Best Undead Template [PF/3.5]

[Macabros]

What is the best Undead template in the game as opposed to the their CR or LA against their benefits

In PF you get Lich at a CR +2
But its not exactly omg powerful.

So what else exists?
3rd Party is allowed
I like the Dread Vampire CR 3 which is a bit better.

So input please?

I am looking into making an undead boss for a lvl 5 game.

[Gabe the Bard]

I'm pretty fond of the standard ghost template. It usually makes for a good backstory. What's better than an elite kobold phalanx in a tunnel? A ghost kobold phalanx, spirits of the fallen warriors, popping in and out of the walls in formation.

[OldTrees1]

3.5
Necropolitian: Undead for LA +0
Ghost 1: Undead and Incorporeal for LA +1
Ghost 3: Undead, Incorporeal and Infinite Lives for LA +3

[Sayt]

Graveknight (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/graveknight-cr-2) is pretty rocking.
+4 NA, Lich like rejuvenation, miscelaneous energy damage which scales with HD, 4 bonus feats, 1/hour phantom steed at CL=HD, +24 worth of racial skill mods (including +8 to Perception), and ability mods to Strength, Int, Wisdom and Charisma.

And all for +2 CR.

On the other hand, as a fluff thing, the character cannot ever be happy again.

Edit: They can also steal control of other undead.

[Macabros]

Well there are a ton in PF I see you are all mentioning 3.5
Bloodborn is interesting
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/extras/community-creations/epic-meepo-presents/monsters/vampires
https://sites.google.com/site/pathfinderogc/extras/community-creations/epic-meepo-presents/monsters/vampires/bloodborn-vampire

This is dread vampire
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/dread-vampire-cr-3

This is their Lich
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/lich

Here is a base Vampire
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/vampire

[Rosstin]

I like Necropolitan for being a straightforward blankslate undead you can build on.

[Zanos]

Gravetouched ghoul (http://www.realmshelps.net/monsters/templates/gravetouched.shtml) is pretty good, mechanically. It's not FR specific, since it's in Libris Mortis, I think. You have to eat people though.

Seconding necropolitian.

[Macabros]

While it is a good generic undead class it doesnt exactly grant much and how exactly could you build onto it?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

I'll assume you're using PF's LA = CR so playability is based entirely on CR.

Curst in Lost Empires of Faerun, CR +1. It's outright immune to turn/rebuke undead, has Fast Healing, and has a special quality called Unkillable. You have to completely destroy its body (immersion in acid, Disintegrate, Undeath to Death, etc.), or use a Remove Curse (making a DC 10 + HD caster level check to succeed) and then defeat it. Its Fast Healing special quality states that even if dismembered, it will eventually recover, so remove one of your fingers or toes and stash it somewhere so even if your body is completely destroyed, you'll recover from that fragment. Throw it on a Half-Golem (MM2, CR +3) and you'll have complete immunity to magic, so nothing magical including Remove Curse will even work on you.

I actually had a Dread Necromancer with one of these under his control (the original printing of Curst in Magic of Faerun states they're immune to turn/rebuke attempts from clerics and paladins), the DM got tired of the unkillable minion and made the ground split open and swallow it, and then close up again. That's pretty much the only way to get rid of one of these.

[Macabros]

Are constructs immune to acid?

If not then that can be a way to kill this Half Golem Curst right?

I am curious of the more noble undead styles.

[iceman10058]

magic circle against evil as a trap, then stone shape to create 4 water tight walls around it, then acid.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Its Fast Healing special quality states that even if dismembered, it will eventually recover, so remove one of your fingers or toes and stash it somewhere so even if your body is completely destroyed, you'll recover from that fragment.

As I said, even if your enemies destroy your entire body in acid, you can still recover from even the smallest fragment that you set aside in case something like that happened. Plus there's no limit to how many such fragments you can have stashed throughout the world.