Recovering Hit Points for Undead Companions in Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition

In previous editions of Dungeons Dragons, spells such as Inflict Wounds played a unique role in the gameplay balance by healing undead in the same way that Cure Wounds would inflict harm upon the living. This was due to the fundamentally different nature of undead beings, who were seen as the antithesis of living creatures. As such, any healing spell would in fact cause them harm, and vice versa. However, in the current version of the game, Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition (DD 5E), the rules regarding the recovery of hit points for undead have shifted.

Now, the most straightforward way to handle the recovery of hit points for your undead companion is to follow the general guidelines provided by the game. Unlike in earlier editions, official DD 5E rules do not specify that spells do not work on undead. Essentially, if a spell does not explicitly state that its effects are blocked by undead, it should function as intended.

Clarifying the Rules with Your Dungeon Master (DM)

If you and your Dungeon Master (DM) prefer to adhere to the traditional lore and rulings of earlier editions, you can certainly discuss this option as a house rule. Your DM may choose to implement a system where healing spells such as Cure Wounds would instead inflict harm on undead, while spells like Inflict Wounds would provide the necessary healing. This approach can add an interesting layer to your campaign, allowing for a deeper immersion into the world and its mechanics.

Spells That Do Not Affect Undead

Another method involves simply looking through the descriptions of the spells in the Dungeon Master's Guide and identifying those that are explicitly noted as not having an effect on undead. Spells such as Affliction, Faerie Fire, and Slow fall into this category. If a spell doesn't list undead as being immune or affected, it will likely work as intended.

The Mending Cantrip

A potential solution to ensure your undead companion can recover hit points is to invoke Mending, a cantrip from the .pdf">Player's Handbook. The Mending cantrip can repair minor damage to equipment, and while it is primarily used on mundane items, it can also heal non-magical wounds in some cases. If your DM allows this, your undead friend could potentially use Mending to recover hit points when combat is over, making it a useful utility spell for a wide range of situations.

Conclusion

Recovering hit points for your undead companion in DD 5E can be managed in a variety of ways, including following official rules, discussing house rules with your DM, or leveraging spells that do not specifically exclude undead. By embracing these options, you can ensure that your undead companion remains a useful and dynamic part of your party, contributing to your heroic quests and adventures.