Skeletons. These are the simplest undead for a necromancer to raise to unlife. Starting at 1st level, the wizard can bring animal forms to unlife (see animate dead animals). At 5th level, she or he can temporarily animate a single human skeleton (see bone dance). Finally, at 9th level, the wizard can create a large number of permanent human or monster skeletons (with animate dead).

Certain death priests with access to skeletal servant can also temporarily animate skeletons, starting at 1st level. This ability becomes permanent at 5th level, when they gain access to animate dead. Finally, a few magical items, such as the staff of skulls and the thunder of doom can also be used to raise up undead skeletons.

In Ravenloft, it is also possible for a 9th-level necromancer to raise up a giant skeleton (see the MM) with even greater powers. Since such creatures are partially imbued by mysterious Dark Powers, it is generally impossible to create such a creature outside Ravenloft. Of course, the evil goddess of Undead may grant such a boon to members of her priesthood, but such a favor is unlikely to be granted to a wizard (unless, perhaps, he or she is a devoted worshiper).

Skeletons are mindless automatons and, as such, are useful only as soldiers, guardians, porters, and workers. They are incapable of individual thought or initiative beyond the instructions given to them by their creator.