Arcane spells to command undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Arcane spells to command undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
edsonaoki
10-19-04, 03:59 PM I always found silly 3.5 arcane casters being able to create intelligent undead but unable to control them (since undead created by create undead spells are free-willed). The command undead spell should be better called charm undead (since it's what it does...).

I understand that rebuke/command undead is a divine power and thus does not suit arcane casters.

I expected something would appear on Libris Mortis, but it seems I was mistaken... well, here are some simple ideas:

Command Undead, Greater
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 5
Duration: One day/level or Permanent (see text)

This spell functions like command undead, except that if the subject has HD equal or less than half your level, or it is unintelligent, it automatically obeys your orders and the duration is permanent.

Suicidal or obviously harmful orders break the spell, if the subject is an intelligent undead creature.

As with command undead, any act by you or your apparent allies that threatens the commanded undead (regardless of its Intelligence) breaks the spell.

Command Undead, Mass
Necromancy
Level: Sor/Wiz 6
Targets: One or more undead creatures, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart

This spell functions like command undead, except that mass command undead affects a number of undead creatures whose combined HD do not exceed twice your level, or at least one undead creature regardless of HD. If there are more potential targets than you can affect, you choose them one at a time until you choose a undead creature with too many HD.
Seeker95
10-19-04, 07:01 PM I'd step it up one more notch:
Command Undead, Greater, Mass
:devil:
Sancus
10-20-04, 05:28 AM You create a lot of 10HD or less intelligent undead...?

Because Command Undead does exactly that at spell level 2 for nonintelligent undead, except that the duration is not permanent(oh no you have to cast it every week or whatever :P) and there is no HD limit of any kind.

"A nonintelligent undead creature gets no saving throw against this spell."

You should remove the HD limit for nonintelligent undead(at least then you get permanency for 3 spell levels).
edsonaoki
10-20-04, 09:02 AM I see... although that now I think about it, the ability of 2nd-level command undead to control any unintelligent undead without a save is a little overpowering.

Anyway, I will edit it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
edsonaoki 10-19-04, 03:59 PM	I always found silly 3.5 arcane casters being able to create intelligent undead but unable to control them (since undead created by create undead spells are free-willed). The command undead spell should be better called charm undead (since it's what it does...). I understand that rebuke/command undead is a divine power and thus does not suit arcane casters. I expected something would appear on Libris Mortis, but it seems I was mistaken... well, here are some simple ideas: Command Undead, Greater Necromancy Level: Sor/Wiz 5 Duration: One day/level or Permanent (see text) This spell functions like command undead, except that if the subject has HD equal or less than half your level, or it is unintelligent, it automatically obeys your orders and the duration is permanent. Suicidal or obviously harmful orders break the spell, if the subject is an intelligent undead creature. As with command undead, any act by you or your apparent allies that threatens the commanded undead (regardless of its Intelligence) breaks the spell. Command Undead, Mass Necromancy Level: Sor/Wiz 6 Targets: One or more undead creatures, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart This spell functions like command undead, except that mass command undead affects a number of undead creatures whose combined HD do not exceed twice your level, or at least one undead creature regardless of HD. If there are more potential targets than you can affect, you choose them one at a time until you choose a undead creature with too many HD.
Seeker95 10-19-04, 07:01 PM	I'd step it up one more notch: Command Undead, Greater, Mass :devil:
Sancus 10-20-04, 05:28 AM	You create a lot of 10HD or less intelligent undead...? Because Command Undead does exactly that at spell level 2 for nonintelligent undead, except that the duration is not permanent(oh no you have to cast it every week or whatever :P) and there is no HD limit of any kind. "A nonintelligent undead creature gets no saving throw against this spell." You should remove the HD limit for nonintelligent undead(at least then you get permanency for 3 spell levels).
edsonaoki 10-20-04, 09:02 AM	I see... although that now I think about it, the ability of 2nd-level command undead to control any unintelligent undead without a save is a little overpowering. Anyway, I will edit it.