Can you apply the Skeleton or Zombie template to a Troll?

[RigaMortus]

For some reason, it just doesn't seem right. But I can't think of any reason why you couldn't. I am sure the DM can w/o any problems, but what about a PC? How would he use Animate Dead on a Troll corpse (which I think is an oxymoron)?

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Well, I don't see why you couldn't either, but it would basically just be a large skeleton/zombie... It might keep it's rend, but other than that not much, and I'm not even sure about that...

 

[RigaMortus]

Would it keep it's regeneration though?

And how would a PC actually run across a Troll corpse? It really should be something that doesn't exist. If the Troll didn't turn to ash from fire or acid damage, it would regenerate and never become a corpse. Maybe there is a way to kill a Troll that doesn't involve reducing it to dust where it would leave a corpse behind.

 

[Darkness]

Right, a troll corpse will often have been grossly mutilated by fire and/or acid to get it to the state of being dead. How much to animate will be left in this case is a good question.

The PHB suggests that a corpse needs to be mostly intact to be animated. Sounds like a DM's call situation to me.

 

[demiurge1138]

The question here, I think, is the matter of troll corpses (as acid and fire should hopefully leave no more than smoking ashes or a puddle of goo). I say, yes, troll skeletons and zombies can be made, but that requires killing the troll without ruining the body. This can be done by poisons, death effects, and diseases. I'd also probably allow troll skeletons from their burned remains (I'd assume troll bones don't burn).

Demiurge out.

Edit: Bah! Poor timing! Right after the Hand and Eye of Piratecat! Who mentioned one of my biggest points!

 

[Enkhidu]

It wouldn't keep its regen - zombies and skeletons lose the extraordinary abilities they had in life.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Well, from what I understand, now you can kill trolls more mundanely, such as starvation, choking, cutting off it's head and kicking it away, etc.

I know, seems weird, but from what I hear that's how it is now, to avoid the whole "I've got a chunk of troll meat in my BoH that I constantly cut steaks off of" LMAO

 

[Darkness]

Would it keep it's regeneration though?

It retains any (Ex) SQs that improve its melee or ranged attacks, and no SAs.

Regeneration doesn't improve attacks, thus it's lost. Rend is an SA, thus it's also lost.

 

[R-Hero]

I understand the regenereation ability comes from a major metabolism, hence the constant need to feed.

Without a constitution, I don't beleive undead would regenerate.

Make him a vampire spawn though........

 

[Lasher Dragon]

LMAO A troll vamp that would SUCK <literally> hehehe