How to Permanently Kill a Revenant in D&D 5e
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The million-gold-piece question: How do you permanently put down a revenant in D&D 5e? The grim truth is, it’s not easy. Standard methods won’t cut it. A revenant is an undead creature fueled by vengeance, and simply reducing it to zero hit points isn’t enough. The spirit within seeks a new body to continue its hunt. The most straightforward (but still challenging) ways to achieve permanent rest for a revenant are:
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Fulfill its Vow: The easiest and most moral solution is to ensure the revenant achieves its goal. Once the being it seeks revenge upon is dead, the revenant’s purpose is fulfilled. It crumbles to dust, finally finding peace. This might involve helping the revenant track down its target, even if that target seems reasonable or sympathetic. Be warned that, though honorable, this may conflict with your character’s alignment.
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Passage of Time: If the revenant fails to kill its adversary within one year of its animation, it crumbles to dust and its soul fades into the afterlife. A daring (and risky) strategy is to simply evade the revenant for a year, making sure it can’t reach you or its target. This approach is precarious, as the revenant is relentless and gains immense tracking abilities.
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Wish Spell: A Wish spell can bypass many of the rules governing a creature’s existence, potentially allowing the caster to specify the permanent destruction of the revenant’s soul or the removal of its need for vengeance. This is the most magical solution, but Wish spells are rare and have potential for disastrous side effects at the DM’s discretion.
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Divine Intervention: Certain divine interventions granted by powerful deities could remove the revenant’s curse and grant it rest. This relies entirely on the favor of a god and the DM’s willingness to allow such an event.
These options are the most direct routes. Short of these, you’re basically stuck playing a gruesome game of whack-a-mole, destroying the revenant only to have it reappear later, possibly stronger and more cunning than before. Remember, these strategies are heavily dependent on the DM’s interpretation of the rules and the specific circumstances of your campaign.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Revenants
Here are some frequently asked questions about Revenants.
What happens if I kill a revenant?
Killing a revenant in the traditional sense (reducing it to 0 hit points) doesn’t permanently destroy it. The revenant’s spirit will inhabit a new corpse within a mile of its target (or the nearest available if the target is beyond that range) 1d10 days later. It retains its memories, abilities, and burning desire for revenge.
Can a Resurrection spell stop a revenant?
No, a Resurrection spell won’t stop a revenant. Resurrection restores a dead creature to life, but a revenant isn’t truly dead; its soul is tethered to the Material Plane by its need for vengeance. Casting Resurrection would simply restore the original body if you manage to destroy the body being used by the revenant. Using True Resurrection might be your better option, but it is a level 9 spell, and still reliant on the DM’s rulings.
Is a revenant immune to turning effects?
Yes, as an undead creature, a revenant is immune to effects that turn undead, such as a cleric’s Turn Undead feature.
Does sunlight affect a revenant?
No, a revenant is not a vampire and therefore is not harmed by sunlight. It is an undead creature fueled by vengeance, not a creature of the night sustained by blood.
Can a revenant be charmed or frightened?
Revenants are immune to the charmed condition, and they have advantage on saving throws against being frightened. Their single-minded focus on revenge makes them resistant to emotional manipulation.
How fast can a revenant move?
A revenant’s base walking speed is usually 30 feet. However, when pursuing its target, the DM may choose to increase its speed significantly to reflect its relentless nature.
Can a revenant be permanently trapped?
While not a permanent solution, trapping a revenant can buy you valuable time. Confinement within a Magic Circle or a similar magical prison can restrain the revenant, but the spell must be maintained continuously. Eventually, the spell may fail or the caster may be incapacitated, allowing the revenant to escape. Keeping it trapped for a year will result in its permanent destruction, but this is an incredible challenge.
What spells are effective against revenants?
While directly damaging spells work to reduce its hit points (temporarily), spells that hinder its movement or ability to act are more effective. Hold Person, Paralyze, or Slow can give you a significant advantage in combat or allow you to escape. Magic Circle can trap it. Ultimately, you need a Wish spell or to ensure its target dies, or simply avoid it for a year.
Can a revenant be driven insane?
Revenants are resistant to mental manipulation, but they aren’t necessarily immune to madness. Exposure to extreme horrors or powerful psychic assaults might inflict temporary or long-term madness, potentially hindering their pursuit, but this won’t permanently destroy them.
What happens if a revenant’s target dies of natural causes?
If the revenant’s target dies of natural causes before the revenant can exact its revenge, the revenant is considered to have fulfilled its purpose and crumbles to dust. The key is that the target’s death must be unrelated to the revenant’s actions.
Can a Plane Shift spell get rid of a revenant?
Sending a revenant to another plane with a Plane Shift spell can temporarily remove it from your immediate vicinity. However, unless the conditions on that plane prevent it from reforming or the target is also there, it will eventually return to continue its hunt.
Is a revenant considered evil?
A revenant’s alignment is typically neutral. While their actions might be considered evil, they are driven by a singular need for vengeance rather than a desire for cruelty or domination. They are a force of nature, not inherently malicious.
Can a revenant be turned good?
While extremely difficult, it’s theoretically possible to redeem a revenant. This would require a powerful act of atonement, such as convincing it that its target is innocent or that seeking revenge is ultimately futile. A Greater Restoration or Wish spell might be necessary, coupled with significant roleplaying and a DM’s willingness to allow such a transformation.
Can a revenant be used as a player character?
Yes, the revenant race can give some interesting color to an NPC, or even provide a player with a way to continue a beloved character that perhaps met an untimely end. Because of the undead nature of this race, it may be difficult for a player character to play a revenant on a long-term basis, but it can be done. This requires careful consideration and collaboration between the player and the DM to balance the revenant’s unique abilities and limitations within the context of the campaign.
What role does revenge play in the motivation of revenants?
Revenge is everything to a revenant. It is the sole purpose of its existence, driving its actions, shaping its thoughts, and dictating its every move. A revenant will stop at nothing to achieve its goal, making it a formidable and terrifying foe. Understanding the nature of that revenge is crucial to dealing with the revenant.
Understanding and defeating a revenant in D&D 5e requires cunning, strategy, and often a bit of luck. While brute force can slow it down, permanent solutions demand a more nuanced approach. Remember that creative problem-solving and collaboration with your DM are key to overcoming this challenging undead foe. Learn more about the dynamics of gaming and learning at GamesLearningSociety.org.