Necromancy • Legacy Undead Control
Undead Enslavement
Undead Enslavement temporarily seizes control of weak, unintelligent undead. It commands rather than turns or destroys, and the undead return to their previous controller when the spell ends.
Undead Enslavement at a Glance
| 5.5e / 2024 | No direct conversion published here |
|---|---|
| 5e / 2014 | No direct conversion published here |
| Pathfinder 1e | Not a Pathfinder Witch spell by default |
| D&D 3.x Legacy | Witch 4, Sorcerer/Wizard 6 |
Spell Rules by Edition
Undead Enslavement — 5.5e / 2024
Status: no official SRD 5.2.1 spell by this name. Use modern undead-control features and spells.
Undead Enslavement — 5e / 2014
Status: no direct core spell by this name.
Undead Enslavement — Pathfinder 1e
Status: not a default Pathfinder Witch spell. Pathfinder uses different command-undead and channel-energy mechanics.
Undead Enslavement — D&D 3.x Legacy
| School | Necromancy |
|---|---|
| Level | Witch 4, Sorcerer/Wizard 6 |
| Components | V, S, M |
| Casting Time | 1 round |
| Range | 30 feet |
| Target | Up to 1 HD of undead per caster level |
| Duration | 1 day/level |
| Saving Throw | See text |
| Spell Resistance | Yes |
Make a single legacy turning check using the caster’s relevant spellcasting ability modifier instead of Charisma, treating caster level as cleric level. Qualifying undead become controlled for the duration.
The spell cannot control an undead creature with Intelligence above 5. Total controlled Hit Dice can be spread among weaker undead.
When the spell ends, affected undead return to whatever control or independent state they had beforehand.
Material component: a small chip from an old grave marker associated with a hostile or accursed burial tradition.
What Changed?
- D&D 3.x Legacy: control is determined by a cleric-style turning check and total Hit Dice.
- Pathfinder 1e: uses different undead-control systems and does not grant this spell to the Witch by default.
- 5.5e / 2024 and 5e / 2014: modern undead-control effects use their own saves, durations and creature limits.
Counterplay and Rulings
- Spell Resistance: applies under the legacy rules.
- Intelligence limit: undead with Intelligence above 5 are immune to this spell’s control.
- Duration: when control ends, creatures return to their prior controller or independent state.
- Dispel Magic: can end the ongoing control effect under normal legacy dispelling rules.
Related Magic
Edition Boundary
This page preserves an older control-undead framework. Modern editions should not inherit the Hit-Dice pool, turning check or alignment assumptions automatically.
Using Undead Enslavement in Play
The spell is strongest against groups of weak undead rather than a single intelligent foe. It also creates a clear story problem when the duration expires and control snaps back.
Rules Sources and Licensing
Legacy source: Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks.
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