Hello everybody!
I have a question: the description of "create undead" says "Created undead are not automatically under the control of their animator. If you are capable of commanding undead, you may attempt to command the undead creature as it forms". I know that command undead (by a cleric or a necromancer) last 1 minute per caster level. This means that undeads created with "create undead" will not be ever controlled by the caster, but when command undead effect finishes they are free and dangerous for everybody (even the caster). Am I right?
Thank you
Command Undead, the 2nd level spell, lasts 1/day per level. The undead won't attack you while it is in effect. You cannot control them, but you can try to command them to follow simple instructions with a CHA check. you can Extend this spell to 2 days per level fairly easily, if you care to apply the Feat or use a Rod. If you're animating your own undead, then the extended version of this spell gives you 10 days (minimum) of undead pets, as long as you have the CHA (or the patience) to make them obey you.
Control Undead, the 7th level spell, lasts 1 minute per level. You completely control the undead during this time, they cannot disobey (assuming they failed their Save, of course).
The best option is to use the Command Undead Feat. This allows you to use one use of Channel Negative Energy (sorry arcane casters, you suck at necromancy) to get the effects of Control Undead with the duration of Command Undead. That's a seriously powerful feat for cleric/necromancers.
Command Undead, the 2nd level spell, lasts 1/day per level. The undead won't attack you while it is in effect. You cannot control them, but you can try to command them to follow simple instructions with a CHA check. you can Extend this spell to 2 days per level fairly easily, if you care to apply the Feat or use a Rod. If you're animating your own undead, then the extended version of this spell gives you 10 days (minimum) of undead pets, as long as you have the CHA (or the patience) to make them obey you.
Control Undead, the 7th level spell, lasts 1 minute per level. You completely control the undead during this time, they cannot disobey (assuming they failed their Save, of course).
The best option is to use the Command Undead Feat. This allows you to use one use of Channel Negative Energy (sorry arcane casters, you suck at necromancy) to get the effects of Control Undead with the duration of Command Undead. That's a seriously powerful feat for cleric/necromancers.
Sorry, Blake, but that's not how it works. You CAN control undead under Command Undead without checks, but they have to me unintelligent.
Intelligent undead do require a CHA check to control.This spell allows you a degree of control over an undead creature. If the subject is intelligent, it perceives your words and actions favorably (treat its attitude as friendly). It will not attack you while the spell lasts. You can give the subject orders, but you must win an opposed Charisma check to convince it to do anything it wouldn't ordinarily do. Retries are not allowed. An intelligent commanded undead never obeys suicidal or obviously harmful orders, but it might be convinced that something very dangerous is worth doing.
A nonintelligent undead creature gets no saving throw against this spell. When you control a mindless being, you can communicate only basic commands, such as "come here," "go there," "fight," "stand still," and so on. Nonintelligent undead won't resist suicidal or obviously harmful orders.
I had always read that line in Create Undead as referring to Command Undead (channeling/3.5 Rebuke), not either spell.
The best option is to use the Command Undead Feat. This allows you to use one use of Channel Negative Energy (sorry arcane casters, you suck at necromancy)
Ummm....Necromancers get Channeling/Command Undead.
to get the effects of Control Undead with the duration of Command Undead
I am not sure what you mean by this. Command Undead (Channeling) references the effect is like Control Undead (spell). But what do you mean by "with the duration of Command Undead"? Do you mean spell or channeling?
I have always read that it is permanent (though someone else could Channel or cast a spell to take control away), similar to 3.5 Rebuke/Command, since there is no duration listed. But if there was a duration, wouldn't it be Control Undead's duration since it copies that effect?
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The Command Undead feat's duration is permanent vs unintelligent undead. Vs intelligent undead, the undead has to succeed at a will save or be under your control for 1 day. It is allowed another save each day. So, if your channel DC is high enough and the intelligent undead is unlucky enough, it can be under your control indefinitely. Its all covered in the FAQ.
Of course, most intelligent undead have obscene will saves...