Spare the Dying

Support Healing

Level & School
Necromancy cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
15 feet
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Cleric, Druid

Choose a creature within range that has 0 Hit Points and isn't dead. The creature becomes Stable.

Cantrip Upgrade. The range doubles when you reach levels 5 (30 feet), 11 (60 feet), and 17 (120 feet).

Level & School
Necromancy cantrip
Casting Time
Action
Range
Touch
Components
V, S
Duration
Instantaneous
Classes
Cleric

You touch a living creature that has 0 hit points. The creature becomes stable. This spell has no effect on undead or constructs.

Spare the Dying 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

The 2024 version adds Druids as classes, extends range from touch to 15 feet, and includes a cantrip upgrade increasing range at levels 5, 11, and 17. The core effect of stabilizing a creature at 0 hit points remains the same.

Spells similar to Spare the Dying

  • Cure Wounds, 1st-level abjuration

    Both are healer-focused spells used by clerics and druids to restore a creature's vitality in immediate danger.

  • Healing Word, 1st-level abjuration

    This spell serves the same on-the-spot rescue purpose at range, letting a caster quickly bring a downed ally back into the fight.

  • Revivify, 3rd-level necromancy

    Though higher level, it addresses the same life-and-death space by restoring a creature from near or actual death.

  • Gentle Repose, 2nd-level necromancy

    It interacts with death and corpses in a cleric/necromancy context, making it thematically close to a spell that stabilizes dying creatures.

  • Guidance, Divination cantrip

    As a cantrip available to clerics and druids that supports allies, it mirrors Spare the Dying's utility-level, low-action support role.