Command Undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Command Undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
psilontech
12-17-06, 11:07 AM Hi, I need a little help. I'm getting some very conflicting numbers here from different books, so I need something summed up for me:

How does one determine how many undead one can control? I understand that if you can control 2HD worth of undead, you can either control 2 1d12 skeletons or 1 2d12 whatevers. But how is that number came up with? I've seen varying numbers from you can control whatever your own HD is (You can only control the number of HD1's as your own level, ie a lvl 7 wizard/cleric/dread necromancer can control 7 1d12 skeletong) to a lvl 7 whatever being able to control 28 whatevers. I'm so very confused, could someone please help me out?

Is there any way to increase this number?

Also, do undead you attract with the undead leadership feat count towards the total number of undead you can control?
Thanks! :)
katarl
12-17-06, 11:50 AM You can command up to 4x your caster level when using animate dead. Thats called your HD limit. Each undead can be no more than twice your level in HD.

You can increase this number by being a dread necromancer, taking levels in various prestige classes (like mine below) and feats, by using undead lieutenant spell, and by holding a rod of undead mastery and other items.

Undead commanded by undead leadership do not count towards your hd limit, they're extra, and neither do undead controlled by the command undead spell, or undead spawned by creatures under your control.

The reason for confusion is because 3.0 and 3.5 necromancers are different, they used to get 2x cl, not including other levels.

Jonathan Astern (a PC of mine) has 13 levels in Dread Necromancer, and has a 27 charisma (+8). Thats 13 x 12 (4 base +8 cha). He holds a rod of undead mastery, making 13 x 16 (4+8+4). He has a circlet of undead mastery (+23 hd, unique item), making the total (13 x 16)+23 (231 HD Limit). He also has corpsecrafter, nimble bones, hardened flesh, deadwalkers ring, and undead mastery, granting every corporeal undead he creates a +4 str/dex/init, +2 nat. armour, +10ft base speed and +6hp/hd, and can animate up to a 20hd creature (the limit of animate dead).
psilontech
12-18-06, 01:34 PM Ok, thanks man. Talked to my DM, I apparently can't use Heroes of Horror, so Dread Necromancer is out.

Have a few questions about your numbers there, though.
I see where the 13 comes from (caster level).
What I don't see is how it is you are getting the bonus from both charisma and a base of 4, and why you are multiplying it by the number of undead you can command via clericless kinda rebuke thing.

I would also like to know where in the DMG you god the circlet of undead mastery or the rod of undead mastery, and if they aren't in there, how much they cost.

Thanks!
katarl
12-18-06, 03:06 PM I would also like to know where in the DMG *you god*

I love typos.

What I don't see is how it is you are getting the bonus from both charisma and a base of 4, and why you are multiplying it by the number of undead you can command via clericless kinda rebuke thing.

1st point- its a class feature of the dread necromancer
2nd- ? I'm pretty sure i'm not, but clericless kinda rebuke thing is too vague to be sure.

I would also like to know where in the DMG you god the circlet of undead mastery or the rod of undead mastery, and if they aren't in there, how much they cost.

1st- dm made it up, look at dmg under armour qualities if you want something similar. 2nd- Undead Mastery rod is worth 10 000, and its in Libris Mortis.

Hope it helps.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
psilontech 12-17-06, 11:07 AM	Hi, I need a little help. I'm getting some very conflicting numbers here from different books, so I need something summed up for me: How does one determine how many undead one can control? I understand that if you can control 2HD worth of undead, you can either control 2 1d12 skeletons or 1 2d12 whatevers. But how is that number came up with? I've seen varying numbers from you can control whatever your own HD is (You can only control the number of HD1's as your own level, ie a lvl 7 wizard/cleric/dread necromancer can control 7 1d12 skeletong) to a lvl 7 whatever being able to control 28 whatevers. I'm so very confused, could someone please help me out? Is there any way to increase this number? Also, do undead you attract with the undead leadership feat count towards the total number of undead you can control? Thanks! :)
katarl 12-17-06, 11:50 AM	You can command up to 4x your caster level when using animate dead. Thats called your HD limit. Each undead can be no more than twice your level in HD. You can increase this number by being a dread necromancer, taking levels in various prestige classes (like mine below) and feats, by using undead lieutenant spell, and by holding a rod of undead mastery and other items. Undead commanded by undead leadership do not count towards your hd limit, they're extra, and neither do undead controlled by the command undead spell, or undead spawned by creatures under your control. The reason for confusion is because 3.0 and 3.5 necromancers are different, they used to get 2x cl, not including other levels. Jonathan Astern (a PC of mine) has 13 levels in Dread Necromancer, and has a 27 charisma (+8). Thats 13 x 12 (4 base +8 cha). He holds a rod of undead mastery, making 13 x 16 (4+8+4). He has a circlet of undead mastery (+23 hd, unique item), making the total (13 x 16)+23 (231 HD Limit). He also has corpsecrafter, nimble bones, hardened flesh, deadwalkers ring, and undead mastery, granting every corporeal undead he creates a +4 str/dex/init, +2 nat. armour, +10ft base speed and +6hp/hd, and can animate up to a 20hd creature (the limit of animate dead).
psilontech 12-18-06, 01:34 PM	Ok, thanks man. Talked to my DM, I apparently can't use Heroes of Horror, so Dread Necromancer is out. Have a few questions about your numbers there, though. I see where the 13 comes from (caster level). What I don't see is how it is you are getting the bonus from both charisma and a base of 4, and why you are multiplying it by the number of undead you can command via clericless kinda rebuke thing. I would also like to know where in the DMG you god the circlet of undead mastery or the rod of undead mastery, and if they aren't in there, how much they cost. Thanks!
katarl 12-18-06, 03:06 PM	I would also like to know where in the DMG you god I love typos. What I don't see is how it is you are getting the bonus from both charisma and a base of 4, and why you are multiplying it by the number of undead you can command via clericless kinda rebuke thing. 1st point- its a class feature of the dread necromancer 2nd- ? I'm pretty sure i'm not, but clericless kinda rebuke thing is too vague to be sure. I would also like to know where in the DMG you god the circlet of undead mastery or the rod of undead mastery, and if they aren't in there, how much they cost. 1st- dm made it up, look at dmg under armour qualities if you want something similar. 2nd- Undead Mastery rod is worth 10 000, and its in Libris Mortis. Hope it helps.