Specialist mage, Necros and evil? Options

[Frazurblu]

If you want to play a specialist mage protaganist there is really no bad choice (possible exception: Wild mage) . I notice from the posts that Necromancers get more press than the others. What particular benefits does the Necromancer enjoy over other arcane casters? (I am aware there is an artifact just for him). Also does anyone believe that Necromancers should perhaps have to be Evil?

Also on the subject of Evil are there any plans for a more Evil-friendly path? One which would hopefully bring back the thief or even better the assassin as a more optimal character. I notice that not many posters view Korgan , Viconia or Edwin as interesting NPCs in IA which is in sharp contrast to the vanilla game and most other mods in which they were seen as perhaps the strongest representatives of their respective classes.

[Sikret]

What particular benefits does the Necromancer enjoy over other arcane casters?

Single class mages (including Necromancers) have the highest possible chance to train successful apprenti (even more chance than sorcerers). This means higher chance to forge Robe of the Apprenti which is required to forge Memory of the Apprenti.

Forging Memory of the Apprenti triggers a new encounter; hence, single class mages indirectly have more chance to see something new.

Also, there is one new necromantic spell in IA and at least one more will be added in the next version.

Also, see what Arkain wrote about the Illusionist school as the opposite school of Necromancy. As a necormancer you will not have access to spells of illusion school, but can memorize and cast one more spell per spell level.

I am aware there is an artifact just for him.

Yes.

Also does anyone believe that Necromancers should perhaps have to be Evil?

No, there is no such limitation.

Also on the subject of Evil are there any plans for a more Evil-friendly path?

In the long-term, yes. But for now, having a good aligned party will lead you to see more new quests.