Undead

Undead is one of the three classifications of monsters in Diablo II. All monsters belong to one of the classifications in Diablo II, and certain spells or items are more effective against different types of monsters.

It's not known if these classifications will return in Diablo III, but we're using it since it's a convenient way to sort things, until official information is released.

The classifications of monsters we use in Diablo III are:

• Animals (category) - Feral, unintelligent enemies.
• Demons (category) - Mostly Sinister, sentient monsters from Hell.
• Objects (category) - Stationary obstacles, like traps.
• Undead (category) - Varying types of re-animated corpses, mostly from humans.

For a full list of Undead monsters, check out the Undead Category. You can also go to the Diablo 2 Wiki to the find Diablo 2 Undead.

Undead

The Undead classification is for several types of corpse or skeleton reanimation. A Witch Doctor or Necromancer is capable of summoning undead monsters to help him in battle without touching demonic magic, but mostly it refers to enemies of the player. The undead monsters vary greatly in appearance and intelligence.

The demonic undead belong to the realm of influence of Mephisto, who specializes in perverting the dead into macabre creations of undeath.

Skeletal Types

A Skeleton.

A lot of undead comes in the shape of a skeleton, or a skeletal construct. As necromantic magic works, it doesn't have to be pieces of one single old skeleton, but it can be pieces from a number of corpses. As Abd al-Hazir says in his entry on the Skeletal Undead, it's up to the Necromancer or mage that reanimates a skeleton on how much energy he infuses it with, and the intelligence and power of the skeleton varies greatly. Some are nothing more than a brainless shell, attacking with limbs or simple tools, while others have enough intellect to use more complex tools like bows, and powerful ones can cast spells and even summon additional skeletons themselves, making a skeletal army potentially very powerful.

There are also truly powerful skeletal undead, like King Leoric, which is infused by the power of his tormented soul in addition to dark magic.

• Read more about this type of undead in the Skeleton article.

Corpse Types

Lots of Ghouls.

There is a great assortment of undead creatures. Some are restless spirits trapped in their bodies, and others are animated by Witch Doctors, Necromancers, mages or demons. In some cases, several different corpses are built together to serve some other perverse use for the hordes of Hell. An example of this is the Grotesque.

Ghouls

Ghouls are some sort of reanimated corpse but nothing like slow shambling zombies; the ghouls are fast and uncanny, running hunched over in a bestial, almost quadrupedal style. They climb quickly and leap out at the player from all angles, scaling a huge wall to get into the action. They seem somewhat intelligent in that they can also wield weapons, such as swords.

Zombies

A Zombie.

Zombies can be both re-animated corpses straight out of a grave, which require very little magic energy from a Necromancer to give a basic motivation (braaaains...) of destructive power. It's motivation can also be a restless spirit of the former inhabitant of the body, awakening again after death, looking for others to inflict this pain.

Zombies are generally completely void of intelligence, and the wounds they received prior to their death often slows them down, making them dangerous primarily only in large numbers. They are the most basic sort of undead, often thought of as even less troublesome than Skeletons. The one thing they have as an advantage is usually that they can take more physical punishment before they are destroyed, and the force or spirit that drives them is removed/expelled.

Mummies

Mummies are usually powerful warriors or kings stored in great tombs of the Sanctuary desert tombs, and when reanimated, they will react similar to Zombies. The difference is their power and capabilities of spreading disease easier. No mummy type enemies have been announced for Diablo III yet.

Construct Types

A Grotesque.

"Construct" undead can be made up of both bone and dead flesh. An undead is a "construct" if it is made up of more parts than the average corpse would have. The only example we have seen so far is a flesh construct, called the Grotesque, but it's likely that we might see more sorts, and even bone constructs before the launch of Diablo 3.

Incorporeal Types

A great deal of undead comes in incorporeal forms, such as Wraiths. This type of undead is the ectoplasmic manifestation of a soul that chose to stay in the mortal realm after losing its normal life, a spirit that has been forced to stay through magic, or perhaps pulled in to the mortal realm from the spirit world. Depending on the type, they usually require weapons of magical nature to damage, and they are experts in draining speed, energy or life from anyone that would have a close encounter with them.

Higher Undead

Leoric

Most general types of undead never reach a point where they are truly sentient, and even then, they are usually slaves to some sort of master that resurrected them. However, if enough dark magical power is infused in a corpse, skeleton or a skeletal construct, they can attain sentience, and even outdo their former master. Examples of this is classically Liches or Vampires, who often in turn raise lower undead as servants and guards.

Besides King Leoric, no other "Higher" undead has been announced for Diablo 3.

References

• Writings of Abd al-Hazir: Entry no. 0008
• Diablo I Manual
• Diablo II Manual
• Diablo II: Lord of Destruction Manual
• Diablo 3 Artwork: Monsters
• Diablo 3 Screenshots
• Diablo 3 Gameplay Shots
• Diablo 3 Cinematic Shots