Updated 23 October 2026. Facts on this page come from minecraft.wiki, minecraft.net and the live Artemis PvP server; sources are listed at the bottom.
Totem of Undying
A totem of undying saves you from death once: hold it in your main hand or offhand when you take fatal damage and it is used up, giving Regeneration II, Absorption II and Fire Resistance. Evokers always drop one.
How does a totem of undying work?
If you take damage that would kill you while holding a totem in your main hand or offhand, it is used up and you survive. It only works in a hand: a totem sitting in the hotbar does nothing unless it is the selected slot.
When it triggers you get Regeneration II for 45 seconds, Absorption II for 5 seconds and Fire Resistance for 40 seconds. It does not save you from falling into the void far enough to be killed there, because totems cannot trigger on that damage.
Where do you get a totem of undying?
Evokers drop one every time, and Looting does not change that. Evokers spawn in woodland mansions and during raids, so raids are the usual way to collect many. Any mob that can hold a totem is also revived by it.
Why are totems important in PvP?
In modern Java PvP, minecraft.wiki's PvP guide lists "toteming" (re-equipping a totem in the offhand right after one pops) and "double-handing" (holding a totem in both hands in Crystal PvP) among its PvP terms, because a totem works as a second life in a fight. Totems arrived in 1.11, so 1.8 PvP has none. See 1.8 vs 1.9+ combat.
Totem tips
- Keep one in your offhand whenever you fight or explore somewhere dangerous.
- After one pops, swap in the next straight away.
- Totems do not stop void deaths, so they will not save a fall out of the world.
Are there totems on ArtemisPvP?
Frequently asked questions
Does a totem of undying work in the hotbar?
Only if it is the selected slot. It must be in your main hand or offhand.
What drops a totem of undying?
Evokers, always one each.
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages; the wording is ours.