Zombie Week: Random Zombie Effects Table
Zombies are great as bad guys. But they get a little boring, you know? A few Turn Undeads and they are all taken care of. Spice up your zombies with this random zombie enhancement table. Bill Murray zombie included.
Random Zombie Effects Table
01-04 Zombie has been soaked in oil. Vulnerable to fire. Explodes for 2d6 damage (10 ft radius) if hit by flame.
05-08 Is wearing a unique hat nailed to head. Hat belongs to powerful wizard whose whereabouts are unknown.
09-12 Has no teeth. Bite damage reduced to 1d2.
13-16 Bears eerie resemblance to loved one. Make Wisdom save (DC15) or suffer disadvantage on all attacks against it.
17 Zombie is actually Bill Murray.
18-20 Zombie has armor plates sewn into skin. AC increases by 5.
21-25 Hands are restrained with manacles or rope. Cannot use fists to attack.
26-30 Guts are trailing behind it. If PC enters melee with zombie, Dexterity save (DC 12) or PC falls prone.
31-35 Zombie has been used as a treasure repository. Chest or stomach cavity contains (roll d4: 1 - 1d8 gems; 2 - 2d10 gp; 3 - two potions; 4 - 1 miscellaneous magic item).
36-42 Hands have been removed, but arm bones have been sharpened to points. Does 1d8 piercing damage per attack.
43- 45 Has prehensile tongue. Can make ranged attacks up to 5ft distance.
46-48 Zombie is a child. Change size to Small. -4 STR.
49-50 Zombie is a carrier for the zombie virus. Any creature hit by zombie must make CON Save (DC 15) or be infected. Infected creatures turn into zombies in 1d4 hours.
51-55 Only mildly zombie-like. Can easily be mistaken for a very tired human. DC 14 INT check to recognize as undead.
56-62 Speed of zombie increased to 40. Gains +2 on initiative.
63-67 Shambles and repeats strange phrase: “The blue head lives in the flowering cave,” “Must take Eleanor to soccer practice,” etc.
68-72 Wears key on chain around neck.
72-75 The zombie scoffs at your god! Receives advantage on it's Wisdom save for Turn Undead attempts.
76-80 The zombie is blind, but it emits a high-pitched screech every few seconds. It navigates by echolocation.
81-86 The zombie is on fire, but it is not quickly consumed. Take fire (or heat) damage if you get too close.
87-90 The zombie is wearing an aluminum sandwich board: "Eat at Murray's Diner!" Its Armor Class is increased by 3.
91-94 The zombie's teeth have been filed to sharp points, and it's wearing a thick leather color on its neck. Its master is near.
95-99 The zombie has normal stats and appearance, but smells pleasant, like nutmeg and cinnamon.
00 Zombie is actually part of a zombie swarm. Double number of zombies appearing.