Author Topic: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype  (Read 2273 times)

Offline snakeman830

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Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« on: August 10, 2016, 02:13:13 PM »
So, I think I know the answer already, but I want to see what others think.

When using Animate Dead on a creature with the dragonblood subtype, can the skeletal dragon/skeletal zombie templates be applied, or just the regular skeleton/zombie templates?
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Offline Chemus

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Re: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2016, 09:04:01 PM »
Dragonblood subtype qualifies the creature as a dragon for feats, effects, powers, spells, items and harmful effects. The effect of animate dead spell appears to target the dragonblood creature as if it were a dragon. The templates then wash the dragonblood subtype away, along with all other sybtypes, while retaining the subtypes' immunities, if any. Remember though, even if the original critter's HD aren't 12's, they don't change...
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Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2016, 04:28:08 PM »
I think RAW yes it works.
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Offline zook1shoe

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Re: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2016, 05:06:40 PM »
Agreed
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Offline snakeman830

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Re: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2016, 10:17:21 PM »
Huh.  I was actually thinking that it doesn't work, since they still aren't actually dragons and are legal targets for Animate Dead anyway.  The big thing there is that this is now a template rule being applied, which doesn't seem to be affected by the subtype.

Both interpretations look reasonable, though.
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Offline zook1shoe

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Re: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2016, 02:36:13 AM »
Quote from: Dragon Magic pg4
THE DRAGONBLOOD SUBTYPE
Races that have a strong affinity to dragons are of the dragonblood
subtype. (This method of classification, introduced in
Races of the Dragon, is referred to frequently in this book.)
Spells, effects, powers, and abilities that affect or target
dragons also affect dragonblood creatures. The subtype
qualifies a creature to use magic items normally only usable
by dragons, and it qualifies the creature to take feats that have
the subtype as a prerequisite.
The dragonblood subtype does not confer the dragon type
or any traits associated with that type. For instance, it does not
give a creature frightful presence.

Dragons automatically qualify for any classes, prestige
classes, racial substitution levels, feats, powers, or spells that
require the dragonblood subtype. If a creature acquires the
dragon type, it loses the dragonblood subtype.

The highlighted portion seems to refer more to the abilities gained from having the dragon type. But I can see both ways, though I lean towards Dragonblood subtype allowing the skeletal/zombie dragon templates.
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Offline Chemus

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Re: Animate Dead and Dragonblood Subtype
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2016, 05:32:00 AM »
...  The big thing there is that this is now a template rule being applied, which doesn't seem to be affected by the subtype...

The template gets applied by the effect of the animate dead spell. The spell checks for 'dragon' and sees 'dragonblood', which for spells and effects, counts as 'dragon.' The template is then applied by the spell as if the creature were a dragon.

I don't see a way that this wouldn't work. (Not necessarily desirable, but it works)
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