I think for most of us if we want to give our BBEG a loyal army of the undead we just do it because it makes sense and can be a lot of fun.
However are there any spells, or magic items in RAW that a lich or deathknight can specifically use to command the loyalty of the undead preferably on scale?
Off the top of my head vampires can create any number of vampire of spawn that they can command, and wights can create and command something like a dozen zombies each. By RAW the best I can think is one could cast dominate monster on a couple of them and control their thralls through them. Or if they are intelligent enough promises, or payment might be sufficient if less reliable.
Any spell or item is potentially available to the players, and you generally don't want them to have an army of undead.
But you don't need something in the rules, except the part that says the DM can make things up as needed. They can do it because you want them to command an army of undead. Whether it's by domination or voluntary for the intelligent undead is your call.
However are there any spells, or magic items in RAW that a lich or deathknight can specifically use to command the loyalty of the undead preferably on scale?
Yes, but it's very slow. Finger of death creates a controlled zombie with no timeout.
However are there any spells, or magic items in RAW that a lich or deathknight can specifically use to command the loyalty of the undead preferably on scale?
Yes, but it's very slow. Finger of death creates a controlled zombie with no timeout.
Just animate dead. It creates skeletons. Target dead soldiers. Yeah, the caster loses direct control after 24 hours but as a lich skeletons don't aggro you. In fact, per their monster manual entry, they do the sort of thing they did in life. Like obey the orders of a powerful general. You. The lich.
Also, they aggro living creatures even when not controlled. You really only need enough control to get them to shuffle in the right direction. And dead soldiers are perfect for getting to march around.
Edit: You could create undead upcast to make wights. They're intelligent and hunger for power, often serving masters. Even if the direct control fades they could very well stay in service of a lich or similar powerful general/master simply because they believe in the dark cause, so to speak. And can each lead 12 zombies in their direct control.
I think for most of us if we want to give our BBEG a loyal army of the undead we just do it because it makes sense and can be a lot of fun.
However are there any spells, or magic items in RAW that a lich or deathknight can specifically use to command the loyalty of the undead preferably on scale?
Off the top of my head vampires can create any number of vampire of spawn that they can command, and wights can create and command something like a dozen zombies each. By RAW the best I can think is one could cast dominate monster on a couple of them and control their thralls through them. Or if they are intelligent enough promises, or payment might be sufficient if less reliable.
Is there any other options?
RAW, no.
Any spell or item is potentially available to the players, and you generally don't want them to have an army of undead.
But you don't need something in the rules, except the part that says the DM can make things up as needed. They can do it because you want them to command an army of undead. Whether it's by domination or voluntary for the intelligent undead is your call.
Yes, but it's very slow. Finger of death creates a controlled zombie with no timeout.
Thankfully a lich has the time to do it.
Just animate dead. It creates skeletons. Target dead soldiers. Yeah, the caster loses direct control after 24 hours but as a lich skeletons don't aggro you. In fact, per their monster manual entry, they do the sort of thing they did in life. Like obey the orders of a powerful general. You. The lich.
Also, they aggro living creatures even when not controlled. You really only need enough control to get them to shuffle in the right direction. And dead soldiers are perfect for getting to march around.
Edit: You could create undead upcast to make wights. They're intelligent and hunger for power, often serving masters. Even if the direct control fades they could very well stay in service of a lich or similar powerful general/master simply because they believe in the dark cause, so to speak. And can each lead 12 zombies in their direct control.
I'm probably laughing.