AD&D - The Power and Perils of the Animate Dead Spell

The Evil Dungeon Master Universe

Today, we’re talking about one of D&D’s most iconic and underappreciated spells—Animate Dead. This third-level necromancy spell lets you turn lifeless bones into loyal minions, but let’s be honest—how often do players actually use it? We’re breaking down everything you need to know: how it works, why villains love it, and how players can use it to their advantage.

I’ll share some of my own experiences running Animate Dead in games, the strategies behind choosing skeletons or zombies, and how to keep your undead horde in check. We’ll also touch on the moral dilemmas that come with animating corpses—because nothing says “party tension” like summoning skeletons in a holy temple. Whether you’re a cleric looking to bring some backup or a Dungeon Master managing the chaos of the undead, this episode has you covered.

#Adnd #OSR #RaiseTheDead #AnimateDead #DNDSpells #TTRPGUndead