Cure Wounds 5e: Healing, Upcasting, and 2024 Changes

When an ally drops in the middle of a fight, I like having at least one dependable way to get them back on their feet. Cure Wounds asks you to reach the creature, but it rewards that risk with stronger healing than many other 1st-level options.

Cure Wounds 5e — Quick Spell Reference

How Cure Wounds Works in 5e

You touch a creature, and it regains 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier hit points. Cure Wounds cannot affect an undead creature or a construct under the 2014 rules.

Because the range is Touch, you can cast Cure Wounds on yourself. You can also use it on an unconscious ally, provided you can reach and touch them.

Using Cure Wounds at 0 Hit Points

If Cure Wounds restores even 1 hit point to a creature at 0 hit points, that creature becomes conscious and is no longer making death saving throws. The spell does not require the target to be stable first.

It does not bring a dead creature back to life, restore lost maximum hit points, or automatically remove poison, disease, or other conditions. It simply restores hit points.

Upcasting Cure Wounds

When you cast Cure Wounds with a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the healing increases by 1d8 for each slot level above 1st. You add your spellcasting ability modifier only once.

Spell Slot	Healing
1st	1d8 + modifier
2nd	2d8 + modifier
3rd	3d8 + modifier
4th	4d8 + modifier
5th	5d8 + modifier
6th	6d8 + modifier
7th	7d8 + modifier
8th	8d8 + modifier
9th	9d8 + modifier

This is straightforward upcasting, but higher-level spell slots often have more powerful ways to prevent damage or change a fight. I usually upcast Cure Wounds when immediate healing matters more than efficiency.

Cure Wounds vs. Healing Word

Healing Word heals only 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier at 1st level, but it has a 60-foot range and uses a bonus action. Cure Wounds heals more and uses an action, but its Touch range may force you into danger.

In combat, Healing Word is often easier for reviving a distant ally while preserving your action. Cure Wounds is attractive when you can safely reach the target, want the larger healing die, or are healing outside combat.

What Changed in the 2024 Rules?

The 2024 version makes Cure Wounds substantially stronger:

• The school changes from Evocation to Abjuration.
• A 1st-level casting restores 2d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier instead of 1d8 + the modifier.
• Upcasting adds 2d8 per slot level above 1st instead of 1d8.
• The restriction against healing Constructs and Undead is removed from the spell text.

Those changes mean the 2024 spell heals twice as many dice at every slot level. The casting time, Touch range, and verbal and somatic components remain the same.

Cure Wounds FAQ

Can you cast Cure Wounds on yourself?

Yes. A spell with a range of Touch can target the caster unless its text says otherwise.

Can Cure Wounds revive an unconscious creature?

It can restore hit points to a living creature at 0 hit points, which makes that creature conscious. It cannot return a dead creature to life.

Does Cure Wounds work on undead or constructs?

Not under the 2014 rules. The 2024 spell no longer contains that restriction.

Do you add your spellcasting modifier to every die when upcasting?

No. Roll all of the healing dice, then add your spellcasting ability modifier once.