Dungeons & Dragons can easily be described as a game of heroes and villains, after all, almost every quest ends with an encounter with some kind of monster or nefarious schemer. You always want these encounters and the storylines around them to be interesting for your players, but that requires a great villain.
Perhaps no villain is more synonymous with high fantasy than the evil necromancer, a wizard with the power and desire to raise the dead to do their bidding. The trope is so well-known that it's a cliché, so it's hard to avoid the pitfalls when your Necromancer feels like a parody. We're here to help with tips to make sure your Necromancer hits the target.
8 Make them a person
Not just a villain
If all you do is be an evil necromancer, that's all you'll get. A two-dimensional and unmemorable villain that your players won't encounter other than fighting them. But if you take the time to make them into full-fledged individuals, you will get something much more satisfying.
Think about who they are and what led them to this path. Give them some personality traits and think about whether they are cold or anxiously friendly, brash or timid. The more you invest in making them a person and not just a villain, the more your players will care about them and their story.
7 Think about motivation
Necromancy is not for everyone
Any villain who became an evil Necromancer just for the sake of being an evil Necromancer should be in a cartoon. Instead, think about why your Necromancer went down this dark path, their motivations will inform their character and help you learn how they will react when your players inevitably do something unexpected.
Perhaps they fear their own death and are looking for a way around it, or have been devastated by the loss of a loved one and hope to find the strength to bring them back. Their reasons may not even be related to necromancy itself, it may simply be a tool to achieve an unrelated goal.
6 Set the tone
Make sure your players are happy
It's easy to get carried away with your latest villain idea, but make sure you don't get carried away with yourself. Always make sure to match the tone of the game your players are looking for. Session Zero is perfect for setting this up.
Not everyone will enjoy gruesome descriptions of the rising dead, just as not everyone will want their villains to be morally complex. Some players want to fight the bad guy and have a few laughs, while others want a multi-layered villain and a horror-based narrative. Don't forget to provide an experience according to your player's preferences.
5 Minions are everything
Monster Mash
Normally, a Necromancer wouldn't be caught dead or undead for that matter without their minions to do their bidding. There are tons of incredible undead monsters in D&D, so take the time to choose the ones that are the best fit for your Necromancer.
Zombies and skeletons never go out of style, but if your necromancer is more like Dr. Frankenstein, don't overlook the Flesh Golems. If they need to summon the undead somewhere without bodies, ghost materialization is a great option. You are only limited by your necromancer's imagination.
4 Use them again
Never say die
Just because your Necromancer is defeated by your players doesn't mean it has to be gone forever. After all, power over death is their specialty, so they can easily have a contingency in case they ever get killed by a gang of meddling do-gooders.
Killing them can only be temporary, life returning to their bodies once the group leaves. Or they themselves will rise as undead brought back by their own dark magic. A recurring villain is a great way to surprise your players, usually when they aren't expecting it.
Especially experienced players may have the brains to destroy your necromancer's body, especially if the kill doesn't seem to stick. If they do, and you want to keep using your Necromancer, just ghost them, affecting events more indirectly.
3 Give them a master
Everyone has a master
Your Necromancer may be the last villain in your company, but if they aren't, it's worth considering if there's someone more powerful than them who could be your next villain. This provides a clear progression from one part of your campaign to the next.
Relatives
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Perhaps they serve a vampire and hope to become one themselves, or are apprenticed to an ancient Lich. They may be in the service of Vecna himself or even Orcus, the Demon Lord of the Undead. Whoever you choose, consider how they might react to the news of your Necromancer's defeat.
Necromancy isn't all there is to it
It's only natural to want to lean heavily on your villain's theme, but remember that your Necromancer shouldn't use necromancy as the sole solution to every problem. They will know other types of magic and have other resources available.
If you want to keep a strong theme, you can make them more themed. A fireball spell can be made of sickly green flames, an assassin can have the pale complexion of a corpse, and a corrupt city guard can be able to talk to his dead lover instead of being paid in coins.
1 Tempt your players and their characters
Everyone wants something
Combat is one of Dungeons & Dragons' strongest points, but don't use it right away just because it's fun. When faced with a threat from your player characters, think about how your necromancer villain might try to tempt them to the dark side.
They can offer powerful magical items of the dark nature, eternal life, or even the ability to reunite with a beloved NPC who has died. It doesn't matter if they can deliver on those promises, it's important to let your players fight the temptation.
