Close
Close
Advanced Search

The NecromancerClick to magnify
Full‑size Preview
https://watermark.dmsguild.com/pdf_previews/177181-sample.pdf

The Necromancer

ADD TO WISHLIST >
Suggested Price $2.00

Description

This booklet contains a new 20-level class with 4 archetypes, 8 new spells, 10 new magic items and 4 new artifacts.

Play as the Necromancer, an a-typical version of a standard fantasy staple. Wield the powers of life and death to protect the living.  This is a full 20-level class utilizing a new class mechanic and controling a versatile minion.

  • Essence allows you to fuel you spells and abilities at the cost of your own health.
  • The Shade is a minion who can possess the bodies of the dead or enhance the capabilities of your character.

Choose from four archetypes, each dealing with a particular playstyle.

  • Death's Eyes lets you draw upon the experience of the dead to bolster your own considerable well of knowledge.
  • Death's Scythe allows you to hone your martial prowess to ensure your foes defenses fail while you stand unbroken.
  • Death's Scales make you a versatile spellcaster who focuses on disrupting foes and quickly moving about the battlefield.
  • Death's Hands transform you into a powerful healer, using your own life to ensure your allies do not fall before their time.

Try new Necromancy spells to cripple your foes and raise an army of the dead.  Includes updated spell lists for the core classes.

Pick from a variety of magic items that pair with the new class mechanics and add some new flair to killing and dying.

A new artifact set that allows you to challenge Death itself for control of the items.

pixel_trans.gif
pixel_trans.gif
 
 Customers Who Bought this Title also Purchased
pixel_trans.gif
pixel_trans.gif
Reviews (3)
Discussions (16)
Customer avatar
Dylan S March 01, 2020 11:43 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi, love the looks of this class but I'm just wondering if you've done a character sheet for it?
Reply
Customer avatar
April 03, 2020 10:51 am UTC
CREATOR
I have not, but that is a great idea. I'll add it to my TODO list. Thanks!
Customer avatar
Pippin G September 08, 2019 4:51 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is the circle of death from deaths scythe meant to damage the caster as well as everyone else
Reply
Customer avatar
Pippin G September 08, 2019 4:52 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Also really like the class but haven’t been able to play it quite yet
Reply
Customer avatar
September 20, 2019 8:11 am UTC
CREATOR
The circle of death effect acts just like the spell of the same name, so the caster would indeed take damage. Usually by the time the caster has access to the artifact, they either have a healthy cushion of temporary HP or other ways of negating Necrotic damage.
Customer avatar
Thony D January 09, 2019 2:11 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Just came back after seeing the new updates, but I have to ask; will there be a printer friendly version you can copy-paste from? The artifacting from this makes it hard to read.

Also, under the 'hounded' section of 'Challenging death', it says, 'as son as the items are seen or used publicly'.
Reply
Customer avatar
January 10, 2019 6:20 am UTC
CREATOR
Yeah, I followed the OBS instructions and Pre-flighted the document and it gave us... that. So I've updated the file so it is easier to read and has OCRed text. It even ended up being a smaller file size. I also added an updated spell list as well.

Let me know what you think of the new version.

And thanks for catching the typo!
Reply
Customer avatar
Thony D January 15, 2019 10:25 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Still a little pixelated, but at least I can read it and copy-paste. I'd recomend putting all the text through a word processor or google docs to check for typos.

The class itself, I'm still looking over it for my opinion of it now that I can read it. I do like the spells and magic items, though, already making good use of those. I'm personally trying to find a way to make it so the death items give a flight speed and/or the ability to pass through walls, since a spirit of death seems like it should have those ghostly qualities.
Customer avatar
Christopher B January 07, 2019 12:36 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hi, there is some issue with this new PDF where it is viewing correctly in Preview on my Mac or any PDF Expert or even in Adobe. Can you check the file?
Reply
Customer avatar
Christopher B January 07, 2019 12:37 am UTC
PURCHASER
My comment should say it is NOT showing correctly. The pages are mostly blank and only partially showing.
Reply
Customer avatar
January 07, 2019 3:56 am UTC
CREATOR
I'll take a look at it on a Mac tomorrow as it works on my PC and Android devices. To be honest, I'm not quite happy with the visual quality of this one after following the DM's Guild/DriveThruRPG instructions to make it and plan on revising it to be more visually appealing. Or just upload my straight-from-Acrobat version.

Thanks for the heads up on the visibility issues!
Reply
Customer avatar
January 07, 2019 6:29 pm UTC
CREATOR
So I took a look at the file, freshly downloaded from here, on a Mac running El Capitan using Preview version 8.1 and Acrobat DC and it worked fine. I also did some quick searching online and read that this problem might be caused by corrupt .plist files used by Macs.

It might be worth chasing that particular line of inquiry further as the file is functional in all my tests.

Please let me know if you are able to suss out a solution and keep an eye out for another update to the quality of the product that might also clear it up.
Reply
Customer avatar
Christopher B January 07, 2019 7:32 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hi, thank you. I was able to get it after some fiddling to open in Adobe--the resolution is not very good, but I can at least see the images and the text.
Customer avatar
Andrew N December 30, 2018 1:39 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Loving what I've seen of this class. Do you have any time frame for when you might post the updated version? I'd like to bring this to my DM but don't want to have to tell them about each change you'll be making piece by piece. Thanks for the great class!
Reply
Customer avatar
January 06, 2019 12:57 am UTC
CREATOR
Updated version is now up. Next on the roadmap is new spells, Isorropian Order faction, and new art for magic items. Let me know what you think of the new version's clarifications.
Reply
Customer avatar
Andrew N January 07, 2019 11:28 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks so much for posting the updated version. One question: what was your reasoning for making the Charisma save DC for the Throw Shade ability a constant number rather than tying it to your Necromancer spell save DC as it is tied to a class feature? I feel like most abilities with a save on a spellcasting class share a DC with that spell save (Channel Divinity for clerics and paladins or Dark Delirium for Archfey warlocks).
Reply
Customer avatar
January 08, 2019 12:31 am UTC
CREATOR
The funny thing about the Necromancer is that it follows what equates to a dual progression path. First you have your Necromancer whose abilities scale like any other player character. Secondary to your own power gain is the Shade which progresses like a monster. It's abilities gained by your Necromancer level (Residual Memories at level 6, Welcome Burden at 10, Throw Shade at 14, and Shadowy Apotheosis at level 18) add abilities to your Shade. Apart from the bonuses provided by the Necromancer's proficiency and gaining Hit Dice on level up, a Shade is just another monster constrained by the same rules other monsters follow.

So basically, the four abilities listed above are not Necromancer (Class) abilities. They are Shade (Monster) abilities.
Customer avatar
Brad R August 21, 2018 1:09 am UTC
PURCHASER
I have a player who's got one of your necromancers. He's really loving it, but there was a huge problem with the spellcasting. Just because he was never able to hit with his Harvest, he was never able to cast anything. So I remodelled it to make it work out better for him so he didn't feel left out during combats. He starts each day with a base amount of Essence (the average of each Harvest Die plus Wisdom modifier; 3.5 per, rounded down). He can refill it during combat (as you have it) and on a short rest just like spending hit dice.

Pretty sure that's all I changed.
Reply
Customer avatar
December 14, 2018 7:14 am UTC
CREATOR
Apologies for the late reply. Classes and work have been brutal this semester.

It should be noted that Harvest never needs a to-hit roll or save if you target a willing creature, including yourself. So if your player's Shade or allies are willing to lend a bit of power, they can keep your Necromancer player in the fight. This Essence is freely offered to the player. If the player chooses to Harvest from themselves, it's only a Bonus action so they can Harvest from their own HP and then cast as an action all in the same round. (Page 4).

Its one of the reason they have such a large Hit Die.

The roll to hit with Harvest is only when using Reaving harvest.

All that being said, if your method is working best for your party, rock on! It makes me so happy that others are enjoying the class and with the break in semesters coming up, I should have a revised version up soon.
Customer avatar
Victoria W November 08, 2017 8:46 pm UTC
Are there multiclass ruling requirements in the pdf, want to kmow before i buy
Reply
Customer avatar
November 12, 2017 7:56 pm UTC
CREATOR
Multiclassing as it relates to Spellcasting and Soul Casting is currently contained on page 10 of the book. I also plan on adding a note that in order to multiclass into Necromancer, you must have a WIS of at least 13.
Customer avatar
Thony D October 29, 2017 12:38 am UTC
PURCHASER
So this is really cool and all, but I'm pretty confused right from the start, because of Harvest. It says you can harvest by dealing damage, but it doesn't say the type of damage, nor how much essence you actually get. So I'm super confused. As well, the harvest feature words the harvest like it's something else instead of as the feature in-and-of itself, unlike other class features.

It's too bad, because this class looks neat, if a little convoluted. It's especially odd that you need both WIS and CHA, I don't really understand that.
Reply
Customer avatar
November 12, 2017 7:53 pm UTC
CREATOR
A coming revision changes Harvest to deal Necrotic damage and states that you gain an amount of Essence equal to the amount of damage you deal with Harvest, after any resistances or vulnerabilities are applied. Harvest is primarily the mechanism used to gain Essence which is used to power the other class abilities. I do plan on revising the Harvest segment and pulling Essence out into its own subsection for clarity.

The aforementioned revision also changes the spellcasting attack modifier and save DC to just WIS. This was a typo from a previous version that snuck past me.
Reply
Customer avatar
Thony D December 21, 2018 8:10 am UTC
PURCHASER
Well, sorry if I'm a douche asking a year later, but did those revisions ever come? I'd honestly love to play this.
Reply
Customer avatar
January 06, 2019 12:59 am UTC
CREATOR
Shortly after I posted a year ago, I decided to basically upend my life. So I apologize for not keeping to my schedule. However, the updated version is now up. Next on the roadmap is new spells, Isorropian Order faction, and new art for magic items. Let me know what you think of the new version's clarifications.
Customer avatar
Nicholas D August 03, 2017 12:15 am UTC
PURCHASER
Really enjoy the class! One question though; I'm curious as to what purpose you intended Bearer of Unkindness to serve for the Death's Scales Implement?
Reply
Customer avatar
August 04, 2017 7:05 pm UTC
CREATOR
Bearer of Unkindness is primarily meant as a "fast travel" form, allowing the Necromancer to move 300 ft. per round (Move/Dash Action) and squeeze into Tiny-sized spaces. The melee attack of a swarm is mediocre at best, but where the form really shines is in the resistances and condition immunities. This allows a savvy Necromancer to use BoU as an escape mechanic or a fairly safe and fast way to move about the battlefield, at the cost of their actions.

Creative players and DMs can also use it for all kinds of cool RP moments, since the ability is "hella cool" thematically.
Customer avatar
yvan D May 13, 2017 6:32 am UTC
PURCHASER
Great guide, any updates on soul fatigue? I read in an earlier comment you were experimenting with the idea of not counting implement spells?
Reply
Customer avatar
May 17, 2017 2:45 pm UTC
CREATOR
Still testing variations of it out. Things have gotten a little hectic for me, as of late. I welcome any feedback or thoughts you might have, though!
Customer avatar
Sean P April 13, 2017 3:32 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Two questions. One, with soul fatigue if you harvest yourself are you under the same influences. Two, with soul fatigue does that mean, lets say at lvl 6, I can only cast one 1st lvl spell, one 2nd lvl spell, and one 3rd lvl spell?
Reply
Customer avatar
Stephen T April 13, 2017 3:41 pm UTC
PURCHASER
(These answers are just how we played it)

1: Yes, you are under the same influences. Self-harvest came in handy in prep for a battle and such.
2: For those, we rounded up. At lvl 6, proficiency is 3. So 1/2 of that, we rounded up to 2. So 2 castings each of lvl 1st, 2nd, and 3rd level spells at level 6.
Reply
Customer avatar
April 13, 2017 7:24 pm UTC
CREATOR
Harvest is going to be clarified to state that you don't "target" a willing creature, you just "choose" a willing creature who offers their essence to you. No attack rolls or saves are needed unless you are using Reaving Harvest and targeting an unwilling creature. Soul fatigue shouldn't effect Harvest due to this change.

The standard answer to the second question is "round down" due to PHB pg. 7, but I've been experimenting and plan on changing it to round up. I also plan on allowing some fatigue-free implement spells to help stabilize the spell progression. The language I currently have (clunky as it is), which will be added to the Implement Spells section is:

"You may cast implement spells up to level 5 without gaining exhaustion due to Soul Fatigue, but you may only do this once per spell level. A long rest resets this ability. Implement spells cast this way are cast at their lowest level. For example, a level 6 Death's Scythe Necromancer...See more
Reply
Customer avatar
Sean P April 14, 2017 1:17 am UTC
PURCHASER
I've been talking with The DM, along with experienced players, about playing this class and they have some other questions. The biggest being D12 hit dice, that seems to be way to much for a caster and that something like a D10, just barely) would fit more. The other is why does it have to be a willing creature and not an attack on our enemies?
Reply
Customer avatar
April 14, 2017 6:46 am UTC
CREATOR
The harvest mechanic can target unwilling creatures with the Reaving Harvest ability gained at level 3 and also triggers when a Death's Scythe uses Reaper's Edge, also gained at level 3.

As for the d12, nearly every Necromancer ability, including spellcasting, costs essence which is generated by Harvest. When using harvest on a willing creature, you must use an action, the exception being harvesting yourself which only costs a bonus. With 5e's action economy mechanics, (1 action, 1 bonus, and 1 move) a Necromancer is encouraged to harvest from themselves so they can move, harvest, and "be awesome". So their HP becomes less of a thing players worry about only when taking damage and healing and becomes an expendable resource usable during downtime and in between combats. Since essence fades on a short or long rest, where the other classes recharge abilities, it's nice for the Necromancer to have a fairly deep well to draw from.

The Death's Scythe is also designed to be a soak...See more
Customer avatar
January 22, 2017 6:45 pm UTC
CREATOR
Kinda like patch notes!

Coming Changes to the Necromancer:

Harvest now deals Necrotic Damage
Spell Save DC has been corrected to be Wisdom-based (D'oh)
Defined what a "negative condition effect" is for the purposes of Reaper's Edge, Panacea, and Possessed Fervour
A few new spells!
More on the Necromancer-based Faction, The Isorropian Order!
Minor spelling and grammar corrections.

Things I'm currently toying with:

Tuning Essence gain and consumption using different sized Essence dice, higher spell/ability Essence costs, or putting a cap on Essence gained per day.
Parsing per-level damage output, healing, and HP soak to see if more balancing is required.
Customer avatar
Stephen T January 18, 2017 4:56 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I'm loving this class so far, very interesting mechanics. My one thought after playing a bit, it's quite hard to balance so many stats. Wis and Con are my highest, and Str is next for the first three levels (death's scythe), had to put dex next for AC, etc. So my spell attack is wisdom, which is fine, but the save being cha-based hurts. Alot. My current spell dc is 10. Seems like the save should be wisdom rather than cha, especially since wisdom is a primary stat.

Thoughts?

Love the class, though! Lots of fun.
Reply
Customer avatar
January 22, 2017 6:03 pm UTC
CREATOR
Yep, that's a whoopsie on my part. Spell save DC is supposed to be Wisdom-based. I wanted the Scythe to be a little MAD (like most gish) but not THAT MAD. It's a hold-over from a previous version that used Charisma. I decided to switch to Wisdom since a) a WIS-based arcane caster seemed intriguing, b) most undead-ish stuff keys of Wisdom already, and c) we already have two CHA-based casters in the game.

Good catch and it will be changed in the update.
Reply
Customer avatar
Stephen T January 22, 2017 6:15 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Awesome! No worries, I just thought it was a bit odd. There's lots to it, so I can totally understand missing a couple of things. I absolutely love the class, though! The harvest mechanic, especially with Death's Scythe, is very fun and unique. Great job!
Customer avatar
Robert B July 25, 2016 6:56 pm UTC
PURCHASER
What sort of damage is harvest - can it only be done on creatures that are living?
Reply
Customer avatar
July 30, 2016 2:39 am UTC
CREATOR
Harvest currently deals untyped damage, though I am experimenting with different damage types right now. This allows it to bypass resistance and immunity as it is a direct assault on the Essence of a creature. Since it drains the animating force or "soul" of an object even normally unliving targets like Constructs and Undead can be harvested. I see no downside to using it on trees and shrubs and the like, though the DM has final say.
Customer avatar
Robert B June 03, 2016 7:44 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Like the class, how much essence do you get from 'harvest' 1 per die, or 1 per damage?
Reply
Customer avatar
June 05, 2016 6:45 pm UTC
CREATOR
You gain an amount of Essence equal to the damage dealt by the Harvest die roll. If you Harvest from yourself and roll a 7 on 2d6, you lose 7 hp and gain 7 Essence.
Customer avatar
Danielle M May 31, 2016 2:17 am UTC
Do you have a suggested D&D edition you wrote this for?
Reply
Customer avatar
June 02, 2016 2:38 am UTC
CREATOR
This class is designed with 5th Edition in mind, but it could be converted to 3.X with a little work.
Narrow Results
$ to $
 Follow Your Favorites!
NotificationsSign in to get custom notifications of new products!
 Recent History















Product Information
Gold seller
Community Content
Author(s)
Rules Edition(s)
Pages
22
Format
Original electronic Click for more information
Scanned image
These products were created by scanning an original printed edition. Most older books are in scanned image format because original digital layout files never existed or were no longer available from the publisher.

For PDF download editions, each page has been run through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to attempt to decipher the printed text. The result of this OCR process is placed invisibly behind the picture of each scanned page, to allow for text searching. However, any text in a given book set on a graphical background or in handwritten fonts would most likely not be picked up by the OCR software, and is therefore not searchable. Also, a few larger books may be resampled to fit into the system, and may not have this searchable text background.

For printed books, we have performed high-resolution scans of an original hardcopy of the book. We essentially digitally re-master the book. Unfortunately, the resulting quality of these books is not as high. It's the problem of making a copy of a copy. The text is fine for reading, but illustration work starts to run dark, pixellating and/or losing shades of grey. Moiré patterns may develop in photos. We mark clearly which print titles come from scanned image books so that you can make an informed purchase decision about the quality of what you will receive.
pixel_trans.gif
Original electronic format
These ebooks were created from the original electronic layout files, and therefore are fully text searchable. Also, their file size tends to be smaller than scanned image books. Most newer books are in the original electronic format. Both download and print editions of such books should be high quality.
File Last Updated:
January 10, 2019
This title was added to our catalog on March 09, 2016.