Quote Originally Posted by Quertus View Post
Given that Command Undead is only, what, level 2, lasts for day/level, and works on sentient undead, too? This sounds like a Cantrip at most, and an essential one for commanding undead laborers.

The tricky part is getting the Construct version of this spell balanced just right. Maybe a Canrip works for Constructs you created, or ones you've "hacked", and the "hacking" part is the higher-level spell? (See also... Rod of Construct Control?)
Command Undead probably actually suffices for the basic function of program undead - it has the right kind of stuff (you have to give a verbal command not telepathic, etc) and the commands have to be simple if the undead isn't intelligent. I guess Program Undead would be a higher level version that lets you put in stuff like if statements, password checks, etc - with Program Undead you could make a non-sentient undead resist Command Undead for example, or even pretend to go along with it and then attack the person when their back is turned. Maybe make it a 5th level spell, instantaneous duration (so it can't just be dispelled, you're fundamentally rewriting the nature of that particular undead).

For Constructs, you could have a similar breakdown. A low level spell that can basically get instructions into a Construct that is primed to receive instructions (which could be done as part of the crafting process), and a high level spell to basically re-flash the firmware.

If the 'actually programming' spells are high enough level, this creates a fun sort of middle range where someone might want to dabble in making undead or constructs but isn't quite good enough to secure them, even against a lower level apprentice, and hijinks ensue...

It occurs to me that this is a stealth buff (heh) for classes that can go book-diving for lower-level versions of spells, like... Archivist and Artificer?
True!