Death in Dungeons & Dragons is weird. Sometimes it's a tragic, character-defining moment that reshapes the campaign. Other times it's a minor inconvenience solved by rooting around in the cleric's pockets for a diamond and a receipt. In this episode, we crack open the lid on resurrection mechanics—how revivify, raise dead, and resurrection actually work, why death saving throws matter less than you think, and how coming back from the dead can be anything from epic storytelling fuel to a mildly awkward coffee break.
In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive deep into resurrection mechanics in Dungeons & Dragons, breaking down how character death really works—and why raising the dead is both a mechanical safety net and a narrative landmine.
We cover the full spectrum of D&D death rules, starting with death saving throws, stabilizing, and the fine line between "down but not out" and "start pricing diamonds." From there, we examine the most common resurrection spells—Revivify, Raise Dead, and Resurrection—comparing spell timing, material components, and the hidden costs that often get ignored at the table.
The discussion digs into why resurrection spells can undermine tension if handled casually, how consequences of death in D&D can strengthen long-term storytelling, and when it's okay for resurrection to be fast, cheap, and reliable. We also talk about optional rules, narrative gates, and DM-side tools that make bringing characters back to life in tabletop RPGs feel meaningful without punishing players for bad dice luck.
Whether you're a player wondering how safe your character really is or a DM trying to balance drama with fun, this episode is your practical, no-nonsense guide to how resurrection works in D&D 5e—and how to make it better at your table.
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Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix.
Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme.
Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy.
Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos.
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