Does turn undead kill undead?

Does Turn Undead Kill Undead?

In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, Turn Undead is a powerful ability that can be used by certain classes, such as Clerics and Paladins, to affect undead creatures. The question that often arises is: Does Turn Undead kill undead? In this article, we will explore the answer to this question and delve into the various nuances of the Turn Undead ability.

Overview of Turn Undead

Turn Undead is an ability that allows a cleric or paladin to drive away undead creatures, typically with a holy symbol in hand. The ability allows the user to make a Wisdom saving throw against each undead creature within a 30-foot radius. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is forced to flee and cannot willingly move closer to the caster for a period of 1 minute.

What Happens When You Turn Undead?

According to the official Dungeons & Dragons rulebook, Turn Undead does not necessarily kill undead creatures. Instead, it simply forces them to flee, which can be a devastating effect for an undead horde. However, undead creatures that have been turned can still be attacked and destroyed by normal means.

Does Turn Undead Work on Undead?

The question remains, does Turn Undead work on undead creatures? The answer is no, Turn Undead is ineffective against undead creatures that have not been turned by the ability. The ability only affects undead creatures that are within the radius of the caster’s presence and are susceptible to being turned. If an undead creature has already been turned, Turn Undead will not affect it.

Examples of Undead Creatures Affected by Turn Undead

Here are some examples of undead creatures that can be affected by Turn Undead:

• Zombies: These mindless undead creatures can be turned and forced to flee.
• Skeletons: While skeletons are already mindless, they can still be turned and forced to flee.
• Ghasts: These undead fiends can be turned, but will not be immediately destroyed.
• Banshees: These wailing undead creatures can be turned, but their wail will continue.

Table: Examples of Undead Creatures Affected by Turn Undead

Other Important Notes

• Undead creatures that have been turned can still be affected by other abilities and spells, such as heal, shield, or blight.
• If an undead creature is affected by multiple Turn Undead abilities, it will continue to flee and cannot move closer to the caster.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Turn Undead does not kill undead creatures outright, but rather forces them to flee. The ability is only effective against undead creatures that are within the radius of the caster’s presence and are susceptible to being turned. While undead creatures can still be destroyed through normal means, the ability of Turn Undead provides a powerful tool for clerics and paladins to control and affect the undead.