What are the two most useless schools of magic for a Necromancer to give up?

[Shellman]

Exactly what the title asks. What are the two most useless schools for a Necromancer to give up?

 

[shilsen]

I'd say definitely Evocation for one, followed by Illusion (or alternatively Enchantment).

 

[Rystil Arden]

I'd say definitely Evocation for one, followed by Illusion (or alternatively Enchantment).

I'd go for Enchantment and Evocation, assuming the GM allows those crazy Conjuration spells from Complete Arcane, but it still hurts to lose those schools.

 

[Grimstaff]

Evocation!? What would you do without fireball!? Why bother playing at all if you cant blow things up?

 

[Grimstaff]

Exactly what the title asks. What are the two most useless schools for a Necromancer to give up?

Abjuration and Conjuration. Necromancers get meat shields from their undead, they dont need Abjuration. Necromancers create undead, they dont summon monsters, so they dont need Conjuration either.

 

[VirgilCaine]

I suppose they could give up Enchantment easily...I guess they could lose illusion. But that's several good low-level buffs. Ah well.

 

[Pseudonym]

I gave up evocation and enchantment. Worked out well.

Shadow conjuration fills in the gaps when you absolutly need that evocation spell, and the effect looks cool for a necromancer.

The answer though largly depends upon what role your necromancer will play in the party.

 

[Pseudonym]

Necromancers create undead, they dont summon monsters, so they dont need Conjuration either.

Summon Undead is a conjuration spell. Shame to give that up.

 

[Merlion]

Not to mention that the Summon Monster spells suck anyway and most of the best Conjurations have nothing to do with summoning.


I'd probably drop Enchantment and Illusion. You loose Invisibility and some nice party buffs but...

And one could do without Evocation. I just like having some proper direct damage, especially MM.

 

[Drowbane]

Abjuration and Conjuration. Necromancers get meat shields from their undead, they dont need Abjuration. Necromancers create undead, they dont summon monsters, so they dont need Conjuration either.

Isn't "Summon Undead" from Libris Mortis (and I think Magic of Faerun originally) from Conjuration?

Personally, I'd give up Evocation and Illusion. Evocation because I almost always play Wizards who are either Evokers, or otherwise rely on Evocation in a pinch. And Illusion because it used to be the Barred School for Necromancy anyways... Although Necro and Illusion can be great fun together....