[RPG] the maximum number of PC-controlled undead

dnd-5enecromancyoptimizationundead

I decided to make an unreasonable demand from nearby town and to gain an advantage in upcoming dispute I want an undead horde reinforcing my arguments. I am not looking for quality (after all, those buffoons can't tell skeleton from lich), but quantity.

My question is: how many undead creatures a Player Character can have under their control at the same time?

Constraints:

  • Only official WOTC content.
  • Small and larger undead only: it is hard to be intimidated by something you have to look for.
  • Target number should be able to be attained without explicit DM cooperation. No dozens of tomes thrown at character, no unlikely situations, no DM fiat (so no Boons, for example).
  • No Legendary magic items.
  • After attaining desired amount of undead, character should be able to sustain that amount for at least seven days without outside help while travelling with the horde.

Best Answer

Unlimited (even if you don't want to be a Beholder)

While the concept is bizarre to me, some people might not want to spend their time as a Beholder... For them, the process is actually simpler.

  1. Attain access to Finger of Death
  2. Wander through the land, murdering hapless peasants.

    A humanoid killed by this spell rises at the start of your next turn as a zombie that is permanently under your command, following your verbal orders to the best of its ability.

  3. Do whatever you want.

Just be careful not to get silenced, or at least issue contingency orders for if you do. Otherwise you might find yourself with a large horde of directionless undead.

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