Fighting Undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Fighting Undead [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
fatdragon
07-29-05, 02:27 PM I am play an Elf wizard and I think I play him quiet well but in our next game I think we are going to be fighting undead and I just dont know where to start preparing any ideas ?
lady_ghofen
07-29-05, 02:34 PM Hehe, my favorite way was to have a (hopefully) a large capacity bag of holding, which is literally full of holy water, and then spray away. If you have several priests of adequate level and all worshipping the same god, Uneartly Choir is perfect for that situation. I also like either a potion or spell of protection from fire, dousing one's self in greek fire oil, and lighting yourself on fire. That scares them away quite well, and also can cause damage to the nasty undead. There is an Undead Slayer kit for elves also, for any class.
BeyondFated
07-29-05, 03:36 PM There is an Undead Slayer kit for elves also, for any class.

There are no kits in 3.X, and since the OP didn't mention 2e, I'm going to assume he's not playing it.

Regardless, you as a wizard, you should prepare Distrupt Undead in all of your 0-level slots. Also, most evocation spells will work wonders, especially AoE ones, like fireball. Undead usually have poor saves, so don't woory about that.

Also, most undead have damage reduction that is only bypassed with bludgeoning items, so collect some clubs for the rest of the party.

Unfortunatly, without more knowledge, such as your level, your party members' levels and classes, and what undead you will be fighting, I can't be of much more help.
fatdragon
07-29-05, 08:22 PM my bad sorry not very high levels between 5 and 7 highest being paladin who should have no problem fighting them
CryoSilver
07-29-05, 08:46 PM WEll, first, prepare a daylight or two, in case you have to face a spellcasting undead who will almost certainly use Darkness.

Other than that, Death Ward is a must, as is negative Energy Protection.

For the wizard though, just go straight for the blasting; undead have good Will saves and a crapload of immunities, so just blow them up.
Oakspar77777
07-30-05, 01:36 AM LV 0 Spells

Disrupt Undead is your best option here.

LV 1 Spells

Magic Missile works well against incorporeal undead.

Enlarge Person is a great buff for your Paladin or other fighter-type, since it grants more ST for damaging, and the all important REACH to keep touch-drainers at bay.

LV 2 Spells

See Invisability can help with ethereal undead (like ghost).

Web is great field control against undead, especially mindless ones that will not try to walk arround it, but run right into it, clumping them up for an extra effective Fireball.

Scorching Ray is good if you have the second ray (ie caster level 7).

Command Undead is your best option. It not only negates one undead, but gains you that undead as an ally until it is destroyed itself. Brainless undead get no save and there is no limit to the number you can command. Also, non-intellegent undead tend to ignore undead to attack living targets, meaning that your new "buddy" will get lots of AoOs.

LV 3 Spells

Fireball will fry undead as well as anything else.

Halt Undead will set up some good combat conditions, but Command Undead is better.

LV 4 Spells

Wall of Fire does DOUBLE damage to undead.

Those are probably the highest ones you will see at your current level, there are good ones at every level:

LV 5

Baleful Polymorph (Fort save means the will almost always shift, though it is a will save to keep or loose abilities).
LV 6

Undeath to Death kills masses of Undead.

Disentegrate kills single boss undeads.

LV 7

Control Undead is Command Undead on crack

LV 8

Sunburst - Quiznos' Undead ...mmmmmm.....toasty.

LV 9

Time Stop - followed by a few happy damage spells with durations or some happy summoning (Delayed Blast Fireballs are also a favorite).
LugWrench
07-30-05, 04:24 AM My group came up with an interesting plan. Not very effective, but damn, was it funny. The Arms and Equipment Guide has a sprayer in it, kind of like the little tank-and-sprayer that an extreminator would use. They filled that with water, then had the paladin cast Bless water on it, topping it off from time to time with Create water . Presto, instant Super Soaker of Undead Slaying! :D
Dark_beebles
07-30-05, 05:13 AM Baleful polymorph dont work on undead...

Since your only 5th-7th lvl, Have your cleric (if you got one) use a spell in Book of exalted deads, does 2d6 dmg a round to undead 2d8 vs evil outsiders and undead that are sensitive to light plus it lasts 1 hour per lvl.
Oakspar77777
07-30-05, 11:43 PM My bad. Poly Any Object does work, though.

It really matters what kind of undead you are fighting.

1) Standard undead beats like Skeletons and Zombies really just require a LV 4+ cleric to dust them over and over and over with Turning. That aside, just pack Bludgeoning for Skeletals and Slashing for Zombidites.

2) Undead with touch attacks like ghouls and wights are best met with reach weapons. Keep the good Fort saves up front.

3) Incorporeal Undead require ghost touch, force effects, and perferably a way to stay off the floor (as touch attacks draining junk from the total protection of the ground are no fun and hard to deal with). Most of these encounters are a little too high for you level, however.
Pryrates
07-31-05, 08:32 AM Seems everyone else has you covered as for the rest of your party 3 words: Maces of Disruption.
Sir Ferdinand
07-31-05, 11:43 AM Seems everyone else has you covered as for the rest of your party 3 words: Maces of Disruption.

You do know that Disruption is +2 ability in a weapon, so the weapon must be total of +3. +3 weapon costs 18000gp and the party was 5-7 level characters as fatdragon said. That would be some pretty damn rich party to have the rest of the party members have those weapons, at those levels even one such weapon would be A LOT.
Hvitar-Hrafnar
07-31-05, 03:18 PM Can't believe no one has thought of Positoxins from Libris Mortis. Magical poison like substances that undead are NOT immune to. [Alchemical substances distilled from holy water and laced with positive energy] If you have a good Alchemist in your party and a cleric who can channel positive energy, you can make Liquid Mortality which does 1d4 + 2d4 STR drain. You can also get or make Sunlight Oil, to name a few.

Another good thing to get is either Sacred or Sacred Burst onto your melee or ranged weapon, since it specifically harms undead. [Libris Mortis] If you're really rich, the best weapon would be...

"Holy Sacred Burst Heavy Mace of Disruption & Undead Bane" for your whole party, although that is a +6 bonus, and if you fight ghosts or incorporeal creatures, Ghost Strike.

If you're looking to keep the undead at bay, carry along a large supply of gravebane from Arms & Equipment Guide.

I don't advise choosing any Undead-Slaying classes, though, since none I've seen have been good.
Red_Ninja
08-25-05, 11:37 AM -potions of restoration might be good, incase your cleric gets slammed...
(my wraiths always go for the cleric first)
-a flaming sphere can really disrupt undead formations, block hallways to make escapes possible, ect...
holy water is a decent weapon (does more damage the most wizard melee and ranged attacks, vs undead...for example round 1 - cast true strike, round 2 throw vial of holy water a leader undead (or closest level draining undead)
-consider spell "magic weapon" cast on archer's 50 arrows- that can help alot!
also helps if you cast it on a handy spear, pike or halberd
-burning hands is a nice "last resort" defense spell- if you are confronted by a ghoul or something, you might put him down in 1 shot...
-chill touch is ok- the long duration means you could handle a few skeletons/zombies that cleric dusting doesn't handle, consider using a spectral hand delivery system...
-a couple scrolls for wall of fire, protection from evil 10' and others may make all the difference!
CryoSilver
08-25-05, 08:22 PM Restoration is a lvl 4 spell: it doesn't go in potions.
Red_Ninja
08-29-05, 12:54 PM oops- my Bad- i meant scroll, but you might want to look into developing potions, cuz then your barbarian [or whoever] wouldn't need any help to restore himself, he could just drink the potion...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
fatdragon 07-29-05, 02:27 PM	I am play an Elf wizard and I think I play him quiet well but in our next game I think we are going to be fighting undead and I just dont know where to start preparing any ideas ?
lady_ghofen 07-29-05, 02:34 PM	Hehe, my favorite way was to have a (hopefully) a large capacity bag of holding, which is literally full of holy water, and then spray away. If you have several priests of adequate level and all worshipping the same god, Uneartly Choir is perfect for that situation. I also like either a potion or spell of protection from fire, dousing one's self in greek fire oil, and lighting yourself on fire. That scares them away quite well, and also can cause damage to the nasty undead. There is an Undead Slayer kit for elves also, for any class.
BeyondFated 07-29-05, 03:36 PM	There is an Undead Slayer kit for elves also, for any class. There are no kits in 3.X, and since the OP didn't mention 2e, I'm going to assume he's not playing it. Regardless, you as a wizard, you should prepare Distrupt Undead in all of your 0-level slots. Also, most evocation spells will work wonders, especially AoE ones, like fireball. Undead usually have poor saves, so don't woory about that. Also, most undead have damage reduction that is only bypassed with bludgeoning items, so collect some clubs for the rest of the party. Unfortunatly, without more knowledge, such as your level, your party members' levels and classes, and what undead you will be fighting, I can't be of much more help.
fatdragon 07-29-05, 08:22 PM	my bad sorry not very high levels between 5 and 7 highest being paladin who should have no problem fighting them
CryoSilver 07-29-05, 08:46 PM	WEll, first, prepare a daylight or two, in case you have to face a spellcasting undead who will almost certainly use Darkness. Other than that, Death Ward is a must, as is negative Energy Protection. For the wizard though, just go straight for the blasting; undead have good Will saves and a crapload of immunities, so just blow them up.
Oakspar77777 07-30-05, 01:36 AM	LV 0 Spells Disrupt Undead is your best option here. LV 1 Spells Magic Missile works well against incorporeal undead. Enlarge Person is a great buff for your Paladin or other fighter-type, since it grants more ST for damaging, and the all important REACH to keep touch-drainers at bay. LV 2 Spells See Invisability can help with ethereal undead (like ghost). Web is great field control against undead, especially mindless ones that will not try to walk arround it, but run right into it, clumping them up for an extra effective Fireball. Scorching Ray is good if you have the second ray (ie caster level 7). Command Undead is your best option. It not only negates one undead, but gains you that undead as an ally until it is destroyed itself. Brainless undead get no save and there is no limit to the number you can command. Also, non-intellegent undead tend to ignore undead to attack living targets, meaning that your new "buddy" will get lots of AoOs. LV 3 Spells Fireball will fry undead as well as anything else. Halt Undead will set up some good combat conditions, but Command Undead is better. LV 4 Spells Wall of Fire does DOUBLE damage to undead. Those are probably the highest ones you will see at your current level, there are good ones at every level: LV 5 Baleful Polymorph (Fort save means the will almost always shift, though it is a will save to keep or loose abilities). LV 6 Undeath to Death kills masses of Undead. Disentegrate kills single boss undeads. LV 7 Control Undead is Command Undead on crack LV 8 Sunburst - Quiznos' Undead ...mmmmmm.....toasty. LV 9 Time Stop - followed by a few happy damage spells with durations or some happy summoning (Delayed Blast Fireballs are also a favorite).
LugWrench 07-30-05, 04:24 AM	My group came up with an interesting plan. Not very effective, but damn, was it funny. The Arms and Equipment Guide has a sprayer in it, kind of like the little tank-and-sprayer that an extreminator would use. They filled that with water, then had the paladin cast Bless water on it, topping it off from time to time with Create water . Presto, instant Super Soaker of Undead Slaying! :D
Dark_beebles 07-30-05, 05:13 AM	Baleful polymorph dont work on undead... Since your only 5th-7th lvl, Have your cleric (if you got one) use a spell in Book of exalted deads, does 2d6 dmg a round to undead 2d8 vs evil outsiders and undead that are sensitive to light plus it lasts 1 hour per lvl.
Oakspar77777 07-30-05, 11:43 PM	My bad. Poly Any Object does work, though. It really matters what kind of undead you are fighting. 1) Standard undead beats like Skeletons and Zombies really just require a LV 4+ cleric to dust them over and over and over with Turning. That aside, just pack Bludgeoning for Skeletals and Slashing for Zombidites. 2) Undead with touch attacks like ghouls and wights are best met with reach weapons. Keep the good Fort saves up front. 3) Incorporeal Undead require ghost touch, force effects, and perferably a way to stay off the floor (as touch attacks draining junk from the total protection of the ground are no fun and hard to deal with). Most of these encounters are a little too high for you level, however.
Pryrates 07-31-05, 08:32 AM	Seems everyone else has you covered as for the rest of your party 3 words: Maces of Disruption.
Sir Ferdinand 07-31-05, 11:43 AM	Seems everyone else has you covered as for the rest of your party 3 words: Maces of Disruption. You do know that Disruption is +2 ability in a weapon, so the weapon must be total of +3. +3 weapon costs 18000gp and the party was 5-7 level characters as fatdragon said. That would be some pretty damn rich party to have the rest of the party members have those weapons, at those levels even one such weapon would be A LOT.
Hvitar-Hrafnar 07-31-05, 03:18 PM	Can't believe no one has thought of Positoxins from Libris Mortis. Magical poison like substances that undead are NOT immune to. [Alchemical substances distilled from holy water and laced with positive energy] If you have a good Alchemist in your party and a cleric who can channel positive energy, you can make Liquid Mortality which does 1d4 + 2d4 STR drain. You can also get or make Sunlight Oil, to name a few. Another good thing to get is either Sacred or Sacred Burst onto your melee or ranged weapon, since it specifically harms undead. [Libris Mortis] If you're really rich, the best weapon would be... "Holy Sacred Burst Heavy Mace of Disruption & Undead Bane" for your whole party, although that is a +6 bonus, and if you fight ghosts or incorporeal creatures, Ghost Strike. If you're looking to keep the undead at bay, carry along a large supply of gravebane from Arms & Equipment Guide. I don't advise choosing any Undead-Slaying classes, though, since none I've seen have been good.
Red_Ninja 08-25-05, 11:37 AM	-potions of restoration might be good, incase your cleric gets slammed... (my wraiths always go for the cleric first) -a flaming sphere can really disrupt undead formations, block hallways to make escapes possible, ect... holy water is a decent weapon (does more damage the most wizard melee and ranged attacks, vs undead...for example round 1 - cast true strike, round 2 throw vial of holy water a leader undead (or closest level draining undead) -consider spell "magic weapon" cast on archer's 50 arrows- that can help alot! also helps if you cast it on a handy spear, pike or halberd -burning hands is a nice "last resort" defense spell- if you are confronted by a ghoul or something, you might put him down in 1 shot... -chill touch is ok- the long duration means you could handle a few skeletons/zombies that cleric dusting doesn't handle, consider using a spectral hand delivery system... -a couple scrolls for wall of fire, protection from evil 10' and others may make all the difference!
CryoSilver 08-25-05, 08:22 PM	Restoration is a lvl 4 spell: it doesn't go in potions.
Red_Ninja 08-29-05, 12:54 PM	oops- my Bad- i meant scroll, but you might want to look into developing potions, cuz then your barbarian [or whoever] wouldn't need any help to restore himself, he could just drink the potion...