Bonuses to Turning level

[Hypersmurf]

Amulet of Undead Turning (DMG): +4 levels.
Sacred Armor (DotF): +2 levels.
Rod of Authority (DotF): +4 levels.

As far as I can tell, they're unnamed bonuses... would they all stack?

-Hyp.

 

[Witch Doctor]

(IMHO) In a word: yes

 

[Darklone]

Hey Mr. Big Lich, here comes Mr. Level 1 cleric, I gotta turn you now!

What about saying these are "level" bonuses?

 

[Hypersmurf]

A 1st level cleric with 40k gp in equipment?

-Hyp.

 

[green slime]

By the rules, yes they stack.

Should they stack? IMO, no. Would I let them stack? no.

Why wouldn't I let them stack? In order to throw an undead encounter at the party, I'd have to throw an encounter that if the turn failed, would completely terminate the party, and if the encounter succeeeds, garner the party lots of ill-deserved experience. Of course I'd have to adjust the xp, but it would seem strange, no?

Just another example of how ill-thought out some items presented in the splatbooks are (DotF being a fine example!) .

 

[Demon Knight]

Here's a thought: Do those turning levels apply to your class levels when destroying/commanding undead?

For example, would a 6th level cleric wearing an Amulet of Undead Turning be able to destroy/command a Wraith (in the case of commanding, without having to concentrate constantly)?

 

[Darklone]

A 1st level cleric with 40k gp in equipment?

-Hyp.

Typical Replacement character for a PC casualty
Gets all the dumped magic equipment of the group.

 

[green slime]

Here's a thought: Do those turning levels apply to your class levels when destroying/commanding undead?

For example, would a 6th level cleric wearing an Amulet of Undead Turning be able to destroy/command a Wraith (in the case of commanding, without having to concentrate constantly)?

Yep.

 

[FireLance]

By the rules, yes they stack.

Should they stack? IMO, no. Would I let them stack? no.

Why wouldn't I let them stack? In order to throw an undead encounter at the party, I'd have to throw an encounter that if the turn failed, would completely terminate the party, and if the encounter succeeeds, garner the party lots of ill-deserved experience. Of course I'd have to adjust the xp, but it would seem strange, no?

Just another example of how ill-thought out some items presented in the splatbooks are (DotF being a fine example!) .

Don't forget that may powerful undead have Turn Resistance. Ghouls (for example) are CR1, but are turned as 4HD undead. A 1st-level cleric has almost no chance of turning a ghoul.

If you don't like the idea of stacking to boost turning level, one possible houserule is that these items stack to negate the same amount of Turn Resistance.

 

[green slime]

Most of that turn resistance is needed just to combat the increase of player capabilities, what with Charisma boost items/spells, spells that effectively slaughter undead easier at a lower level, and the DMG's amulet of Undead Turning.

Adding in an extra 6 levels of turning ability... Well there isn't much undead the 10th level cleric can't affect (turns as 20th level cleric, with +4 Cha mod). How are you going to challenge those adventurers with an undead encounter? Hordes of levelled Vampires I suppose could do the trick... But one failed turning attempt and the party is toast. To On/Off for me.