Post/Author/DateTime	Post
GauHelldragon 10-27-04, 07:19 PM	Plague of Undead seems to be just a souped up version of the level 3/5 spell "animate dead" The difference is that where with animate dead, you only create 2hd of undead per level per casting, with Plague of Undead you create 4hd of undead per level per casting. This seems like a nice deal, but by the time you're actually able to cast this spell ( level 17 ), the limit on undead created with a single casting of "animate dead" is 34. The limit on undead created with plague of undead would then be 68. However, skeletons and zombies can only have up to 20 hd, so the spell isn't going to give you access to stronger undead. The amount you can create is twice as much, but the limit on the total undead you can have controlled at any time is the same for both spells, so simply casting "animate dead" twice will have the exact same effects as casting plague of undead. While plague of undead does have the advantage of having a smaller material component (assuming you are raising a lot of hd worth of undead), I don't think that makes it worth being a lvl 9 spell. I donno... I am probably missing something here.. what do you guys think?
DarkerDreams 10-27-04, 11:36 PM	I think you're undervaluing the savings on material components, range, and only casting once. of course, if you really want hordes of undead check out mongoose's "book of necromancy" (carefull with game balance... it's mongoose) specifically the spells; raise death hulk, raise death fleet, and one I forget the name of - might be raise necropolis? something like that... I'm sure you get the point though.
darczero 10-28-04, 01:10 AM	It's called "Raise City" and it's almost a direct reprint of the Psionic Enchantment "Raise Nation." For those not familiar with Psionic Enchantments, they were spells only available to Dragons or Avangions (the PrC, 2nd edition Dark Sun). The only real difference I see between the two (I do have both versions) is that the 2nd ed version allowed the skeletons/zombies to leave the immediate vicinity, while Mongoose's version (Open Game Content, by the way) doesn't allow them to venture farther than 25 miles without crumbling to dust.
CrimsonRyoko 11-01-04, 03:11 AM	Its one of those VERY AWESOME IN THE RIGHT PLACE spells that ive come to love and loath. In the middle of a graveyard, abandoned, and with noone around for miles, its kinda pointless, except saving Materials. In the middle of a MASS battle, all of your undead have been slain, but they have taken down half of the opposing army, this spell can be AMAZING. Casting time: 1 standard action, and you dont have to place the materials on the bodies of the corpses ya wanna raise. Sooooo, in the middle of battle, you can raise not only your slain army if they were alive back up to continue, but the enemies army if alive as well! Its one of those greatly movie cinematic spells - the hoardes have fallen, and the withered old mage comes out, says a few cryptic words, and half of the fallen army suddenly raises from the ground, skin falling off, and skeletons charge into the opposing faction. Hell this spell can be awesome just for the fact that you dont need to place material comp into the corpses. . . .
Sancus 11-01-04, 03:54 AM	is this in libris mortis?
Bloodtide_the_Red 11-01-04, 07:21 AM	There is no HD limit for Plague of Undead. Read the line in the MM again...If a skeleton has more then 20HD it can't be animated with the spell ANIMATE DEAD. So....Plague of Undead can do this. And yes, Plague of Undead follows the Hd control limit and the bones/bodies needed of animate dead, but that's it. Now, naturaly, this is not clear in the description. You can easly misread the 'same restrictions' line, as it's not clear. But I think it's safe to say a 9th level spell can make undead of any HD. An 11HD zombie at least.... The spell is a lot cheaper too. And the fun bit.....you think Plage of Undead gets it's creation limit doubled inside a Descrate spell area of effect, like Animate Dead does? Lots of fun there....(Oh, I'd vote yes ). BT
DarkerDreams 11-01-04, 05:34 PM	~winces~ I hadn't even gotten to the double limit in a desecrate area... pale master anyone?