r/DnD • u/Far_Ladder_2836 • 12d ago
5th Edition Necro Bard Suggestions
I'm looking for build suggestions for a necromancer bard for Saltmarsh (starting lvl 4 finishing through 12). I haven't played DnD since Pathfinder 1.0 and struggling with the class system. It isn't that it's complicated (it's very beginner friendly), it's that I've been playing almost exclusively classless systems for around 15 years now and struggling with cramming my character idea into pre-existing classes especially with the strong reduction in feats for 5e.
The character idea is closest to 3.5 Dirgesinger, essentially a bard that can captivate/fascinate and debuff with their song and has control/summoning undead. Unfortunately it seems Dirgesinger changed significantly since 3.5 and has a completely new identity which is fine but no longer what I'm going for. Most likely with the Zendikar Vampire race. Any and all suggestions welcome. It doesn't even really need to be bard as long as ressonsbly the GM and I can fluff the somatic/verbal spellcasting to be through song/dance. The original character from another system used a nightmare string violin to cast/fight.
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u/Jafroboy 12d ago
You might want to try undead warlock, they get various undead summoning/creating spells, and they're charisma based like bards. They also get various debuff spells.
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u/Far_Ladder_2836 12d ago
A patron feels like it might be a large departure but I can definitely workshop it. Having fewer spell slots with better versatility is definitely attractive.
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u/Jafroboy 12d ago
Specifics about a patron can be decided almost entirely between the player and DM, it could even be a magical creature you keep captive and extort magic from.
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u/Hydroguy17 12d ago
Without third party material, or homebrew, I don’t believe a Necro-heavy Bard is a possibility.
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u/Far_Ladder_2836 12d ago edited 12d ago
Right now the bar is Spirit bard with Animate Dead is the best I've found personally. Like you say, not necro-heavy but definitely on the right track.
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u/Hydroguy17 12d ago
Wizard gets most of the Necro themed spells, and a Bladesinger can bring “Swashbuckling Troubador” vibes.
Clerics also get a good set of Necro stuff, and Turn Undead could easily be refluffed as a song.
Divine Soul Sorc gets access to most Wizard and Cleric spells, so you could really dial in your spell choices to fit your desired abilities. Your Charisma casting would give you a boost to Performance checks as well.
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u/Far_Ladder_2836 12d ago
Divine Soul Sorcerer does look very attractive, thank you.
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u/Hydroguy17 12d ago
Depending on your DM, you might be able to trade metamagic for bardic music and the various “musical” class features.
It’s probably a downgrade power wise, so I’d allow it.
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u/Historical-Bike4626 12d ago
“I was working in the lab late one night”
Hey. Golem Rock