Feign Death

A
Support

Feign Death is a Support spell. Support spells strengthen, protect, or buff allies.

See all Support spells →
 spell that lets a willing creature appear dead while shielding it from harm and detection.

2024 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a pinch of graveyard dirt)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Wizard

You touch a willing creature and put it into a cataleptic state that is indistinguishable from death.

For the duration, the target appears dead to outward inspection and to spells used to determine the target's status. The target has the Blinded and Incapacitated conditions, and its Speed is 0.

The target also has Resistance to all damage except Psychic damage, and it has Immunity to the Poisoned condition.

2014 Rules
Level & School
3rd-level necromancy
Casting Time
Action or Ritual
Range
Touch
Components
V, S, M (a pinch of graveyard dirt)
Duration
1 hour
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Wizard

You touch a willing creature and put it into a cataleptic state that is indistinguishable from death.

For the spell’s duration, or until you use an action to touch the target and dismiss the spell, the target appears dead to all outward inspection and to spells used to determine the target’s status. The target is blinded and incapacitated, and its speed drops to 0. The target has resistance to all damage except psychic damage. If the target is diseased or poisoned when you cast the spell, or becomes diseased or poisoned while under the spell’s effect, the disease and poison have no effect until the spell ends.

Feign Death 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

You can’t dismiss it early anymore by touching the target. The poison interaction changed: instead of suppressing disease and poison, the target now has immunity to the Poisoned condition.

Feign Death popularity

Feign Death is a seldom chosen level 3 spell. Choosing it adds a unique option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Feign Death

  • Gentle Repose 2nd-level necromancy

    Both are necromancy touch rituals that interact with death and effects that detect or preserve a corpse.

  • Warding Bond 2nd-level abjuration

    It grants broad damage resistance through a touch and has a similar defensive, supportive intent for protecting a willing creature.

  • Protection from Poison 2nd-level abjuration

    This spell directly mirrors Feign Death's immunity to the poisoned condition and serves as a short-term protective touch.

  • Death Ward 4th-level abjuration

    Both are higher-tier protective spells focused on keeping a creature from dying or suffering fatal effects, used for life-saving support.

  • Spare the Dying Necromancy cantrip

    A low-level necromancy touch that stabilizes and preserves life, making it a natural mechanical cousin for death-related support.