Are necromancers necessarily evil?

[Kranel_San]

Necromancers are one of the most popular requested jobs, not only in FFXIV but in other MMOs as well (Wherever they're not available). However, the reason why we haven't and probably won't ever get a necromancer job is because of how they're morally viewed both in-game and irl. Among the various jobs we have, it can be said that necromancers are the most that cross the line of morality in a negative light.
A necromancer running around in town would raise alarms and spread fear among townsfolk if lore-prospective is to be taken, but thinking of it. Is it truly the case? Are necromancers necessarily evil? Black magic is considered to be a forbidden art by more than one culture, and while white magic provides beneficial effects, it's still considered less of the same (Thanks to the Padjal). We also have reapers who cross the line and directly deal with voidsents and dark knights who mostly do not give a good first impression.
Despite all the mentioned above, the WoL is capable of being all of them with no lore or moral issues, as they're not used for evil or selfish ends. Which makes me wonder if the same can be applied to necromancers?
Must the necromancer be someone who raises the dead? Or just a category that has some schools of magic under it? Ice (Frost) is an element often associated with death in many media. Would it be an issue if a school of necromancy focuses on using frost spells instead of utilizing zombie minions? Another example would be blood-themed spells, which focus on stealing the enemies lifeforce to empower your own. We already have this for DRK and RPR but it's another idea for a necromancer beyond the generic image.
I believe it's possible to pull out a necromancer job in a new concept that is different than what we already have from previous FF games, as it shouldn't be limited to one concept.

[TheMightyMollusk]

We fight against a Necromancer of Light in the Heroes' Gauntlet, so it's not impossible. Seems like the devs just don't want to go there, though.

[ElizanderNorisse]

You can be a Necromancer in FFV, and are a Warrior of Light, so I can't see why we shouldn't in FFXIV too. And like what Iyami said, we did encounter a Necromancer of Light in Shadowbringers, so it is possible.

Even if it is “evil" so what? It's just a game anyway.

[Elysidelphi]

Necromancers are one of the most popular requested jobs, not only in FFXIV but in other MMOs as well (Wherever they're not available). However, the reason why we haven't and probably won't ever get a necromancer job is because of how they're morally viewed both in-game and irl. Among the various jobs we have, it can be said that necromancers are the most that cross the line of morality in a negative light.
A necromancer running around in town would raise alarms and spread fear among townsfolk if lore-prospective is to be taken, but thinking of it. Is it truly the case? Are necromancers necessarily evil? Black magic is considered to be a forbidden art by more than one culture, and while white magic provides beneficial effects, it's still considered less of the same (Thanks to the Padjal). We also have reapers who cross the line and directly deal with voidsents and dark knights who mostly do not give a good first impression.
Despite all the mentioned above, the WoL is capable of being all of them with no lore or moral issues, as they're not used for evil or selfish ends. Which makes me wonder if the same can be applied to necromancers?
Must the necromancer be someone who raises the dead? Or just a category that has some schools of magic under it? Ice (Frost) is an element often associated with death in many media. Would it be an issue if a school of necromancy focuses on using frost spells instead of utilizing zombie minions? Another example would be blood-themed spells, which focus on stealing the enemies lifeforce to empower your own. We already have this for DRK and RPR but it's another idea for a necromancer beyond the generic image.
I believe it's possible to pull out a necromancer job in a new concept that is different than what we already have from previous FF games, as it shouldn't be limited to one concept.

I agree with what you said, and I would love it if FFXIV added a Necromancer job at some point.

In regards to necromancers in other media and this idea that they are surely evil, I just never really understood it. I have always thought that necromancers could be good or neutral. For example, Garth Nix's book series called The Old Kingdom (or Abhorsen) has a different take on necromancers and their lore and does not portray them as necessarily evil. I've always thought that necromancers have so much potential to them story-wise. Some of them could indeed be evil and raise the dead as mindless minions, but then we could also have good necromancers who could actually help put the zombies to rest, for example. Or necromancers could raise the dead and actually give them a second chance at life, without transforming them into mindless minions/zombies. Necromancers could also potentially interact with restless ghosts/lost spirits and guide them into the spirit world to find peace. I just think there is so much potential for necromancers, and I kind of dislike this general approach to them that most seem to have where they are considered automatically evil.

[Raoabolic]

Even if it "evil" so what? It's just a game anyway.

Something something ethics, something something. Sorry, now shove that necromancer fantasy in the back with the Garlamand ending.

[Nanne]

You can always clear PotD 200 solo and become a Necromancer

[KizuyaKatogami]

Something something ethics, something something. Sorry, now shove that necromancer fantasy in the back with the Garlamand ending.

Not disagreeing with you because that’s probably the reason, but i just find it funny how the devs have said they don’t want any evil jobs for the wol and i believe they used thief and necromancer as an example. Meanwhile we have Drk where wol goes on a killing spree and now reaper where their avatar consumes beings souls…. but sure yoshi p, necromancer and thief are just HORRIBLE.

[Raoabolic]

Not disagreeing with you because that’s probably the reason, but i just find it funny how the devs have said they don’t want any evil jobs for the wol and i believe they used thief and necromancer as an example. Meanwhile we have Drk where wol goes on a killing spree and now reaper where their avatar consumes beings souls…. but sure yoshi p, necromancer and thief are just HORRIBLE.

If you pointed a gun to my head and demanded an in-game lore reason why Necros are bad then I would simply say: "Sil'dih". Though we have Garlieans running a mercenary group in Ul'dah so who knows, lol. /shrug

[Aluja89]

Not disagreeing with you because that’s probably the reason, but i just find it funny how the devs have said they don’t want any evil jobs for the wol and i believe they used thief and necromancer as an example. Meanwhile we have Drk where wol goes on a killing spree and now reaper where their avatar consumes beings souls…. but sure yoshi p, necromancer and thief are just HORRIBLE.

Same old Yoshida and his double standards.

[Lauront]

You can be a Necromancer in FFV, and are a Warrior of Light, so I can't see why we shouldn't in FFXIV too. And like what Iyami said, we did encounter a Necromancer of Light in Shadowbringers, so it is possible.

Even if it "evil" so what? It's just a game anyway.

^This. I would love a playable necromancer or void mage.

I agree with what you said, and I would love it if FFXIV added a Necromancer job at some point.

In regards to necromancers in other media and this idea that they are surely evil, I just never really understood it. I have always thought that necromancers could be good or neutral. For example, Garth Nix's book series called The Old Kingdom (or Abhorsen) has a different take on necromancers and their lore and does not portray them as necessarily evil. I've always thought that necromancers have so much potential to them story-wise. Some of them could indeed be evil and raise the dead as mindless minions, but then we could also have good necromancers who could actually help put the zombies to rest, for example. Or necromancers could raise the dead and actually give them a second chance at life, without transforming them into mindless minions/zombies. Necromancers could also potentially interact with restless ghosts/lost spirits and guide them into the spirit world to find peace. I just think there is so much potential for necromancers, and I kind of dislike this general approach to them that most seem to have where they are considered automatically evil.

Indeed, they always get lazily filed under "evil" jobs/classes, and it need not be that way - but even so, as Elizander and Kizuya have said, it's a case of "so what?" as well.