True Resurrection 5e D&D Guide

True Resurrection is a 7th-level healing spell available on the Bard and Cleric spell lists.

The party stood in silence, gazing down at the dead body of their comrade.

He had sacrificed his life to save the other group members after their journey had unexpectedly changed course.

But there was still hope as the party’s cleric started reciting the True Resurrection incantation.

The Player’s Handbook states the following:

True Resurrection 5e

9th-level Necromancy

Casting Time: 1 Hour

Range: Touch

Components: V, S, M (a single sprinkle of holy water with diamonds worth at least 25,000 GP, which the spell will consume)

Duration: Instantaneous

You interact with a creature that has been dead for no more than 200 years and didn’t die of natural causes like old age.

If the creature has a free and willing soul, it is brought back to life with all its hit points.

This spell removes any curses placed on the creature at the time of its death, closes all wounds, neutralizes any poison, and cures all diseases.

The spell replaces organs or limbs that have been lost or damaged. The undead form of the creature is returned to its non-undead state.

If the original body is no longer there, the spell can create a new one; in this case, you must speak the creature’s name.

The creature then materializes in an unoccupied area you select within 10 feet of you.

When Can Classes Pick True Resurrection?

Traditional classes, such as the Cleric and Druid, can freely unlock True Resurrection.

Both classes can only unlock and use True Resurrection at level 17.

No subclasses freely unlock True Resurrection.

Is True Resurrection Good in 5e?

True Resurrection is a very powerful spell with great benefits. It can be helpful in situations where a player is killed or beyond saving.

Note: Just be aware of its expensive cost.

Advantages – True Resurrection

Death Isn’t Frightening

True Resurrection removes the fear of death for you and your party.

Knowing that a powerful spell can bring a fallen comrade back to life can increase your party’s courage and willingness to take risks.

Death will no longer be a permanent setback but a temporary inconvenience that your party can overcome.

Cost Effective

You might ask, “But why is True Resurrection cost-effective? It’s expensive and time-consuming!”

If you compare the cost of True Resurrection to the drawbacks of losing one, two, or even three players, all costs vanish.

Saving players, arguably the most powerful creatures in D&D, will always be more cost-effective.

Note: At level 17 (when you’ll unlock this spell), most parties won’t even struggle with GP.

Disadvantages – True Resurrection

Class Availability

True Resurrection is only available to a select few classes, such as Clerics and Druids. It also requires players to be at least level 17, as that is when full casters unlock their 9th-level spell slots.

Think carefully before deciding on a 9th-level spell, these are the strongest spells in the game, and True Resurrection is high on that list!

Low Range

True Resurrection has a range of touch, so you’ll need to be at least 5 feet from the corpse to begin resurrection.

Note: DMs will decrease this range to 1 or 2 feet to maintain the balance of the spell.

The low range makes it difficult to use in high-stress situations, such as when a party member has fallen in battle and their body is not immediately accessible.

Material Component

This spell has two Material components, the sprinkle of holy water and the diamonds worth 25,000 GP. You might think the cost is the disadvantage, but it’s the rarity.

Note: Most high-level parties have more than enough GP to afford these diamonds.

Holy water is easy to obtain, but the diamond will be tricky.

DMs will purposefully increase its rarity as he knows players have the finances to buy it.

He can also have the party do quests or enter dangerous situations to obtain it!

Spells Similar To True Resurrection 5e

Spells similar to True Resurrection: Raise Dead, Resurrection, Revivify, and Reincarnate.

When or How Should I Use True Resurrection?

In Emergencies

True Resurrection shows its value in high-stakes scenarios, where a player’s death could mean the end of your quest or mission.

In a situation like that, you’ll want to stay calm and retrieve the corpse first. Make sure you leave the battle (signaling retreat) or drag their body behind some cover.

Only then can you begin your resurrection, stay out of combat or have someone protecting you. You will be preoccupied, as the spell takes 1 hour to cast.

Saving Valuable NPCs

NPCs such as quest givers, allies, or key informants can play critical roles in advancing the campaign or completing objectives.

By using True Resurrection, you can bring these valuable NPCs back to life if they were to die.

This ensures that they remain available to your party and continue to play a meaningful role throughout your game.

Bringing Back Allies

Nothing is worse than having a party member who doesn’t even know who you are, which is why True Resurrection is so useful.

It has a helpful feature that allows the caster to bring back a dead player without them losing experience points or wealth with all of their memories and abilities intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much of a Corpse Is Needed for True Resurrection?

True Resurrection restores any missing body parts, so it doesn’t need an entire corpse to work.

The spell doesn’t expressly state the limitations, but the DM can create some house rules.

Can Anyone Learn True Resurrection?

Only Clerics and Druids can freely access True Resurrection.

However, Bards can use their Magical Secrets feature to unlock spells from any class. So if they want to, they can choose True Resurrection.

Final Thoughts

If you thought spells in D&D were powerful at lower levels, look at 9th-level spells.

True Resurrection is the epitome of necromancy, showing players just how far players can go before being indistinguishable from the divine.

True Resurrection is a magnificent spell that can save entire parties and change the outcome of battles.

If you have yet to use it, then your DM is thoughtful. Save it, and you’ll see its true power when you need it most!