Turning Undead

Celebrim · May 20, 2010

This may seem like an utterly basic question, but I've never felt certain of the answer.

When a cleric turns a group of undead, and fails (for whatever reason, whether he wasn't able to effect the undead or he didn't inflict enough turning damage to effect all the undead that are present) can he try again on the same group of undead, or are those undead now immune to that cleric's further attempts to turn them (at least in the short term)?

The former answer seems to mean that a cleric will always eventually turn the undead if he can beat them at all (particularly given the relatively large number of attempts available) which seems to me to be an undesirable result from the stand point of balance, but the latter answer doesn't seem to have any basis in the rules.

How is it supposed to work?

billd91 · May 20, 2010

Yes, you can try to turn creatures again. In fact, the example in the PH for 3.5 includes that very occurrence (page 159).

cdrcjsn · May 20, 2010

Of course, if he fails to turn the dozen incorporeal level drainers and they attack him before he goes again, it might be a moot point.

LuckyBoneDice · May 21, 2010

cdrcjsn said:
Of course, if he fails to turn the dozen incorporeal level drainers and they attack him before he goes again, it might be a moot point.

great point

Voadam · May 21, 2010

Celebrim said:
The former answer seems to mean that a cleric will always eventually turn the undead if he can beat them at all (particularly given the relatively large number of attempts available) which seems to me to be an undesirable result from the stand point of balance, but the latter answer doesn't seem to have any basis in the rules.

Why does it seem an undesirable balance result to you?

Weak undead will generally be turned/blasted each round/attempt.

Tough undead will generally result in wasted rounds of failed attempts with nothing to show for it.

Moderate undead might take multiple rounds and turn attempts to succesfully turn.

Other options they have on these rounds are attacking or using spells.

ValhallaGH · May 21, 2010

Voadam said:
Weak undead will generally be turned/blasted each round/attempt.

Tough undead will generally result in wasted rounds of failed attempts with nothing to show for it.

Moderate undead might take multiple rounds and turn attempts to succesfully turn.

Other options they have on these rounds are attacking or using spells.

All of which makes Turning useful when the party first encounters that group of undead. So round 1, and every time a new wave shows up.

The only reason to use multiple rounds of turning on the same undead is because you rolled total crap on the Turning Check or the Turning Damage and can't affect the things you should be able to affect. Even then, you have to consider if the benefit (turned / rebuked undead) is worth the opportunity cost of destroying the undead by magic and weapon.
Often, it's not.

Good luck.

Turning Undead

Celebrim

Legend

billd91

Not your screen monkey (he/him)

cdrcjsn

First Post

LuckyBoneDice

First Post

Voadam

Legend

ValhallaGH

Explorer

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