Simple Minion Cleric (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
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[edit] Introduction
While not outlandishly powerful, this is a rather straightforward build for an evil spellcaster. It capitalizes on the Animate Dead spell to gather a force of undead to amplify the combat power of the caster and his party (if any).
[edit] References
The rulebooks you will need to effectively run this build are as follows:
[edit] Game Rule Components
This build relies on character feats to effectively bolster its undead controlling capabilities.
[edit] Race and Templates
Human is probably the best race for this build, as the extra feat at first level will enable the character to get going faster. If you don't want to run a human, consider a race that will provide a bonus to Wisdom for extra bonus spells. Avoid templates with level adjustment that don't provide a caster level bonus to your relevant spellcasting class ( Cleric, Sorcerer, or Wizard).
[edit] Classes
Cleric is probably the best class for this build, as they will gain access to Animate Dead most quickly. Additionally, the ability to heal undead with Inflict spells is a boon that cannot be overlooked (and can even be applied to the caster with the Tomb-Tainted Soul feat). Clerics who have access to the Death Domain will benefit from Animate Dead as a Domain spell. Sorcerers and Wizards also gain access to Animate Dead, and wield more powerful damage-dealing spells than the typical cleric, making the Fell Animate feat more effective.
[edit] Feats
This build focuses on bolstering the undead controlled by the caster, so feats from LM like Corpsecrafter, Fell Animate, and Tomb-Tainted Soul are the best choices. Bolster Resistance and Deadly Chill will make the controlled undead more deadly and resilient, and Destruction Retribution will give the undead a death throes-like capability to deal one last bit of damage.
[edit] Spells
This build is only truly concerned with Animate Dead and the assorted Inflict spells. Arcane casters should focus on spells from the Evocation School to use in conjunction with the Fell Animate metamagic feat.
[edit] Equipment
To capitalize on this build's potential, characters should work toward obtaining a Rod of Undead Mastery, which doubles the amount of undead that can be controlled by the caster from 4HD of undead per caster level to 8HD of undead per caster level. The rod's base market price is 10,000gp.
[edit] Progression
Build A: Cleric Build
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Feats | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cleric 1 | Tomb-Tainted Soul, Corpsecrafter | Rebuke Undead |
| 2nd | Cleric 2 | ||
| 3rd | Cleric 3 | Necromantic Presence | |
| 4th | Cleric 4 | ||
| 5th | Cleric 5 | Ability to cast Animate Dead | |
| 6th | Cleric 6 | Undead Leadership |
So on and so forth.
Build B: True Necromancer
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Feats | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cleric 1 | Tomb-Tainted Soul, Corpsecrafter | Rebuke Undead |
| 2nd | Cleric 2 | ||
| 3rd | Cleric 3 | Necromantic Presence | Ability to cast summon undead II |
| 4th | Cleric 3/Wizard 1 | ||
| 5th | Cleric 3/Wizard 2 | ||
| 6th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3 | Undead Leadership | Ability to cast command undead |
| 7th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 1 | ||
| 8th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 2 | ||
| 9th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 3 | Mother Cyst | |
| 10th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 4 | ||
| 11th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 5 | ||
| 12th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 6 | Profane Vigor | |
| 13th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 7 | ||
| 14th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 8 | ||
| 15th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 9 | Fell Animate | |
| 16th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 10 | ||
| 17th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 11 | ||
| 18th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 12 | Destruction Retribution | |
| 19th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 13 | ||
| 20th | Cleric 3/Wizard 3/True Necromancer 14 |
By the end of this version of the build, you should cast spells as a 16th level Cleric and a 16th level Wizard, as well as having some abilities granted by the True Necromancer PrC that improve your undead.
[edit] Highlights
This build relies on undead to serve as extra weapons and a hit-point buffer for the caster.
[edit] Drawbacks
It is important to note that characters do not gain access to Animate Dead until they can cast 3rd-level spells (Cleric) or 4th-level spells (Sorcerer/Wizard), and the earliest opportunity for this is 5th-level (Cleric), 7th-level (Wizard), and 8th-level (Sorcerer), barring any templates that grant spellcasting abilities.
[edit] Munchkin-Size Me
Take it to the next level.
- If you really want to munchkin this build, use the True Necromancer prestige class from the Libris Mortis. The build takes 3 levels of cleric, then 3 levels of wizard, then into the prestige class. The chain of feats with Corpsecrafter is essential to make the undead better.
- Ditch both Cleric and True Necromancer and focus on the Dread Necromancer base class (Heroes of Horror). Buff Charisma and, come level 6-9 (or whenever it is that you can create your own undead) you'll command 100+ HD of undead and brutally own everything you come across.
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