Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Verdian 10-03-07, 02:03 AM	I searched through several pages of the forums and was unable to locate an answer to this seemingly basic question about the Animate Undead spell. According to the SRD, when you turn apply the zombie template, the creature "uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here." It then later goes on to say "A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks." My question is, does this lose of special qualities include damage reduction? What about spell and elemental resistance? I am using MonsterForge (which I really like) and when I apply the undead template, the monster seems to keep the above, as well as dark vision and several other things I would have thought it would lose (telekineses, for instance). Thank you for your help.
ArcTan 10-03-07, 02:24 AM	I searched through several pages of the forums and was unable to locate an answer to this seemingly basic question about the Animate Undead spell. According to the SRD, when you turn apply the zombie template, the creature "uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here." It then later goes on to say "A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks." My question is, does this lose of special qualities include damage reduction? What about spell and elemental resistance? None of these improve attacks, so they aren't kept. Whatever damage resistance the original creature had is replaced by the Zombie's DR 5/slashing. I am using MonsterForge (which I really like) and when I apply the undead template, the monster seems to keep the above, as well as dark vision and several other things I would have thought it would lose (telekineses, for instance). Software utilities aren't all that great at keeping track of things like this. Anyway, Zombies *always* have Darkvision -- it's one of the things you get for being Undead. They do not keep anything else.
Verdian 10-03-07, 02:44 AM	Great, thank you for your help.
Nephlite 10-03-07, 08:55 AM	I searched through several pages of the forums and was unable to locate an answer to this seemingly basic question about the Animate Undead spell. According to the SRD, when you turn apply the zombie template, the creature "uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here." It then later goes on to say "A zombie loses most special qualities of the base creature. It retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve its melee or ranged attacks." My question is, does this lose of special qualities include damage reduction? What about spell and elemental resistance? I am using MonsterForge (which I really like) and when I apply the undead template, the monster seems to keep the above, as well as dark vision and several other things I would have thought it would lose (telekineses, for instance). Thank you for your help. There are creatures that have sneak attack from race: a skeleton or zombie one would have the sneak attack. Like a Babau demon.
PhaedrusXY 10-03-07, 02:45 PM	They also keep Extraordinary special attacks, like Improved Grab, etc.
mvincent 10-03-07, 03:22 PM	Side note: Nightmare skeletons retain their flying ability.
ArcTan 10-03-07, 09:32 PM	They also keep Extraordinary special attacks, like Improved Grab, etc. No, they don't. Special Attacks A zombie retains none of the base creature’s special attacks.