Article-at-a-glance

• The Dread Necromancer is a master of the hoard – here’s some builds to use that to your advantage:
• Bad Touch Lady is a master of melee combat and debuffing enemies.
• Blood Mage combines the dark arts of necromancy with the potent power of blood magic.
• Ghoul Blend is a balanced blend of stealth, crowd control, and combat abilities.
• The Hivemind is a master of controlling multiple undead minions.
• Witch-Knight is a defensive powerhouse with a touch of arcane support.

Dread Necromancer builds Strengths and Weaknesses

The Glass Walker’s Guide Dread Necromancer Builds

Overview of Dread Necromancer Builds

Choosing the right Dread Necromancer build isn’t just about selecting spells and abilities—it’s about defining your character’s very essence and how they interact with the game world. Each build offers unique strengths and weaknesses that cater to different play styles and strategies. Whether you want to dominate in melee combat, master powerful blood magic, employ stealth and deception, control hordes of undead, or defend and support your party, there’s a Dread Necromancer build for you.

Bad Touch Lady – Melee Menace

The Bad Touch Lady is a formidable melee combatant, leveraging touch-based spells to deliver debilitating effects. Her abilities make her a powerful presence on the battlefield, particularly against strong single opponents.

• Melee Combat Specialist: Excels in hand-to-hand combat.

• Debuffing Expert: Uses touch-based spells to weaken enemies.

• Vulnerability to Ranged Attacks: Struggles against foes that keep their distance.

Check out the build here!

Blood Mage – Arcane Blood

The Blood Mage harnesses the arcane power of blood, balancing immense magical strength with the careful management of life essence. This build is perfect for those willing to take risks for high rewards.

• Powerful Spellcasting: Unleashes potent spells with blood magic.
• Resource Management: Balances power with the use of life force.
• High Risk, High Reward: Risk of depleting own life force if not managed carefully.

Check out the build here!

Ghoul Blend – Stealthy Chaos

The Ghoul Blend is a versatile build combining stealth, control, and combat tactics. It utilizes undead minions to create chaos on the battlefield while striking from the shadows.

• Versatility: Balanced mix of offense, defense, and control.
• Stealth Tactics: Uses minions for distraction and stealthy attacks.
• Jack of All Trades: Good at many things but not exceptional in any single area.

Check out the build here!

The Hivemind – Undead Legion

The Hivemind excels in controlling numerous undead minions to overwhelm enemies. This build turns the battlefield into a strategic game, with the Dread Necromancer as the mastermind.

• Undead Commander: Controls multiple undead minions.
• Tactical Gameplay: Emphasizes strategic positioning and numbers.
• Solo Limitations: Weaker when not leading a horde of minions.

Check out the build here!

Witch-Knight – Dark Defender

The Witch-Knight combines the defensive prowess of a knight with necromantic magic, making a formidable frontline combatant. This build excels in tanking and supporting the party with area control spells.

• Defensive Strength: Robust defenses and tanking ability.
• Area Control: Uses spells to maintain battlefield order.
• Support Role: Less offensive power, focuses on supporting allies.

Check out the build here!

FAQ

Having taken a look at the unique strengths of each Dread Necromancer build, let’s tackle some common questions that might come up as you decide which path of darkness to follow.

What is the best party role for each Dread Necromancer build?

The Bad Touch Lady is perfect for a front-line combat role, fighting enemies head-on and using her debuffs to weaken them. The Blood Mage, with their strong spellcasting, acts as a powerful artillery, best positioned away from direct combat. The Ghoul Blend, given their versatility, can switch between an ambush attacker and a controller, depending on the needs of the party. The Hivemind shines as a battlefield commander, strategically placing undead minions to sway combat. Lastly, the Witch-Knight is the protector, standing firm between danger and her allies while controlling the space around her.

How do these Dread Necromancer builds improve as you level up?

As you gain levels as a Dread Necromancer, the Bad Touch Lady’s melee abilities become more powerful, and her debuffs become more debilitating. The Blood Mage gets more powerful spells that can have a big impact on the battlefield. The Ghoul Blend’s stealth and control abilities become more sophisticated, allowing for more complex and effective tactics. The Hivemind’s ability to command a larger and more powerful undead force becomes a big advantage in any campaign. The Witch-Knight’s defensive abilities scale to make her almost invincible, providing a solid shield for her teammates.

Which spells and abilities should each Dread Necromancer build prioritize?

The Bad Touch Lady build should focus on spells like “Chill Touch” and “Enervation,” as well as abilities that enhance touch attack effectiveness. The Blood Mage build should prioritize spells that use blood as a component, such as “Blood Transcription,” to maximize their power. The Ghoul Blend build will benefit from a combination of necromancy spells and abilities that improve stealth and minion control. The Hivemind build should focus on spells that summon and strengthen undead minions, such as “Animate Dead” and “Command Undead.” The Witch-Knight build should prioritize spells that offer protection and area control, like “Shield” and “Wall of Bones.”

What is the best way to optimize a Dread Necromancer’s undead minions?

To get the most out of your undead minions, you need to choose the right combination of spells, feats, and equipment. Spells that enhance the durability or offensive power of your undead are crucial. Feats such as “Undead Mastery” and “Corpsecrafter” can give your minions a significant boost. Outfitting your undead with magic items that either enhance their strengths or compensate for their weaknesses can also be a game-changing strategy.

What are the best magic items to complement each Dread Necromancer build?

For the Bad Touch Lady, items that increase melee attack bonuses or inflict additional negative effects are ideal. The Blood Mage will benefit from items that preserve health or amplify spell damage. The Ghoul Blend should seek items that enhance stealth and control, such as cloaks of invisibility or rods of undead mastery. The Hivemind’s arsenal should include items that extend the duration and power of summoning spells. The Witch-Knight will find great use in items that bolster defense and resistances, such as enchanted armor and rings of protection.

Tell Us About Your Dread Necromancer Adventures

If you’re prepared to master the forbidden arts and lead the undead legions, join our community now. Engage in in-depth conversations, strategy exchanges, and build enhancement with other players who share your interest in necromancy. Your journey is calling, and the deceased rise at your beck and call. Unlock your potential and evolve into the Dread Necromancer you were destined to become.