Skeleton

"I am at a loss to explain the average skeleton's somewhat ludicrous mental predisposition, however. Perhaps the implausibility of its own existence makes the skeleton think it hilarious to hide in a barrel, cackling intermittently for some three hundred years until a victim happens by?"

- Abd al-Hazir^(src)

A group of skeletons

Skeletons, formally classified as "Ossium Animatum," and otherwise referred to as revenants are a type of undead construct.

Lore

"During the last days of King Leoric's reign, even the skeletons of the ancient dead could not rest. They took up their broken armor and weapons once more -- ready to cut down anything that yet drew breath. Though wasted and fragile, these creatures possess a twisted cleverness that makes them quite formidable."

- Deckard Cain^(src)

A skeleton

Fierce undead warriors, skeletons are the remains of warriors who either died as soldiers in some dark campaign, or were betrayed by those they most trusted. Animated through necromantic rites or the spells of demons skeletons do not seek to consume the flesh of the living, but only to extinguish the life of their victims. While they may seem mischievous or imbecilic, skeletons are unrelenting in their goals, move faster than zombies, and have some spark of intelligence, the extent of which varies on the based on the power and scope of the spell involved in the skeleton's creation. Theoretically one could have a single astute skeleton servant or a rather dense army of a hundred for the same expenditure of magical energy. While physically frail, skeletons never lack in number. Those who fall to skeletons in combat are damned to an eternal lust for living blood. Coupled with their unthinking rage, this makes skeletons dangerous opponents. Skeletons will swarm their targets unquestioningly until their commanding force orders them otherwise.

Skeletons wielding swords and halberds

Skeletons have demonstrated the use of a wide variety of weapons, including swords, clubs, bows, and even armor and shields, and are often equipped in the same armament in which they fell or were buried with. Often these weapons are of poor quality. Even more terrifying are the animated skeletal remains of expired magic wielders, who prove that even the dead can wield the forces of magic.

A skeleton rises through necromancy

Most skeletons are actually constructed from bits and pieces of any number of different skeletons, not a single one. Their diverse composition gives them the ability to form and reform, and makes them easily summoned, permitted there is adequate raw material at hand. For instance, one would have an easier time summoning skeletons in a graveyard than in a forest. They are usually found in places where they were laid to rest or the site of a great battle. An exception to this was during the Darkening of Tristram, when skeletons rose up due to Diablo's evil. Skeletons were encountered in the depths of the Tristram Cathedral, and it was believed that these were the remains of Horadric monks.

Skeletons

The Priests of Rathma, through necromancy, have the power to animate the remains of the deceased into skeletons. Animated partially through their own will and partially through the summoned spirits of ancient warriors, Necromancers often maintain a small host of these reanimated soldiers to do their bidding. As the Necromancer's knowledge of the undead improves, (s)he is able to harness and divert more powerful spirits to inhabit the corpses of the recently dead.

Some say that skeleton eyes contain magical properties, despite the fact that skeletons are eyeless by definition.

In-game

Skeletons are a recurring monster in all three of the Diablo games. Often among the most common enemies in the game, skeletons are counted among the lowest forms of undead along with zombies. They are generally fragile, but often appear in large groups.

Diablo I

Skeletons are commonly found throughout the Cathedral section of the labyrinth, and some appear in the upper Catacombs as well.

There are several types of skeletons. Some use swords, another group wields axes, while others still are archers. Later on, players will also encounter Skeleton Captains that wield shields in addition to one-handed swords. Along with zombies, skeletons share a resistance to magic. There are three other variants: Corpse Axes, Burning Dead, and Horrors, along with their corresponding Captains.

Stats

Skeletons

Name	Image	Level	Damage	HP	Resistance	Immunity
Skeleton		1	1-4	1-2	None	Magic
		16	6-12	53-56	None	None
		31	10-22	104-108	None	Magic
Corpse Axe		2	3-5	2-3	None	Magic
		17	10-14	56-59	None	None
		32	18-26	108-112	None	Magic
Burning Dead		4	3-7	4-6	Fire	Magic
		19	10-18	62-68	None	None
		34	18-34	116-124	None	Magic, Fire
Horror		6	4-9	6-10	Lightning	Magic
		21	12-22	68-80	None	None
		36	22-42	124-140	Lightning	Magic

Skeleton Captains

Name	Image	Level	Damage	HP	Resistance	Immunity
Skeleton Captain		4	3-9	6-10	None	Magic
		19	10-22	68-80	None	None
		32	14-34	104-112	None	Magic
Corpse Captain		4	3-9	6-10	None	Magic
		19	10-22	68-80	None	None
		34	18-42	124-140	None	Fire, Magic
Burning Dead Captain		6	5-10	8-15	Fire	Magic
		21	12-24	74-95	None	None
		36	22-26	132-160	None	Magic, Fire
Horror Captain		8	5-14	17-25	Lightning	Magic
		23	14-32	101-125	None	None
		38	26-62	168-200	Lightning	Magic

Unique Skeletons

Skeletons

• Boneripper - Dungeon Level 2
• Bonehead Keenaxe - Dungeon Level 2
• Madeye the Dead - Dungeon Level 4

Skeleton Captains

• Brokenhead Bangshield - Dungeon Level 3
• Shadowdrinker - Dungeon Level 5

Diablo II

Skeletons return in Diablo II, still one of the most common enemies found throughout the game. They wield numerous types of weapons including Swords, Axes, Military Picks, Flails, Maces, and Shields. Skeletons also have several differences in appearance, some completely naked though others can be seen wearing Helms, shoulder pads, ripped pants and Kamas.

The Raise Skeleton skill of the Necromancer allows them to be used as minions.

Some of the skeletons encountered in Act I even wear the remnants of feminine chest armor, revealing that they are the skeletal remains of long dead Rogues, and that at least some skeletons may be female.

Paladins excel in dealing with large groups of Skeletons due to their ability to utilize Holy Bolt, Fist of the Heavens, Sanctuary and similar abilities to full effect. While Skeletons are vulnerable to most attacks, Poison elements are not effective against them, while they take extra damage from blunt weapons, such as Clubs, Maces and Flails. Ranged weapons have less effect on Skeletons.

There are five variations, the basic Skeletons, Returned, Bone Warriors, Burning Dead and Horrors.

A tougher type of skeleton which is in a separate category are the Reanimated Horde in Act V. They drag massive two-handed swords and move very slowly, but are capable of unleashing a fast, short range charge attack. Unlike regular skeletons, Reanimated Horde can spontaneously reanimate often repeatedly, with the self-resurrected monster is made anew, fully restored in hit points, worth normal experience and capable of dropping items again. The Reanimated Horde serve Baal, unlike regular skeletons that are mostly associated with Mephisto.

• Skeletons can be found in Cave 1-2, Burial Grounds (no uniques), Mausoleum, Crypt, Stony Field.
• Returned can be found in Tristram, Black Marsh, Halls of The Dead 1-3 (minion-only).
• Bone Warriors can be found in Pit 1-2, Claw Viper Temple 1-2 (minion-only).
• Burning Dead can be found in Sewers 1-3, Tal Rasha's Tombs (minion-only).
• Horrors can be found in Sewers 3 (no uniques), Stony Tomb 1-2, Sewers 1-2 (minion-only).

Stats

"Skeletons are the weakest of the skeletal variants, but show a relentless tenacity in their attacks."

- Monster summary^(src)

Skeleton

Property	Normal	Nightmare	Hell
Type	Undead	Undead	Undead
Act(s) found in	1	1	1
Monster Level	2	37	68
Experience	34	2333	23878
Health points	7–11	391–559	2219–4227
Damage 1	1–3	12–31	31–78
Attack Rating 1	12	907	3314
Damage 2	1–3	12–32	31–81
Attack Rating 2	12	945	3452
Defense	10	540	1352
% to Block	10	10	10
Damage Resist	0	0	33
Magic Resist	0	0	0
Fire Resist	0	0	0
Cold Resist	0	0	0
Lightning Resist	0	0	100
Poison Resist	50	75	75
Drain Effectiveness	0	0	0
Immunities	—	—	Lightning
Chill Effectiveness	50	40	25
Walk/Run Speed	?	?
Group/Minion Size	?	?

"Returned are only distinguishable from others of their ilk by rotting bits of remaining flesh that still cling to their undead bones."

- Monster summary^(src)

Returned

Property	Normal	Nightmare	Hell
Type	Undead	Undead	Undead
Act(s) found in	1	1	1
Monster Level	6	38	69
Experience	68	2498	25033
Health points	17–25	415–593	2279–4342
Damage 1	2–5	12–32	32–80
Attack Rating 1	41	928	3360
Damage 2	2–5	12–33	32–84
Attack Rating 2	41	967	3500
Defense	30	552	1370
% to Block	15	15	15
Damage Resist	0	0	33
Magic Resist	0	0	0
Fire Resist	0	0	0
Cold Resist	0	0	0
Lightning Resist	0	0	0
Poison Resist	50	75	100
Drain Effectiveness	0	0	0
Immunities	—	—	Poison
Chill Effectiveness	50	40	25
Walk/Run Speed	?	?
Group/Minion Size	?	?

"Bone Warriors are a more dangerous form of Skeleton. They often serve as guards in eldritch temples and lost tombs."

- Monster summary^(src)

Bone Warrior

Property	Normal	Nightmare	Hell
Type	Undead	Undead	Undead
Act(s) found in	1	1	1
Monster Level	14	61	83
Experience	143	10778	41205
Health points	45–62	965–1379	3124–5952
Damage 1	4–10	20–51	37–94
Attack Rating 1	125	1425	3998
Damage 2	3–10	20–53	37–98
Attack Rating 2	125	1485	4165
Defense	70	828	1616
% to Block	30	30	30
Damage Resist	0	0	33
Magic Resist	20	40	70
Fire Resist	0	25	50
Cold Resist	0	0	25
Lightning Resist	25	80	100
Poison Resist	50	75	105
Drain Effectiveness	0	0	0
Immunities	—	—	Lit, Poison
Chill Effectiveness	50	40	25
Walk/Run Speed	?	?
Group/Minion Size	?	?

"Burning Dead were killed in hellish conflagrations. They cast a flickering red radiance wherever they go."

- Monster summary^(src)

Burning Dead

Property	Normal	Nightmare	Hell
Type	Undead	Undead	Undead
Act(s) found in	2	2	1
Monster Level	13	43	74
Experience	130	3502	30809
Health points	40–58	534–764	2681–4917
Damage 1	4–9	14–36	34–76
Attack Rating 1	113	1036	3289
Damage 2	3–9	14–37	34–89
Attack Rating 2	113	1080	3737
Defense	65	520	612
% to Block	25	25	25
Damage Resist	0	0	33
Magic Resist	0	0	0
Fire Resist	50	75	100
Cold Resist	0	0	0
Lightning Resist	60	0	0
Poison Resist	50	75	75
Drain Effectiveness	0	0	0
Immunities	—	—	Fire
Chill Effectiveness	50	40	25
Walk/Run Speed	?	?
Group/Minion Size	?	?

"Horrors bear the final rictus of pure terror that killed them. They are grim manifestations of the worst in the world."

- Monster summary^(src)

Horror

Property	Normal	Nightmare	Hell
Type	Undead	Undead	Undead
Act(s) found in	2	2	2
Monster Level	14	44	78
Experience	143	3747	35429
Health points	45–62	557–797	2823–5377
Damage 1	4–10	14–37	35–89
Attack Rating 1	125	1058	3770
Damage 2	3–10	14–38	35–84
Attack Rating 2	125	1102	3613
Defense	70	624	1528
% to Block	30	30	30
Damage Resist	0	0	33
Magic Resist	20	40	70
Fire Resist	0	0	0
Cold Resist	0	0	0
Lightning Resist	60	80	120
Poison Resist	50	75	75
Drain Effectiveness	0	0	0
Immunities	—	—	Lightning
Chill Effectiveness	50	40	25
Walk/Run Speed	?	?
Group/Minion Size	?	?

• Skeletons are undead and are vulnerable to Undead-specific spells and abilities (e.g., the Paladin's Sanctuary).
• Items with "Life Stolen Per Hit" or "Mana Stolen Per Hit" do not work on Skeletons. A Paladin can use Redemption on their "corpses," though, and the Necromancer skill Life Tap does work.
• Bone Warriors have a chance to deal Lightning and Cold damage.
• Burning Dead have a chance to deal Fire damage.
• Horrors have a chance to deal Lightning damage.

Unique Skeletons

• Bonebreaker - A blue skeleton found in The Crypt. Bonebreaker is extra strong and magic resistant.

Diablo Immortal

Skeletons are encountered as enemies in Diablo Immortal, and can be summoned by the Necromancer. Types include:

• Royal Guard
• Royal Spearman
• Skeletal Canine
• Skeletal Warrior

Diablo III

In Diablo III, plain Skeleton Warriors (with no special abilities) are joined by:

• Skeletal Summoners (spawn additional Skeletons and hurl bolts of energy)
• Skeletal Archers (attack from afar with arrows)
• Skeletal Shieldmen (bear a protective shield in addition to swords)
• Skeletal Guardians (replace Skeletal Magi; hurl powerful magic missiles)
• Skeletal Executioners (slow and very powerful axe-bearers)
• Risen Bones (the weakest variant summoned by Corpse Raisers)

Royal Henchmen also serve Leoric.

In addition, Revenant Soldiers and Summoned Soldiers are the skeleton variants in the Reapers ranks in Act V.

These skeletons spawn in mixed packs and work together with much better AI than they have shown in the previous games in the series. Often skeletons will hide in barrels, piles of bones and other breakable objects. Summoners may raise skeletons, though the numbers are not unlimited.

Plain skeletons are a regular, fragile, numerous and weak cannon fodder, which will be massively encountered in Acts I, II and III. In later Acts, they will mostly be of red color, dealing small Fire damage on each melee hit.

A Diablo III skeleton old model

Necromancers can summon skeletons via Army of the Dead, Skeleton Mage and Command Skeletons spells.

Uniques

In-game model of a Skeleton

• Boneripper (Forged in Battle event)
• Boyarsk (Royal Quarters)
• Brother Larel (Drowned Temple)
• Brother Moek (Drowned Temple)
• Caretaker McCree (Cathedral Garden)
• Funerus (Briarthorn Cemetery, Altar of Sadness)
• Galush Valdant (Festering Woods)
• Headcleaver (Leoric's Passage, Legacy of Cain quest)
• Janderson (Realms of Fate)
• Jarryd (Realms of Fate)
• Lord Brone (Festering Woods)
• Merrium Skullthorn (Cathedral)

Diablo IV

Skeletons appear as enemies in Diablo IV. They are one of the game's monster families.

Types

• Axe Skeleton
• Crossbow Skeleton
• Shield Skeleton
• Skeleton Archer
• Skeleton Ballista

Uniques

• Tomb Lord (boss)

Development

Very Early in production of Diablo I, there were no Corpse Skeletons, and in their places were the Ice Stalkers (Blue Skeletons)

In the production of Diablo II the Returned were named Corpse Skeleton, Corpse Archer, Corpse Mage before Developers decided to change their name.

Hell Horror Graphics

Developers intended to make a sixth skeleton type in Diablo II. The Awakening and Diablerie has as Hell Horror after Horror and there is an unused color palette for the skeleton that looks like a red Horror.