Planar Binding
Level 5 · Abjuration
- Save
- Summon
Planar Binding occupies the abjuration school at level 5, available to bard, cleric, druid, warlock, and wizard. Cast time: 1 Hour. Range 60 feet, components V/S/M, duration 24 hours. Material: a jewel worth 1,000+ GP, which the spell consumes. Effect: You attempt to bind a Celestial, an Elemental, a Fey, or a Fiend to your service. At higher levels: The duration increases with a spell slot of level 6 (10 days), 7 (30 days), 8 (180 days), and 9 (366 days).
Stat Block
- Level
- 5
- School
- Abjuration
- Casting Time
- 1 Hour
- Range / Area
- 60 feet
- Components
- V, S, M
- Duration
- 24 Hours
- Ritual
- No
- Concentration
- No
- Classes
- Bard, Cleric, Druid, Warlock, Wizard
- Material
- a jewel worth 1,000+ GP, which the spell consumes
Description
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.
5e (2014) vs 2024 changes
This spell has both a 5e (2014) and 2024 Player's Handbook version. Doungim shows the current 2024 stat block above. Differences between editions typically affect components, range, or scaling — check both source books for the table.
Doungim Lore
School Fit
Abjuration is the school of conserved magic. Its spells keep things from happening that would otherwise happen — the most invisible and underrated school. On the school axis, Planar Binding is Abjuration: the spell ends, prevents, or absorbs an effect that would otherwise land. The 5th-level slot is precious; Planar Binding earns its slot or doesn't.
Class Fit
- Bard: College of Valor and College of Swords Bards lean toward melee — Planar Binding earns its slot if it works inside or around weapon-attack turns. Planar Binding scales when upcast — see the higher-level note on the spell page.
- Cleric: Domain-bonus spells fill some of the Cleric's prep automatically; check whether the chosen Domain already grants Planar Binding before manual prepping. 60 feet is enough range that Planar Binding doesn't pull the caster forward.
- Druid: At tier 2, Druids juggle Pass Without Trace, Conjure Animals, and Spike Growth for concentration; Planar Binding fits in if it doesn't compete. The higher-level scaling on Planar Binding is described in the spell text; check it before upcasting.
- Warlock: Pact Magic casts every spell at the highest slot the Warlock has available. Planar Binding upcasts automatically. At 60 feet, Planar Binding stays usable from the caster's typical positioning.
- Wizard: Arcane Recovery returns one or two slots on a short rest. Planar Binding's slot cost is therefore not exactly what the slot column says. At higher spell-slot levels Planar Binding grows — refer to the upcast clause for the exact terms.
Related Spells
Frequently Asked Questions about Planar Binding
- What level spell is Planar Binding?
- In D&D 5e, Planar Binding is classified as a level 5 spell of the Abjuration school. Available classes: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Warlock, Wizard.
- What save does Planar Binding require?
- Targets of Planar Binding make a Charisma saving throw against the caster's spell save DC. On a success, the spell's effect is reduced or negated; see the description for exact terms.
- What is the range of Planar Binding?
- Planar Binding has a range of 60 feet from the caster.
- How long does Planar Binding last?
- Planar Binding sticks for 24 hours. Concentration is not required, so the caster's concentration slot stays free.
- What components and casting time does Planar Binding need?
- Note: the components are V, S, M. Beyond that — Material component: a jewel worth 1,000+ GP, which the spell consumes; the casting time is 1 hour (not a standard Action).
- Can Planar Binding be upcast?
- Planar Binding scales when upcast: The duration increases with a spell slot of level 6 (10 days), 7 (30 days), 8 (180 days), and 9 (366 days).