Questions tagged [undead]

For questions pertaining to entities who have attained "unnatural" life after death (as opposed to "true" life such as via resurrection). An undead character is a character who was dead, and is now animated but not truly living. The exact nature of undeath varies widely between systems, but the undead themselves are common to myriad genres and settings.

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Is lifesense a precise sense, or imprecise?

The question has come up in one of my chats, and I could not find an answer after a search of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook and Bestiary for 'precise' or 'lifesense'. Aiudara wraiths (...
Firebreak's user avatar
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13 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can a warforged become a vampire?

As it says in the title: Can a Warforged (Monster Manual III, P190-191, 215, Eberron Campaign Setting, P20-24) become a vampire or vampire spawn? My research shows that a living construct type is ...
Monty Wild's user avatar
  • 2,270
10 votes
1 answer
500 views

Can vampires drain non-sentient beings or monsters?

D&D 3.5e vampires canonically don't need to eat, sleep or breathe. However, they also drain levels and Con (blood), and doing this can turn their victims into vampires or vampire spawn. I also ...
Monty Wild's user avatar
  • 2,270
9 votes
1 answer
2k views

Are undead immune to exhaustion?

Simple question, are undead immune to exhaustion? My DM seemed to think so just based upon the fact they are undead. I said that unless their stat block specifically states they are immune to ...
K.L.R.'s user avatar
  • 7,777
1 vote
1 answer
136 views

Mirror Image and vampire charming [duplicate]

Is a mirror image effective against the vampire charm? Does the vampire have to target the right target with his/her gaze? Meaning that if he/she target an image the effect is null. xxx targets one ...
Francesco's user avatar
  • 1,588
0 votes
1 answer
236 views

Can a dispelled zombie's remains be reanimated? [closed]

How the animate dead spell works in the video game Baldur's Gate 3 has me wondering: Can I reanimate the remains of a dispelled zombie? Does it remain a zombie (undead creature) after dispelling, and ...
Bex's user avatar
  • 19
10 votes
2 answers
605 views

Can a revived character keep levels they gained while they were a ghost?

Assuming a human (Ftr 1) becomes a ghost, gains a level on Wizard (Ftr 1/Wiz 1) and now is revived by resurrection, would he lose his wizard level, or would that level not be counted and cause him to ...
Terry Windwalker's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
112 views

How might a ghost interact with psionic items, powers, and effects that are made of or produce ectoplasm?

Some background: the ghostly psionic character in question is a ghost due to in-campaign events which I shall skip over unless needed. Mechanically this is represented by a level of ghost racial class ...
nijineko's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Do vampires gain exhaustion during a chase?

The DMG Says the following about dashing during a chase: During the chase, a participant can freely use the Dash action a number of times equal to 3 + its Constitution modifier. Each additional Dash ...
aquavitae's user avatar
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6 votes
1 answer
1k views

How often does a lich have to feed a soul to its phylactery?

Background info for this question: I’m working on a (mostly) homebrew campaign in Forgotten Realms, where the party finds a box/terrarium thing next to a skeleton in a dungeon, that they won’t be able ...
DMofDoom's user avatar
  • 285
4 votes
1 answer
370 views

How long does a haunt stay neutralized?

How long since been reduced to 0 hp does a haunt stay neutralized? I tried reading upon the rules multiple times, but failed to see the part where it says this specifically.
PnP's user avatar
  • 2,512
4 votes
1 answer
179 views

Use of Zombie Dragon Breath Weapon as an Animate Dead Summon

I was wondering if it is possible to use the Zombie Dragon's Breath weapon from Pathfinder 2E's Animate Dead spell rules as written or even rules as intended. Summoned creatures have the minion trait: ...
Pj LastName's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
381 views

Pickled Punk Question

I was wondering if a pickled punk can activate the automatic damage from the second part of their attach ability, even with no remaining actions. The full ability reads: Attach When a pickled punk ...
Pj LastName's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
756 views

In 5e D&D and Grim Hollow, how does the Specter transformation affect a human PC in regards to the 'undead' characteristics and spells?

In 5e D&D + Grim Hollow, how does the 'undead' characteristic given to a human PC change how some spells, items or abilities affect him? Grim Hollow is a dark fantasy content book and can be found ...
M.S.'s user avatar
  • 73
5 votes
2 answers
619 views

When a gnoll vampire assumes its hyena form, do its HP change?

I'm rather confused by the statblock for the Gnoll Vampire. The statblock states that: Its statistics, other than its size and speed, are unchanged. If this is the case, why is it specified later on ...
Jimarkus's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
148 views

Undead Fortitude and multiple damage types

So I know how Undead Fortitude works when it comes to the saving throw calculation (5+damage taken) but how exactly does it work against attacks that contain multiple damage types? Say we take 3 ...
Truelink64's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
112 views

Possible steps for a ritual to darken the sun [closed]

I'm DMing for a group, and the campaign will soon move on into homebrew (started with a slightly tweaked Lost Mines of Phandelver, and a homebrew adventure from the internet will follow). I wanted to ...
Yama994's user avatar
  • 21
19 votes
4 answers
4k views

After a Ghost possesses an armored character, is it basically limited to a single attack per turn with disadvantage?

The Possession trait of the ghost says: Possession (Recharge 6). One humanoid that the ghost can see within 5 feet of it must succeed on a DC 13 Charisma saving throw or be possessed by the ghost; ...
BlueMoon93's user avatar
15 votes
4 answers
4k views

Can a vampire rest in a coffin in a bag of holding?

I'm thinking about my vampire organization - if they have placed a coffin inside a bag of holding (sized to fit) and then climb inside, do they have a portable place to rest?
Brian Westerman's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
8k views

Can you play a vampire in the 5th Edition?

So I got this sudden thing to want to play a vampire. I tried to do some research on vampires in the 5th edition of D&D, but I couldn't find anything. Am I able to play a vampire in the 5th ...
Devils_Spawn's user avatar
  • 1,242
4 votes
1 answer
621 views

If a player selects the Ghost archetype, how does its body react to enviromental effects? [closed]

Assuming a human character with the Ghost archetype and no feats: The ghost archetype specifies that the character is inmune to any effects that require a body to work. Does this include things like ...
Luis Fernandez's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
880 views

Does the Undead Warlock Spirit Projection ability allow you to gain the effects of items held or equip?

Undead Warlock's Spirit Projection states that both the body and the spirit is affected by damage and effects that apply to each equally. So from my understanding anything and everything that affects ...
DmgOvrTym's user avatar
  • 121
5 votes
1 answer
227 views

When you use the Clone spell, will the command of Undead minions transfer to the clone?

I am currently playing in 5e campaign and a question came up regarding the transferable of command of undead servants. My Necromancer wants to live forever but not be a lich, so naturally the idea is ...
Neopopulas's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
3k views

Under extreme/idyllic conditions, could Cult of the Dragon necrofy Tiamat?

I'm trying to assess the plausibility of whether the Cult of the Dragon could have grown strong enough to turn Tiamat into a Dracolich. Note I'm referring to the legacy cult under Sammaster, not the ...
Arash Howaida's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
3k views

Most DPR (Damage Per Round) Barbarian Build against Undead

We start playing Curse of Strahd and I am looking for a max DPR (Damage Per Round) Barbarian for the setting. I know there is a nice polearm build but I reckon the weapon should be a bludgeoning one. ...
ruedi's user avatar
  • 6,527
7 votes
1 answer
201 views

Is the Hellreaver PrC, Heroic Sacrifice (Su) class feature is usable as an undead character or not?

So my question is, if a character as Hellreaver PrC (Fiendish Codex II: Tyrants of the Nine Hells variant, p. 92) level 5 became undead, which won't have any Constitution score, could they use the ...
Onymos Ceutho's user avatar
-2 votes
1 answer
372 views

If my BBEG is a warlock of an archfey vampire, would their subclass be that of the Archfey patron or the Undead patron? [closed]

The BBEG in my campaign is going to be the descendant/follower of the Archfey Vampire Kannoth. If a follower of Kannoth made a pact with Kannoth as their warlock patron, would they level through the ...
HtDM's user avatar
  • 25
8 votes
2 answers
659 views

Limits of undead control

I was doing some theory crafting on a necromancer. Of course a player character with an army of undead isn't very good for gameplay but our DM is interested in using the character as an enemy. So I ...
enumag's user avatar
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20 votes
4 answers
3k views

Does any source published prior to 5th Edition attest that Strahd von Zarovich is the first vampire ever?

Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft calls Barovia the "Domain of the First Vampire", and later says this about Strahd in the chapter 3 section on Barovia (emphasis mine throughout): The nature ...
Thomas Markov's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
2k views

Does a player character who becomes a vampire gain the vampire's Legendary Actions?

One of my players became a vampire by choice and according to the Monster Manual, "the character gains the vampire's damage resistances, darkvision, traits, and actions" (p. 298). Does that ...
Hadern The Deliverer's user avatar
9 votes
4 answers
3k views

I'm wanting to have a twist were Tiamat gets turned into a dracolich before, during or after the big fight

I'm just having trouble figuring out if that's possible. Would she have to lose her godhood even if she was willing? Or is it just not possible at all? What's scarier than the 5 headed dragon queen? ...
Floppy's user avatar
  • 91
5 votes
3 answers
902 views

Turning Undead in 1st edition

I've been running the Temple of Elemental Evil for some young 'uns to show them that we really did have to walk 12 miles uphill to play AD&D and 18 miles uphill home afterwards back in the day. ...
Dale M's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Can the spell Spirit Shroud heal a zombie?

Can the spell Spirit Shroud heal a zombie? The paladin in our party cast it and was upset that the DM would not let the necrotic damage each round heal our cleric's zombie.
Vrastyr's user avatar
  • 73
5 votes
1 answer
446 views

Loyal beyond death but already undead?

How does the knight class's ability loyal beyond death (Player's Handbook II 27) function for an undead creature? If an undead creature's hp are reduced to 0, it is destroyed, but what if the creature ...
Onymos Ceutho's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
150 views

Is there a list anywhere of humanoid undead? [closed]

I'm trying to build an undead sea witch. She is the main bad guy for my current campaign. She was a pirate captain who's entire set of islands were destroyed by an leviathan (it's complicated) ...
Sandra Leigh's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

Is there a way to bring a Specter back to life?

The Wraith has this ability: Create Specter. The wraith targets a humanoid within 10 feet of it that has been dead for no longer than 1 minute and died violently. The target's spirit rises as a ...
Nobody the Hobgoblin's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
133 views

How does Skullclan Hunter's Divine Strike work?

The skullclan hunter, found in the Miniatures Handbook, p. 21, gets the ability Divine Strike at level 2. Divine Strike (Ex): Due to his specialized skill, training, and connection with the forces of ...
Prevarications's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
381 views

Does Heal end Sanctuary when fighting undead?

I am fighting undead creatures and have Sanctuary on me. If I use Heal does that end Sanctuary?
ruedi's user avatar
  • 6,527
10 votes
1 answer
5k views

What are all the spells that create one or more undead creatures?

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 ...
Ettina Kitten's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
280 views

Has Raise Dead ever been an anti-undead counterpart of Slay Living?

I have always assumed, seen in play, and ruled that Raise Dead functions as Slay Living, but targets undead instead of living creatures and requires no material component. However, while planning a ...
R.I.P.30.12.21Baskakov_Dmitriy's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
961 views

Do any undead, raised via the create undead spell, retain any memories of when they were alive?

As a follow up to this question: Could both an alive and an undead version of a creature exist? Does an undead creature raised via create undead retain any memories or personality of the living ...
Allan Mills's user avatar
  • 25.9k
25 votes
1 answer
2k views

Could both an alive and an undead version of a creature exist?

Say Bob the fighter dies heroically while fighting some cultists. His companions realise they are outmatched and decide to run. But first, they quickly cut off one of Bob's fingers and take it with ...
Allan Mills's user avatar
  • 25.9k
4 votes
3 answers
421 views

Is the body of a Lich a valid target for Animate Dead or Create Undead?

Are lich corpse and or other undead bodies/corpses, valid targets for the spell animate dead or create undead?
Erudaki's user avatar
  • 5,844
7 votes
1 answer
7k views

What is a dhampir's max lifespan?

What is the maximum lifespan of dhampirs? Are they semi-immortal like undead creatures, do they have lifespans similar to those of humans, or are their lifespans in between these extremes?
Ohar's user avatar
  • 5,725
7 votes
4 answers
360 views

Geas beyond the Grave

I vaguely recall the following being possible. A geas or geas variant spell with the effect that if the subject of the spell dies with the objective unresolved, the spell would turn the subject into ...
The Amused Muse's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
832 views

How many undead can a single Lich keep under his control permanently?

Suppose your average Lich wants to collect some more souls, but doesn't want to leave his lair for whatever reason. So given he has basically unlimited amounts of magic and access to spells like ...
Tobias F.'s user avatar
  • 2,178
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can a Lycanthrope become a Vampire?

As a DM, I'm wondering whether a Lycanthrope curse is canceled when such a monster is killed by a Vampire bite and becomes a Vampire Spawn. There doesn't seem to be indications against it in the ...
Alexis Wilke's user avatar
  • 7,371
34 votes
1 answer
855 views

What is the most amount of election fraud I can commit using necromancy?

I have deemed the ignorant masses of several nearby regions to be unfit to rule themselves. Unfortunately, they've established a democracy to determine leadership of their region and continuously ...
Pyrotechnical's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Does a vampire’s bite attack against a charmed target trigger a saving throw against the charm?

So I was wondering how its working when PC is charmed by vampire one on one, and vampire decides to bite it. Does it mean that they can repeat save against charm because they got damaged by it or not ...
Cybul's user avatar
  • 103
6 votes
2 answers
211 views

Turning checks and desecrate spell

My 3rd-level cleric attempted to turn skeletons in a room with an evil altar and a desecrate spell. I rolled a 12 + 2 for Charisma, for a total of 14. On the Turning Undead table, this gives you up to ...
Nathtfm's user avatar
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