Can Animate Objects be cast on a corpse?

[FreeTheSlaves]

Next question then is: would you allow a successful (relevant) knowledge check to realize what the creature really is?

 

[Saeviomagy]

Next question then is: would you allow a successful (relevant) knowledge check to realize what the creature really is?

No - you allow a spot check opposed by the disguise check.

Well, for the illusionist or polymorpher anyway.

For the animated objects? Spellcraft:
"20 + spell level - Identify a spell that’s already in place and in effect. You must be able to see or detect the effects of the spell. No action required. No retry."

 

[Shin Okada]

Next question then is: would you allow a successful (relevant) knowledge check to realize what the creature really is?

Yes. It will be fair. If someone succeeds in Knowledge (Arcane) check, he recognize it as animated object. If someone tried Knowledge (Religion), I tell him that he could not tell what kind of undead it is.

 

[FreeTheSlaves]

No - you allow a spot check opposed by the disguise check.

Well, for the illusionist or polymorpher anyway.

How would the sharp eyed rogue be better at recognizing types of undead over the knowledgeable cleric? Wouldn't spotting anomalies be useless if you don't know what to be looking for?

I'm not trying to be the devil's advocate, well I'm trying a little bit , but I'm 50/50 on this.

 

[Saeviomagy]

How would the sharp eyed rogue be better at recognizing types of undead over the knowledgeable cleric? Wouldn't spotting anomalies be useless if you don't know what to be looking for?

I'm not trying to be the devil's advocate, well I'm trying a little bit , but I'm 50/50 on this.

Well, the cleric
1) has a good wisdom
2) gets a +4 to the check for being able to recognise said undead on sight

So he's not THAT badly off.

And the rogue isn't recognising types of undead - he's spotting the flaws in the disguise itself. The cleric is getting a +4 bonus because the zombies don't quite look like zombies...

 

[Jack Simth]

If someone tried Knowledge (Religion), I tell him that he could not tell what kind of undead it is.

Ookay - and does the player know he succeeded? Does he know the DC? What do you tell him if he fails the roll? Depending on the answers to those questions, that could be a VERY useless check.....

 

[Shin Okada]

Ookay - and does the player know he succeeded? Does he know the DC? What do you tell him if he fails the roll? Depending on the answers to those questions, that could be a VERY useless check.....

Player should not know the DC or knowledge checks. Usually, I only let roll such knowledge check when players tell me "I'll try to identify it". It will be better not to say the category of knowledge check. Just let player roll and see his PC's character sheet, then tell him what his PC know (or don't know).

Knowledge (religion)
Success .... It seems not be any undead monster he knows. Something is strange. Maybe not an undead at all.
Fail .... It seems not be any undead monster he knows. It just seems to be a moving corpse.

Knowledge (arcane)
Success .... It is an animated object.
Fail .... It just seems to be a moving corpse.

The "Success" result of Knowledge (religion) check can be debatable I guess. But this is how I tell players.