Does Healing Magic Work on Undead 5e?
In Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, healing magic can be a lifesaver (or un-death-saver) for living characters, but what about undead creatures? Can healing magic affect them, or are they completely immune? In this article, we’ll dive into the rules and examine the effects of healing magic on undead creatures.
The Basics: Undead in 5e
Before we get into the specifics, let’s clarify what we mean by "undead." In 5e, undead refers to creatures that have been raised from the dead or transformed into undead states. Examples of undead creatures include zombies, skeletons, and vampires. Undead creatures have their own set of rules and properties, and we’ll explore those further in this article.
Cure Wounds and Healing Word
Two of the most commonly used healing spells in 5e are Cure Wounds and Healing Word. These spells have been designed to restore health to living creatures, but what about undead? According to the Player’s Handbook, Cure Wounds and Healing Word do not work on undead creatures. These spells are meant to channel positive energy to living beings, and since undead creatures are not living, they are not affected by these spells.
| Spell | Undead Affected | Necrotic Damage |
|---|---|---|
| Cure Wounds | No | No |
| Healing Word | No | No |
Necrotic Damage and Undead
Necrotic damage is a type of damage that deals with the concept of undeath. Necrotic damage is dealt to a creature when it is afflicted with a curse, poisoned, or afflicted with an evil spell. Unlike Cure Wounds and Healing Word, necrotic damage can affect undead creatures. However, the effectiveness of necrotic damage against undead is dependent on the specific type of undead creature and the source of the damage.
| Type of Damage | Undead Affected | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Necrotic Damage | Yes | Can affect undead creatures, but effect dependent on source and type of undead. |
| Positive Energy | No | Cure Wounds, Healing Word, and other positive energy-based spells do not affect undead. |
| Negative Energy | No | While some undead creatures may be vulnerable to negative energy, others may be immune or resistant. |
Negative Energy and Undead
While positive energy-based healing spells do not affect undead, negative energy-based spells may have varying effects. Some undead creatures may be vulnerable to negative energy, while others may be immune or resistant. The Dungeon Master’s Guide mentions that some undead creatures can be affected by negative energy, but it’s important to note that this is dependent on the specific creature and the type of negative energy used.
| Type of Undead | Vulnerable to Negative Energy | Immune to Negative Energy |
|---|---|---|
| Skeleton | Yes | No |
| Zombie | Yes | No |
| Vampire | No | Yes |
In Summary
Healing magic, in the form of Cure Wounds and Healing Word, does not work on undead creatures. Necrotic damage, on the other hand, can affect undead creatures, but the effectiveness is dependent on the specific type of undead and the source of the damage. Negative energy-based spells may have varying effects on undead creatures, but it’s essential to consult the relevant creature stat blocks and DM’s discretion.