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Astral Projection

Necromancy
Level: 9th-level
Casting Time: 1 hour
Range: 10 feet
Duration: Special
Components: V, S, M
Materials: For each creature you affect with this spell, you must provide one jacinth worth at least 1,000gp and one ornately carved bar of silver worth at least 100gp, all of which the spell consumes.

You and up to eight willing creatures within range project your astral bodies into the Astral Plane (the spell fails and the casting is wasted if you are already on that plane). The material body you leave behind is unconscious and in a state of suspended animation; it doesn't need food or air and doesn't age. Your astral body resembles your mortal form in almost every way, replicating your game statistics and possessions. The principal difference is the addition of a silvery cord that extends from between your shoulder blades and trails behind you, fading to invisibility after 1 foot. This cord is your tether to your material body. As long as the tether remains intact, you can find your way home. If the cord is cut-something that can happen only when an effect specifically states that it does-your soul and body are separated, killing you instantly. Your astral form can freely travel through the Astral Plane and can pass through portals there leading to any other plane. If you enter a new plane or return to the plane you were on when casting this spell, your body and possessions are transported along the silver cord, allowing you to re-enter your body as you enter the new plane. Your astral form is a separate incarnation. Any damage or other effects that apply to it have no effect on your physical body, nor do they persist when you return to it. The spell ends for you and your companions when you use your action to dismiss it. When the spell ends, the affected creature returns to its physical body, and it awakens. The spell might also end early for you or one of your companions. A successful dispel magic spell used against an astral or physical body ends the spell for that creature. If a creature's original body or its astral form drops to 0 hit points, the spell ends for that creature. If the spell ends and the silver cord is intact, the cord pulls the creature's astral form back to its body, ending its state of suspended animation. If you are returned to your body prematurely, your companions remain in their astral forms and must find their own way back to their bodies, usually by dropping to 0 hit points.

Spell Details

School: Necromancy
Level: 9
Ritual: No
Concentration: No
Classes: Cleric, Warlock, Wizard
A-Tier Astral Projection is an exceptional utility and exploration spell that bypasses physical obstacles and enables safe reconnaissance, but its lack of direct combat application prevents it from reaching S-tier.

Player Guide

Use Astral Projection to scout dangerous locations risk-free while your body remains safe in a protected location, as astral bodies can pass through walls and are immune to physical harm. Coordinate with your party to project together and gather intelligence on enemy positions, traps, and layouts before committing to a physical assault. Remember that you cannot affect the material plane directly while astral, so use this spell for information gathering rather than combat, and establish a secure location for your unconscious bodies to prevent capture or desecration.

DM Tips

Clarify the rules for astral body interactions: astral bodies can see and hear the Astral Plane and material plane simultaneously but cannot affect material objects or creatures, and they have their normal AC and HP but cannot be permanently killed (they just return to their body). Establish whether traveling to distant material planes requires knowledge of the destination and how long astral travel takes to reach specific locations.