Maximum Animatable Level

Maximum Animatable Level, or "MAL," is the term for the highest level of critter which a sorcerer is able to animate using the Animate Dead (730) spell.

Necromancy and MAL

MAL is set on a scale of -10 to +26. Meaning, a sorcerer, at her worst, can animate at ten levels below her own, and at her best, she could animate up to 26 levels above her own. Sorcerers without significant training in Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy are going to have negative MALs, but not to worry, this will not preclude you from animating, or finding worthwhile targets for animation. To find out what your exact MAL is (using Troll King blood), use your Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks as (N) into the following equation:

• MAL = {(N-20)/5}-10 [round down]

If your Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks are less than 20, assume a -10 MAL. If you are a less experienced sorcerer, this number will be modified by whatever bonus you’re getting from the troll blood you’re using, and it likely be higher than what this equation assumes. Refer to section 4 (Troll Blood and MAL) or the Troll page for more detailed information.

Example: 'Sorcerer A' is level 58 and has 58 ranks of Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy. 58 minus 20 is 38. 38 ranks divided by 5 is slightly over 7. Rounding down, we get 7 even. Next, subtract 10 from 7, and we have -3. This means that Sorcerer A, using Troll King blood, will be able to animate at 3 levels below their own, or in other words, any creatures up to and including level 55. Increasing their Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks to 60, would cause their MAL to rise to -2 (they may animate up to level 56).

Using Another Sorcerer's Animation Crystals

If you are using crystals made by another sorcerer, simply average your sorcerer’s Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks with the ranks of the sorcerer who created the crystals, and plug that value into the formula as "N."

Example: 'Sorcerer A' is using 'Sorcerer B’s' animation crystals. Sorcerer A has twenty Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks, and Sorcerer B had one hundred and twenty Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks when the crystals were created. First, average the ranks. 20+120=140; 140/2=70. Now back to the MAL formula, using 70 for N. 70-20=50; 50/5=10; 10-10=0. The effective MAL for Sorcerer A when using Sorcerer B's crystals is 0 (zero). This means that Sorcerer A, who would normally be animating at level-10 with only 20 ranks of Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy, will be able to animate at their level using the crystals of Sorcerer B.

Calculating A Specific Creature's Actual Level

Now we've discussed how to calculate your character's MAL, but you also need to be able to calculate a creature’s exact level. Fortunately, Corrupt Essence (703) has a TD pushdown that is partially based on creature level relative to the sorcerer’s level. (BCS creatures will generate on a range of levels centered around the creature’s base level. Example: Shan are a base level of 42, though you may find individual Shan to range from the high 30's to mid 40's.) If you’re animating near your MAL, it’s important to keep track of the individual creature you’re trying to animate so you don’t accidently blow off a hand. To determine the level of a creature using Corrupt Essence (703), use the following equation:

• TD Pushdown = (Wisdom bonus -1) + (Sorcerer's level - Creature's level)

First, you must determine the creature's normal TD vs. sorcerous magic. Mind Jolt (706) is generally the best choice for this purpose, because it will not damage the potential animate's body, and will also immobilize the target for you. Next, cast Corrupt Essence (703) at it. The TD pushdown is the original TD used against the first spell minus the corrected TD against Corrupt Essence (703). Your level and Wisdom bonus values can be displayed by entering the INFO command in the game.

Example: 'Sorcerer A' casts Pain Infliction (711) at the creature whose level is to be detemined, resulting in a TD of 189. 'Sorcerer B' then immediately casts Corrupt Essence (703) at the same creature, and the resulting TD is 156. Sorcerer B is level 44 and their Wisdom bonus is 30. Solve for 'C' which is the value of the creature's level. (189-156)=(30-1)+(44-C); 33 = 29 + 44 - C; C = 40. This tells us that the creature in question is level 40, or 4 levels below Sorcerer B. Now the sorcerer may determine, based on their MAL, whether or not they will be able to animate that particular creature.

Troll Blood and MAL

Be aware that the quality of your crystals also affects your MAL. You should attempt to use the same level troll blood as the number of Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks you have. Using blood of a high level, however, will always give you a bonus to your MAL but a negative to the duration. Likewise, using blood of a lower level will always reduce your MAL at higher Sorcerous Lore, Necromancy ranks. The precise numerical role which the troll's blood plays in your MAL is largely unknown, though the Animate Dead (730) page has a brief discussion with estimates.