First off, I've always been a fan of the Necromancer in Talisman. Necromancy in general, actually. In fact, it's probably my number one reason for buying a game (I'm a sucker for an army of the undead!).

However, the Necromancer in Talisman strikes me as particularly lackluster- basically a master of psychic combat and not much else. So for the past year or so, I've been using this revised Necromancer I've created. I feel it has more flavour and balance than the previous version.

I've gotten rid of his psychic combat ability (and one of his starting spells) in favour of a means to get spells via "communing" with spirits. He is a necromancer, after all, and speaking with the dead is what they do! Secondly, I've changed his "enthrall" ability to a more general "reanimate" ability using his trophies as a resource. This "reanimate" ability is my favorite creation, and has the trophies fight in his place (instead of adding their strength/craft to his) both to protect the Necromancer and limit the power he can attack with. Using trophies ensures there is a noticeable sacrifice for this one-time combat boon, and means that the Necomancer is giving up personal power in the long term for his command over the dead.

My real question, however, is if he is balanced game-play wise. I like to think I'm a decent judge of such things, but in this case I'm hardly an impartial party (and with characters like the Dark Cultist and Alchemist running around out there, whose to say what's balanced?)

Any criticism, input, or advice would be greatly appreciated- mainly, does he seem overpowered or underpowered at all? And what might be added/subtracted? I personally am pleased with how he has tested in the game- I've won about as much as anybody else, and besides dying less often, have noticed no game-breaking changes with the new Necromancer (in fact, I often feel rather underpowered).

Thanks in advance! And happy gaming!