Turning undead - new system

[Nadaka]

I think I would combine the CD version with a one additional option...
Command Undead: any cleric can command undead through the channeling of positive or negative energy (depending on his alignment). Any undead within 30ft of the caster make a will save with a DC = 10 + cleric level + cha mod. This is neither a good nor evil act, only the use that you make of it determines if it is good or evil.

*If they fail they will follow any one simple command for up to 1 minute; example: Flee!, Cower!, kill that guy, drag that goblin to me, etc.
*If they fail by 5 or more, they will follow any command that you give for 1 minute / cleric level.
*If they fail by 10 or more, they become permenantly dominated and count towards the limit of undead that you can control at any given time. Note that the total hit dice of undead under permenant control at any one time can not exceede the clerics level.

This allows a good cleric to force undead to flee or stop attacking if needed. While also allowing the evil cleric to control his hoard of the undead.

I might even switch the save vs damage to fortitude as it seems to make more sense than will IMO.

 

[Kerrick]

Command Undead: any cleric can command undead through the channeling of positive or negative energy (depending on his alignment). Any undead within 30ft of the caster make a will save with a DC = 10 + cleric level + cha mod. This is neither a good nor evil act, only the use that you make of it determines if it is good or evil.

*If they fail they will follow any one simple command for up to 1 minute; example: Flee!, Cower!, kill that guy, drag that goblin to me, etc.
*If they fail by 5 or more, they will follow any command that you give for 1 minute / cleric level.
*If they fail by 10 or more, they become permenantly dominated and count towards the limit of undead that you can control at any given time. Note that the total hit dice of undead under permenant control at any one time can not exceede the clerics level.

I'm not too sure on that one - the part that makes me leery is: "This is neither a good nor evil act, only the use that you make of it determines if it is good or evil." Controlling undead has always been an evil(ish) act - just like summoning a demon for a task is evil. You generally don't consort with undead (or demons) unless you've got darkness in your soul and evil deeds in mind. Letting a good cleric order undead around, no matter his motives or justification, is just the first step on a slippery slope to Hell.

I might even switch the save vs damage to fortitude as it seems to make more sense than will IMO.

It does make more sense, except that a) undead, having no Con score, are immune to all effects that require a Fort save unless they affect objects; and b) they have a low Fort save, which might skew the results in the cleric's favor.

That being said, the cure/inflict wounds spells should be Fort save, but they're Will because of the undead thing. I think the rule would work for constructs, since they're non-living and have never been alive, but undead were once alive (and some might say still retain vestiges of life), and they should get a special exception for positive/negative energy. But, that's really a topic for another thread.