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Damage, Dying, Death
When a creature takes damage, that damage is subtracted from its hit points. This has no effect on a creature’s capabilities until the creature drops to 0 hit points. (96)
Most creatures die the instant they drop to 0 hit points. (98). But player characters and, if the GM wishes, special nonplayer characters and mighty villains follow these rules:
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Dropping to 0 hit points kills you instantly only if the damage is massive.
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If damage reduces you to 0 hit points and fails to kill you, you fall unconscious. This unconsciousness ends if you regain any hit points.
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Whenever you start your turn with 0 hit points, you must make a death saving throw to determine whether you creep closer to death or hang onto life. Special rules apply if you take damage at 0 hit points.
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A stable creature doesn’t make death saving throws, even though it has 0 hit points, but it does remain unconscious.
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