| class learns at level 5 = Cleric, Wizard, Circle of the Spores:Circle Spell, Bard:via [[Magical Secrets]], Warlock:via [[Pact of the Tome]] once per long rest
| class learns at level 9 = Oathbreaker:Oath Spell
| summary = This spell allows spellcasters to animate a corpse to create an undead servant.
| summary = This spell allows spellcasters to animate a corpse to create an undead servant.
| description = Animate a corpse to create an undead servant while not in combat.
| description = Animate a corpse to create an undead servant while not in combat.
| warning = {{Prereq|The target must be a Medium or Small corpse.}}
| warning = {{Prereq|The target must be a Medium or Small corpse.}}
| cost = action, spell3
| cost = action, spell3
| attack roll =
| damage =
| damage modifier =
| damage type =
| damage save =
| damage save effect =
| damage per =
| extra damage =
| extra damage modifier =
| extra damage type =
| extra damage save =
| extra damage save effect =
| extra damage per =
| concentration =
| range =
| range m = 3
| range m = 3
| range ft = 10
| higher levels =
| aoe =
* When the spell is cast at 4th Level, raise up to 3 [[Animate Dead: Skeleton Squad|Skeletons]] or [[Animate Dead: Zombie Batallion|Zombies]] instead of 1.
| aoe m =
| aoe ft =
| condition =
| condition duration =
| condition save =
| area =
| area category =
| area shape =
| area range m =
| area range ft =
| area duration =
| area turn start damage =
| area turn start damage type =
| area turn start damage save =
| area turn start damage save effect =
| area turn end damage =
| area turn end damage type =
| area turn end damage save =
| area turn end damage save effect =
| area condition =
| area condition 2 =
| area condition 3 =
| area condition 4 =
| higher levels = * When the spell is cast at 4th Level, raise up to 3 [[Animate Dead: Skeleton Squad|Skeletons]] or [[Animate Dead: Zombie Batallion|Zombies]] instead of 1.
* When the spell is cast at 5th Level, raise a [[Animate Dead: Ghoul|Ghoul]] or [[Animate Dead: Flying Ghoul|Flying Ghoul]].
* When the spell is cast at 5th Level, raise a [[Animate Dead: Ghoul|Ghoul]] or [[Animate Dead: Flying Ghoul|Flying Ghoul]].
* When the spell is cast at 6th Level, raise up to 3 [[Animate Dead: Ghoul Pack|Ghouls]] or [[Animate Dead: Flying Ghoul Flock|Flying Ghouls]] instead of 1.
* When the spell is cast at 6th Level, raise up to 3 [[Animate Dead: Ghoul Pack|Ghouls]] or [[Animate Dead: Flying Ghoul Flock|Flying Ghouls]] instead of 1.
| class learns at level 5 = Cleric, Wizard, Circle of the Spores:Circle Spell, Warlock:via [[Pact of the Tome]] once per long rest, Death Domain
| class learns at level 6 = College of Lore:via [[Magical Secrets]]
| class learns at level 9 = Oathbreaker:Oath Spell
| class learns at level 10 = Bard:via [[Magical Secrets]]
| notes =
| notes =
* Each individual caster can only have one active instance of this spell at once, no matter which version was used. Casting it again while an undead is already active will dismiss the previous one.
* Wizards with the Necromancy School subclass can raise an additional undead for each level and version of the spell.
* Wizards with the Necromancy School subclass can raise an additional undead for each level and version of the spell.
* None of these summoned Undead have melee weapons, so they are not affected by Aura of Hate from Oathbreaker Paladin.
* None of these summoned Undead have melee weapons, so they are not affected by Aura of Hate from Oathbreaker Paladin.
* A Sorcerer may apply [[Metamagic: Twinned Spell|Twinned Spell]] on a casting of Animate Dead from a Scroll, but only one creature will be raised; the other will be immediately destroyed as if the caster had cast two instances, thus wasting Sorcery Points in the process.
* Earlier issues with the spell that have since been resolved:
** Patch 3 introduced a bug where skeletons summoned by this spell do not have weapons.
** In earlier versions of the game, it was important to note that most friendly and neutral NPCs will respond to undead minions with horror, causing them to express alarm and flee from proximity of the thralls, in some cases to their death. To avoid this, selecting the chain icon next to the summoner player and leaving the thrall at some distance before interacting with certain vendors or achievement related NPCs is advised.
| video = Animate Dead Visuals.mp4
| video = Animate Dead Visuals.mp4
}}
}}
== External Links ==
== External links ==
* {{FRWiki|Animate dead|long}}
* {{FRWiki|Animate dead|long}}
Latest revision as of 02:24, 9 February 2025
Animate Dead is a level 3 necromancy spell. This spell allows spellcasters to animate a corpse to create an undead servant.
Description
Animate a corpse to create an undead servant while not in combat.
Each individual caster can only have one active instance of this spell at once, no matter which version was used. Casting it again while an undead is already active will dismiss the previous one.
Wizards with the Necromancy School subclass can raise an additional undead for each level and version of the spell.
None of these summoned Undead have melee weapons, so they are not affected by Aura of Hate from Oathbreaker Paladin.
A Sorcerer may apply Twinned Spell on a casting of Animate Dead from a Scroll, but only one creature will be raised; the other will be immediately destroyed as if the caster had cast two instances, thus wasting Sorcery Points in the process.
Animate Dead is a level 3 necromancy spell. This spell allows spellcasters to animate a corpse to create an undead servant.
The target must be a Medium or Small corpse.
Action + 
Level 3 Spell Slot
Range: 3 m / 10 ft
