Tweaking Animate Dead to Animate Bones

[Angel Tarragon]

I want a variation on Animate Dead that only animates bones. The crunch of the spell [mechanics] should look the same as Animate Dead, though since it only animates bones, I'm guessing a 1 level drop is appropriate. So basically that puts it at:

Animate Bones
Necromancy [Evil]
Level: Clr 2, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Intact skeletons from corpses touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

What I am left with is the modification to the text to Animate Dead. Not sure how to handle that one. Also, I'd like a reduction in cost to animation, possible halving the cost for Animate Dead. (which put it at approximately 13 gp per gem.

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I was wondering if I could get some help with this.

 

[Nifft]

I want a variation on Animate Dead that only animates bones. The crunch of the spell [mechanics] should look the same as Animate Dead, though since it only animates bones, I'm guessing a 1 level drop is appropriate.

Why would that lower the level? You're still creating the same bone critters that animate dead would create, right?

It's less flexible, rather than less powerful. But if you want to create skeletons, it's exactly the same.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Why would that lower the level? You're still creating the same bone critters that animate dead would create, right?

It's less flexible, rather than less powerful. But if you want to create skeletons, it's exactly the same.

Hadn't thought that far ahead. You are right. I guess I need a Leseer Skeletal Creature to go with it then. That hardly seems worth it. :\

 

[Drowbane]

You could perhaps limit the maximum HD animated. Half of what Animate Dead allows (maximum of 1/2 your HD per casting, limited animated skeletons equal to your HD, can only animate skeletons of up to 10 HD).

When I get the energy and ambition, I am going to redesign the spell-lists so that Niche Casters (Necromancers, Warmages, Enchanters, Druids, Healers, etc, etc) cast thier niche spells at one level lower than everybody else. Animate Dead would be a Necromancer 2 / Cleric 3 / Wizard 3 (assuming I don't just redesign the Casters too... which I probably would given that much time and energy )

Thoughts?

 

[FoxWander]

How about a spell which only allowed you to animate a SINGLE undead and limited to only half your hit dice? This differentiates it from Animate Dead which can create many undead and with more hit dice. Of course you can also use Animate Dead to create only a single undead but, again, with a lot more hit dice. If you cast this spell again while the first undead is still "alive" then the first undead crumbles to dust.

These limitations might even justify a spell level drop of two across the board- so 1st level for clerics and 2nd for Sorc/Wiz.

How does that sound?