General Undead Question

[Dave]

Hello folks,
So apparently, I've always been under the impression that unless you have a magic weapon like the Magic Spear or Sommerswerd, that you cannot kill an undead minion of the Darklords.

Some of you obviously disagree... which makes me examine the text a bit closer, and I am willing to concede that perhaps it is only Helghast that require a special magic weapon to kill, and that any other undead are fair game for regular weapons.

It is a relatively trivial change to the code, so very minimal work to change it. I'd love to have the issue resolved for the 1.4.3 bug-fix release (which could be coming in the next day or so.)

So, the question is: What is the general consensus, and has there been any official word regarding this issue from the big man himself, Joe Dever?

[mckinstry]

Undead or not, you could still hack off its legs and arms even with a rusty butter knife.

Maybe in the hardcore rules Lone Wolf gets a disadvantage if fighting undead with a mundane weapon? Hacking off those limbs takes a little extra time after all - 2 combat skill?

Hmm, i wonder if Lone Wolf has ever fought with a butter knife?

[outspaced]

See The Cauldron of Fear Section 97, Section 338, and Section 254. (Note that 338 clearly says: If you wish to draw a hand weapon--nothing about it needing to be magical.) Also, The Kingdoms of Terror Section 270. That's a good start.

[Taryn]

I think it's only Helghast and maybe a few others that are not susceptible to normal weapons, not all undead...

[Dave]

It becomes clear that I've had the wrong impression all this time. Okay, I shall make the change - only Helghast (and others mentioned specifically within the text) shall require the Sommerswerd/Magic weapon to kill.

[beowuuf]

Indeed, mad as it seems, the Vordak who lead the armies in battle are not immune, while the Helghast who just swan around hiding all the time are immune!

[longhairyuppiescum]

Apr 17, 2009 6:16:54 GMT beowuuf said:

Indeed, mad as it seems, the Vordak who lead the armies in battle are not immune, while the Helghast who just swan around hiding all the time are immune!

That may be just because the Helghasts are so few in number that they are considered kind of Special Agents of the Darklords.
While the Vordaks are more their 'run-of-the-mill' undead minions.

[beowuuf]

True. Funny, the Helghast are the 'fell captains of the Darklords' while the Vordaks only lieutenants. I always imagined Helghast like Soviet political officers. They technically have more rank, but don't have commanding posts, but are feared and reviled by their own side just as much. After all, who says a shapeshifting spy immune to normal weapons has to always be abroad? ;D