Resistance
Cantrip · Abjuration
- Concentration
Resistance (cleric and druid) casts as a cantrip in the abjuration school. Cast time: Action. Range Touch, components V/S, duration up to 1 minute. Marked concentration. Effect: You touch a willing creature and choose a damage type: Acid, Bludgeoning, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Necrotic, Piercing, Poison, Radiant, Slashing, or Thunder.
Stat Block
- Level
- Cantrip
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range / Area
- Touch
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- up to 1 Minute
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- Yes
- Classes
- Cleric, Druid
- Material
- —
Description
You touch a willing creature and choose a damage type: Acid, Bludgeoning, Cold, Fire, Lightning, Necrotic, Piercing, Poison, Radiant, Slashing, or Thunder. When the creature takes damage of the chosen type before the spell ends, the creature reduces the total damage taken by 1d4. A creature can benefit from this spell only once per turn.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Abjurations are built around the word no. They raise wards, they break enchantments, they push attackers out of reach. On the school axis, Resistance is Abjuration: the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. The cantrip slot on Resistance means the spell is always castable, regardless of remaining spell slots.
Class Fit
- Cleric: Life Domain Clerics value Resistance differently from War or Trickery Clerics; the Domain's identity shapes which spells become signature. The concentration tag on Resistance means a single failed Constitution save can end the effect mid-encounter.
- Druid: Druid concentration is precious. Most Druids prep one big concentration spell and one non-concentration utility per day; Resistance fits one of those slots. Concentration on Resistance forces the caster to choose between this spell and the next big concentration play.
Tactical play (Doungim editorial)
Cantrip; +1d4 to one ally's save in the next minute. Concentration.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Resistance
- What level spell is Resistance?
- Resistance is a cantrip from the Abjuration school. The classes that can prepare it: Cleric, Druid.
- What is the range of Resistance?
- Resistance has a range of Touch — the caster must be in contact with the target to cast it.
- Is Resistance a concentration spell?
- Yes — Resistance requires concentration, lasting up to 1 minute. Casting another concentration spell ends this one; damage taken triggers a Constitution save (DC 10 or half the damage, whichever is higher) to maintain it.
- What components and casting time does Resistance need?
- To cast Resistance: Resistance is cast with V, S with a standard Action.