Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 alphabravo Sep 27, 2008 7:22:18	for the BBEG to use? Also, what CR adjustment would you give to having Corpsecrafter+The feat that makes the UD Explode when they die? Thanks, Alpha Bravo
#2 natenate Sep 27, 2008 16:52:12	It really depends on whether or not he's used Awaken Undead on them. It also depends on what his caster level is for creating them. I'd say a good place to start for awakened skeletons would be cave trolls, war trolls, razor boars, hydras, and maybe an arrow demon. Zombies aren't really worth making except to be used as damage sponges. There is no CR adjustment for the Corpsecrafter line of feats, as long as the PCs eventually face the individual with those feats who created the undead. That opponent won't have feats that would be more beneficial to that encounter because of it, so it should all even out. A good trick for boss fights of this type is for quite a few skeletons to be buried where the PCs will enter, so as soon as the fight starts they all get up (provoking AoOs as normal) and can begin attacking. The PCs will already be surrounded so any undead with destruction retribution which are destroyed are sure to hit at least a few of them as well as healing other undead around them.
#3 jaronk Sep 27, 2008 17:20:07	Hydras make the nastiest zombies because they can full attack as a standard action. Pyrohydras make great skeletons too, since they're immune to fire and cold. JaronK
#4 phoenix00 Sep 27, 2008 21:47:57	Leonals are also nice for they have pounce, are humanoidish.
#5 alphabravo Oct 01, 2008 15:44:23	The PCs are not intended to actually face the Lich that commanded them (b/c he hidden his phylactery outside the dungeon someone else destroyed it when trying to kill another random lich sometime ago). Of course, no Awaken UD, as Young Adult Gold Dragon SkeletonsDraconomicon have DC24 Frightful Presence, and since they will come in a 6-group on my CL12 group
#6 loganic1 Oct 02, 2008 9:44:02	Awakened pyro hydras make great hydra zombies. They get their breath weapon. Albeit for half damage, but it's still not bad in groups. If you use the rebuke/command undead trick to get yourself a -8 modifier to their effective level when you command them, you can get n number of 9 HD awakened 9 headed pyro hydra zombies, where n is character level, depending on where you get your rebuke undead from. I can't find the rebuke an army thread anymore. Probably whited out, but you get yourself a Rod of Defiance for a -4 to effective level and you play or get a cohort to play a Lyre of the Restful Soul for another -4.
#7 jaronk Oct 04, 2008 2:13:05	Heh, I made that thread. Basic concept: Rod of Defiance+Lyre of the Restful Soul = -8 turn resistance, then once you've got them for a moment use Holy Arrows (making your minions equip them) to drop them to 1HD, then Rebuke again. Very handy. But not necessary here, because Awaken Undead doesn't break the control provided by Animate Dead. JaronK
#8 pithica Oct 06, 2008 10:37:33	There was a Web Enhancement for PGtF (I think, that's what I put mine in, anyway) that updated all the monsters in the FR Monster Compendium and included a writeup for Phaerimm. The oldest phaerimm (equivalent of 'Great Wyrm' dragons) make nice skeletons if awakened. They have decent flight, and constant true seeing and arcane sight (both Ex's) up out to LoS. One could also argue that they get at least some of their spellcasting ability back as well, since, IIRC it's listed as an extraordinary special ability (which all come back as awakened undead). I had plans to use one as a mount for a BBEG (his 'flying carpet' platform of death), but never got around to it. They only have 19 HD, which makes them a fairly cheap option compared to some others.