You raise the corpse or bones of a Medium or smaller beast that died, reanimating it as a skeleton or zombie under your control. The beast must have a CR of 1/2 or lower. The undead creature uses its original stat block with certain undead modifications (see below) and acts on your turn in initiative. It obeys your verbal commands. Without commands, it only defends itself.
You choose whether the creature becomes a skeleton or a zombie when you cast the spell:
-
Skeleton: Requires mostly intact bones.
-
Zombie: Requires mostly intact flesh.
Undead Modifications
-
Type: Changes to undead.
-
Alignment: Becomes neutral evil or lawful evil.
-
Immunities: Gains immunity to poison and the poisoned condition; cannot be exhausted.
-
Skeleton Traits: Vulnerable to bludgeoning damage.
-
Zombie Traits: Gains the Undead Fortitude trait from the Monster Manual zombie (PHB/MM).
-
Loses features that require a living body (DM’s discretion), such as Keen Smell or Pack Tactics.
Permanent Animation
If you cast this spell using a 4th-level spell slot or higher, the targeted undead creature is permanently animated—it no longer requires daily recasting. But it costs a black onyx worth at least 75 gp, and the gem is consumed in the process.
Comments