Do creatures all have the same statistics upon being reanimated via the Animate Dead spell?





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__bot-mid-leaderboard:empty{
margin-bottom:0;
}








13














$begingroup$


I have been thinking of making a necromancer, and I feel like I am missing something.



Do all zombies and skeletons, regardless of the corpse they used as an ingredient, become the creature listed as zombie/skeleton in the stat block?



The main source of confusion I'm having is caused by this text in the animate dead spell description:




The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).




This sounds to me like each skeleton has different statistics that are only known (or decided upon) by the DM.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • 2




    $begingroup$
    I take it you decided to try a different character concept after all? Can't get much further away from nature than necromancy, I'll give you that! Good luck with the new character!
    $endgroup$
    – NathanS
    May 28 at 10:41








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    My thoughts exactly. XD
    $endgroup$
    – Maiko Chikyu
    May 28 at 10:41


















13














$begingroup$


I have been thinking of making a necromancer, and I feel like I am missing something.



Do all zombies and skeletons, regardless of the corpse they used as an ingredient, become the creature listed as zombie/skeleton in the stat block?



The main source of confusion I'm having is caused by this text in the animate dead spell description:




The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).




This sounds to me like each skeleton has different statistics that are only known (or decided upon) by the DM.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • 2




    $begingroup$
    I take it you decided to try a different character concept after all? Can't get much further away from nature than necromancy, I'll give you that! Good luck with the new character!
    $endgroup$
    – NathanS
    May 28 at 10:41








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    My thoughts exactly. XD
    $endgroup$
    – Maiko Chikyu
    May 28 at 10:41














13












13








13


1



$begingroup$


I have been thinking of making a necromancer, and I feel like I am missing something.



Do all zombies and skeletons, regardless of the corpse they used as an ingredient, become the creature listed as zombie/skeleton in the stat block?



The main source of confusion I'm having is caused by this text in the animate dead spell description:




The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).




This sounds to me like each skeleton has different statistics that are only known (or decided upon) by the DM.










share|improve this question











$endgroup$




I have been thinking of making a necromancer, and I feel like I am missing something.



Do all zombies and skeletons, regardless of the corpse they used as an ingredient, become the creature listed as zombie/skeleton in the stat block?



The main source of confusion I'm having is caused by this text in the animate dead spell description:




The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature’s game statistics).




This sounds to me like each skeleton has different statistics that are only known (or decided upon) by the DM.







dnd-5e spells necromancy






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question



share|improve this question








edited May 28 at 10:22









V2Blast

34.3k5 gold badges124 silver badges217 bronze badges




34.3k5 gold badges124 silver badges217 bronze badges










asked May 28 at 8:55









Maiko ChikyuMaiko Chikyu

8,5435 gold badges29 silver badges98 bronze badges




8,5435 gold badges29 silver badges98 bronze badges











  • 2




    $begingroup$
    I take it you decided to try a different character concept after all? Can't get much further away from nature than necromancy, I'll give you that! Good luck with the new character!
    $endgroup$
    – NathanS
    May 28 at 10:41








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    My thoughts exactly. XD
    $endgroup$
    – Maiko Chikyu
    May 28 at 10:41














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    I take it you decided to try a different character concept after all? Can't get much further away from nature than necromancy, I'll give you that! Good luck with the new character!
    $endgroup$
    – NathanS
    May 28 at 10:41








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    My thoughts exactly. XD
    $endgroup$
    – Maiko Chikyu
    May 28 at 10:41








2




2




$begingroup$
I take it you decided to try a different character concept after all? Can't get much further away from nature than necromancy, I'll give you that! Good luck with the new character!
$endgroup$
– NathanS
May 28 at 10:41






$begingroup$
I take it you decided to try a different character concept after all? Can't get much further away from nature than necromancy, I'll give you that! Good luck with the new character!
$endgroup$
– NathanS
May 28 at 10:41






2




2




$begingroup$
My thoughts exactly. XD
$endgroup$
– Maiko Chikyu
May 28 at 10:41




$begingroup$
My thoughts exactly. XD
$endgroup$
– Maiko Chikyu
May 28 at 10:41










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















22
















$begingroup$

Yes, each creature will either have the statistics for the standard skeleton or zombie



When the spells say that a creature becomes a zombie or a skeleton they are referring to the respective creatures with those names in the rules. It isn't clear why they felt the need to add the part about the DM having the creature's statistics however, but there really isn't any other reasonable way to interpret the effect.



It would not be in line with any other spell effect, for example, to interpret this to meant that the DM comes up with the statistics from scratch each time for every creature that is raised. And there is no zombie or skeleton monster template, so there is no way for a DM to create individual stats for a monster-turned-undead. Really the only interpretation we are left with then is that the spell wants you to use the standard statistics for those creatures.



It is worth noting that the "the DM has the creature’s game statistics" language appears in all Conjure X spells (plus some others).1



One thing that might be different from creature to creature is equipment as discussed in this Q&A.2 Your DM might provide you with slightly different statistics based on that, but the base will always be those standard stat blocks.



Jeremy Crawford has unofficially clarified the intent on Twitter though:




Q: When animate dead is cast on a corpse/skeleton, do you use the Monster manual statistics, or add a template?



JC: When you cast animate dead, use the skeleton/zombie stat block from the Monster Manual or appendix D in the PH.






1 - thanks @Miniman



2 - thanks @Someone_Evil






share|improve this answer












$endgroup$















  • $begingroup$
    Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
    $endgroup$
    – SeriousBri
    May 28 at 11:24










  • $begingroup$
    @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 28 at 11:28










  • $begingroup$
    I missed that part :(
    $endgroup$
    – SeriousBri
    May 28 at 11:30










  • $begingroup$
    @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 28 at 11:31





















5
















$begingroup$

Yes, Animate Dead can only create a Skeleton or Zombie



Animate Dead is only a 3rd level spell, so it only has the ability to create these two creatures. The DM may rule that the creatures only have access to the weapons around them when raised, otherwise you'd default to the given stat blocks.



If you wanted to raise a more powerful creature, you'd use spells such as Create Undead to create Ghouls






share|improve this answer










$endgroup$

















    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "122"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"u003ecc by-sa 4.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });















    draft saved

    draft discarded
















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f148807%2fdo-creatures-all-have-the-same-statistics-upon-being-reanimated-via-the-animate%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown


























    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    22
















    $begingroup$

    Yes, each creature will either have the statistics for the standard skeleton or zombie



    When the spells say that a creature becomes a zombie or a skeleton they are referring to the respective creatures with those names in the rules. It isn't clear why they felt the need to add the part about the DM having the creature's statistics however, but there really isn't any other reasonable way to interpret the effect.



    It would not be in line with any other spell effect, for example, to interpret this to meant that the DM comes up with the statistics from scratch each time for every creature that is raised. And there is no zombie or skeleton monster template, so there is no way for a DM to create individual stats for a monster-turned-undead. Really the only interpretation we are left with then is that the spell wants you to use the standard statistics for those creatures.



    It is worth noting that the "the DM has the creature’s game statistics" language appears in all Conjure X spells (plus some others).1



    One thing that might be different from creature to creature is equipment as discussed in this Q&A.2 Your DM might provide you with slightly different statistics based on that, but the base will always be those standard stat blocks.



    Jeremy Crawford has unofficially clarified the intent on Twitter though:




    Q: When animate dead is cast on a corpse/skeleton, do you use the Monster manual statistics, or add a template?



    JC: When you cast animate dead, use the skeleton/zombie stat block from the Monster Manual or appendix D in the PH.






    1 - thanks @Miniman



    2 - thanks @Someone_Evil






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$















    • $begingroup$
      Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:24










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:28










    • $begingroup$
      I missed that part :(
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:30










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:31


















    22
















    $begingroup$

    Yes, each creature will either have the statistics for the standard skeleton or zombie



    When the spells say that a creature becomes a zombie or a skeleton they are referring to the respective creatures with those names in the rules. It isn't clear why they felt the need to add the part about the DM having the creature's statistics however, but there really isn't any other reasonable way to interpret the effect.



    It would not be in line with any other spell effect, for example, to interpret this to meant that the DM comes up with the statistics from scratch each time for every creature that is raised. And there is no zombie or skeleton monster template, so there is no way for a DM to create individual stats for a monster-turned-undead. Really the only interpretation we are left with then is that the spell wants you to use the standard statistics for those creatures.



    It is worth noting that the "the DM has the creature’s game statistics" language appears in all Conjure X spells (plus some others).1



    One thing that might be different from creature to creature is equipment as discussed in this Q&A.2 Your DM might provide you with slightly different statistics based on that, but the base will always be those standard stat blocks.



    Jeremy Crawford has unofficially clarified the intent on Twitter though:




    Q: When animate dead is cast on a corpse/skeleton, do you use the Monster manual statistics, or add a template?



    JC: When you cast animate dead, use the skeleton/zombie stat block from the Monster Manual or appendix D in the PH.






    1 - thanks @Miniman



    2 - thanks @Someone_Evil






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$















    • $begingroup$
      Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:24










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:28










    • $begingroup$
      I missed that part :(
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:30










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:31
















    22














    22










    22







    $begingroup$

    Yes, each creature will either have the statistics for the standard skeleton or zombie



    When the spells say that a creature becomes a zombie or a skeleton they are referring to the respective creatures with those names in the rules. It isn't clear why they felt the need to add the part about the DM having the creature's statistics however, but there really isn't any other reasonable way to interpret the effect.



    It would not be in line with any other spell effect, for example, to interpret this to meant that the DM comes up with the statistics from scratch each time for every creature that is raised. And there is no zombie or skeleton monster template, so there is no way for a DM to create individual stats for a monster-turned-undead. Really the only interpretation we are left with then is that the spell wants you to use the standard statistics for those creatures.



    It is worth noting that the "the DM has the creature’s game statistics" language appears in all Conjure X spells (plus some others).1



    One thing that might be different from creature to creature is equipment as discussed in this Q&A.2 Your DM might provide you with slightly different statistics based on that, but the base will always be those standard stat blocks.



    Jeremy Crawford has unofficially clarified the intent on Twitter though:




    Q: When animate dead is cast on a corpse/skeleton, do you use the Monster manual statistics, or add a template?



    JC: When you cast animate dead, use the skeleton/zombie stat block from the Monster Manual or appendix D in the PH.






    1 - thanks @Miniman



    2 - thanks @Someone_Evil






    share|improve this answer












    $endgroup$



    Yes, each creature will either have the statistics for the standard skeleton or zombie



    When the spells say that a creature becomes a zombie or a skeleton they are referring to the respective creatures with those names in the rules. It isn't clear why they felt the need to add the part about the DM having the creature's statistics however, but there really isn't any other reasonable way to interpret the effect.



    It would not be in line with any other spell effect, for example, to interpret this to meant that the DM comes up with the statistics from scratch each time for every creature that is raised. And there is no zombie or skeleton monster template, so there is no way for a DM to create individual stats for a monster-turned-undead. Really the only interpretation we are left with then is that the spell wants you to use the standard statistics for those creatures.



    It is worth noting that the "the DM has the creature’s game statistics" language appears in all Conjure X spells (plus some others).1



    One thing that might be different from creature to creature is equipment as discussed in this Q&A.2 Your DM might provide you with slightly different statistics based on that, but the base will always be those standard stat blocks.



    Jeremy Crawford has unofficially clarified the intent on Twitter though:




    Q: When animate dead is cast on a corpse/skeleton, do you use the Monster manual statistics, or add a template?



    JC: When you cast animate dead, use the skeleton/zombie stat block from the Monster Manual or appendix D in the PH.






    1 - thanks @Miniman



    2 - thanks @Someone_Evil







    share|improve this answer















    share|improve this answer




    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited May 28 at 9:14

























    answered May 28 at 9:04









    RubiksmooseRubiksmoose

    74.8k11 gold badges376 silver badges514 bronze badges




    74.8k11 gold badges376 silver badges514 bronze badges















    • $begingroup$
      Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:24










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:28










    • $begingroup$
      I missed that part :(
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:30










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:31




















    • $begingroup$
      Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:24










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:28










    • $begingroup$
      I missed that part :(
      $endgroup$
      – SeriousBri
      May 28 at 11:30










    • $begingroup$
      @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
      $endgroup$
      – Rubiksmoose
      May 28 at 11:31


















    $begingroup$
    Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
    $endgroup$
    – SeriousBri
    May 28 at 11:24




    $begingroup$
    Is it worth mentioning the sidebar that talks about weapons and armour? Animating a skeleton in plate mail potentially improves the stats.
    $endgroup$
    – SeriousBri
    May 28 at 11:24












    $begingroup$
    @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 28 at 11:28




    $begingroup$
    @SeriousBri are you suggesting adding that part to my answer? I think that my mention and link to the Q&A covers that does it not? Or was it a specific part of the text that you thought I should reference?
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 28 at 11:28












    $begingroup$
    I missed that part :(
    $endgroup$
    – SeriousBri
    May 28 at 11:30




    $begingroup$
    I missed that part :(
    $endgroup$
    – SeriousBri
    May 28 at 11:30












    $begingroup$
    @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 28 at 11:31






    $begingroup$
    @SeriousBri no worries! Do let me know if you think it can be improved :)
    $endgroup$
    – Rubiksmoose
    May 28 at 11:31















    5
















    $begingroup$

    Yes, Animate Dead can only create a Skeleton or Zombie



    Animate Dead is only a 3rd level spell, so it only has the ability to create these two creatures. The DM may rule that the creatures only have access to the weapons around them when raised, otherwise you'd default to the given stat blocks.



    If you wanted to raise a more powerful creature, you'd use spells such as Create Undead to create Ghouls






    share|improve this answer










    $endgroup$




















      5
















      $begingroup$

      Yes, Animate Dead can only create a Skeleton or Zombie



      Animate Dead is only a 3rd level spell, so it only has the ability to create these two creatures. The DM may rule that the creatures only have access to the weapons around them when raised, otherwise you'd default to the given stat blocks.



      If you wanted to raise a more powerful creature, you'd use spells such as Create Undead to create Ghouls






      share|improve this answer










      $endgroup$


















        5














        5










        5







        $begingroup$

        Yes, Animate Dead can only create a Skeleton or Zombie



        Animate Dead is only a 3rd level spell, so it only has the ability to create these two creatures. The DM may rule that the creatures only have access to the weapons around them when raised, otherwise you'd default to the given stat blocks.



        If you wanted to raise a more powerful creature, you'd use spells such as Create Undead to create Ghouls






        share|improve this answer










        $endgroup$



        Yes, Animate Dead can only create a Skeleton or Zombie



        Animate Dead is only a 3rd level spell, so it only has the ability to create these two creatures. The DM may rule that the creatures only have access to the weapons around them when raised, otherwise you'd default to the given stat blocks.



        If you wanted to raise a more powerful creature, you'd use spells such as Create Undead to create Ghouls







        share|improve this answer













        share|improve this answer




        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered May 28 at 9:16









        WhambulanceWhambulance

        1,0331 gold badge3 silver badges15 bronze badges




        1,0331 gold badge3 silver badges15 bronze badges


































            draft saved

            draft discarded



















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to Role-playing Games Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f148807%2fdo-creatures-all-have-the-same-statistics-upon-being-reanimated-via-the-animate%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown









            Popular posts from this blog

            He _____ here since 1970 . Answer needed [closed]What does “since he was so high” mean?Meaning of “catch birds for”?How do I ensure “since” takes the meaning I want?“Who cares here” meaningWhat does “right round toward” mean?the time tense (had now been detected)What does the phrase “ring around the roses” mean here?Correct usage of “visited upon”Meaning of “foiled rail sabotage bid”It was the third time I had gone to Rome or It is the third time I had been to Rome

            Bunad

            Færeyskur hestur Heimild | Tengill | Tilvísanir | LeiðsagnarvalRossið - síða um færeyska hrossið á færeyskuGott ár hjá færeyska hestinum