Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 OrwellianHaggis Oct 13, 2014 12:50:23	Alternately: seeking opinions.   I've made a gnome wizard/barbarian multiclass which will, when he reaches the appropriate level, begin to animate the dead. He has a backstory justifying this, and to begin with he will only animate two undead: his grandmother and grandfather.   I'm happy to give the full story if anyone requests it, but it's not important to the topic.   Basically I'm seeking opinions on this: how do people feel about equipping undead raised through magic? For example, this character would continually keep control over these two undead and would, in time, equip them properly for battle (armour, shields, weapons, even adventuring equipment and potions and so on).   One question I'd need to answer would be on the subject of their proficiencies. Would skeletal undead be proficient with heavy armour and martial weapons? If not, could they train to learn to be proficient? Or would their proficiencies key off your own?   I'd appreciate your opinions, folks.
#2 Jell_Moo Oct 13, 2014 13:20:46	The entry for skeletons directly says that they can use weapons and armor. It doesn't directly state this for zombies, but does mention that they will use weapons if they are holding them, but will ignore the weapons if dropped.   My suggestion would be to make sure that they are animated as Skeletons as opposed to Zombies...
#3 Timborama Oct 13, 2014 13:27:28	Ask your DM.   Monsters are (usually) only proficient with what is in their stat block, but DMs are free to adjust monsters. Now, if that means their proficiency before or after death, that's another question (see above). However, for armor, they won't be casting spells or using skills (probably), so decking them out with full-plate and a shield is fine. Remember, you don't need to be proficient with armor to gain its AC benefit. Also, I think Potions technically work as well. If you have to justify it, you can say the zombie corpse is still able to imbibe it, and if they're skeletons then you rub it on the crack in the skull like a balm (and it heals). But again, see above...