Summon Undead
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 90 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a gilded skull worth 300+ GP)
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 hour
- Classes
- Warlock, Wizard
You call forth an Undead spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range and uses the Undead Spirit stat block. When you cast the spell, choose the creature's form: Ghostly, Putrid, or Skeletal. The spirit resembles an Undead creature with the chosen form, which determines certain details in its stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 Hit Points or when the spell ends.
The creature is an ally to you and your allies. In combat, the creature shares your Initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don't issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its movement to avoid danger.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. Use the spell slot's level for the spell's level in the stat block.
- Level & School
- 3rd-level necromancy
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 90 feet
- Components
- V, S, M (a gilded skull worth at least 300 gp)
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 hour
- Classes
- Warlock, Wizard
You call forth an undead spirit. It manifests in an unoccupied space that you can see within range. This corporeal form uses the Undead Spirit stat block. When you cast the spell, choose the creature’s form: Ghostly, Putrid, or Skeletal. The spirit resembles an undead creature with the chosen form, which determines certain traits in its stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 hit points or when the spell ends.
The creature is an ally to you and your companions. In combat, the creature shares your initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don’t issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its move to avoid danger.
Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 4th level or higher, use the higher level wherever the spell’s level appears in the stat block.
Summon Undead 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
The 2024 version clarifies that the creature's form determines "certain details" in the stat block, replacing "traits." It also specifies "your allies" instead of "you and your companions," and states "use the spell slot's level" instead of "higher level wherever the spell’s level appears," providing clearer guidance.
Spells similar to Summon Undead
Animate Dead
Both spells involve summoning undead creatures to serve the caster.Summon Fey
Both spells summon a spirit that fights for the caster and shares some similarities in mechanics.Conjure Animals
Both spells allow the caster to summon a creature that acts as an ally in combat.Summon Construct
Similar to Summon Undead, this spell conjures a creature to aid the caster.Summon Elemental
Both spells create a summoned being that serves the caster during the spell's duration.