Can Undead Rage?

[gfunk]

I look at it this way: If you were a vampire returning home after your midnight "snack" wouldn't you be slightly pissed off if some adventurers destroyed your coffin and sprinkled the remains with holy water? I would be!

P.S. I would pay money to see Spock rage.

 

[Valicor]

What would be wrong with letting a Undead rage if it had the class ability. I mean lets think about it. Even it you go with the argument they are immune to mind influencing affects, an undead would not get much out of this. He would suffer minus 2AC to recieve +4 strength. No con bonus, thus no hit points, which is what I use my rages for when I can.

 

[James McMurray]

Their anger, although not causing the actual blood in their veins to seethe with rage, does allow them a deeper tie to the negative material plane. The enhanced power of their emotion increses their link, addint +4 to their strength for 3 rounds. However, the sheer mindlessness with which they attack while so nraged causes them a -2 AC penalty.

There ya go, a nice little explanation that allows undead to rage without worrying about something as pesky (or as out of place in a fantasy game) as advanced biology.

 

[gamecat]

Their anger, although not causing the actual blood in their veins to seethe with rage, does allow them a deeper tie to the negative material plane. The enhanced power of their emotion increses their link, addint +4 to their strength for 3 rounds. However, the sheer mindlessness with which they attack while so nraged causes them a -2 AC penalty.

There ya go, a nice little explanation that allows undead to rage without worrying about something as pesky (or as out of place in a fantasy game) as advanced biology.

If you also want to simulate the constitution increase, give them +2 hp/HD and a +2 bonus to fortitude saves, as negative energy levels do give 5 hp/neg level.

 

[Archer]

The total lack of a constitution modifier would prevent undead from raging. Even if they had a 1 con instead of no con the rage would still have a 0 round duration. (3 + [-3 from a 1+4=5 con])

 

[Umbran]

The total lack of a constitution modifier would prevent undead from raging. Even if they had a 1 con instead of no con the rage would still have a 0 round duration. (3 + [-3 from a 1+4=5 con])

Actually, no. Undead don't have a Con of zero. They lack the attribute entirely. There's a difference. If you have a Constitution score, you can apply modifiers to it. This is not possible with undead.

Does your desk have a constitution score? No. Does it makes sense to talk about modifying your desk's constitution? No. Undead are similar, in that sense.

 

[Archer]

I figured saying total lack of constitution meant the same thing as "lacking the attribute entirely." I stand corrected.

Since undead have no constitution the length of rage is undefined. It is comparable to dividing by zero. (which does not mean undead have a con of zero nor that division has anything to do with raging)

 

[AGGEMAM]

Since undead have no constitution the length of rage is undefined. It is comparable to dividing by zero. (which does not mean undead have a con of zero nor that division has anything to do with raging)

Well, an undead could rage for 3 rounds.

It says that in the barbarian rage description, '3 + con mod rounds', PHB, page 25.

The modifier for a non-ability is +0 according to the MM, page 10.

 

[Stalker0]

I'd say that since the emotion spell can produce something very similar to barbarian rage, and since its a mindaffecting spell, that undead can't rage. However, I'd say undead could have something very similar, like a greater connection to the neg. material plane that gave them bonuses like barbarian rage.

But I would rule, that a barbarian who becomes undead couldn't rage as his class ability.

 

[Corwin]

Not only would I probably allow it (because it's just cool), but I'd probably let the undead substitute its Charisma score for Con to determine duration. This would coincide with similar rules applied to undead psionicists as well as their use of the Concentration skill.

Come on. Tell me a barbarian revenant wouldn't be a great opponent! I can't wait to try it.