Animate Dead
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- 1 minute
- Range
- 10 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of blood, a piece of flesh, and a pinch of bone dust)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
Choose a pile of bones or a corpse of a Medium or Small Humanoid within range. The target becomes an Undead creature: a Skeleton if you chose bones or a Zombie if you chose a corpse.
On each of your turns, you can take a Bonus Action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move on its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the creature takes the Dodge action and moves only to avoid harm. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.
The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after which it stops obeying any command you've given it. To maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you must cast this spell on the creature again before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to four creatures you have animated with this spell rather than animating a new creature.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. You animate or reassert control over two additional Undead creatures for each spell slot level above 3. Each of the creatures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- 1 minute
- Range
- 10 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a drop of blood, a piece of flesh, and a pinch of bone dust)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
This spell creates an undead servant. Choose a pile of bones or a corpse of a Medium or Small humanoid within range. Your spell imbues the target with a foul mimicry of life, raising it as an undead creature. The target becomes a skeleton if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the DM has the creature's game statistics).
On each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to mentally command any creature you made with this spell if the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide what action the creature will take and where it will move during its next turn, or you can issue a general command, such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its task is complete.
The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after which it stops obeying any command you've given it. To maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you must cast this spell on the creature again before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to four creatures you have animated with this spell, rather than animating a new one.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, you animate or reassert control over two additional undead creatures for each slot level above 3rd. Each of the creatures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.
Animate Dead 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Animate Dead popularity
How popular is Animate Dead? It is a commonly found spell in the game, and is often chosen over other options when available. This spell is a reliable addition to any spellbook.
- Top 25% of all level 3 spells
- Top 25% picked level 3 Wizard spell
- Top 50% of all 5e spells
- Top 50% picked level 3 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Animate Dead
Animate Objects 5th-level transmutation
Multiple animated creatures act independently and expand the caster's action economy, making it a strong mechanical parallel despite the different creature type.
Players prefer Animate Objects over Animate Dead
Create Undead 6th-level necromancy
Both necromancy spells create multiple undead at close range and require ongoing command or control over the creatures.
Players prefer Animate Dead over Create Undead
Summon Undead 3rd-level necromancy
This lower-level option also produces an undead ally for a wizard or warlock, though it creates one temporary creature instead of several persistent ones.
Players prefer Animate Dead over Summon Undead
Summon Construct 4th-level conjuration
A summoned construct provides a controllable ally that fights alongside the party and occupies the same support-focused tactical niche.
Players prefer Animate Dead over Summon Construct
Tiny Servant 3rd-level transmutation
It creates a persistent obedient minion that can perform tasks and contribute actions without requiring constant concentration.
Players prefer Animate Dead over Tiny Servant
Danse Macabre 5th-level necromancy
It is a necromantic spell that raises multiple corpses into obedient undead, using them as a lasting group of combat helpers.
Players prefer Animate Dead over Danse Macabre