Undead, as monsters or as templates?

[TwinBahamut]

Monsters.

They are just easier to use as a DM that way.

 

[Lackhand]

I voted "monsters" but "mix" is more accurate.
I just want to apply the templates that make the "mix" a "mix" very very rarely.

Zombies? After I've gotten size and form down (does it bite or does it clobber?), I really don't care whether the living form was an elf or not. Especially once I toss the stats and special abilities aside. Blech. A few zombies, based on shape and-or size, and I'm good to go. Same deal for skeletons, ghouls (usually), shadows, wraiths, and so on.

Even vampires: If I want to run a vampire hunt, I don't want to be forced to necessarily run a vampire-wizard hunt. It's okay to just hunt a vampire. It's also okay to hunt a vampire-wizard. Good place for two monsters, a vampire monster, and a vampire template. This is where ghouls and wights and death knights and so on fit. Sometimes I'll want their past to be important, but often not, so two presentations are a great way to go.

Lich? Template all the way. Always.

 

[senna]

A Mix, minions and normal undead should be monsters, "thats not your friend anymore, hes a monster now!", while elite could be templates, deathkinght comes to mind.

 

[Wormwood]

Simple templates? Sure.

But honestly, I just want it simple.

 

[Klaus]

How would you like to see your monsters? As undead, per the 3.x versions of ghouls, ghasts, etc? Or would you like them as templates?

Also if you choose a mix of both which types would you like to see as a template, and which types would you like to see as a monster?

Mix.

Some undead still hold over some of their original identity to warrant being a template.

Others I see as being stripped from all identity by the curse of undeath, and becoming a standardized creature. I don't need halfling ghouls, human ghouls and bugbear ghouls. Even if they look slightly different, they've become ghouls.

 

[the Jester]

A mix.

There's a simple question I would ask in each case: Does it matter what this creature was when it was alive? In some cases, the answer is obviously "Yes"- for example, skeletons, vampires, liches, etc. In other cases, the answer is an obvious "No"- nightstalkers, wraiths, etc.

 

[catsclaw227]

A mix.

There's a simple question I would ask in each case: Does it matter what this creature was when it was alive? In some cases, the answer is obviously "Yes"- for example, skeletons, vampires, liches, etc. In other cases, the answer is an obvious "No"- nightstalkers, wraiths, etc.

I am guessing that they can have a basic Medium Humaniod Skeleton and it doesn't matter whether it's a human, orc or dwarf. But also allowing for a skeletal template so that you can apply it to a Worg, Ogre, Giant, Remorhaz(sp?), etc.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Templates. All the way.

But WotC should get its act together and have template generators readily available (and accessible) online. Need a halfling zombie? Click. Need a dinosaur skeleton? Click. It doesn't get much easier than that.

 

[Jhaelen]

A mix.

There's a simple question I would ask in each case: Does it matter what this creature was when it was alive? In some cases, the answer is obviously "Yes"- for example, skeletons, vampires, liches, etc. In other cases, the answer is an obvious "No"- nightstalkers, wraiths, etc.

Agreed. They should use whatever works best to implement a certain type of undead.

 

[Gundark]

I voted a mix. vampires I want to stay as templates. Skeletons too (giant skeletons). Maybe zombies (for zombie giants). Everything else.....meh.


Edit...the jester put it best