In the unlikely event that any of my players frequent these parts of the internet: this thread is a spoiler! Bugger off!
For story reasons, I need an intelligent undead to lose its immunity to mind-affecting effects.
I could of course simply use GM fiat, state that this particular member of the living dead is susceptible to influence, but I try to minimize breaking rules like that.
So I'd love to find some rule that I can apply which solves the issue. So far, I've only found the 3pp Shadow-Traced creature template. I'm fine with 3pp material, though I'd prefer Paizo stuff, and the template has a nice thematic feel that would actually work in the intended case. But the template has issues so I turn to you for tips.
Templates, spells, items, feats, class features; what-ever could I use to make the immunity to mind-affecting effects go away?
just gm rule it
There are feats and class abilities that allow you to affect and undead with mind control effects without the undead losing immunity to mind control. This requires the caster of the spell to take the feat or class and only allows that caster to affect undead. Undead bloodline sorcerers get this as a bloodline arcana. The Metamagic feat Threnodic Spell allows you to use mind affecting spells on undead, including mindless undead.
What's wrong with making a unique creature? Not everything you do as a GM has to be copied straight out of the book. You need an undead that is not immune to mind affecting then make one.
What's wrong with making a unique creature? Not everything you do as a GM has to be copied straight out of the book. You need an undead that is not immune to mind affecting then make one.
Eh, you're probably right. The creature in question is unique in flavour, might as well have a few custom rules.
I don't like my players drawing the wrong conclusions about the nature of the creature based on the very reasonable assumption that the undead-looking creature is immune to mind-affecting effects. An established rule, preferably one with which the player can be familiarised with, would reduce the risk of my players feeling cheated. But I suppose I could drop hints about the creatures susceptibility before the encounter, without relying on rules.
What's wrong with making a unique creature? Not everything you do as a GM has to be copied straight out of the book. You need an undead that is not immune to mind affecting then make one.Eh, you're probably right. The creature in question is unique in flavour, might as well have a few custom rules.
I don't like my players drawing the wrong conclusions about the nature of the creature based on the very reasonable assumption that the undead-looking creature is immune to mind-affecting effects. An established rule, preferably one with which the player can be familiarised with, would reduce the risk of my players feeling cheated. But I suppose I could drop hints about the creatures susceptibility before the encounter, without relying on rules.
If they don't get the hints then give them a perception or knowledge(religion) to notice that this guy is "different". That way they shouldn't feel cheated if they don't get the hints and the dice just hate them. You will have given the players (through hints) and characters (through their skills) an opportunity to figure it out.
If you want to make it less of a "gimme" you could have the undead in question have an ability that gives it some advantage elsewhere while becoming vulnerable to mind-affecting (ex. it can imitate a living creature and be healed by channeled positive energy).
Not knowing more about what you are trying to accomplish makes it more difficult to give better advice.
As far as I know, the only ways around an Undead's immunity to mind-affecting effects is through a specific class or feat (in other words, they're still immune, but a specific individual could simply ignore said immunity; doesn't sound like what you're looking for). To have an Undead that's universally affected by mind-affecting effects, I think you're gonna have to stray from Paizo rules.
As others have said, it would help to get some more info about the nature of this undead, or even the setting.
I second Cavernshark's suggestion of looking to templates that remove immunity of mind-affecting effects from creatures who otherwise have it by default. The Soulbound Doll is a great example. In the case of your undead, it could simply be a normal corpse, but it has another creature's soul inside it, granting it "life", as well as being susceptible to mind-affecting effects.
Not knowing more about what you are trying to accomplish makes it more difficult to give better advice.
You're right.
I want an undead bloodrager. But the bloodrage class feature gives morale bonuses, to which undeads are immune.
Not knowing more about what you are trying to accomplish makes it more difficult to give better advice.You're right.
I want an undead bloodrager. But the bloodrage class feature gives morale bonuses, to which undeads are immune.
I'm pretty sure I saw something stating that Raging was an exception to an Undead's immunity to Mind-affecting/Morale effects (i.e. Undead Barbarians can benefit from Rage). I can't find it atm, though. Maybe I made it up?
Not knowing more about what you are trying to accomplish makes it more difficult to give better advice.You're right.
I want an undead bloodrager. But the bloodrage class feature gives morale bonuses, to which undeads are immune.
As undead with morale bonuses are a pet peeve of mine, that is a bit easier to help with then!
Where you want to look is here. Sadly, the specific entry isn't very searchable on the prd, but look at the Vampire Savage, who has an ability called "Undead Barbarian".I think that is exactly what it is you are seeking.