what I was saying but have fun
Is the Gravewalker Witch pfs legal?
Also I think a Bones Oracle or Shaman can work well
Contributor
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While they are listed as PFS legal on Archives of Nethys, They do not appear to be legal from Inner Sea Gods. I don't know what source they are basing the legality on, but I don't see it in Additional Resources. Maybe Gods and Magic?
They are legal if you have a legal source for them, but daemon harbingers and demon lords are not legal from Inner Sea Gods. I don't think they are legal anywhere else, but there may be some that slipped in somewhere.
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Gods
Gods: all of the gods listed in the appendix are legal choices except daemon harbingers, great old ones, infernal dukes, malebranche, nascent demon lords, orc deities, outer gods, qlippoth lords, and whore queens.
Problem found.
You can worship Deskari (demon lord) but not Shamira or Treerazer (nascent demon lords).
Does that make sense? ^_^
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Should it be a Channel/Debuff focus?
Just go off my build on Here
Adjust it accordingly on whether you want Scythe damage, to channel, or have high save DC's. Swap a few feats that you don't foresee using with Spell Focus: Necromancy and GSF: Necromancy. There you have it.
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I think you answered your own question there. Dump Str down from 13 to what you feel is tolerable and put that into Charisma. Swap Power Attack, Channel Smite, and Guided Hand with Channel feats or other feats that you'd like.
You can make due with 14 charisma, just use Eagle's Splendor right before a fight and you'll have 18charisma to Selective Channel 4 of your teammates from getting hurt.