Spell Reference All Spells

Corpse Puppets

5th-level · Necromancy Concentration

Source Spells That Don't Suck

Casting Time
Action
Range
60 ft
Duration
1 Hour
Components
V, S
Source Information
Combat Reference
Target
5 objects
Description

Your shadow splits, reaching out and reanimating up to five Tiny, Small or Medium corpses of challenge rating 1/4 or higher that you can see within range. Each corpse immediately transforms into an undead creature of the same size, which takes your choice of form (Skeleton or Zombie) using the Corpse Puppet stat block below.

The puppets are allies to you and your companions. In combat, they share your initiative count, but take their turns immediately after yours. As a bonus action, you can issue one command to any number of puppets within the spell’s range. If you don’t issue a command, they take the Dodge action and use their move to avoid danger.

The puppets are under your control until the spell ends, after which they become inanimate once more.

At Higher Levels

When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, you animate up to two additional corpses for each slot level above 5th.

Corpse Puppet

Medium undead


Skeleton

  • Armor Class 13
  • Hit Points 15 (2d8+6)
  • Speed 35 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 12 (+1) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)

Zombie

  • Armor Class 8
  • Hit Points 25 (4d8+7)
  • Speed 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
14 (+2) 6 (-2) 16 (+3) 6 (-2) 8 (-1) 5 (-3)

  • Damage Vulnerabilities (Skeleton) bludgeoning
  • Damage Immunities poison
  • Condition Immunities exhaustion, poisoned
  • Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
  • Languages understands all languages it spoke in life but can't speak
  • Proficiency 2
  • Challenge 1/2

Festering Fortitude (Zombie Only). If damage reduces the zombie to 0 hit points, it must make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to the damage taken, unless the damage is radiant or from a critical hit. On a success, the puppet drops to 1 hit point instead.

Seizing Swarm (Zombie Only). The puppet has advantage on its grapple check against a creature if at least one other allied Zombie Puppet is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Actions

Multiattack (Skeleton Only). The puppet makes two Skeletal Slash attacks.
Skeletal Slash (Skeleton Only). Melee Weapon Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1d6 + 1 slashing damage.
Body Bash (Zombie Only). Melee Weapon Attack: your spell attack modifier to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 2d4 + 2 bludgeoning damage.

About Corpse Puppets

Corpse Puppets is a Level 5 level spell from the school of Necromancy.

This spell has a casting time of action , and a range of 60.0 ft (18.3 m) . It has a duration of Instantaneous.

Spell Details

Complete details

Complete details about this spell:

  • At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 6th level or higher, you animate up to two additional corpses for each slot level above 5th.

Casting Tips

2 tips

Consider these tips when casting this spell:

  • Tactical Use: High-level spell with game-changing potential. Reserve for climactic moments or major plot points.
  • Concentration: Requires concentration. Maintain focus to sustain the spell's effect.

School of Magic: Necromancy

Learn more

Necromancy spells manipulate life force, death, and the undead.

Related Spells

Other similar spells you might be interested in