Create Undead
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- 1 minute
- Range
- 10 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (one 150+ GP black onyx stone for each corpse)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
You can cast this spell only at night. Choose up to three corpses of Medium or Small Humanoids within range. Each one becomes a Ghoul under your control (see the Monster Manual for its stat block).
As a Bonus Action on each of your turns, you can mentally command any creature you animated with this spell if the creature is within 120 feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can command any of them at the same time, issuing the same command to them). 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 particular place. 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 the order 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 before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to three creatures you have animated with this spell rather than animating new ones.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. If you use a level 7 spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over four Ghouls. If you use a level 8 spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over five Ghouls or two Ghasts or Wights. If you use a level 9 spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over six Ghouls, three Ghasts or Wights, or two Mummies. See the Monster Manual for these stat blocks.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 6th-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- 1 minute
- Range
- 10 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (one clay pot filled with grave dirt, one clay pot filled with brackish water, and one 150 gp black onyx stone for each corpse)
- Duration
- Instantaneous
- Classes
- Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
You can cast this spell only at night. Choose up to three corpses of Medium or Small humanoids within range. Each corpse becomes a ghoul under your control. (The DM has game statistics for these creatures.)
As a bonus action on each of your turns, you can mentally command any creature you animated with this spell if the creature is within 120 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 have given it. To maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you must cast this spell on the creature before the current 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control over up to three creatures you have animated with this spell, rather than animating new ones.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a 7th-level spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over four ghouls. When you cast this spell using an 8th-level spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over five ghouls or two ghasts or wights. When you cast this spell using a 9th-level spell slot, you can animate or reassert control over six ghouls, three ghasts or wights, or two mummies.
Create Undead 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Create Undead popularity
How popular is Create Undead? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is often chosen over other options when available. This spell could be a valuable addition for spellbooks.
- Top 25% of all level 6 spells
- Top 50% picked level 6 Wizard spell
- Top 50% picked level 6 Warlock spell
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 25% picked level 6 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Create Undead
Finger of Death 7th-level necromancy
This high-level necromancy can create a lasting undead servant from a slain humanoid, despite focusing primarily on damage.
Players prefer Finger of Death over Create Undead
Animate Dead 3rd-level necromancy
It is a lower-level necromancy that creates multiple undead servants and lets the caster direct them over time.
Players prefer Animate Dead over Create Undead
Summon Undead 3rd-level necromancy
The shared undead theme, necromancy school, and warlock or wizard access make it a close alternative for adding an undead ally.
Players prefer Create Undead over Summon Undead
Simulacrum 7th-level illusion
It similarly produces a long-lasting controlled duplicate or servant, but at much greater cost and with only one creation.
Players prefer Create Undead over Simulacrum
Create Homunculus 6th-level transmutation
Each spell permanently creates a subordinate magical servant whose actions can extend the caster’s capabilities.
Players prefer Create Undead over Create Homunculus
Danse Macabre 5th-level necromancy
Both animate several corpses as combat-ready undead under the caster’s control, though this spell lasts only an hour.
Players prefer Create Undead over Danse Macabre