Spare the Dying

A
Support

Spare the Dying is a Support spell. Support spells strengthen, protect, or buff allies.

See all Support spells →
 spell that steadies a dying creature with
healing

Spare the Dying is a Healing spell. Healing spells restore hit points and bring characters back to life.

See all Healing spells →
 magic, keeping it stable until help arrives.

2024 Rules
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).

2014 Rules
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

Range changed from Touch to 15 feet, with longer ranges at levels 5/11/17. It now can affect any creature at 0 HP that isn’t dead, so the undead/construct restriction is gone. Now also available to druids.

Spare the Dying popularity

Spare the Dying is a commonly chosen cantrip. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

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.