Is a 10 a Successful Death Save?

The short answer is: No, a 10 is not a successful death save in the standard rules of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 5th Edition. To succeed on a death saving throw, you need to roll a 10 or higher on a d20. Anything less than a 10 counts as a failure.

Understanding Death Saving Throws

When a character reaches 0 hit points in D&D 5e, they aren’t immediately dead. Instead, they enter a state of being unconscious and begin making death saving throws at the start of each of their turns. These throws represent the character clinging to life, fighting against the embrace of death.

The Mechanics of Death Saving Throws

A death saving throw is a d20 roll without any modifiers. This means there are no ability score bonuses, proficiency bonuses, or other modifiers added to the roll. The result of the d20 roll is the sole determinant of success or failure.

Success and Failure Criteria

• Success: A roll of 10 or higher counts as one success.
• Failure: A roll of 9 or lower counts as one failure.
• Critical Success: Rolling a 20 results in the character regaining 1 hit point and regaining consciousness.
• Critical Failure: Rolling a 1 counts as two failures.

The Consequences of Success and Failure

Accumulating either three successes or three failures determines the character’s fate:

• Three Successes: The character becomes stable. A stable character is still unconscious but no longer needs to make death saving throws. They regain 1 hit point after 1d4 hours.
• Three Failures: The character dies. There is no coming back without magical intervention, such as a Raise Dead spell or similar effect.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Death Saving Throws

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about death saving throws in D&D 5e, providing further clarification and insights into the rules:

1. What happens if I take damage while making death saving throws?

If you take any damage while you are unconscious and making death saving throws, you automatically suffer one failed death saving throw. If the damage is from a critical hit, you suffer two failed death saving throws. Note that this happens before you make your death saving throw for that turn.

2. Can I use Inspiration on a death saving throw?

Yes, you can use Inspiration on a death saving throw. Inspiration allows you to reroll a d20, and you can choose to use it before or after you make the initial roll. This can be a crucial advantage when your character’s life hangs in the balance.

3. Do any abilities or feats affect death saving throws?

Yes, some abilities and feats can influence death saving throws. For example, some cleric subclasses might grant advantage on death saving throws, while other feats might provide bonuses to constitution saving throws, which could indirectly improve a character’s ability to stabilize. Always check the specific wording of the ability or feat to understand its effect.

4. What is the difference between being stable and being healed?

Being stable means you are no longer actively dying, and you will regain 1 hit point after 1d4 hours. Being healed, however, means you receive hit points immediately, potentially bringing you back into the fight right away. Healing is generally preferable, as it removes the unconscious condition immediately.

5. Can another player help me with my death saving throws?

Yes, certain actions from other players can help an unconscious character. For example, the Healer feat allows a character to use a healer’s kit to stabilize a creature without needing to make a Wisdom (Medicine) check. Spells like Healing Word also restore hit points and can bring a character back into the fight.

6. What happens if I roll a natural 20 on a death saving throw?

Rolling a natural 20 (the highest possible roll on a d20) immediately restores you to 1 hit point and you regain consciousness. You are no longer making death saving throws, and you can act normally on your next turn.

7. What happens if I roll a natural 1 on a death saving throw?

Rolling a natural 1 (the lowest possible roll on a d20) counts as two failed death saving throws. This significantly increases the risk of death.

8. Can I use a Luck point to reroll a death saving throw?

Yes, a Lucky feat allows you to spend a luck point to reroll a d20 roll. This includes death saving throws. The Lucky feat can be a lifesaver in dire situations.

9. Does having advantage on saving throws help with death saving throws?

While some abilities might grant advantage on death saving throws, the advantage mechanic itself does not automatically apply. Advantage specifically requires that the effect applies to a “saving throw” and not something else. Death saving throws are a special category of roll. Always read the specific wording of the ability carefully.

10. If I have temporary hit points, do they prevent me from making death saving throws?

No, temporary hit points do not prevent you from going unconscious and making death saving throws. When you reach 0 hit points, regardless of whether you have temporary hit points, you begin making death saving throws. Temporary hit points must be depleted before you lose actual hit points.

11. Can a spell like Spare the Dying help with death saving throws?

Yes, the Spare the Dying cantrip instantly stabilizes a creature that is dying. This prevents the character from having to make any further death saving throws and keeps them alive until they can be healed.

12. What if multiple characters are making death saving throws at the same time?

Each character makes their death saving throws independently. The Dungeon Master (DM) tracks the successes and failures for each character separately. It can be a tense and dramatic situation when multiple characters are teetering on the brink of death simultaneously.

13. How does the DM usually handle death saving throws?

DMs often handle death saving throws in a variety of ways. Some DMs prefer to have the players roll their own death saving throws openly, while others prefer to roll them in secret to add an element of suspense and uncertainty. The DM’s style can significantly influence the atmosphere of the game.

14. What happens if a creature that is making death saves is healed by a spell that does not restore hit points, like Mass Cure Wounds with no valid targets?

The spell fails to have any effect. Since it does not heal any hit points, the creature still needs to make death saves. To stop making death saves, the creature will either need to get 3 successful death saves, be healed for at least 1 hit point, or be stabilized.

15. Are death saving throws considered saving throws that trigger abilities or spells?

No, generally death saving throws are not considered “saving throws” that would trigger abilities or spells. The wording of abilities and spells often specifies what kind of saving throws they affect (e.g., Dexterity saving throws, Wisdom saving throws), and death saving throws are a separate category. Always read the specific wording carefully to determine if an ability or spell applies to death saving throws.

In conclusion, understanding the rules surrounding death saving throws is crucial for playing D&D 5e. While a roll of 10 or higher constitutes a success, remember that other factors like damage, critical hits, and the actions of your allies can significantly impact your character’s chances of survival. Play strategically, cooperate with your party, and hope for favorable rolls of the dice!