What Happens When Your Steel Defender Dies? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The death of your Steel Defender in Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition can be a jarring experience for any Artificer. Unlike a simple familiar, the Steel Defender is a core part of your character’s combat strategy and overall identity. The good news is that, while impactful, a Steel Defender’s death is not permanent. Here’s a breakdown of what happens when your mechanical companion falls in battle, and what you can do about it:
The immediate consequence of your Steel Defender’s death is that it’s no longer present on the battlefield. It ceases to function, cannot take actions, and no longer provides its unique advantages such as imposing disadvantage on enemies. However, the most critical rule surrounding its demise is that you can revive it if it has died within the last hour.
Reviving Your Steel Defender
Within that one-hour window, you can use your smith’s tools as an action while standing within 5 feet of the fallen defender to bring it back to life. This act requires you to expend a spell slot of 1st level or higher. Upon successful revival, the defender returns to life after 1 minute, with all its hit points restored. This means that while a Steel Defender’s death is a setback, it’s a fairly temporary one if you’re able to act quickly.
Beyond the Revival
If the one-hour window passes, you will need to construct a new steel defender. There is no cost to create a new steel defender other than the time required during a long rest, but the existing one must be gone (destroyed). Once a long rest is complete, you will have a new mechanical companion to use in battle. Keep in mind that the previous steel defender is not recoverable in this instance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Steel Defenders and Death
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions to provide further clarity on the ins and outs of the Steel Defender and its interactions with death:
Can a Steel Defender be healed?
While your Steel Defender doesn’t benefit from long rests, you can repair it yourself or utilize spells. The mending spell, for example, allows your defender to regain 2d6 hit points. You can also use potions of healing on it.
What is the biggest disadvantage of the Steel Defender?
The Steel Defender imposes disadvantage on the attack roll of one creature it can see that is within 5 feet of it, provided the attack roll is against a creature other than the defender. This is normally more of a boon than a hindrance though. Its greatest weakness is that it does not receive many of the usual benefits of long rests.
Does a Steel Defender get death saving throws?
Yes, Steel Defenders technically can make death saving throws just like player characters and other creatures, although they are almost always revived via the artificer’s class feature. When a Steel Defender would normally die, they would instead make death saving throws as normal. When a Steel Defender rolls a 20 on a death save, they regain 1 hit point and are conscious.
Can a Steel Defender act on its own?
Yes, in a limited fashion. The Steel Defender can move and use its reaction independently. However, it will only take the Dodge action on its turn unless you command it to do otherwise as a bonus action.
What are the best options for a Steel Defender?
The best options for your Steel Defender revolve around how you want it to operate in combat. They are capable of many things, and the best way to use them will vary based on your build. Consider using it to administer potions, apply pressure with attacks, or even as a temporary mount.
Can a Steel Defender fly?
While there is nothing preventing a DM from allowing a flying Steel Defender, the base stat block for the defender does not include the ability to fly. The appearance of your defender is up to you, with no effect on game statistics, so it does not inherently have the capability to fly.
Can a Steel Defender shove?
Yes, the Steel Defender can use the Attack action to shove a creature, knocking it prone or pushing it away.
Can a Steel Defender be a mount?
Yes, the Steel Defender can act as a controlled mount. However, its actions are limited to Dash, Dodge, and Disengage as a controlled mount on its turn, although it can use its reaction as normal. You can only ride it if it is one size category larger than you, or larger.
Can a Steel Defender use a shield?
Yes, Steel Defenders are capable of using shields, which can greatly improve their defense, or dual-wielding abilities.
What happens if a Steel Defender rolls a 20 on a death save?
A roll of 20 on a death save is a critical success and will bring the Steel Defender to 1 hit point and become conscious as if they had been stabilized. They are still prone unless they stand using half of their movement.
Can my Steel Defender wear armor?
Yes, Steel Defenders can wear armor, but they are not proficient with it. This means they suffer the penalties for wearing armor without proficiency. The defender is a construct and can attune up to three magical items.
What is the best use of a Steel Defender?
One of the best uses of a Steel Defender is item usage. It can effectively be a Healing Word by administering a potion of healing on your bonus action, or administer other potions with similar effects to yourself or your allies.
How many Steel Defenders can you have?
You can only have one Steel Defender at a time. Creating a new one destroys the old one, so there is no benefit to making a new one unless your old one is permanently destroyed.
Can a Steel Defender keep watch?
Yes, Steel Defenders are proficient in Perception and understand the languages you speak, making them excellent at keeping watch and a valued asset to your party outside of combat.
Can a Steel Defender look like a human?
Yes, your Steel Defender can be designed to have a humanoid appearance if you desire, including humanoid armor. The appearance of your steel defender does not affect its combat statistics.
Can a Steel Defender hold a weapon?
Steel Defenders are creatures and can attune to magic items, as well as hold a shield. A DM might allow them to hold weapons too, but they cannot make attacks using them.
How much can a Steel Defender pull?
A Steel Defender can carry 210 lbs and drag 420 lbs. Keep in mind the volume of the objects being moved, not just the weight.
Can a Steel Defender make opportunity attacks?
A Steel Defender can perform an opportunity attack or a deflect attack once per round. It is up to the Artificer to decide which to use.
Can a Steel Defender wear magic items?
Yes, Steel Defenders can attune to up to three magic items. They are considered creatures and are subject to the same rules as the rest of the party in that regard.
What is the best race for a Battle Smith?
High Elves are a good choice for Battle Smiths, gaining bonuses in Dexterity and Intelligence and proficiencies in martial weapons. This makes them a good match for most builds.
Can a Steel Defender use magic items?
Yes, provided the item can be used by a creature with their anatomy. They can also attune to items like other characters. Keep in mind that they cannot make attacks with weapons they may be able to wield.
Can a Steel Defender use Magic Stone?
Yes, a Steel Defender can use magic items unless there are rules or anatomical constraints that prevent them from doing so.
Can a gnome artificer ride the steel defender?
Yes, you can ride them if they are one size larger than you. So, if you play as a gnome, goblin, halfling, or verdan, your Steel Defender can become a mount.
Can you have a familiar and a steel defender?
Yes, you can have both a Steel Defender and a familiar like a homunculus servant. There is nothing restricting their use, other than the limitations on actions and slots, so long as your character has access to both abilities.
Conclusion
The Steel Defender is a powerful ally for any Battle Smith Artificer. While its death can be disruptive, understanding how to handle the situation, including using Smith’s Tools to revive it or re-building one, allows you to keep your robotic companion as a reliable force on the battlefield. Knowing its strengths, limitations, and special rules allows you to fully utilize it during combat, allowing you to get the most out of the character you invested so much time in creating.