While the party rests under the dwindling stars, the Cleric kneels and prays, divining whatever strength lay in those distant planes. She has a premonition about these cursed lands they wander and cannot sleep in any case. When the party awakens, they find their Cleric nodding off, and a newfound vigor to carry them into the carnage ahead…
Aid in 5e is a useful way for support characters to boost their party for battles near at hand, and for bringing their unconscious buddies back from the brink.
What is Aid in DnD 5e?
Aid in 5e is a 2nd level spell that raises the current and max HP for up to three targets for the duration of the spell (8 hours). Using Aid in spell slots above the 2nd level increases Aid by 5 HP for each level. Aid can be cast at a range of 30 feet.
Aid 5e stats
| Casting Time | 1 action |
| Level | 2 |
| Range | 30 feet |
| Class | Cleric, Paladin, Artificer |
| Components | Verbal, Somatic, Material* |
| Duration | 8 hours |
| School | Abjuration |
| Damage/Effect | Buff/Healing |
“Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and resolve. Choose up to three creatures within range. Each target’s hit point maximum and current hit points increase by 5 for the duration.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, a target’s hit points increase by an additional 5 for each slot level above 2nd.“
—Player’s Handbook
Some players think Aid is underwhelming, while some think it’s indispensable.
| Lvl | Dice | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 2nd | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| 3rd | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 4th | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 |
| 5th | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
| 6th | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| 7th | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 |
| 8th | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| 9th | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
Aid 5e Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Revive up to 3 characters at range
- Lasts a long time
- Doesn’t need Concentration
- Stacks with other healing buffs
- Upcasts well
Cons:
- Takes a spell slot from a more powerful healing spell
- Only situationally useful
- HP boost is only temporary
- Boring
Who can use Aid in 5e?
Clerics, Paladins, and Artificers. Clerics can take Aid at 3rd level, but Paladins and Artificers have to wait until level 5.
Divine Soul Sorcerers can use the Cleric’s spell list, and can also take Aid at the 3rd level. Bards can also use Aid with their Magical Secrets class feature at level 10.
When to Use Aid in 5e
When you wake up from a rest. It costs nothing to give a temporary HP boost for your whole party for 8 hours. You don’t have to concentrate, so you can set Aid and forget it.
When party members are unconscious. Unlike previous versions of DnD, you don’t have to touch unconscious party members with Aid to revive them. You also don’t have to see them. Aid might not be the most exciting spell, but it might be the only thing standing between your party and a TPK.
In combination with healing spells. After you raise your Max HP, you can heal to have higher HP for 8 hours.
Aid 5e FAQ
Does Aid stack? No. A character can only be under the effect of one Aid at a time.
Can you combine Aid with other healing buffs? Since Aid technically boosts Max HP, not temporary HP, you can stack it with buffs that boost HP temporarily.
Is Aid good for upcasting? Aid is a 2nd level spell, but if you cast it at higher levels it scales really well. For example, if you cast it at 9th level you can give each party member an extra 40 HP for 8 hours.
Can I cast Aid on myself? Of course!
So, should you take Aid in 5e? Don’t leave home without it! Aid isn’t glamorous, but it’s a staple of DnD for a reason. If you’re done here, these other articles might come to your Aid… such as Point Buy in 5e, Finesse Weapons 5e, and Beholder 5e.
Before starting GameCows with his wife Kendra, he used to teach English Language Arts in the US. He combined his love of gaming with education to create fun game-based learning lessons until he eventually decided to run GameCows with Kendra full-time. He’s known for pouring over rulebooks in his spare time, being the rule master during game night, and as the perma DM in his DnD group. Bryan loves board games, writing, traveling, and above all his wife and partner in crime, Kendra.