\u201cOh, you miserable bags of bones! Pick yourselves up and sally fo… Sally for\u2026.. Sally forth.\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Hello everyone, and welcome to the seventh in a series of 9 articles covering the basics of each of the various school of spells for a Sorcerer, Wizard or other Arcane caster in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, focusing on the spells available in the Pathfinder Core Rulebook (and possibly any that stand out from elsewhere). The goal for each of these is to provide you with a quick overview of useful spells at each level as well as the people who use these spells.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n That said, welcome to this week\u2019s article on the arcane school of Necromancy.<\/span><\/p>\n As usual, let us start with defining what a Necromancer actually is and does. If we look at the description for the Necromancer specialization from the <\/span>Pathfinder Core Rulebook<\/span><\/i>, we find that a Necromancer \u201c<\/span>commands undead and uses the foul power of unlife against his enemies.\u201d – Seeing as part of the main description includes the word foul, I think we can safely assume that in most cases, the Necromancer will not be a force for good. (Though there are exceptions). <\/span><\/p>\n Interestingly, if we go back to the root of the word Necromancy, we find that it comes from two greek words <\/span>\u03bd\u03b5\u03ba\u03c1\u03cc\u03c2 and \u03bc\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5\u03af\u03b1 which roughly translates as \u201cDivination of the dead body.\u201d And there is in fact a spell that does just that. \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n If we look at the description for the school itself, it say that \u201cNecromancy spells manipulate the power of death, unlife, and the life force. Spells involving undead creatures make up a large part of this school.\u201d – I\u2019d unfortunately have to say that saying that there aren\u2019t actually that many spells directly involving the undead. However there are a number of them that would affect undead differently, due to accessing negative energy.<\/span><\/p>\n Finally it is worth noting that many Necromancy spells have the [death] or [evil] spell descriptors, the use of which can affect a character’s religious standing or their alignment.<\/span><\/p>\n So let\u2019s get into it, shall we?<\/span> First on the list of spells is <\/span>Bleed,<\/span><\/i> a 0-level spell that in many ways is overlooked. The reason is that it doesn\u2019t do any damage on its own, but merely causes the person upon whom it\u2019s cast to resume dying. Now dying in Pathfinder is designated as a condition, from which you can stabilize (requiring a DC 10 + the negative hit point Constitution check) so with a good Constitution score, you have at least a reasonable chance of making it. <\/span><\/p>\n That means that usually it\u2019ll only be the villains using the spell, as often GMs avoid using the \u201cdying\u201d condition for NPCs. I\u2019d strongly suggest leaving that in as an option (especially as it allows for NPCs to be taken alive, since the \u201cdying\u201d condition also means that they are unconscious). This will allow unscrupulous PCs to use <\/span>Bleed<\/span><\/i>, rather than rendering it solely as a tool for NPCs.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Disrupt Undead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The spell only affects the undead, and not living creatures, in spite of using positive energy. As such, unlike many positive energy effects, it does not heal nor cause damage to the living. This spell can therefore safely be used, even when a living creature has engaged the undead target, as there is no risk of damaging your living compatriot.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Touch of Fatigue<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Touch of Fatigue<\/span><\/i> is a deceptively powerful spell, in that it gives the \u201cfatigued\u201d condition on a failed save. The fatigued condition means that a character can neither run nor charge and takes a \u20132 penalty to Strength and Dexterity, i.e. a -1 to any to hit roll and a -1 to damage in melee (and a possibility that they cannot use their ranged weapon if it is set up for a high strength).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cause Fear<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Similar to <\/span>touch of Fatigue<\/span><\/i>, in that it forces a condition upon you, in this case, the \u201cfrightened\u201d condition. A frightened creature flees from the source of its fear as best it can. If unable to flee, it may fight. A frightened creature takes a \u20132 penalty on all attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. A frightened creature can use special abilities, including spells, to flee; indeed, the creature must use such means if they are the only way to escape. – As such, not only do they take a penalty on attacks, but they must try to escape the caster. PCs and NPCs can use this to clear out a low level boss, to deal with his minions or to remove a single henchman from a low level fight, like sending away the healer, who would otherwise be keeping the villain alive and functional.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chill Touch<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Chill Touch<\/em> affects both the living and the undead, doing damage and Strength damage to the living (bearing in mind that this is a rare touch attack spell that you can use multiple times, once per level, unlike others that are one offs). It\u2019s worth noting that undead become panicked instead of taking damage, giving an effect similar to, but more powerful than, <\/span>Cause Fear<\/span><\/i>. \u201cPanicked\u201d means that a creature must drop anything it holds and flee at top speed from the source of its fear, as well as any other dangers it encounters, along a random path. It can\u2019t take any other actions. – This, more or less, takes the creature completely out of the picture for the duration.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blindness\/Deafness<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n This spell does the rather obvious and provides a target with either the blinded or deafened condition so which one to go for?<\/span><\/p>\n Well, <\/span>Blindness<\/span><\/i> is probably the one to go for in most cases, as it provides the following: The creature cannot see. It takes a \u20132 penalty to Armor Class, loses its Dexterity bonus to AC (if any), and takes a \u20134 penalty on most Strength\u2013 and Dexterity-based skill checks and on opposed Perception skill checks. All checks and activities that rely on vision (such as reading and Perception checks based on sight) automatically fail. All opponents are considered to have total concealment (50% miss chance) against the blinded character. Blind creatures must make a DC 10 Acrobatics skill check to move faster than half speed. Creatures that fail this check fall prone.<\/span><\/p>\n However – there is a case for using the d<\/span>eafened <\/span>condition<\/span>, <\/span><\/i>specifically on spellcasters and creatures that rely on sound rather than sight, because <\/span>Deafness\u00a0<\/span><\/i>does the following: A deafened character cannot hear. He takes a \u20134 penalty on initiative checks, automatically fails Perception checks based on sound, takes a \u20134 penalty on opposed Perception checks, and has a 20% chance of spell failure when casting spells with verbal components.- A Game Master might safely rule that a creature that is already blind, who is then affected by <\/span>deafness <\/span><\/i>would get both sets of penalties.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Command Undead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Command Undead <\/span><\/i>is an iconic spell for the Necromancer, part and parcel of what makes him able to control undead (along with the Command Undead feat), with only intelligent undead even getting a saving throw, in spite of normally being immune to mind-affecting spells (which, critically, this spell is not classed as being). There is also no limit to the amount of times he can cast the spell, and since it has a duration of 1\/day per level, a necromancer could build up a horde of directly controlled undead, provided he renews the spells every so often. (As this is a 2nd level spell, when he first gets it, he\u2019d need to renew it every 3rd day). It allows the Necromancer to control undead who\u2019d normally be outside what he could control with the Command Undead feat, or the spell he gains later on, <\/span>Animate Dead<\/span><\/i>. As such, it is his first real undead control spell.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ghoul Touch<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Again, another spell that gives a condition, this time it gives paralyzed. A paralyzed character is frozen in place and unable to move or act. A paralyzed character has effective Dexterity and Strength scores of 0 and is helpless, but can take purely mental actions. A winged creature flying in the air at the time that it becomes paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A paralyzed swimmer can\u2019t swim and may drown. <\/span><\/p>\n That means that not only can they not move, but things like a coup de grace become options. And with a duration of a minimum of 3 rounds, it\u2019s definitely worth looking into.<\/span><\/p>\n Better yet, it also potentially affect anyone AROUND the subject, giving them the sickened condition (crucially though, it does NOT affect the caster). Specifically, \u201csickened\u201d characters take a \u20132 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Meaning that you can seriously stifle anyone using a simple spell such as this. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spectral Hand<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n In many ways it annoys me that this spell is not called <\/span>Mage Hand<\/span><\/i>, as it is THAT useful. It allows you to deliver low level touch spells at a distance, increasing the range of the spells from touch to medium (100 ft +10\/level). That means that you can now deliver things like <\/span>Ghoul Touch<\/span><\/i> without exposing yourself to harm (beyond the possible loss of up to 4 hit points, which all things considered is a small consideration). It also means that you can cast things like buff spells on your friends, who may be in melee (or in trouble) without exposing yourself, so for things like a cleric\/wizard multi-classed character, this becomes a very viable option for healing. And as <\/span>Spectral Hand<\/span><\/i> lasts 1 minute per level, you have the ability to use it for multiple different spells, and if high level, even over several combats, at least potentially.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gentle Repose<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Usually used only by adventurers when they wish to preserve a comrade for the use of a <\/span>Raise Dead<\/span><\/i> spell or similar magic, <\/span>Gentle Repose <\/span><\/i>also has a much less creepy\/sinister\/disgusting use. Keeping meat fresh, after a normal kill. It would allow you to bring a valuable dead creature to a customer, where you could sell it as fresh meat (such as a fresh dragon corpse), that they could then harvest for organs or whatever they wished to do. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Halt Undead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Stopping unintelligent undead in their tracks (or intelligent ones that fail a saving throw), this spell can be a lifesaver, as it is, in effect, a <\/span>Hold Person <\/span><\/i>spell for the undead, enabling you to get away while they\u2019re stopped. It\u2019s not possible to do damage to them while they\u2019re stopped however, as that breaks the spell. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ray of Exhaustion<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Similar to <\/span>Touch of Fatigue<\/span><\/i>, this spell does not require touch and hits them with a higher grade of condition, in this case exhaustion, which causes a character to move at half speed, they cannot run or charge, and take- a \u20136 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. All for a ranged touch attack and a saving throw (that even if successful still leaves them fatigued).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Vampiric Touch<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Not quite a healing spell, but the closest that most wizards and sorcerers will get to one. It transfers hit points from one creature and transfers it to the caster. The hit points transferred are temporary only though, so it is not a true healing method, as the hit points do not last, but they do the job better than anyone else that the wizard can get his hands on regularly, especially when combined with <\/span>Spectral Hand<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Animate Dead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Here comes the bread and butter of the Necromancy school, the spell we\u2019ve all been waiting for. The ability to raise the dead. Now, importantly there are some limitations to this spell, so it is best to keep a few things in mind. First, there\u2019s a limit to the amount of undead that you can CONTROL at any time using this spell, regardless of how many times you cast it which is equal to 4 times your level, so if you\u2019ve just gained access to the spell at level 7, then you can control 28 HD worth of undead. If you\u2019re not worried about control then you can raise as many as you want. Be aware also that these undead do NOT count against your Command Undead feat, so you can unload some of the living dead onto the feat, keeping control of even more undead. Using our 7th level Necromancer from before, stacking his Command Undead and <\/span>Animate Dead<\/span><\/i> now gives him access to controlling 31 HD worth of undead. That means that one 7th level Necromancer can control the equivalent of 4 adventuring partners, through the use of just this spell, making him a formidable foe, under the right circumstances.<\/span><\/p>\n Now, there ARE some limitations to the spell, namely that it can only raise skeletons and zombies. But even here there are a few options to choose from. Your bog-standard skeleton\/zombie can be raised with multiple hit dice (provided you can find a suitable corpse), and you can apply a template to it (my favorite is the Bloody template, as it gives your skeleton the fast healing ability, making it quite difficult to kill – Applying a template DOES cost more from your Hit Dice bucket though, in the case of Bloody, it doubles the HD cost, but then – unkillable (well nearly) skeletons! (also a +4 bonus to Charisma for the skeleton is worth it, as it increases the bonus hit points).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bestow Curse<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n A bit of an interesting debuff spell, because it gives you multiple choices for what to do, and only has a few specific spells that can remove it. So let\u2019s look at these options.<\/span><\/p>\n Option 1: \u00a0<\/b>-6 decrease to an ability score (minimum 1). – This is a nasty one. At the level where you gain access to it (7th), you can potentially reduce a spellcaster to a point where he can no longer cast his spells. Cast it on a spellcaster with a 16 in his spellcasting stat, and he\u2019s reduced to whatever weapons he has. Even if not and he\u2019s maxed his stat out, at say 20? Then you reduce him to level 4 spells and below, which is not really an issue for a 7th level caster, but for a 10th or 12th level caster, it\u2019s a bit issue. For a physical character, you can severely reduce their damage output by both lowering their to hit and damage rolls (for using Strength of example). However, that is probably not the best use for it, as most PCs (and many NPCs) will have their primary stat being the one their character class revolves around. Instead, target a secondary stat, and reduce their Hit Points or their saving throws. Take the same caster, he\u2019s likely to have a high spellcasting stat, possibly bloating up his Will save. Now target his Dexterity or Constitution, thereby lowering his other saves, his armor class and\/or hit points. And suddenly you have a much softer and easier target.<\/span><\/p>\n Option 2: \u00a0<\/b>-4 penalty on attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks. – This is a better option in general. It doesn\u2019t have a double-whammy effect, but it does have a stronger effect on what it actually hits. Depending on the target, the best choice is probably to go for the saving throws, making the target easier to take down.<\/span><\/p>\n Option 3: \u00a0<\/b>Each turn, the target has a 50% chance to act normally; otherwise, it takes no action. – Right, not a fan of this option if you\u2019re using it as a GM, for the same reason that I do not recommend using <\/span>Confusion<\/span><\/i> against PCs, as it takes away player agency. (If you want a more in-depth explanation of why, have a look at the article focusing on Enchantment spells).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Contagion<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n A nasty spell, since it gives a target a severe disease, without the onset period (which normally takes a few days), so choose the right disease or the moment, so here\u2019s a quick run down of them as well:<\/span><\/p>\n Blinding sickness<\/span><\/i> – 1d4 Str damage, if more than 2 Str damage, target must make an additional Fort save or be permanently blinded – So this is a good option against a melee focused character, especially since it both lowers his strength and a chance for blindness (you can see the effects of that in the discussion on <\/span>blindness\/deafness<\/span><\/i> above).<\/span><\/p>\n Bubonic plague<\/span><\/i> – 1d4 Con damage and 1 Cha damage and target is fatigued – Another good option against melee characters, since it limits their movements, but the Con loss can be debilitating to anyone.<\/span><\/p>\n Cackle fever <\/span><\/i>– 1d6 Wis damage – While this has no special effects beyond the Wisdom loss, that can still debilitate a cleric or other caster, or even simply lower Will saves, softening up targets.<\/span><\/p>\n Filth fever<\/span><\/i> – 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage – Again, no special effects, but it can debilitate a rogue or ranged character to lose some of their Dexterity bonus, as well as some of their hit points\/Fortitude saves.<\/span><\/p>\n Leprosy <\/span><\/i>– 1d2 Cha damage – Probably the least effective disease on this list, it does have one thing to recommend it. A high DC to recover from the disease, making it difficult to shake.<\/span><\/p>\n Mindfire <\/span><\/i>– 1d4 Int damage – No special effect, but like Cackle fever, it can debilitate a caster that relies on Intelligence, or even just remove the ability to speak (if progressed far enough) or to use skills.<\/span><\/p>\n Red ache<\/span><\/i> – 1d6 Str damage – As before, no special effects, but the Strength loss can severely hamper a melee style character, reducing their damage potential. More importantly, especially if playing with the encumbrance rules, it can leave a character unable to move their gear, meaning they\u2019d have discard various pieces of equipment or suffer penalties on movement.<\/span><\/p>\n Shakes <\/span><\/i>– 1d8 Dex damage – Once more, no special effect, but this one is probably my favorite. It hampers ranged characters of all kinds, lowers armor class and reflex saves and generally makes the person affected a much easier target than before.<\/span><\/p>\n Slimy doom<\/span><\/i> – 1d4 Con damage, target must make a second Fort save or 1 point of the damage is drain instead – The important part of this is the ability drain of this, as ability drain cannot be healed naturally unlike the normal ability damage. That means that it is more or less permanent, and a great way to permanently damage someone. (Albeit that is most useful for villains).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Enervation<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Enervation causes you to gain 1d4 negative levels for a number of hours, though never for long enough for it to become permanent, but in order for us to see how effective the spell is, we need to look at what a negative level does: For each negative level a creature has, it takes a cumulative \u20131 penalty on all ability checks, attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, Combat Maneuver Defense, saving throws, and skill checks. In addition, the creature reduces its current and total hit points by 5 for each negative level it possesses. The creature is also treated as one level lower for the purpose of level-dependent variables (such as spellcasting) for each negative level possessed. Spellcasters do not lose any prepared spells or slots as a result of negative levels. If a creature’s negative levels equal or exceed its total Hit Dice, it dies.<\/span><\/p>\n In this case that means that a creature takes up to -4 on pretty much everything except damage rolls, as well as losing up to 20 hit points. Not bad, especially if you consider that there IS NO SAVING THROW on the spell, only a ranged touch attack.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fear<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Simply looking at the name of the spell would understandably cause most people to think it\u2019s an upgraded version of <\/span>Cause Fear<\/span><\/i>, and in many ways that is correct. However, unlike Cause Fear,\u00a0<\/i><\/span>it\u2019s not limited to a single target, and instead of gaining the \u201cfrightened\u201d condition, those who fail the save are instead affected by the \u201cpanicked\u201d condition similar to how undead would react to <\/span>Chill Touch<\/span><\/i>. Even if they make the saving throw, they are still affected by the \u201cshaken\u201d condition, which gives the character a \u20132 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Blight<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Affecting only plant life, this is an effective spell against creatures such as treants, kelpies and fungus men. Plants that are not creatures (i.e. those classified as hazards and traps) do not receive a save but instantly die. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Magic Jar<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Quite a spell, as it is the equivalent of what we\u2019d deem possession (and is even used as such by various outsiders). You gain control of a target\u2019s body, possessing it with your mind for an hour per level, and if it dies (provided you\u2019re in range), then you\u2019re safely returned to your body, while the target only dies. The range for that is relatively short, but enterprising characters might infiltrate an enemy stronghold, take possession of someone in the area, and use their body to scout out the lay of the land. They (or smart GMs) might even use this possessed body as an assassin, knowing that even if the body fails, trying to tie it back to the possessor is almost impossible.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Symbol of Pain<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n All <\/span>Symbol <\/span><\/i>spells automatically trigger when a creature interacts with it (looks at the rune; reads the rune; touches the rune; passes over the rune; or passes through a portal bearing the rune), and while various <\/span>symbols<\/span><\/i> have different effect, they all have that in common. That makes their usability for a PC somewhat limited, as they, by their very nature, make for trap spells. They\u2019re also very hard to detect since ONLY rogues can find them. While that is the literal wording from the <\/span>Pathfinder Core Rulebook,<\/span><\/i> there are now more classes available, so I would extend that to include all classes that have the Trapfinding class ability. That still makes the spell incredibly hard to detect, but it allows for more heroic moments on the behalf of certain player characters. <\/span> <\/p>\n Circle of Death<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n This is an excellent spell for clearing away minions of the villain (as it is somewhat unlikely to kill the villain himself at this level, as it can only affect creatures of 8 HD or below). However, for what it does, it is excellent. At the level where you get it, you will be able to kill 11d4 worth of Hit Dice, provided they fail their saving throw. And with a minimum save DC of 19 (10+6 for the spell\u2019s level and another +3 for your minimum stat to cast 6 level spells) you stand a good chance of clearing away at least SOME of the opposition. Just don\u2019t rely on it exclusively – My personal favorite use of this though is for instant reinforcements. Cast this spell and follow it up with an animate dead, and then you have your own little private army ready, and however tough your opponents are, seeing their friends die and then rise up to kill them, must be harrowing.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Create Undead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Create Undead <\/span><\/i>is a double edged sword. The reason for this is that the undead you create are free-willed, so unless you have some other means of controlling them (Command Undead feat or <\/span>Control Undead <\/span><\/i>spell) then you run a certain risk using it. Further, and this is a personal thing admittedly, I do not think the spell is powerful enough. That is because the undead that it creates are not as powerful as those of the Conjuration spell of the same level. Allow me to show you what I mean:<\/span><\/p>\n For the same 6th level spell slot you ALWAYS gain a monster of Challenge Rating 7-8 – unfortunately that does mean that unless you have some way of bolstering the undead created (like the Charnel Soldiers feat for example), then it will pretty much always be inferior to <\/span>Summon Monster VI<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Eyebite<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Another really powerful condition spell, this can apply up to multiple conditions: comatose, panicked and sickened. At this level I\u2019d be surprised if you saw many other effects than sickened though, due to the strength of your opponents. It can however, be used in conjunction with spells that give negative energy levels, as they then become more vulnerable to this spell, giving you an opportunity to capture your opponent alive and weakened, since they do not take direct damage from this spell.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Control Undead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Probably one of the spells that could be of the most use to a necromancer, this allows you to gain control of undead creatures for a short amount of time, letting you use them as long as you can make yourself understood to the creature. Be warned though: If the undead is intelligent, they will remember, and may take vengeance. (And GMs, make a note of it \ud83d\ude09 ).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Finger of Death<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n I wish this was still its old version of save or die, but we can\u2019t have everything. \ud83d\ude42 Instead we get an extremely reliable damage dealer (always dealing 10 damage \/level or 3d8+level on a successful save), and there\u2019s not even an attack roll. \ud83d\ude42 It\u2019s one of the most reliable damage dealers available to the necromancer (and possibly spellcasters in general), and is a sure-fire pick up for a character that reaches this level of ability.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Waves of Exhaustion<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n This is <\/span>Ray of Exhaustion<\/span><\/i> writ very large indeed, as it can affect everyone in a 60 foot cone, causing them to be exhausted, with NO saving throw, which as mentioned before, causes a character to move at half speed, they cannot run or charge, and take- a \u20136 penalty to Strength and Dexterity. That can potentially cripple a line of melee damage dealers, for no real effort on your behalf. Potentially a game changer when used against a large group of melee focused enemies.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clone<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n A magical recreation of yourself, albeit one that\u2019s 2 levels lower than you. If you combine it with <\/span>Stasis <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>Magic Jar<\/span><\/i>, you\u2019ve basically got immortality on your hands. However, you could also clone yourself in order to gain a reliable henchman, one who knows exactly how you think.<\/span> <\/p>\n Create Greater Undead<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n This has the same issues as <\/span>Create Undead<\/span><\/i> in that it is not competitive with <\/span>
\n<\/span>
\n<\/span>Bleed<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>As it triggers upon those certain conditions, it pays off to be devious about it. Place it on the upper edge of a doorframe and have fun as people walk through. \ud83d\ude09<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n
\n Caster Level<\/th>\n Undead Created<\/th>\n Challenge Rating<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n 11th or lower<\/td>\n Ghoul<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 12th – 14th<\/td>\n Ghast<\/td>\n 2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 15th – 17th<\/td>\n Mummy<\/td>\n 5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 18th or higher<\/td>\n Mohrg<\/td>\n 8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n<\/span>My personal favorite potential use for it though, is for the GM. This is your chance to create a recurring villain who the players can kill. In effect, the clone gets cloned, who then gets cloned, all the way from the top Campaign End boss, all the way down to the very first boss that the PCs encounter. The first encounter will likely go like normal, the second one a \u201chuh, a twin,\u201d the third \u201cthis guy again?\u201d, the fourth \u201cwhat the heck is going on?\u201d and so on. And the NPC villain would likely die for the cause. The possibilities for a villain look-alike are just endless.<\/span><\/p>\n