Resistance 5e: Saving Throws and When to Cast the Cantrip
I like the 2014 Resistance cantrip when I know someone is about to make a difficult save. Touch a willing creature and give it a d4 to use on one saving throw. The trick is casting it while you still have time to help.
Resistance 5e — Quick Spell Reference
- Casting time
- 1 action
- Range
- Touch
- Components
- V, S, M (A miniature cloak.)
- Duration
- Concentration, up to 1 minute
- Classes
- Cleric, Druid
You touch one willing creature. Once before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to one saving throw of its choice. It can roll the die before or after making the saving throw. The spell then ends.
When Can You Add the d4?
Cast Resistance as an action on one willing creature you can touch, including yourself. As a cantrip it uses no spell slot. The miniature cloak has no listed cost and is reusable. The original spell is on the cleric and druid lists, and the legacy artificer can also learn it.
The target chooses one saving throw and can roll the d4 before or after rolling the save. Once it uses the bonus, the spell ends. If it saves the d4 for later, it has up to one minute to use it as long as you maintain concentration. The bonus stays at 1d4 as you level up.
When Is Resistance Worth Casting?
- Before a known hazard. Cast it before an ally crosses a passage where you expect a trap to force a Dexterity save. If the trap calls for an ability check or an attack roll, the d4 has no roll to modify.
- Before a repeat save. If an ally gets another Wisdom save at the end of their next turn to shake off a spell, Resistance can help on that roll. You need to reach them and act before they roll.
- To protect another caster’s spell. If a cleric maintaining Spirit Guardians takes damage and has a total of 8 on a DC 10 Constitution save, a 2 or higher on the Resistance die is enough to keep their spell going. Have a companion cast Resistance, since the cleric would drop Spirit Guardians by concentrating on it themselves.
In combat, weigh that one roll against your action and the spell you could concentrate on. Bless costs a slot and can add a d4 to multiple allies’ attacks and saves for as long as it lasts. Resistance earns its place when you can prepare for a specific save or want to spend no slot.
Resistance: 2014 vs. 2024 Rules
| Rule | 2014 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| What the d4 does | Adds to one saving throw of the target’s choice | Reduces incoming damage of the type you chose when casting |
| How often it applies | Once, then the spell ends | Up to once per turn while the spell lasts |
| Components | Verbal, somatic, and a miniature cloak | Verbal and somatic |
Both versions take an action, target one willing creature by touch, and require concentration for up to a minute. With the 2024 cantrip, you could choose fire before an ally crosses a burning room. Each turn the spell can reduce one instance of fire damage by 1d4. The general damage resistance rule halves damage of the relevant type.
Resistance FAQ
Does Resistance work on death saving throws?
The 2014 cantrip can add its d4 to a death saving throw if the spell is already active on that creature. If the d20 shows an 8 and the d4 shows a 2, the total of 10 succeeds. A natural 1 still counts as two failures, and regaining 1 hit point still requires a natural 20.