Planar Binding

A
Control

Planar Binding is a Control spell. Control spells restrict enemy options through debuffs or denial effects.

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 spell of
social influence

Planar Binding is a Social Influence spell. Social Influence spells create ways to communicate, persuade, and alter behavior.

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 that can
save or suck

Planar Binding is a Save or Suck spell. Save or Suck spells fall entirely flat if the target succeeds on a saving throw.

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 a celestial, elemental, fey, or fiend into loyal service.

2024 Rules
Level & School
5th-level abjuration
Casting Time
1 hour
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a jewel worth 1,000+ GP, which the spell consumes)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Warlock, Wizard

You attempt to bind a Celestial, an Elemental, a Fey, or a Fiend to your service. The creature must be within range for the entire casting of the spell. (Typically, the creature is first summoned into the center of the inverted version of the Magic Circle spell to trap it while this spell is cast.) At the completion of the casting, the target must succeed on a Charisma saving throw or be bound to serve you for the duration. If the creature was summoned or created by another spell, that spell's duration is extended to match the duration of this spell.

A bound creature must follow your commands to the best of its ability. You might command the creature to accompany you on an adventure, to guard a location, or to deliver a message. If the creature is Hostile, it strives to twist your commands to achieve its own objectives. If the creature carries out your commands completely before the spell ends, it travels to you to report this fact if you are on the same plane of existence. If you are on a different plane, it returns to the place where you bound it and remains there until the spell ends.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. The duration increases with a spell slot of level 6 (10 days), 7 (30 days), 8 (180 days), and 9 (366 days).

2014 Rules
Level & School
5th-level abjuration
Casting Time
1 hour
Range
60 feet
Components
V, S, M (a jewel worth at least 1,000 gp, which the spell consumes)
Duration
24 hours
Classes
Bard, Cleric, Druid, Wizard

With this spell, you attempt to bind a celestial, an elemental, a fey, or a fiend to your service. The creature must be within range for the entire casting of the spell. (Typically, the creature is first summoned into the center of an inverted magic circle in order to keep it trapped while this spell is cast.) At the completion of the casting, the target must make a Charisma saving throw. On a failed save, it is bound to serve you for the duration. If the creature was summoned or created by another spell, that spell's duration is extended to match the duration of this spell.

A bound creature must follow your instructions to the best of its ability. You might command the creature to accompany you on an adventure, to guard a location, or to deliver a message. The creature obeys the letter of your instructions, but if the creature is hostile to you, it strives to twist your words to achieve its own objectives. If the creature carries out your instructions completely before the spell ends, it travels to you to report this fact if you are on the same plane of existence. If you are on a different plane of existence, it returns to the place where you bound it and remains there until the spell ends.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. When you cast this spell using a spell slot of a higher level, the duration increases to 10 days with a 6th-level slot, to 30 days with a 7th-level slot, to 180 days with an 8th-level slot, and to a year and a day with a 9th-level spell slot.

Planar Binding 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences

Planar Binding now lasts 366 days when cast with a 9th-level slot instead of “a year and a day,” and Warlock is now added to the class list.

Planar Binding popularity

Planar Binding is a commonly chosen level 5 spell. Choosing it adds an established option to your spellbook.

Spells similar to Planar Binding

  • Geas 5th-level enchantment

    Both force a creature to obey long-term commands and use a charisma-based coercive effect at the same spell level.

  • Planar Ally 6th-level conjuration

    Both involve dealing with extraplanar beings and essentially procuring the service of an outsider through magic and negotiation.

  • Conjure Celestial 7th-level conjuration

    Like this spell, it targets celestial-type creatures to serve you, though it summons them rather than binding them for an extended duration.

  • Conjure Elemental 5th-level conjuration

    It covers the elemental side of the same niche by bringing an elemental ally into play to follow your orders for a set time.

  • Imprisonment 9th-level abjuration

    Both permanently restrain or remove a creature’s freedom when successfully cast, offering a long-term solution for controlling a target.