Can You Resurrect an Undead Person in Pathfinder? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether an undead creature can be brought back to life in Pathfinder is a complex one, steeped in the nuances of magical rules and creature types. The short answer is: it’s complicated, and generally, no, you cannot resurrect an undead person in the way you might resurrect a living one. Standard resurrection spells like Raise Dead and Resurrection are designed to restore life to deceased living beings, not to reverse the state of undeath. However, there are caveats, particularly regarding the distinction between restoring a living being that was turned undead and directly resurrecting an undead creature. Let’s delve into the details.
Understanding the Limitations
The core issue lies in the definition of undead as a creature type. In Pathfinder, undead are not simply deceased beings; they are a distinct category of creatures animated by negative energy. Spells like Raise Dead specifically state they do not work on undead because undead are considered to be living creatures in their own strange way. The magic that reanimates the corpse into an undead state fundamentally alters the creature’s physiology and connection to life force. It’s not just a matter of returning a corpse to its previous state; it’s about completely undoing the magic that created the undead state, and such magic doesn’t often exist.
The Case of Revivify
There’s one major exception to the rule: spells like Revivify. This spell operates within a very narrow time frame (typically, one minute after death). If a creature was living and then turned undead (like a zombie), Revivify might work if cast within one minute of the change, as the spell returns the creature to its living state. It doesn’t work, however, to return an undead to living if the undead state has existed for longer than one minute. This doesn’t “resurrect” an undead, but rather reverses the process of becoming an undead if caught within that extremely short window.
Powerful Magic and Exceptions
While standard resurrection spells are ineffective on undead, some very high-level magic, or specific magic items, might bypass these rules. The phrase “powerful magic, such as a resurrection spell” is sometimes mentioned in reference to restoring a creature from an undead state, however, there are very few ways to achieve this, and True Resurrection itself will not function in this manner. However, in these very rare instances, it still is not a true resurrection of undead, but more of a reversal of an undead transformation. In most cases, the best you can do is destroy an undead and deal with the remains and the soul separately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions addressing various aspects of undead and resurrection in Pathfinder, expanding upon our initial discussion:
1. Can you revive someone killed by a death effect and then turned undead?
Yes, if you can act within one minute of the creature being killed and turned undead by using Revivify. Otherwise, traditional resurrection spells won’t reverse the undeath.
2. Can you resurrect a construct?
No. Standard resurrection spells do not work on constructs or undead. Constructs are artificial creations, not living beings, and their “life” is entirely different.
3. Can you raise dead a zombie?
No. Raise Dead specifically does not work on undead. Zombies, being undead creatures, are not affected by this spell.
4. Can you use Revivify on undead?
Not in the way you mean. Revivify can be used on a living creature that has just become undead, within one minute of becoming undead. It will not resurrect an undead that has existed for longer than that. It simply reverses the transformation.
5. What happens if you cast raise dead on an undead?
The spell has no effect on an undead creature. It does not harm it, but also doesn’t restore it. The spell specifically targets deceased living beings, not creatures animated by negative energy.
6. Does a zombie have to be dead to be a zombie?
Yes, in a sense, though not necessarily in the way most might think. A zombie is animated by negative energy, using a once-dead body as a vessel. So the body of the zombie must have been alive at one time, then died, and now functions as undead.
7. Who is the most powerful undead?
There are numerous incredibly powerful undead in Pathfinder lore. Some of the most powerful are liches (particularly mind flayer liches), demiliches, nightwalkers, and dracoliches.
8. Are wraiths undead?
Yes, wraiths are definitively undead creatures. They are born of evil and darkness and drain life from living beings.
9. Are undead evil in Pathfinder?
Most undead are typically evil, as they are usually born from negative energy and corrupting magic. However, they are capable of having any alignment. They do not have any difficulty in changing alignments. Undead are generally evil due to being created by evil forces, or through death itself, which makes them twisted and often hateful.
10. Does healing hurt undead in Pathfinder?
No. Undead are not harmed by positive energy healing. Traditional healing spells, like Cure Wounds, will still heal undead creatures just as much as living creatures. On the flip side, Harm spells will heal them.
11. Do undead bleed in Pathfinder?
No. Undead are immune to bleed damage as well as a number of other biological effects that living creatures have.
12. Does undead count as dead?
Yes, but in a complicated way. They are technically deceased living creatures that have been animated by negative energy. However, as an undead creature type, they cannot be affected by many “death effects” unless specifically stated.
13. Can Turn Undead destroy undead?
Yes. Paladins and Clerics with the Turn Undead ability can destroy lower-level undead. At level 5, undead with a CR of 1/2 or lower are instantly destroyed on a failed saving throw.
14. Are undead immune to charm?
Yes, as a general rule, undead are immune to mind-affecting effects, including charm spells, unless otherwise stated by the effect or spell.
15. Can you sleep undead?
No. Undead are immune to sleep effects, including the Sleep spell.
Conclusion
While the idea of resurrecting an undead character might seem tempting, the rules of Pathfinder make it clear that this is generally not possible. Standard resurrection spells do not affect undead, as undead are not considered to be deceased in the same way that a typical living creature is. Revivify offers the briefest window to potentially reverse undeath, but only if used on a living creature that has just become undead. Understanding the nuances of undead creatures, the effects of negative energy, and specific magical limitations is crucial for navigating the complexities of Pathfinder. The best methods to deal with undead is usually through destruction rather than trying to bring them back to life.