Necromancer

Necromancer
type	Mage
description	These mages specialize in binding the spirits that are drawn to death. They can put the fear of death into enemies, bring spirits to fight on their behalf and even cause devastating explosions when their enemies die.

Necromancer is a Mage specialization in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Description

From "Mortalitasi: For the Living, the Dead." The words of Speaker Viuus Anaxas make one passage stand out:

We are of this world, and as with any piece that seeks to leave its element, there is a void when we abandon the mortal. It must be that this would hold our returning to the Maker. It must be that we should seek balance. It must be that the Maker's first children aid the second.

An account:

Breath ceased on the hour exactly. We felt his absence in that moment, and were ready. It was gentle, and all were calmed by the signs of spirit entering, knowing there would be no chains on their loved one. Unfettered, he would find the side of the Maker. But that was not the training for the battlefield. I had heard the accounts and knew my role, and I was ready. Then our warriors signaled the charge, and I was not ready. Breath was not stilled by the hour and was not gentle. And I was sore afraid. Then the enemy countered, and I saw blades come for the good men whom I had stood beside, and I would not allow it! The dead who had fallen, I bid their forms to serve, and it was the turn of our foes to know fear. But I had peace, for I had granted the fallen greater purpose, and in doing, had honored life by protecting it.

Detailed ritual instructions follow.

—From Codex entry: Way of the Necromancer

These mages specialize in binding the spirits that are drawn to death. According to Solas, a necromancer is actually binding wisps too simple to be considered spirits. Cole claims that the necromancer draws "pieces" that could become spirits from the Fade and that energy is used for the necromancer's spells. They can put the fear of death into enemies, bring spirits to fight on their behalf, and even cause devastating explosions when their enemies die.

Power of the Dead and Death Siphon are passives that strengthen you the more your enemies fall. With Blinding Terror's damage bonus against panicked enemies, the necromancer tree synergizes well with Inferno abilities whose AoE spells incinerate packed enemies in choke points and also inflict fear effects.

Acquisition

This specialization is obtainable through the quest Way of the Necromancer, obtained from Viuus Anaxas.

Ability tree

Necromancer Spell Set

Spells

Horror

Activated Size: 3m Activation: 50 mana Cooldown: 24s

You unleash spirits of fear that terrify all enemies within the area. Panic Duration: 6 seconds

Despair Upgrade Requires: Horror

Horror inflicts even deeper terror unto targets and reduces their armor while they are under its effects. Spirit Damage: 50% weapon damage per second Armor Reduction: 20%

Terror Upgrade Requires: Trespasser

Enemies struck by Horror cower in place and do not react to attacks until they take significant damage. Health Threshold: 25%

Death Siphon

Passive Requires: Horror

Every time an enemy dies nearby, you regain both health and mana. Mana Amount: 20 Health Amount: 10% Constitution +3

Blinding Terror

Passive Requires: Horror

You have learned to leave enemies vulnerable in their terror. Enemies that are panicked take increased damage from all attacks. Damage Bonus vs. Panicked: 15% Magic +3

Power of the Dead

Passive Requires: Death Siphon

Killing enemies attracts spirits that increase the power of your spells for a short time. Damage Bonus: 20% Duration: 10 seconds Willpower +3

Simulacrum

Passive Requires: Blinding Terror

If you are knocked unconscious, a spirit you control takes on your likeness and fights on your behalf for a short time. The spirit draws magic directly from the fade, casting spells without cost. You cannot be revived by any means until the spirit leaves. Duration: 10 seconds Willpower +3

Spirit Mark

Activated Activation: 50 mana Duration: 12s Cooldown: 20s Requires: Power of the Dead

You mark a target with an attacking spirit, inflicting ongoing damage. If the target dies while marked, the spirit mimics the victims body briefly to fight on your behalf. Spirit Damage: 75% weapon damage per second Charm Duration: 15 seconds

Lingering Mark Upgrade Requires: Spirit Mark

Targets you kill with Spirit Mark now fight for you even longer and harder. Damage Bonus: 100% Charm Duration: 45 seconds

Wisps of the Fallen Upgrade Requires: Trespasser

You can now have multiple marked targets. When a marked target dies, a wisp appears and attacks with you for a short time. Damage: 100% weapon damage Charm Duration: 30 seconds Cooldown Reduction: 5 seconds This effect stacks.

Walking Bomb

Activated Activation: 65 mana Cooldown: 20s Requires: Simulacrum

You curse an enemy, inflicting ongoing spirit damage, and then trigger the curse in a devastating explosion. Spirit Damage: 200% weapon damage per second Duration: 10 seconds Explosion Damage: 600% weapon damage Area of Effect: 5 meters

Virulent Upgrade Requires: Walking Bomb

If Walking Bomb kills your target, the effect spreads to nearby enemies, causing secondary explosions.

Concentrated Detonation Upgrade Requires: Trespasser

Manually detonating Walking Bomb now directs the explosion inward, dealing significantly more damage to the target but none to any nearby enemies. Damage: 900% weapon damage

Haste

Activated Duration: 6-12-20s Requires: Death Siphon or Blinding Terror

You increase the speed of the entire party. While this ability is active, all enemies move and attack more slowly by comparison. This ability consumes and is powered by Focus. Tier 1: Slow by 85% for 6 seconds Tier 2: Slow by 85% for 12 seconds Tier 3: Slow by 85% for 20 seconds

Notes

• Although it has no practical consequences, Josephine warns that the reputation of necromancy is bad enough that she will avoid the topic as much as she can diplomatically. Cassandra is also negative about it, but stops short of officially disapproving. Solas will Slightly Approve or Slightly Disapprove of the Inquisitor's motivations, but not their overall choice, and points out that Dorian uses similar magic. Dorian himself, interestingly, doesn't comment on the Inquisitor's decision, despite having the Necromancer specialization himself.
• Blackwall and Cole will both Disapprove upon talking to them, but will Slightly Approve if you say it helps in combat or apologize, respectively.
• According to Mary Kirby, Necromancy qualifies as blood magic. However, Viuus Anaxas directly opposes the suggestion that necromancy is blood magic, pointing out that blood magic consumes life, manipulating and destroying the living, while necromancy honours life by venerating the dead.
• Trick Weekes has since clarified that necromancy and blood magic are two different practices, though some necromantic practices can make use of blood magic.
• According to Trick Weekes, the Necromancy skills work directly with spirits or low-level spirit-like entities. Necromancy does not bring the dead back to life.

Known Necromancers

• Dorian Pavus
• Emmrich Volkarin
• The Inquisitor (conditional)
• Quentin
• Rook (conditional)
• Sidony
• Vestalus Pentaghast – prelate of the Mortalitasi and Cassandra's uncle
• Viuus Anaxas