Non-living

Non-living and unliving are terms that refer to creatures that have never been alive. They cannot be affected by mind spells and spells that require a living target, and they have neither positive nor negative morale. The term non-living was introduced in the Shadow of Death manual, the only use of non-living in the manuals (used to describe creatures unaffected by the Elixir of Life). Unliving is not used at all in the manuals but replaces non-living in the in-game description of the Elixir of Life.

Stone gargoyle and obsidian gargoyle are also considered non-living, but they are still affected by morale and mind spells. In Horn of the Abyss, they are called "Bloodless" instead of non-living.

Although war machines as units on the battlefield can be considered non-living in some sense, they have their own system of immunities.

Crystal dragons are described as being "made entirely from red crystal and brought to life through magical means..." and are referred to as dragon golems in the campaign. Despite these references they don't have any features that would set them apart from any other living creatures.

NOTE: For comparison, living units are just units that are NOT non-living and NOT undead. See Undead vs Unliving for more explanation.

Non-living creatures

Golems

•   Stone and Iron Golems
•  Gold Golem
•  Diamond Golem
•  Steel Golem 

The only common trait of golems among all other non-living creatures is spell damage reduction.

Elementals

•   Air and Storm Elementals
•   Water and Ice Elementals
•   Fire and Energy Elementals
•   Earth and Magma Elementals
•   Psychic and Magic Elementals

Gargoyles

•   Stone and Obsidian Gargoyles

Unlike other non-living creatures, gargoyles are still affected by morale and mind spells. In Horn of the Abyss, they are called "Bloodless" instead of non-living.

Mechanicals

•   Automaton and Sentinel Automaton 
•   Dreadnought and Juggernaut 

Mechanicals have identical attributes as other non-living creatures, but can be repaired by Mechanics and Engineers.

Immunities

Spells

•  Animate Dead
•  Destroy Undead
•  Resurrection
•  Sacrifice

Mind spells (except for gargoyles)

•  Berserk
•  Blind
•  Forgetfulness
•  Frenzy
•  Hypnotize
•  Mirth
•  Sorrow

Creature abilities

•  Azure Dragons: ● fear
•  Ghost Dragons: ● aging
•   Lich and Power Lichs: ● death cloud
•  Mighty Gorgons: ● death stare
•  Pit Lords: ● summon demons
•  Vampire Lords: ● life drain
•  Wyvern Monarchs: ● poison
•  Zombies: ● disease
•   Sea Serpents and Haspids: ● poison

Artifact effects

• Elixir of Life: ● regenerating, 25% health bonus
• Horn of the Abyss: ● Fangarm summon 

See also

• Undead vs Unliving
• Creature abilities