Death is a looming threat in any Dungeons & Dragons campaign, but fortunately, 5e provides numerous ways to bring characters back from the brink—or even from beyond the grave. Whether you're a cleric preparing Revivify or a dungeon master managing the consequences of resurrection, understanding how death and revival mechanics work can enhance the drama and stakes of your game. This guide will walk you through the options available, from Healing Word to true resurrection spells, and offer tips on handling character death narratively and mechanically.

Preventing Death: Healing and Stabilisation

Before you even need Revivify, it’s best to prevent death entirely. Some key spells and strategies include:

Healing Spells that Keep You Alive

• - Healing Word (1st Level) – A bonus action that can bring an ally back from 0 HP at range, ensuring they don’t fail death saves.

• - Cure Wounds (1st Level) – A solid touch-based healing option for bigger HP boosts.

• - Goodberry (1st Level, Druid/Ranger) – Each berry provides 1 HP, meaning a single one can revive a downed ally.

Non-Magical Options

• - Medicine Checks – Any character proficient in Medicine can attempt to stabilize a dying ally.

• - Healer’s Kit – Removes the need for a Medicine check and stabilizes automatically.

• - Dodge & Defensive Play – Sometimes, avoiding damage is better than tanking it. Spells like Sanctuary and Shield can prevent lethal damage before it happens.

Revivify: The 1-Minute Window

Once a character dies, Revivify (a 3rd-level spell available to Clerics and Paladins) becomes the fastest and easiest way to bring them back. However, it has key limitations:

• - Must be cast within 1 minute of death – This means time is critical.

• - Requires a 300 GP diamond – Keeping one on hand is essential.

• - Does not restore missing body parts – If a character died via disintegration or decapitation, Revivify won’t work.

How to Prepare for Revivify

• - Ensure at least one party member can cast it.

• - Always carry diamonds worth at least 300 GP.

• - Have an NPC cleric available in case no one in the party can cast it.

• - Establish in-game consequences for constant resurrection to maintain dramatic weight.

Beyond Revivify: Stronger Resurrection Options

If more than a minute has passed, you’ll need stronger magic to bring a character back.

Mid-Level Resurrection Spells

• - Raise Dead (5th Level, Cleric and Bard, 500 GP Diamond) – Works within 10 days, restores missing body parts but applies resurrection sickness (-4 to attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks for a long rest per death).

• - Reincarnate (5th Level, Druid, 1,000 GP in materials) – Brings a character back in a random new body with a different race.

High-Level Resurrection Spells

• - Resurrection (7th Level, Cleric and Bard, 1,000 GP Diamond) – Can revive a creature dead for up to a century, fully healing them without resurrection sickness.

• - True Resurrection (9th Level, Cleric and Druid, 25,000 GP Diamond) – No time limit, no body required, and completely restores the target.

Handling Character Death Narratively

Resurrection should never feel like a simple reset button. Here are ways to make it meaningful:

• - Make It a Quest – Finding the right components, a willing cleric, or divine approval adds depth.

• - Require a Bargain – The revived character might owe a god, an eldritch being, or a soul collector something in return.

• - Use Resurrection Skill Challenges – Some DMs use a system where allies plead with the dead character’s soul to return, with success depending on roleplay and skill checks.

• - Consider the Psychological Impact – Being dead, even briefly, can change a character’s worldview.

Final Thoughts

Death in D&D can be a setback or a major story event. Whether you're preventing it with Healing Word or reversing it with Revivify, knowing how to handle death mechanics and keeping resurrection meaningful will make your campaign feel rich and immersive.

Do you have a favorite house rule for resurrection? Let us know in the comments!