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Since trying to Google this just keeps finding the specific spell called Create Undead...

What are all of the spells in D&D 5e that can be used to make an undead creature? I can think of Animate Dead, Create Undead, and Finger of Death, any others?

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    \$\begingroup\$ Does a spell count if it doesn't create an undead, but rather summons an existing one from somewhere else? \$\endgroup\$
    – Thomas Markov
    Commented Dec 2, 2021 at 15:28
  • \$\begingroup\$ Do spells that can indirectly create undead count? \$\endgroup\$
    – SeriousBri
    Commented Dec 2, 2021 at 18:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ @SeriousBri what did you have in mind? We can add a second table for spells like that. \$\endgroup\$
    – Thomas Markov
    Commented Dec 3, 2021 at 0:37
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ @ThomasMarkov Shapechange or True Polymorph into a shadow dragon \$\endgroup\$
    – SeriousBri
    Commented Dec 3, 2021 at 8:23

1 Answer 1

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At the time of writing, the below spells are the only ones which create one or more undead:

Name Level Scales? Spell List Target/Notes Source
Animate Dead 3rd Yes Cleric, Wizard, Death Domain, Circle Of Spores, Oathbreaker Targets bones or corpse Basic Rules, pg. 212
Create Undead 6th Yes Cleric, Warlock*, Wizard Targets up to 3 corpses, can only cast at night Basic Rules, pg. 229
Danse Macabre 5th Yes Warlock, Wizard Targets up to five corpses; Concentration required Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 153
Finger of Death 7th Yes Sorcerer, Warlock*, Wizard CON Save; if a humanoid target dies, it becomes a zombie Basic Rules, pg. 241
Negative Energy Flood 5th No Warlock, Wizard CON Save; If it kills a non-undead, target rises as a zombie. Xanathar's Guide to Everything, pg. 163
Summon Undead 3rd Yes Warlock, Wizard Concentration required; Stat block provided Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, pg. 114
True Polymorph 9th No Bard, Warlock*, Wizard Targets basically anything Basic Rules, pg. 283

* Requires a Warlock to select this spell as a Mystic Arcanum

† Bards can acquire all these spells via the Magical Secrets class ability.

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