Pale Master Animate Dead

[Ewe]

Can someone explain the Pale Master Animate Dead feat gained at level 2 to me? The wiki description and in-game description don't seem to be accurate.

I can use this feat once per day, but when I use it it says "Summoned 1 Undead!" (or something similar), but then nothing happens at all -- nothing is summoned, but the once per day feat is used up. It just seems odd for a spell to do nothing.

Other times it will say "Summoned 4 Undead!" and I only see 3 summoned.

I did some forum searches and someone hinted it had something to do with desecration, but that seems odd since Pale Masters are arcane casters not divine.

[Tsidkenu]

Animate Dead was altered to a 'swarm' spell. You summon 1d4 undead zombies & skeletons with a HD of (CLx2)/number of summons (max 16 HD ea). Summoning these undead on desecrated ground increases their summoned HD by a further 33% (16 HD max does not change). There is a clicky (Blackskull) usable by Pale Masters with 2/day Desecrate on it.

It is possible to get less than the number reported in the log if you summon them in a cramped area or close to collision boxes or objects. It's always advised to cast this spell in an open area.

Note that this spell can be used simultaneously with Create (Greater) Undead & Control Undead to create a genuine horde of 3-6 undead creatures. It's very fun especially during the low-mid levelling process!

[Ewe]

Ok thanks, I'll try in a more open area .. problem I think was since it's illegal to even summon these I was trying to it in caves and areas hidden away that may have suffered the collision glitch you mentioned.