Earthbind 5e: Flying Speed, Descent, and Limits

Earthbind is one of those wonderfully specific spells that becomes invaluable the moment a dragon, wyvern, or flying spellcaster decides to stay out of reach. I like that it trades damage for certainty after one failed save: the target loses its flying speed and descends safely, giving the rest of the party time to prepare for its arrival.

Earthbind 5e — Quick Spell Reference

How Earthbind Works

Choose one creature the caster can see within 300 feet. The target makes a Strength saving throw. On a success, nothing happens. On a failure, its flying speed—if it has one—becomes 0 for the spell’s duration.

An affected airborne creature then descends safely at 60 feet per round until it reaches the ground or Earthbind ends. If it reaches the ground while the spell continues, it lands without taking falling damage. There is no repeat saving throw at the end of its turns.

Earthbind requires concentration for up to 1 minute. Losing concentration restores the target’s flying speed if the source of that speed still exists, but what happens next depends on where the creature is and what keeps it aloft.

How Long Does the Descent Take?

The affected creature descends 60 feet per round. Divide its height by 60 and round up to estimate the number of rounds needed to reach the ground:

Starting height	Time to reach the ground
30 feet	1 round
60 feet	1 round
120 feet	2 rounds
300 feet	5 rounds

The spell calls this a safe descent, so the creature does not take falling damage merely because Earthbind brings it down. Earthbind also does not say the target falls prone on landing.

If the spell ends before the target reaches the ground, the safe descent ends too. A creature that can resume flying may remain aloft; one that cannot may fall under the normal rules. That risk makes the caster’s concentration important even though Earthbind deals no damage itself.

What Earthbind Does Not Do

Earthbind changes flying speed and provides a controlled descent. It does not impose the Restrained, Grappled, Incapacitated, or Prone condition. The target can still take actions and reactions, make attacks, cast spells, and use any walking, climbing, or swimming speed it has.

The spell does not prevent teleportation, and it does not anchor a creature to one spot after landing. Once on the ground, an affected creature can move normally with a non-flying speed while Earthbind continues to keep its flying speed at 0.

There is no size restriction. A Tiny familiar and a Gargantuan dragon make the same type of Strength save, although their Strength bonuses may make their chances very different.

Does Earthbind Work on Magical Flight or Hover?

Earthbind does not distinguish between wings and magical flight. If an effect grants a flying speed, a failed save reduces that speed to 0 while Earthbind lasts. The original effect is not dispelled; it can resume providing flight after Earthbind ends if its own duration has not expired.

The descent clause applies to an airborne creature affected by the spell, so a creature with Hover does not simply remain suspended after failing the save. Earthbind specifically supplies the safe 60-foot descent.

Some magic can hold a creature aloft without giving it a flying speed. Earthbind can still target that creature, but interactions between two specific movement effects may require the DM to compare their wording. Earthbind does not end the other spell the way Dispel Magic would.

Earthbind Tactics

The 300-foot range is Earthbind’s standout feature. It reaches much farther than many attack spells and can force an aerial enemy to spend several rounds descending. Cast early while the target is high enough that grounding it matters, but remember that a high starting altitude also means more rounds of concentration before it arrives.

Good uses include:

• bringing a flying melee enemy into the party’s reach;
• stopping a creature from repeatedly diving behind inaccessible cover;
• reducing a flying spellcaster’s ability to reposition; and
• protecting allies who cannot answer attacks from the air.

The Strength save makes physically powerful flyers harder targets. Earthbind is also less useful when the creature is already near the ground, has a strong ranged attack, or can teleport away after landing.

Casting Earthbind at Higher Levels

Earthbind has no higher-level benefit. A higher-level slot does not add targets, increase the descent rate, extend the duration, or impose disadvantage on the saving throw.

Because the spell has only a verbal component, it can be cast while the caster’s hands are occupied. It cannot be cast in an area of magical silence or when the caster is otherwise unable to provide the verbal component.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Earthbind cause falling damage?

Not while its controlled descent continues. The affected creature descends at 60 feet per round and lands safely if it reaches the ground before the spell ends.

Can the target repeat the saving throw?

No. Earthbind provides only the initial Strength save.

Does Earthbind restrain or knock the target prone?

No. It reduces flying speed to 0 and causes a safe descent, but imposes no condition.

Can Earthbind target a creature that is not flying?

Yes, but reducing a nonexistent flying speed to 0 usually has no practical effect unless the creature is airborne or gains a flying speed before the spell ends.

Can Earthbind affect a dragon?

Yes. The spell has no creature-type or size restriction, though a dragon’s Strength save may be difficult to overcome.