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Disambiguation icon This page is about the wizard version of the spell. For the priest version, see Animate Dead (priest).

Animate Dead brings forth skeleton warrior(s) who follows the caster's every command.

Effects[]

BG & TotSC:

This spell creates the lowest of the undead monsters, skeletons or zombies, usually from the bones or bodies of dead humans, demihumans, or humanoids. The spell causes these remains to become animated and obey the simple verbal commands of the caster, regardless of how they communicated in life. The skeletons or zombies can follow the caster, remain in an area and attack any creature (or just a specific type of creature) entering the place, etc. The undead remain animated until they are destroyed in combat, 8 hours pass, or are turned; the magic cannot be dispelled. The priest can animate one skeleton for each experience level he has attained.

BG2 & after:

This spell causes a skeleton warrior to rise and serve the caster under any conditions. The type of skeleton warrior that appears depends upon the level of the priest casting the spell.
1st – 6th: a 3 HD skeleton warrior wielding a long sword.
7th – 10th: a 5 HD skeleton warrior wielding a long sword +1.
11th – 14th: a 7 HD skeleton warrior wielding a bastard sword +1.
15th and up: a 9 HD skeleton warrior wielding a two-handed sword +1.
The skeleton warrior can follow the caster, remain in an area and attack any creature entering the place, etc. It remains animated until it is destroyed in combat, 8 hours pass, or it is turned. This spell cannot be dispelled.

Gameplay[]

BG & TotSC:

  • There's no five summon limit in classic BG & TotSC, and this spell functions differently in those versions, summoning only 1HD Skeletons (8HP) but with overwhelming numbers, from 1 at lv1, increasing 1 by each level, up to 13 at lv13

BG2 & after:

  • For the summon skeleton status from BG2 & after, please refer to Gameplay section of Animate Dead (priest) page

Where to obtain its scroll[]

The Black Pits[]

Sold by[]

Baldur's Gate[]

Shadows of Amn[]

Treasure

Throne of Bhaal[]

Gallery[]

Mod content[]

Mods icon This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.

Spell Revisions mod has replaced the arcane Animate Dead spell with Summon Shadow. See below for description:
Summon Shadow
Level: 5
School: Necromancy
Range: Long
Duration: 3 turns
Casting Time: 1 round
Area of Effect: Special
Saving Throw: None
By means of this spell, the caster summons a number of shadows, undead monsters which serve the mage under any conditions. The type and number of creatures that appear depend upon the level of the wizard casting the spell.

9th : 3 shadows
12th+ : 2 wraiths

The undead creatures will remain under the wizard’s control until they are slain or the spell duration expires.
Shadow (3 Hit Dice):
STR -, DEX 14, CON -, INT 6, WIS 12, CHA 11; AL Chaotic Evil
HP 36, AC 5, THAC0 13, Saving Throws 11/13/11/13/13
1 Attack Per Round, 1d6+1 Cold Damage (Touch +1)
Combat Abilities:
Chill Touch: creatures struck must save vs. death or lose 1 point of strength for 1 hour
Special Qualities:
Immune to normal weapons Immune to backstab, charm, confusion, hold, poison, sleep, stun, & death effects
Cold Resistance 100%; Physical Damage Resistance 50%

Wraith (5 Hit Dice):
STR -, DEX 15, CON -, INT 11, WIS 13, CHA 12; AL Lawful Evil
HP 60, AC 4, THAC0 12, Saving Throws 10/13/10/13/13
1 Attack Per Round, 1d8+1 Cold Damage (Touch +1)
Combat Abilities:
Life Drain: each successful hit raises the wraith’s hit points by 5 for 1 turn and causes the target to save vs. death or lose 1 level
Special Qualities:
Immune to normal weapons
Immune to backstab, blindness, charm, confusion, hold, poison, sleep, stun, & death effects
Cold Resistance 100%; Physical Damage Resistance 50%

Note:The SR version has taken the place of Animate Dead, which is removed from the game. Scrolls are also replaced. If a wizard desires to summon a skeleton, then the SR level 6 arcane spell Animate Skeleton Warrior may be used - see description in Mod content on the Carrion Summons page.

External links[]

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