I Use Summon Undead 5e to Dominate D&D Campaigns
Summon Undead creates one incorporeal undead spirit using the spell’s stat block. It does not animate a corpse or let the caster choose a monster from the Monster Manual.
Summon Undead 5e — Quick Spell Reference
| Casting Time | 1 action |
|---|---|
| Range | 90 feet |
| Components | V, S, M(a gilded skull worth at least 300 gp) |
| Duration | Up to 1 hour |
| Concentration | Yes |
| Ritual | No |
| Classes | Warlock, Wizard |
| Source | Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, pg. 114 |
How Summon Undead Works
The spirit appears in an unoccupied space the caster can see within 90 feet. Choose Ghostly, Putrid, or Skeletal form; that choice changes features in the Undead Spirit stat block. The creature is friendly to the caster and companions, shares the caster’s initiative count, and takes its turn immediately after the caster.
The spirit obeys verbal commands that require no action from the caster. Without a command, it takes the Dodge action and uses its movement to avoid danger. It disappears when reduced to 0 hit points or when concentration ends.
Choosing a Form
- Ghostly has a flying speed and can move through creatures and objects with Incorporeal Passage, taking force damage if it ends a turn inside an object.
- Putrid has an aura that can poison nearby creatures other than the caster and can potentially paralyze a creature already poisoned when its Rotting Claw hits.
- Skeletal uses Grave Bolt for ranged attacks.
These are forms of the same summoned spirit. Upcasting does not replace it with ghouls, wights, or other monster stat blocks.
Casting at Higher Levels
When cast with a slot of 4th level or higher, use that slot level wherever the Undead Spirit stat block says “the spell’s level.” This improves values such as its Armor Class, hit points, attack modifier, damage, and number of attacks according to the published stat block.
Important Limits
The gilded skull is not consumed, but the caster must have it to cast the spell unless a feature specifically replaces costly material components. The summoned spirit is a creature and can be damaged, healed when an effect can affect undead, or subjected to conditions normally. Losing concentration dismisses it immediately.
FAQ
Does Summon Undead create multiple minions?
No. It summons one Undead Spirit.
Does commanding it use a bonus action?
No. The spell says verbal commands require no action.
Does upcasting summon a stronger monster?
It improves the published Undead Spirit stat block; it does not unlock different Monster Manual creatures.