What Level is Turn Undead in D&D? A Comprehensive Guide
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The ability to Turn Undead is a staple feature for many divine spellcasters in Dungeons & Dragons, providing a crucial tool for dealing with the forces of undeath. This powerful ability raises many questions for both new and experienced players alike. Let’s dive into the specifics, starting with the most fundamental:
Turn Undead becomes available at 2nd level for most Clerics. This is when the Channel Divinity feature, which powers Turn Undead, unlocks. At 2nd level, a cleric gains the ability to use their holy symbol to present it and speak a prayer to force undead creatures to flee. It’s a crucial early-game tool for dealing with low-level threats like skeletons and zombies.
How Does Turn Undead Work?
The Core Mechanics
When a Cleric (or other class possessing this ability) uses Turn Undead, they present their holy symbol and speak a prayer. This action forces all undead creatures within 30 feet that can see or hear them to make a Wisdom saving throw. If the undead fails its save, it is turned for 1 minute, or until it takes damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving.
Limitations of Turn Undead
While powerful, Turn Undead is not a catch-all solution to undead threats. More powerful undead creatures often possess higher Wisdom saving throws, making them more difficult to turn. Additionally, if a turned creature takes any damage, the turning effect ends immediately for that individual creature. Moreover, the turning effect also ends if the cleric – or the holy symbol – leaves the undead’s line of sight. Therefore, clever positioning and strategy become essential when facing numerous or resilient undead foes.
Destroy Undead: A Later Development
While Turn Undead is available at level 2, it’s not until 5th level that it gains the capability to Destroy Undead. Starting at 5th level, when an undead of CR 1/2 or lower fails its saving throw against your Turn Undead feature, the creature is instantly destroyed. This significantly increases the cleric’s effectiveness against weaker undead hordes.
Turn Undead: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions concerning Turn Undead:
1. Can you turn powerful undead, like a Lich?
Theoretically, yes. Turn Undead can be attempted on any undead creature, regardless of its power. However, powerful undead creatures, such as a Lich, have high Wisdom saving throws, making them incredibly difficult to turn successfully. A Lich, for example, has a +9 to its Wisdom saving throw, which translates to a significant advantage in avoiding the effect.
2. Is Strahd von Zarovich immune to Turn Undead?
While Strahd is a vampire and therefore an undead creature, he is not immune to Turn Undead. He is susceptible to the effects of this ability. However, like any powerful undead creature, his high saving throw will make it difficult to successfully turn him.
3. How long does Turn Undead last?
The turning effect lasts for 1 minute or until the turned creature takes any damage, the Cleric leaves the undead’s line of sight, or the cleric attacks the turned undead. The text indicates that the original duration was 1d10 rounds, but now the duration is a consistent 1 minute.
4. How do you perform Turn Undead?
As an action, a character must present their holy symbol and speak a prayer of censuring the undead. This action forces all undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet to make a Wisdom saving throw.
5. How do you become an undead in 5e?
Becoming an undead character in 5e is not a standard, explicitly supported process within the rules. However, players and DMs can collaborate to create rules, possibly by transferring the soul into a deceased body, using spells like Magic Jar.
6. Can you play as an undead character?
While not officially outlined in most rulebooks, players can be undead characters with DM approval and some creative adjustments to existing rules. This could mean using alternative stat blocks or adding specific undead traits to a player character.
7. Why is it called Turn Undead?
The name Turn Undead comes from D&D where it is a specific supernatural ability that causes undead beings to turn and flee. It is a form of divine prayer and not a spell and does not affect your prayer timeout.
8. Do all clerics get Turn Undead?
Turn Undead is a Channel Divinity option granted to nearly all clerics. It is one of their most iconic class features.
9. What happens if Strahd is defeated?
When Strahd is defeated, the mists surrounding Barovia recede, and the people are free to leave. The Vistani, fearing punishment for their connection to Strahd, typically flee immediately.
10. Is Strahd a fiend or undead?
Strahd is undead, specifically a vampire. He is not considered a fiend in D&D lore.
11. How powerful is Strahd?
Strahd is a powerful antagonist with regenerative abilities, shape-changing abilities, and legendary actions. He is a lawful evil character driven by an obsession for power and domination.
12. Does Turn Undead cancel Sanctuary?
Turn Undead does not cancel Sanctuary. Since Turn Undead is a Channel Divinity ability and not a spell, it does not break the effects of Sanctuary.
13. How many times can I use Turn Undead?
There is no limit on how many times you can use Turn Undead per day or encounter. The only limitation is that it requires an action to perform.
14. Can a Paladin turn undead?
Paladins can use Turn Undead as part of their Channel Divinity feature, often referred to as “Turn the Unholy”. They may have a limited amount of uses compared to Clerics. Also, they may have extra charges based on their charisma modifier.
15. Can a turned undead trigger an opportunity attack?
Yes, a turned undead creature can trigger an opportunity attack when they are compelled to move away from a character. Since the movement is under their own power, despite being compelled by Turn Undead, it triggers an opportunity attack.
Conclusion
Understanding the nuances of Turn Undead, from its activation at 2nd level to its evolution into Destroy Undead, is crucial for playing an effective divine spellcaster. While it provides a strong defensive and strategic edge, it requires smart positioning and strategic thinking. By understanding its limits and capabilities, players can leverage Turn Undead to its full potential, offering crucial support in many encounters. This ability becomes a hallmark of divine characters, enabling them to stand strong against the ever-present threat of the undead.