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.

[Momo_Kozuki]

Necromancer is established to be evil in the Source because they disturb the dead through forceful control.


Necromancer in Heroes' Gauntlet may work differently. Like, as a medium who asks the dead for aid. Or she is a WoL who has lost her beloved people and grief to the point she studies dark art, but her heart is still of a justice holder, unlike Edda who has gone too deep into the rabbit hole. Similar to Thief being considered evil for WoL in the Source, but in another shard, a thief is akin to Robin Hood, so it is regarded as a hero class to local people.


If FF14 ever adds an undead-user class, I think the name would change. Like Spiritualist. I like talk to the dead and help them rest, like Yuna who helps the Unsent.

[Kolsykol]

Necromancer is established to be evil in the Source because they disturb the dead through forceful control.


Necromancer in Heroes' Gauntlet may work differently. Like, as a medium who asks the dead for aid. Or she is a WoL who has lost her beloved people and grief to the point she studies dark art, but her heart is still of a justice holder, unlike Edda who has gone too deep into the rabbit hole. Similar to Thief being considered evil for WoL in the Source, but in another shard, a thief is akin to Robin Hood, so it is regarded as a hero class to local people.


If FF14 ever adds an undead-user class, I think the name would change. Like Spiritualist. I like talk to the dead and help them rest, like Yuna who helps the Unsent.

Is it actually stated where the Necromancer in the dungeon is from?
I can't really remember.

Necromancers may be viewed differently in one of the reflection.

[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.

[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.

[ElizanderNorisse]

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

Smells like double-standards to me. But at least we’re getting the “bad guys” gear now.

[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.

[Burmecia]

Is this some DnD bias to presume they are evil?

Surely there is million reasons why someone might go on their way to practice necromancy if it is possible.

If there is necromancy for evil reasons, there could be necromancy for as close to honourable reasons as there can be. Right?

[Vryn]

Is this some DnD bias to presume they are evil?

Surely there is million reasons why someone might go on their way to practice necromancy if it is possible.

If there is necromancy for evil reasons, there could be necromancy for as close to honourable reasons as there can be. Right?

Your reasons for an evil act may be honourable; however, it is not inherently a noble act. Even if a culture practised necromancy as a religion and found it justified and ethical themselves, the rest of the world would find it gross mutilation of the sanctity of the body and the soul.

After all, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. It can be applied to more than just necromancy. Usually, people try to rectify some systemic wrong with culture, society, and religion to cause more issues and death because it goes against human nature or the natural order. They may feel their reasons are honourable and just; however, their methods are not, which could be said with necromancy. Your reasons for doing it may be noble, but the act itself is not a gross violation of life.

Which is why it is metal as hell. LET ME BE ONE. I want to be able to play a bad guy for once in a game.