What Do You Need for Animate Dead?
Direct Answer:
To cast the 3rd-level spell Animate Dead, you need a Medium or Small humanoid corpse or a pile of bones from any creature to raise as an undead servant.
Requirements and Limitations:
- Corpse or Bones: The corpse or bones must be at least Medium or Small size humanoid, and not destroyed. You can use bones from any creature, but they must be in a pile.
- Animate Dead Spell: You need to have the Animate Dead spell prepared and can cast it.
- Caster Level: Your caster level must be high enough to cast 3rd-level spells, usually 6th level or higher for oracles and 5th level or higher for clerics.
- Charisma Score: You need a Charisma score of 13 or higher to cast 3rd-level spells like Animate Dead.
- Type of Undead: The type of undead created by the spell determines its abilities and weaknesses.
Types of Undead:
| Type | Abilities | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Zombie | Regain hit points when resting, immune to disease and poison | Limited movement, disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks, vulnerability to fire |
| Skeleton | No need to eat or sleep, immunity to poison and nonmagical damage | Vulnerable to bludgeoning, limited movement |
Animation Process:
- Choose the Target: Select a corpse or bones within range to animate.
- Cast the Spell: Cast the Animate Dead spell on the target.
- Determine the Type of Undead: Based on the type of creature or object, the undead takes shape.
- Animate the Undead: The undead comes to life, following your commands.
- Duration and Control: The undead serves you for a period, typically 1 minute or until destroyed.
What You Can’t Do with Animate Dead:
- Targeting Existing Undead: You cannot animate existing undead creatures like zombies or skeletons.
- Targeting Non-Intelligent Creatures: Animate Dead targets intelligent humanoids, not non-intelligent creatures like animals.
- Casting on a Zombie You Control: If you already control a zombie, casting Animate Dead on it will only extend your control for another 24 hours.
In Conclusion:
Animate Dead is a powerful 3rd-level spell that allows you to raise humanoid corpses or pile of bones as undead servants. Make sure you have the correct requirements, such as a suitable corpse or bones, a high enough caster level, and a Charisma score of 13 or higher. Understand the types of undead, animation process, and limitations of the spell to effectively use Animate Dead in your adventures.
Note: Some of the bolded content highlights important points or requirements, while italicized text provides additional clarification or examples.