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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Cap'n Kobold" data-source="post: 6815865" data-attributes="member: 6802951">I'm pretty much seconding what Dausuul said. The MM makes the point that Skeletons aren't mindless: if they're told to open a door, they will try the handle before they try to batter it down. Also bear in mind that the spirit animating a skeleton is inherently hateful and evil and will seek to harm the living if possible. They are compelled to kill unless they have been commanded not to.Unless you specifically want the unengaged skeleton to enter melee, a general order to attack a target will lead to it using its bow or sword, whichever is most appropriate, just like you don't have to instruct them how to swing a sword. If you don't want them to guard the Paladin by killing anyone who approaches, you'd probably have to get specific. Something along the lines of: "Follow the Paladin and restrain without harming anyone who attacks her. Do not attack anything that does not attack the Paladin." Some limitations to bear in mind though: I do not think that you can tell them to obey another creature: they only follow the commands of their master. If a townsperson sets one off, the only way that the Paladin could stop the skeleton would be to destroy or restrain it.Disposable minions can be extremely useful: (just read Nodwick if you ever grow short of suitably depraved ideas.) Bear in mind that skeletons have limitations though:They are very light compared to a normal creature of the same size. They probably won't set off platform and pressure pad traps meant for people for example.Combined with this lack of solidity, they aren't very strong and aren't proficient in Athletics. So they aren't going to be much good at brute-force or grappling other than providing aid actions to a more competent party member.This doesn't even start on the potential social issues caused by wandering around followed by festering corpses animated by spirits inimical to all life. Most nations will probably have laws against that sort of thing, and most people will have definite issues with that as well.</blockquote>

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