I was reading a walkthrough and it said that Animate dead was solid gold until 2.01 version, what does mean, which is the effect of the patch on the spell?

Thanks

Before the patch, the strength/type of undead from Animated Undead were depend on the caster's level. The highier the caster's level, the stronger/better type the undead. The most powerful undead you can get is a slashing-immune, fire-immune, slashing-damage, fire-damage boneguard and a bludgeoning immune/damage, active-aura-that-kills-everyone zombie. These undead were so powerful that IWD2 soon became a game of undead creature VS everyone.

After the patch, type of undead still depends on caster's level but with a limit. After 2.01, the best undead you can get are greater boneguard and fatter zombie (which are one grade lower than the previous ones)

I think the best zombie you can get after the patch is the zombie lord. But animate dead is still an extremely powerful spell, even after patching.

[ January 26, 2003, 03:46: Message edited by: The Abyss ]

Heh, I've been getting the same Greater Boneguard or Zombie Lord summoned for the last 3 chapters, i.e. for as long as I've been using that spell. :rolleyes:

You can also get Cold Bones - A skeleton who is resistant to cold damage, does cold damage, and regenerates.

My Zombie Lord has been upgraded to Greater Drowned Dead, still on Greater Bone Guard. Level 13 I think (Could be 12) Sorcerer.

I want my very own pet army of Apocalyptic Bone Guards... Muuuuhhhaaaa. Disrupt those bastards on a 1 only. They are hard as nails and hurt a lot without appropriate fire protection. I just met 3 of them without preparation. Reload was the order of the day.

Anyway, does anyone have the full table with levels to hand? (v2.01)

The Greater Boneguard is just awesome. He's the best undead I've been able to summon (farthest I've gotten so far is Chapter 5 normal). My favorite, though, is probably the Armored Skeleton. He just looks cool and I love the clanking and screeching sounds his armor makes when he walks and attacks.

I downloaded the patch last night and so far haven't noticed any difference (still in chapter 2 with a new party though).