---
obsidianUIMode: preview
cssclasses: pf2e,pf2e-ritual
tags:
- compendium/src/pf2e/crb
- ritual/2
- trait/evil
- trait/necromancy
- trait/uncommon
aliases: ["Create Undead"]
---
# Create Undead *Ritual 2*  
[evil](rules/traits/evil.md "Evil Alignment Trait")  [necromancy](rules/traits/necromancy.md "Necromancy School Trait")  [uncommon](rules/traits/uncommon.md "Uncommon Rarity Trait")  

- **Cast** 1 day
- **Cost** black onyx, see [Table 7–1](rules/tables/creature-creation-rituals.md)
- **Secondary Casters** 1
- **Primary Checks** [Arcana](compendium/skills.md#Arcana) (expert), [Occultism](compendium/skills.md#Occultism) (expert), or [Religion](compendium/skills.md#Religion) (expert)
- **Secondary Checks** [Religion](compendium/skills.md#Religion)
- **Range**: 10 feet
- **Targets**: 1 dead creature

You transform the target into an undead creature with a level up to that allowed in [Table 7–1](rules/tables/creature-creation-rituals.md). There are many versions of this ritual, each specific to a particular type of undead (one ritual for all zombies, one for skeletons, one for ghouls, and so on), and the rituals that create rare undead are also rare. Some forms of undead, such as liches, form using their own unique methods and can't be created with a version of create undead.

> [!success-degree] 
> - **Critical Success** The target becomes an undead creature of the appropriate type. If it's at least 4 levels lower than you, you can make it a minion. This gives it the minion trait, meaning it can use 2 actions when you command it, and commanding it is a single action that has the [auditory](rules/traits/auditory.md "Auditory Effect Trait") and [concentrate](rules/traits/concentrate.md "Concentrate Action & Ability Trait") traits. You can have a maximum of four minions under your control. If it's intelligent and doesn't become a minion, the undead is [helpful](rules/conditions.md#Helpful) to you for awakening it, though it's still a horrid and evil creature. If it's unintelligent and doesn't become a minion, you can give it one simple command. It pursues that goal single-mindedly, ignoring any of your subsequent commands.
> - **Success** As critical success, except an intelligent undead that doesn't become your minion is only [friendly](rules/conditions.md#Friendly) to you, and an unintelligent undead that doesn't become your minion leaves you alone unless you attack it. It marauds the local area rather than following your command.
> - **Failure** You fail to create the undead.
> - **Critical Failure** You create the undead, but its soul, tortured by your foul necromancy, is full of nothing but hatred for you. It attempts to destroy you.

*Source: Core Rulebook p. 411*