Amount of controlled undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Amount of controlled undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Pasquirlio
04-22-05, 06:50 AM I have to say I get very confused with all the different numbers i keep seeing, so I was hoping someone could specify for me how many HD of undead can be controlled through spells(I've seen 4x caster level as well as 2x casterlevel)
how many can be controlled through the clerics rebuke&command ability and if there is a limit to the amound you can summon with the summon undead spells(I mean with casting the spell over and over, i know each casting doesnt allow a single undead of more than caster level+1)

Thanks for any clarity anyone can give me on this^^
Seeker95
04-22-05, 08:04 AM The differences in each of the descriptions are valid and consistent. To incorporate the various sources, just look for these differences in application:

1. Maximum number of undead affected with each casting.
2. Maximum number of undead affected in total.

That's where you get the 2x vs. 4x
The former is the number of hit dice you can affect with a single casting.
The latter is the maximum number your can control total.
Pasquirlio
04-22-05, 09:23 AM Thanks for replying but the spells i refer too actully both mention that the maximum you control is 2HD (Ghoul Gauntlet in Libris Mortis amongst others) or 4HD(Plague of Undead also in libris Mortis also amongst others)

Both really refer too the maximum amount you can have under control not counting those you've commanded as a cleric. It just puzzles me greatly. :confused:

Furtehr help would be appreciated
Bonzai
04-22-05, 11:40 AM Ok, here are the means of controling undead:

Animate: as in the animate dead spell. The limit is 2hd per casting, with a total of 4hd that you can control through animate.

Command: as in the Comand Undead spell. This is a charm, so the control in marginal. However there is no set limit.

Command: as in an evil Clerics rebuke/Command. This is always equal to the the cleric lvl.

Control: as in Control undead (also with spells like ghoul Gauntlet). This is always 2hd per lvl.

The main thing to avoid confusion is to see whether they use the words animate or control. This lets you know if it falls under the 4hd limit or the 2hd limit. All of these methods of control are independant of one another, so for example a True Necromancer could have rebuked/commanded undead, animated undead, and controlled undead for a total of 7hd of undead, plus whatever he can Command.
Pasquirlio
04-22-05, 12:13 PM Thank you so much^^

Is there anywhere or any book where the animate and control difference is clearly stated? It be easier to explain it to my DM that way.

Also confusing is that animate dead also says control......... which spells do which? or is the total HD allowed the only way to tell?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pasquirlio 04-22-05, 06:50 AM	I have to say I get very confused with all the different numbers i keep seeing, so I was hoping someone could specify for me how many HD of undead can be controlled through spells(I've seen 4x caster level as well as 2x casterlevel) how many can be controlled through the clerics rebuke&command ability and if there is a limit to the amound you can summon with the summon undead spells(I mean with casting the spell over and over, i know each casting doesnt allow a single undead of more than caster level+1) Thanks for any clarity anyone can give me on this^^
Seeker95 04-22-05, 08:04 AM	The differences in each of the descriptions are valid and consistent. To incorporate the various sources, just look for these differences in application: 1. Maximum number of undead affected with each casting. 2. Maximum number of undead affected in total. That's where you get the 2x vs. 4x The former is the number of hit dice you can affect with a single casting. The latter is the maximum number your can control total.
Pasquirlio 04-22-05, 09:23 AM	Thanks for replying but the spells i refer too actully both mention that the maximum you control is 2HD (Ghoul Gauntlet in Libris Mortis amongst others) or 4HD(Plague of Undead also in libris Mortis also amongst others) Both really refer too the maximum amount you can have under control not counting those you've commanded as a cleric. It just puzzles me greatly. :confused: Furtehr help would be appreciated
Bonzai 04-22-05, 11:40 AM	Ok, here are the means of controling undead: Animate: as in the animate dead spell. The limit is 2hd per casting, with a total of 4hd that you can control through animate. Command: as in the Comand Undead spell. This is a charm, so the control in marginal. However there is no set limit. Command: as in an evil Clerics rebuke/Command. This is always equal to the the cleric lvl. Control: as in Control undead (also with spells like ghoul Gauntlet). This is always 2hd per lvl. The main thing to avoid confusion is to see whether they use the words animate or control. This lets you know if it falls under the 4hd limit or the 2hd limit. All of these methods of control are independant of one another, so for example a True Necromancer could have rebuked/commanded undead, animated undead, and controlled undead for a total of 7hd of undead, plus whatever he can Command.
Pasquirlio 04-22-05, 12:13 PM	Thank you so much^^ Is there anywhere or any book where the animate and control difference is clearly stated? It be easier to explain it to my DM that way. Also confusing is that animate dead also says control......... which spells do which? or is the total HD allowed the only way to tell?