Does turn undead work on demons?

Does Turn Undead Work on Demons? A Comprehensive Guide

In Dungeons & Dragons, the clerical spell Turn Undead is a powerful tool to banish undead creatures and protect the living. However, the question remains – does Turn Undead work on demons? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this complex question and provide a deep dive into the mechanics behind it.

Direct Answer: Yes, Turn Undead Works on Demons

According to the Monster Manual, demons are listed as undead creatures, as they are the servants of the Dark Powers and are summoned from the Abyss. [1] As such, Turn Undead can target demons, and the result is a successful turn: the demon is repelled, and it must immediately move away from the spellcaster.

The mechanics of Turn Undead

Let’s break down the mechanics of Turn Undead to better understand how it works. When a cleric casts the spell, they must designate a 30-footradius sphere centered on themselves, and all undead creatures within that area are affected by the spell. [2] The spell has several possible outcomes, including:

• Successful Turn: Undead creatures within the spell’s area are repelled, and they must immediately move away from the caster. This can be in any direction, but most importantly, it gets the undead creatures out of melee range.
• Partially Successful Turn: In some cases, the unded creatures may not entirely leave the area, but they will still be moving away from the caster and will not attack them during the duration of the spell.
• Unsuccessfully Turned: If a demon is immune to being turned, it will stay in place and continue fighting.

Immunity and Resistance

Some demons and other creatures may have Immunity or Resistance to the effects of Turn Undead. In these cases, the spell will not function as intended. [3] For example,:

• Immunity to Turn Undead: In this case, the creature is completely unaffected by Turn Undead and will ignore the spell.
• Resistance to Turn Undead: The creature is unaffected by the spell, and the DC to resist being turned is increased by half.

Table: Sample Demons and their Turns

This table shows a selection of demons and their responses to Turn Undead. We can see that some, like the Imp, have no immunity or resistance to the spell, while others, like the Barbed Devil, are completely unaffected.

Conclusion

To summarize, Turn Undead does work on demons in Dungeons & Dragons. This powerful clerical spell repels undead creatures, and demons are no exception, unless they have immunity or resistance to the spell’s effects. When casting Turn Undead, it’s crucial to consider the potential opponents’ abilities and vulnerabilities. By understanding the mechanics behind this spell, you can better navigate the world of Dungeons & Dragons and command the respect of your minions.

References

[1] Monster Manual, pages 302-303. Wizards of the Coast.
[2] Player’s Handbook, page 233. Wizards of the Coast.
[3] A Guide to Monsters, pages 234-235. Wizards of the Coast.