Panicing D&D 3.5 DM!

[MarkB]

Plus, the zombies cannot take full round actions in 3.5E, either. I think they can only do partial actions. So, if you have a mobile foe, the zombies will be generally pretty pathetic against them - the mobile foe will be able to attack and then move and keep out of the range of the zombies. The zombies can move or attack, but not both. So, if the zombie has to do more than take a 5 foot step to get into melee range, they won't be able to attack.

Just a quick clarification on this: Zombies, like any creature limited to taking one action, can still make a Charge attack, though they can move only their speed before attacking. This is the zombie's go-to tactic if there isn't an enemy within easy reach.

 

[Scott DeWar]

If the zombies are making the encounters too easy, go ahead and let the DN use them, but turn up the heat. Create encounters that force the DN to *use up* the zombies. As in, he can't use what's left of them (and the armor gets munched or destroyed along with them).

Some where on the threads is a link to wulf ratbanes pdf where it makes a mixed encounter easier to design. I will try and find it.

as for 'using up the zombies': black pudding and gray oozes! quite lovely against zombies.

 

[NewJeffCT]

Just a quick clarification on this: Zombies, like any creature limited to taking one action, can still make a Charge attack, though they can move only their speed before attacking. This is the zombie's go-to tactic if there isn't an enemy within easy reach.

Good point - forgot about that. However, if the zombies are dressed up in plate armor, they're only going to be charging 20 feet instead of 30. So, still pretty easy for the opponents to stay out of the way if they move at 30.

From 10 feet away, standard action to shoot an arrow or cast magic missile or whatever. Move action to retreat 30 feet...

zombie charges 20 to within 20 of opponent.

standard action to shoot arrow, throw dagger, etc. Move action to move back 10.

zombie charges 20 to within 10...

and, the shooters can do that all day.

 

[Vikarr]

Why don't you just factor the Zombies into the encounter levels you're using?
Count each as 1/4 of a first level character, add that to the average party level, and use the total to determine encounters (or something like that).
Then you don't have to nerf his build and the game will still be challenging.

 

[Scott DeWar]

i like someone's idea of throwing clerics at him.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Why don't you just factor the Zombies into the encounter levels you're using?
Count each as 1/4 of a first level character, add that to the average party level, and use the total to determine encounters (or something like that).
Then you don't have to nerf his build and the game will still be challenging.

Ummm, summoned or controlled critters are just considered part of the character - always. So you don't pour more monsters onto encounters, anymore than you add encounters when a fighter gets better armor - controlling undead is what a DN does, just like swinging a sword is what a fighter does.

Much better is just being familiar with the rules for the rebuked critters and the DN in general.

The Auld Grump, mind you, I think that the DN is better as an NPC, but then I don't like evil parties.

 

[pawsplay]

I think Dread Necromancer is okay as a PC, but the lord of undead hordes concept specifically does not work so well for a PC. Undead really turn people off. Heck, they attract clerics, paladins, and NPCs with weird undead-slaying Prestige Classes. If you create too many undead, the Inevitible of No Making Too Many Undead may travel the multiverse to smite you. And the undead themselves... zombies are slow! The transportation issues are monumental. There are dangers to armies of zombies. For instance, clerics may turn or destroy them. Worse, enemy clerics and dread necromancers may STEAL them. Forget about sneaking anywhere.... if you go to slay a dragon, it's going to see you from a mile away, and it's going to come up and burn up all your zombies at an inopportune time. And more powerful minions? Very vulnerable to things like searing ray, undeath to death, and so forth. To say nothing of a Mass Cure Light Wounds spell.

 

[Vikarr]

Ummm, summoned or controlled critters are just considered part of the character - always. So you don't pour more monsters onto encounters, anymore than you add encounters when a fighter gets better armor - controlling undead is what a DN does, just like swinging a sword is what a fighter does.

Ah, Sorry.

 

[NewJeffCT]

I think Dread Necromancer is okay as a PC, but the lord of undead hordes concept specifically does not work so well for a PC. Undead really turn people off. Heck, they attract clerics, paladins, and NPCs with weird undead-slaying Prestige Classes. If you create too many undead, the Inevitible of No Making Too Many Undead may travel the multiverse to smite you. And the undead themselves... zombies are slow! The transportation issues are monumental. There are dangers to armies of zombies. For instance, clerics may turn or destroy them. Worse, enemy clerics and dread necromancers may STEAL them. Forget about sneaking anywhere.... if you go to slay a dragon, it's going to see you from a mile away, and it's going to come up and burn up all your zombies at an inopportune time. And more powerful minions? Very vulnerable to things like searing ray, undeath to death, and so forth. To say nothing of a Mass Cure Light Wounds spell.

Lots of good ideas here. Will award XP after I finish this post, if I don't need to spread it more first.

However, while the perception is that zombies are slow (they do get a DEX penalty in 3.5) because of the Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead movies, plus the Walking Dead TV show & graphic novel series, they actually do not get a penalty to their speed in 3.5. A human zombie moves at 6 (30 feet/round), just like a normal human. However, because they can only take partial actions, they cannot move & attack unless they charge.

 

[pawsplay]

Lots of good ideas here. Will award XP after I finish this post, if I don't need to spread it more first.

However, while the perception is that zombies are slow (they do get a DEX penalty in 3.5) because of the Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead movies, plus the Walking Dead TV show & graphic novel series, they actually do not get a penalty to their speed in 3.5. A human zombie moves at 6 (30 feet/round), just like a normal human. However, because they can only take partial actions, they cannot move & attack unless they charge.

That means they also cannot hustle.