Planar Binding
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
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
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, Warlock, Wizard
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
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 popularity
How popular is Planar Binding? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, and is chosen less than other options when available. This spell may fill a specific niche for a spellbook.
- Top 50% of all level 5 spells
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
- Bottom 50% picked level 5 Warlock spell
- Bottom 50% picked level 5 Wizard spell
- Bottom 25% picked level 5 Druid spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 5 Bard spell
- Bottom 10% picked level 5 Cleric spell
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Planar Binding
Planar Ally 6th-level conjuration
Both involve securing the aid of an extraplanar being for missions or ongoing assistance rather than dealing damage directly.
Players prefer Planar Ally over Planar Binding
Dominate Monster 8th-level enchantment
Each spell targets a powerful creature with mental coercion and lets the caster direct its actions.
Players prefer Dominate Monster over Planar Binding
Summon Fiend 6th-level conjuration
The spells share a focus on obtaining a fiendish servant, though this option creates a shorter-lived combat companion.
Players prefer Summon Fiend over Planar Binding
Geas 5th-level enchantment
Both use a Charisma saving throw to impose long-lasting service through magically enforced commands.
Players prefer Geas over Planar Binding
Magic Circle 3rd-level abjuration
It is the key companion setup spell for trapping and controlling the same kinds of extraplanar creatures.
Players prefer Magic Circle over Planar Binding
Infernal Calling 5th-level conjuration
This also calls an extraplanar creature into service, with especially strong thematic and tactical overlap for fiend-focused characters.
Players prefer Planar Binding over Infernal Calling