Death Knight

[Fluffykeith]

Is it possible to build a Death Knight type character, that’s viable in melee combat and able to use magic to cast Necrotic type spells and raise undead companions?

And preferably without having to be max level to make it at least workable?

[Orion Invictus]

Sure, just depends on the difficulty.

[Necrosian]

Oathbreaker is kinda like fallen paladin, i think it can also summon/raise dead.

[pirate135246]

Oathbreaker Paladin Necromancer Wizard multiclass

[seeker1]

If you want to go to mod-land, Nexus has:

a) the D & D based Death Knight, which I think comes from one of the more unusual sourcebooks (it's not in PHB)
b) a reinterpretation of the WoW Death Knight into D & D, which actually works if you have Script Extender (I don't, so some of his abilities are broken)
c) the Death Domain cleric, which you could mix with a bit of fighter, I suppose.

Plus.... all kinds of Necromancy options for Warlocks and Sorcerors, and stuff that improves on vanilla Necromancy for wizards. Again, maybe mix with fighter.

[RandomAndros]

Yeah, both divine and arcane spellcasters have access to the necromancy / death spheres. If you create a paladin, and violate your oath, you'll become an oathbreaker. Technically, a death knight in D&D (such as Lord Soth) is undead, and is a specific type of creature, but, if you're just looking for this flavor of PC, I would probably do something like:
(1) create a paladin, and break your oath;
(2) multiclass into wizard, sorcerer, or cleric, and choose the death or necromancy sphere or school;
(3) you can choose the reverse, multiclassing into a paladin from a spellcaster and breaking your oath.
Everything beyond that is roleplaying, design, and appropriate character building.

[FuNb0Y86]

Can't you just roll 2 levels in fighter, and then another 10 in wizard/necromancer, retain the ability to wear heavy armor, great weapon fighting, and second wind? Why do we need to use Paladin? It's not like smiting is a thing for Death Knight. Specifically the OP wants to raise minions and cast necromantic spells, so the necromancer makes more sense to me. Then, with two levels in fighter, they can use heavy armor and get the free spec into great weapon fighting right?

[mike_hanna211]

Originally posted by FuNb0Y86:

Can't you just roll 2 levels in fighter, and then another 10 in wizard/necromancer, retain the ability to wear heavy armor, great weapon fighting, and second wind? Why do we need to use Paladin? It's not like smiting is a thing for Death Knight. Specifically the OP wants to raise minions and cast necromantic spells, so the necromancer makes more sense to me. Then, with two levels in fighter, they can use heavy armor and get the free spec into great weapon fighting right?

I think it's because it's a Death "Knight" and Paladins are traditionally viewed as being based off of knights. Oathbreakers get a number of abilities that are necromantic in nature. So it fits an RP-theme for a "Death Knight" type of character.

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Oathbreaker

And why only 2 levels of a martial class? I'd say at least 4, for the feat, and may as well go 5 for the extra attack. This will also give him time to actually break his oath (assuming he chooses to take Paladin).

[FuNb0Y86]

Originally posted by mike_hanna211:

Originally posted by FuNb0Y86:

Can't you just roll 2 levels in fighter, and then another 10 in wizard/necromancer, retain the ability to wear heavy armor, great weapon fighting, and second wind? Why do we need to use Paladin? It's not like smiting is a thing for Death Knight. Specifically the OP wants to raise minions and cast necromantic spells, so the necromancer makes more sense to me. Then, with two levels in fighter, they can use heavy armor and get the free spec into great weapon fighting right?

I think it's because it's a Death "Knight" and Paladins are traditionally viewed as being based off of knights. Oathbreakers get a number of abilities that are necromantic in nature. So it fits an RP-theme for a "Death Knight" type of character.

https://bg3.wiki/wiki/Oathbreaker

And why only 2 levels of a martial class? I'd say at least 4, for the feat, and may as well go 5 for the extra attack. This will also give him time to actually break his oath (assuming he chooses to take Paladin).

Fair enough. Can you play dark urge for this archetype?

Edit: I found the answer online. Dark urge is the easiest way to break an oath... lol

[アンジェル]

Originally posted by Fluffykeith:

Death Knight
Is it possible to build a Death Knight type character, that’s viable in melee combat and able to use magic to cast Necrotic type spells and raise undead companions?

And preferably without having to be max level to make it at least workable?

Warlock 5 / Druid 7

Cleric 5 / Druid 7

If I were you I woud just go

Fighter 6 / Druid 6, wheras the Paladin Oathbreaker is already a good alternative.