Animate dead advice.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

So my lvl 2 cleric found a scroll of animate dead (10 HD) and two lesser animate reads (2hd each). FYI this is for Reign of Winter.

Since I won't be able to cast the spell myself for awhile I wanted to get some advice on the best utility for these.

Either I want to do something utility or perhaps a front line damage sponge.

For the utility I was thinking some bloody skeletal horses and maybe a cart or sled to move the party around.

For the front line Fighter I was thinking a bloody skeleton or Bloody zombie for the recycling value. What do you think?

Also, how does on tell in character the HD of a creature?

[Falcar]

There is a guide around here sonewhere "brewers guide to Undeath" if I am not mistaken. It was a great guide to let you know what are the best to animate for all levels and HD. If I find it I will post it here. Basically though you want high strength and as big as possible, more HD are always good.

[JasonKain]

The mentioned guide can be found here.